Leaders offer business forecasts

HV Biz asked business leaders from the Hudson Valley to weigh in on the coming year. Their responses, in their own words:

Nancy O. Amy, executive director, Rhinebeck Area Chamber of Commerce.
“My No. 1 concern for Hudson Valley residents is the economic recovery and job growth. By working together, I hope the public and private sectors can improve the lackluster job scene in our region and when necessary, be able to provide training or re-training for job seekers.
“I hope that more visitors and tourists will discover the Hudson Valley. The Walkway Over the Hudson is an amazing edifice that should attract visitors from near and far. I expect that Rhinebeck and the Northern Dutchess area will benefit from its visitors. We are an outstanding tourism destination, not only for out-of-towners but also for our neighboring communities.
“As the “new kid on the block,” I hope to work more closely with my counterparts and government officials to the benefit of the entire Hudson Valley.”

Irene Andujar, executive director, Vassar-Warner Home, Poughkeepsie.
“I think it is obvious that everyone would like to see the economy recover and unemployment go down. However, I believe even more important is to see a more humble society.
“Each year, the holiday season seems to bring out the better in people. Wouldn”™t it be great if this could happen all year long ”“ that people and businesses could be responsible and do what”™s right all the time?Â
“I have seen people in my community become more involved, resourceful and helpful to others in need, and I hope this trend will continue throughout the new year and the years to come.”

Edward Arace, president, Arace Consulting, Warwick.
“Changes in the way New York state is governed top the list. To accomplish this, a state constitutional convention with delegates elected, three from each Senate district and 15 at large. Exclude current statewide elected officials, members of the state Legislature or political party leaders to be a true citizens delegation. Currently, three men: the governor, the Assembly speaker and the Senate president rule the state and all three are from New York City; we must have geographic balance.
“I would like to see New York state move to countywide school districts, with the goal being better education at lower cost. By doing this, every child in every county would be afforded the same educational opportunities and we could achieve an economy of scale realized through operational efficiencies by increasing the purchasing power of the multiple districts into a single purchasing department, consolidating management and administrations and buildings and much more, including the elimination of the Office of Equalization and Assessment in Albany. This could help make the state become both economically competitive for businesses and reduce astronomical property taxes ”“ approximately 65 percent of which are school taxes.”

Peter Bardunias, executive director, Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
“I hope 2010 will see all seven major Putnam County chambers come together as a single entity. It would bring the brightest and best business minds in the county to one table, help us to achieve that critical mass necessary to be a strong advocate for our members, a voice in the Hudson Valley and in Albany, provide networking opportunities for businesses both large and small and help boost our county as a tourism destination. It may be a tall order, but one we are very capable of filling if we all work together. I have a great degree of confidence in my colleagues within this county and beyond.
“On a regional level, I see more inter-chamber cooperation. The counties of the Hudson Valley will seek to brand and market this region as an attractive destination for tourists, for business startups and expansion, and for new residents.Â We have a lot to offer, and the time has come for us to be more demonstrative in this area. We have too much to offer to let our tourism numbers slip.”

Susan Cayea, executive director, Orange County/Hudson Valley Tourism, Goshen.
“I”™m hoping New York state will continue to consider the tourism industry a major investment and maintain the funding we have received in the past. We are a huge destination for the world and we need to keep sending the message that we”™re a great place to visit. Every tourism promotion dollar spent in the state results in at least $10 being spent by a visitor. That”™s more than a great return on investment. We should all be doing that well in the stock market.”

John D”™Ambrosio, president and CEO, Orange County Chamber of Commerce.
“I hope to see New York become more business-friendly; that health insurance premiums would be held to no more than the cost of living; that the state Legislature and governor ”˜spread the pain”™ of the MTA payroll tax equitably and our efforts to do something meaningful about it would be successful. Also: that fewer people wake up wondering if they”™ll still have a job at the end of the day; that greater numbers of our representatives in Albany would take real responsibility for the people they serve, that more people would support our nonprofit organizations and health care institutions as they are faced with unprecedented shortfalls and decreases in funding; that everyone would realize that we need to work together to deal with the many challenges that face us; that more of our members would take better advantage of what the Orange County Chamber can do for them.
“Last but not least, that 2010 will prove to more prosperous than 2009 for everyone in the community.”

March Gallagher, deputy director, Ulster County Economic Development Corp.
“Remain focused on redevelopment of existing industrial facilities: ongoing leasing at Tech City; repurposing Hydro Schrade in Ellenville; the expansion of solar and green building manufacturing clusters to create good-paying production jobs with good development at Winston Farm for these companies.
“In the coming year, we will continue to pursue enhancement of the 2009 Local Food Corridor with growing to processing to cold storage and distribution of local products for both local and metro New York City markets.
“Ulster County Bank Consortium”™s Credit for Success Program will help small business obtain the credit it needs to sustain and grow. We”™ll encourage Walkway Over the Hudson visitors to relax and shop on our Main Streets and enjoy the wealth of beauty and history we offer as a tourism destination. For the Hudson Valley region to truly reach its potential, our communities need less cost-shifting from Albany to small-business taxpayers.”

