The Saratoga Economic Development
Corp. released a new publication this year
in the form of a private sector plan for
economic development in Saratoga County.
“Innovation Saratoga: A Plan For Our
Future” was launched at an event last fall
to SEDC membership.
“Established in 1978, Saratoga Economic
Development Corp. was instrumental in revitalizing
a county with a declining job market
and an oppressive tax burden,” SEDC
officials said in a statement. “The secret to
this success is a business-friendly, private,
nonprofit corporation focused strictly on
developing new job opportunities, retaining
existing businesses and expanding the tax
base within Saratoga County.”
SEDC officials said its staff has years of experience navigating the local and state business environment and has the knowledge and expertise to provide “a seamless delivery service of site selection, local approvals, incentive packaging and negotiation with local and state agencies.”
The innovation plan outlines SEDC’s operating advantages, which include confidentiality, expertise, results delivered “at the speed of business” and local knowledge, the agency said.
Expanding on these advantages, the strategic focus is on three main points: Helping local employers invest more in Saratoga County; aggressively marketing and selling Saratoga County to targeted prospects; and building Saratoga County’s capacity to expand economic opportunity.
While the plan goes into further detail on all three points and actions SEDC has taken in the past and will continue to take in the future, agency President Dennis Brobston also tries to show, outside of the publication, how SEDC plans to keep economic development “innovative” by participating in events such as the recent 2014 Global Innovative Summit (GIS14) in San Jose, Calif.
Brobston served as dean of a “dynamic living laboratory” where he hosted and facilitated conversations that advanced his group of delegates through the process of designing an innovative ecosystem, SEDC reported.
Officials said that by participating and taking leadership at events like the Summit, SEDC is able to build on their relationships with innovators like Victor Wang, author of “The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley,” and also make new connections with innovators around the world.
As outlined in the final section of the plan, “Measuring Our Progress,” SEDC said there is a lot of work to be done to continue the legacy of 35 years of economic development in Saratoga County.
“While some of the work is more apparent, like attendance at trade shows and other networking opportunities, SEDC is very aware that a lot of work must be done in the weeks, such as making retention calls, tracking job creation and retention, as well as total additional payroll from jobs created and additional tax assessment,” agency officials said.
Brobston knows economic development isn’t an easy field, because the work of economic development is never done. But SEDC is looking forward to what is next for Saratoga County and is thriving from the support of its members and the community, officials said.