Economic growth is music to countyâ€™s ears

Roll over Beethoven. Toe tapping and high-fives ruled at the Dutchess County Economic Development Corp.”™s “Radio EDC” celebration May 31 at the Poughkeepsie Grand. Tell Tchaikovsky the news.

Rather than the traditional breakfast, the a.m. event borrowed from American Bandstand, revamping golden oldies to fit the mood, including a rendition of “Buildin”™ on What We Got” by “The Developers” for the Durst Organization, recognized for the reclamation of the former Carvel property in northern Dutchess. That property will soon become upscale homes and a golf course.

Riverside Bank received similar kudos with a refitted song, “Banking on Your Love,” by “The Riversiders.” Riverside was honored for its commercial commitment to business with Dutchess County branches in Poughkeepsie, Red Oaks Mill and Fishkill.

Mixing song and satire with serious statistics, development corporation President Anne Conroy touted 2006 accomplishments: 565 businesses were assisted by her organization, and seven early-stage entrepreneurs were linked with the Dutchess County Angel Network; 365 businesses received tax incentives from the Poughkeepsie/Dutchess empire zone.

In addition to Durst and Riverside, Joe Bonura”™s Shadows on the Hudson/Grandview was recognized as one of the “Cinderella” sites by David Conklin, president of Dutchess County Community College. The first-class catering facility and adjoining restaurant are built on the former sewage treatment plant, a brownfield site that has now become a jewel in Poughkeepsie”™s waterfront crown.

The development corporation completed a fiscal impact study last year and offers a guide to completing such studies. It”™s available to local boards who want to do their own analyses of specific projects.

The study touted the benefits of agritourism. Last year, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets gave the county a $50,000 grant that made it possible to link Metro-North and New York City with a program offering agriculture-themed getaways (www.farmfresh.dutchesstourism.com). More of the same is planned for this year, making Dutchess a destination for mass-trasit-oriented New Yorkers.

That tied in nicely with Garret Corcoran”™s take on tourism and economic development. Corcoran, the president of Dutchess County Tourism”™s Hospitality Industry Council (HIC) and general manager of the Residence Inn Marriott in Poughkeepsie, told the crowd the HIC is “dedicated to enhancing ongoing success of tourism-related business in Dutchess County.” The HIC has 21 members.

“It was a great morning to highlight 2006 accomplishments and gear up for a great summer; we”™ve had a strong year so far,” said Conroy. She is optimistic about 2007 statistics, which will be presented near the end of the year. “We”™re looking forward to a great tourism season, and we”™ll be working again to bring tours from New York City to Dutchess via Metro-North. Agritourism is a key attraction in Dutchess and we want to promote it as much as possible.”

The 2007 Business Excellence Awards will be held on Thursday, November 8 at the Grandview.Â Nominations are available on the development corporation”™s Web site, www.thinkdutchess.com.