Maureen Halahan, president and CEO, Orange County Partnership.
“I”™d like to see a rise in consumer confidence; that”™s the backbone of our economy.Â
“I”™d like to see banks loosen their purse strings. We have several developments and projects ready to go but need the financing to do it.Â I hope that 2010 will see us putting more shovels in the ground and unemployment numbers down.”Â

Lou Heimbach, former Orange County executive and president of Sterling Forest L.L.C.
“First and foremost, I look forward to peace to the world ”“ while it may be a far-reaching and impossible task, I hope our country is going in the right direction.
“On a state level, we need to get this budget mess in order; the governor needs to get the Legislature to understand we cannot continue to borrow our way out of this. As long as our revenue continues to fall, we need to rein in spending on all levels. We”™re very fortunate in my own county, Orange, we have had sound fiscal leadership and financially are one ofÂ strongest counties in the state, which makes it all the moreÂ obvious that, with good management, we are capable of achieving good results on a statewide level as long as there is cooperation and spending within means.”

Ron Hicks, president and CEO, Rockland Economic Development Corp.
“Business and residents in New York state are saddled with the highest taxes in the nation. Immediate relief is necessary to slam the breaks on the downward spiral of our economy and on the exodus of small businesses and our talented work force.
“Long term relief is also necessary to begin the rebuilding of our Empire State and to attract jobs for the future of New York. I”™d like to see responsible tax reform and extensions ofÂ both the Empire Zone program and the IDA Civic Facilities legislation; a reformulation of the MTA payroll tax; an effort to consolidate the 10,500 state government entities and to see a constitutional convention on the ballot.”

Harold King, executive vice president, Council of Industry, Newburgh.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of our Manufacturers Association.Â As a special anniversary present to the manufacturing firms in the Hudson Valley and the tens of thousands of people who work for them, I would like to see our elected officials take a more cooperative, comprehensive and long-term approach to solving the myriad of problems facing our communities, our state and our nation. I would like an energy policy that encourages sustainability and security while using sound market principles. I would like an economic development policy that emphasizes investment in existing small businesses over subsidies to lure new firms. I would like a tax policy that encourages innovation, investment and savings.
“And finally I would like fiscal responsibility to be the practice of governments at every level, not simply the theory.
“If the New Year brings these things, manufacturing in the valley will thrive for another 100 years.”

Benjamin Krevolin, president, Dutchess County Arts Council.
“An increased financial investment in the arts community from both the public and private sectors. I would very much like to see participation increase ”“ with just a tiny effort and resolve to help our arts economy, we can pack Dia:Beacon, the Powerhouse Theatre, the Dorsky Museum, the Bard Music Festival, the Bardavon and Ulster Performing Arts Center to overflowing.
“I would like to see the workshops at Barrett Art Center, Mill Street Loft, The Women”™s Studio Workshop and the Center for Photography at Woodstock all overbooked. I would love to see our kids”™ schedules overflowing with art classes and art-infused curriculum. I would like to see a group of regional community leaders dedicate themselves to making all ”“ or at least some ”“ of this happen.
“What we need to do is make it happen.”

Rob Lunski, executive director, Gateway to Entrepreneurial Tomorrow (GET), Poughkeepsie and Newburgh.
“Peace, equality and justice for all ”” how do we make them a reality? Perhaps, instead of wishing for something, we make these realities in the new year.
“At GET, we promise to continue helping minorities and low-income people start their own business, as we have been doing for the last four years.
“With a success rate of one of every four of our entrepreneurs, our program has proven itself and has been recognized as more effective than many state or federal programs. The best part is that it costs millions of dollars less than the aforementioned programs.
“We believe that economic prosperity is achieved from the bottom up. Empower people at the bottom of the economic ladder to climb up and everyone climbs up.
“In addition to a promise, I also want to see a true effort on the part of all the public officials to truly represent the interests of the majority of the population. We will truly be a great nation when everyone”™s needs are satisfied.”

Thomas McQuade, executive vice president, Associated Aircraft Group, Fishkill.
“Looking ahead, I would like to see corporations begin flying again for their business needs. There is a great desire to have new business come to Dutchess County and call the Hudson Valley Research Park (HVRP) home. We hope to see that happen and that, along with HVRP”™s growth, there will be growth in corporate aviation travel and in our local economy.”Â

Ann Meagher, president, Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce.
“An improvement in our economic stability ”“not just our region, but our entire country. That means an economy that puts theÂ emphasis on producing goods, not consuming them with borrowed money and relying on federal stimulus. The frailty of our economy also depends on confidence. I hope business will seize opportunities to help consumers come out of their shells. I hope to see a dramatic reversal of our region”™s unemployment rate.
“On the policy side, I”™d like to see our leaders not demagogues on issues but actually make some responsible economic policy decisions that focus on job growth for our region. We need to reintroduce policies that will help us create and retail jobs. In the last decade, we lost a net 1.5 million residents. We desperately need to reverse this trend. This needs to be our state”™s top priority.”

