Adirondack Park Agency Highlights Successful Entrepreneurial Efforts

The Adirondack Park Agency has undertaken a public awareness initiative to inform the general public about successful entrepreneurs that are building businesses, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening communities inside the Adirondack Park.

APA Executive Director Terry Martino said, "The economy of the Adirondack Park reflects the many challenges that face rural areas of New York State and our Nation. We are fortunate that tourism is a strong sector of the Park’s business community but we must work to diversify the regional economy. This year the Agency was privileged to learn first hand from some of the Park’s most talented and dedicated citizens on how they have succeeded in implementing critical infrastructure and building successful businesses inside the Park. Their efforts should be applauded and emulated."

The following links lead to video presentations from the Agency's Economic Affairs Committee meetings. Please be patient while video loads. Videos will be positioned at beginning of presentation during Agency meeting.

Keene, New York Town-Wide Broadband Internet Project

The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort – Green Hotel Management

Essex Farm - Sustainable Agriculture & Community Markets

For a summary of the presentations, please see the Agency's press release.

Welcome to the "Business/Economy" Section

It is the Agency’s hope that information presented in this section of the website will be helpful in understanding the Adirondack Park economy as well as the range of business opportunities in the Park. It should also help clarify the Agency’s role in permitting business development and assist entrepreneurs in identifying sources of assistance for business planning, site location and financing.

The information provided in this section is consistent with the Agency’s Economic Development Policy, adopted on August 11, 1995, which is as follows:

“It is policy of the Adirondack Park Agency to support economic development activities that allow the balanced objectives of 801 of the APA Act to be met. The Agency will support the creation and retention of jobs within the region in ways that are consistent with its statutory responsibilities with the understanding that economic improvement and stability are vital parts of a collective effort to protect and enhance quality-of-life within the Park.”

We intend to expand the content of the site over time and would appreciate your comments and suggestions. Feel free to contact the Agency's Public Information Officer, Keith McKeever at phone number (518) 891-4050.

Economic Services Unit

The Agency’s Economic Services Unit assists in the coordination of technical services for existing and prospective businesses and provides important business planning information related to the requirements of the Adirondack Park Agency Act. The Unit also works as a resource for State and local economic developers regarding the Agency’s planning and regulatory program responsibilities. Economic services are closely coordinated with all other program activities of the Agency.

The Economic Services Unit is staffed by the Agency’s Special Assistant for Economic Affairs who provides critical expertise in real estate market and financial feasibility analysis, economic and fiscal impact analysis, economic development planning, and organizational development to permit review and local government services. The Special Assistant also serves as liaison to State and local economic development organizations and the region’s business community.