GLOVERSVILLE - A plan for a 280-acre business park that would boost the economies of both Fulton and Montgomery counties gained the endorsement of the area's two congressmen, who sat down for a roundtable discussion with business leaders Wednesday at the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
"I think it will be one of the major phases that moves us forward," U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, told the chamber group. "As you bring in different companies, they're going to need services."
U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, added, "That's the kind of plan that makes logical sense."
Both congressmen said they will help support the regional business park on the federal level, listening for more than 90 minutes to concerns from area business people on that project and other issues during the roundtable. About 25 people attended the chamber event, which included discussion about tourism woes, the need for trade jobs, regulation, taxes and the inability of businesses to secure loans.
Fulton County Economic Development Corp. President Michael Reese told the congressmen he would leave them information about the business park planned by both Fulton and Montgomery counties. He said Fulton County is down to 45 acres of available business space and the park would be built near the borders of southern Fulton and northern Montgomery counties.
"We'd really like to push this as our next regional business park," Reese said.
Tonko suggested area officials build the new park plan into "different blocks" such as energy, communications and roads, to obtain as much federal funding as they can.
Ann Hirvonen, co-owner of the Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Benson, told the congressmen "infrastructure is an issue for us." She said people have to walk three-quarters of a mile carrying ski equipment to get to the center. In addition to road problems, she said, she doesn't have cell phone service or broadband Internet.
"It's difficult to attract business people who want to work while they are on vacation," Hirvonen said.
Owens said more stimulus funding is needed for roads, and broadband is a large issue in the district. He said a critical infrastructure project is needed in the Adirondacks.
"I've been very focused in that," Owens said. "We've been involved in many discussions."
On another tourism issue, Karl Ziemann, owner of Caroga Lake Marina, noted the town of Caroga is "very depressed." Some residents don't like change, he said, and the town faces troublesome zoning issues and a dwindling school population. He said many stores are closed and construction costs have doubled. He said he can't live with just 34 dock spaces at his marina.
Tonko said the nation needs a plan to help small business grow. He complimented Hirvonen and Ziemann for sticking through tough economic times because tourism is a "driving force" for small business. "We're sitting here in this hotbed of destinations, in Fulton County, with this richness of history," Tonko said.
Bion Soblosky, owner of Bio-Tech Mechanical, Plumbing and Heating, told the congressmen that improving educational opportunities for "green" jobs is good but asked what can be done to bring trade jobs back.
"This green thing is just a marketing scheme for a down economy," he said.
Tonko said America needs to employ new ideas and seize upon ventures in high-tech, engineering and green areas.
"In terms of being a passing thing, it better not be," Tonko said. "I think it behooves us not to take it likely."
Gloversville real estate agency owner Virginia Mackey brought up various problems affecting her seven-person business. They included a non-lending attitude by banks to commercial and small business applicants.
"A lot of money has gone into the banking industry, but they're not lending," she said. "How do I exist with no cash flow?"
Mackey said she's 67 years old and works many hours to stay afloat, adding: "I'm getting tired." She said people have "no confidence" in Washington and the last two years have been the worst economically in her 40 years in the profession.
Diana Marshall, owner of the Gloversville Sewing Center, said the economy has plagued her opportunities to expand into Saratoga and Albany counties.
Owens said the Obama administration has a further plan to pump billions more into the economy. He added that banks feel the pressure to lend, but also pressure from regulators.
"We have to build confidence again," Tonko said. "This [economic downturn] was building for over a decade. We're not going to do it overnight."
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