Joyce Minard, president, New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Our Hudson Valley region has such an enormous array of talent in its residents and weekend homeowners. We all want a better place to live and we are all consumers.Â I hope to see us help our local communities by shopping locally whenever and wherever possible. Only we can bring our regional recession to an end. It”™s so easy to shop online, but we must have the faith in our neighbors to help keep us going by patronizing our stores, businesses and restaurants.Â Â
“Our economy would benefit so much from consolidation in every area possible. It”™s time for us to start acting in a way that”™s fiscally responsible.”

Charles S. North, president and CEO, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“A significant drop in unemployment spurred by the creation of new jobs here in the Hudson Valley would be welcome. The economic challenge we have been faced with will not subside until we see job growth. Subscribing to the idea that we are out of the woods creates additional dangers of living in a false economy. One of our region”™s most significant opportunities for economic opportunity ”“ StewartÂ International AirportÂ and its potential ”“should be utilized as much as possible.
“The second hope on my wish list for the new year is that the coalition of chambers of commerce and business organizations continue to fight the unjust MTA tax, which takes 33 cents of every $100 of payroll adding even more fiscal stress for business owners from sole proprietors to national corporations.”

Wayne Nussbickel, president, N&S Supply Co., Fishkill.
“We need a realistic approach on how to move the country forward and to collectivelyÂ abandon the belief that we can spend our way out of this recession. True and lasting prosperity can only be created by hard work, smart investing and fiscal responsibility, not by catering to special-interest groups. I would like to see continued support for local businesses that are engines for job growth and the money they earn is spent right here. We all need to keep in mind our nonprofits need our generosity now more than ever.
“Creating good business incentives and making property taxes affordable are the way to keep New York a placeÂ where people and businesses want to stay, not run away, whether they are Fortune 500 companies or your local mom-and-pop store.”Â

Michael Oates, president and CEO, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC), New Windsor.
“I am hopeful New York will get its finances in order so that we can attract high-quality jobs and investment to the Hudson Valley. I am also eager to see the region identify and advance shovel-ready sites for high-tech end users. While the global economy was hit hard in 2009, our region had some great successes ”“ APS Healthcare, OSI, Regeneron and SpectraWatt ”“ to name a few. HVEDC is excited about our future and looks forward to building on our past successes.”

Al Samuels, president, Rockland Business Association.
“I would like to see an end to open ballot voting. New York is one of only seven states that still accepts this ”˜cross endorsement”™ policy that allows minor or fringe parties to have an unreasonable degree of power in our political process.Â
“The Working Families Party, for example, notes on its website, ”˜Open ballot voting is our secret weapon ”“ a key part of our strategy.”™Â Every business organization in the state should coalesce around an effort to end this archaic and dangerous practice.
“To every elected official and everyone who wants to run for elected office, I say, ”˜You want to win, do it on a single line, not with the vote totals of multiple lines.”™”

Josh Sommers, president, Focus Media, Monticello.
“I would like to see real economic development leadership emerge from the governor”™s office. If not from Gov. Paterson, New Yorkers may make a change in November. New York needs an economic development program to replace the Empire Zone, and the governor”™s lack of an announced replacement puts efforts to bring new companies here in doubt.Â Positive economic development is not by cutting ways to attract business here, as has been done by the current administration. Let”™s give businesses a reason to come here.
“I am hopeful that increased consumer confidence and a stabilized lending market will lead to new investments and ramped-up spending by companies. Consumer spending and company reinvestments mean more success for us all. The economic recovery is here. It”™s up to all of us to position our businesses for success as we climb out.”

Ward Todd, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County.
“A new decade finds us offering businesses in our county the programs and services they need to survive and to thrive. I look forward to further growth in the solar technology industry through the efforts of the Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) and its partners in the public and private sector.Â We hope to see the expansions created in 2009 continue and prosper in 2010.
“We also expect to see a return on the investment made by the county and its economic development corporationÂ in promoting our region as aÂ tourism destination.
“While some area businesses may see additional challenges in the months ahead, most of our members are now poised to meet the challenge and succeed. Our job is to continue to creating a climate where business can grow, and we intend to fulfill that obligation to the very best of our ability.”

Mary Kay Vrba, executive director, Dutchess County Tourism/Hudson Valley Tourism.
“I”™d like to see moreÂ people traveling and discovering the beauty of the Hudson River Valley and staying overnight in Dutchess County. I hopeÂ Walkway Over the Hudson will continue to draw interest in our local tourist sites and become a magnet for the entire region.
“I also look for the nation to become more stable. I would like to see the nation reach higher employment levels and see more people at work or that retraining be made more available to help those who need to cross over industries.”