A new Adirondack Welcome Center rest area that the state is calling state-of-the-art opened in September on the Northbound side of the Northway, between exits 17 and 18.

The 8,615-square-foot center cost $16.2 million and is located on a 22-acre lot, just over the Saratoga County line between the Hudson River and Exit 18.

The facility is a comfortable, modern gateway to the Adirondacks region, promoting local attractions and providing a family-friendly respite for travelers heading into New York state’s six-million-acre Adirondack Park, the largest publicly protected park in the contiguous United States.

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership has released the first-ever Saratoga County Agricultural Index, which identifies the agriculture sector as a critical component of the county’s economy, generating more than $500 million in annual economic impact.

That figure includes nearly $300 million produced by equine interests, including Saratoga Race Course, and more than $200 million in agricultural products, support services and commodities sold, according to the agency.

Business leaders, farmers and industry stakeholders gathered at Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa in September for the unveiling of the inaugural index.

Leadership Saratoga, a program of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, announced its 32nd class of participants.

The Leadership Saratoga program selects up to 24 people each year to participate in an intensive nine month training program designed to teach them skills for stronger leadership, group dynamics, and issues facing Saratoga County and area nonprofits. After completion of the program participants are expected to volunteer as leaders in their communities within Saratoga County.

The group held its opening retreat in September at Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake.

In a push to strengthen healthcare education enrollment, Stat Staff Professionals Inc. and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsoring the first Healthcare Education Summit in Saratoga Springs on Oct. 19.

The event is being held in the Peerless Room of the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is open to the public.

The event grew out of Stat Staff’s education initiative to assist not only its own caregivers, but to enable all prospective nursing and allied health students to have access and aid to healthcare education, officials said.

The Saratoga Independent School (SIS) formally opened its new Middle School in September.

The Middle School at SIS is for students in  sixth grade this fall and will expand by adding seventh grade in the fall 2019 and eighth grade in Fall 2020 school officials said.

A ribbon-cutting event celebrated its opening at the SIS campus at 459 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the thoughtful and unprecedented growth of SIS, a school that has more than doubled in enrollment in recent years, and has doubled in physical size since 2016,” said Lisa Brown, SIS head of school. “The Middle School at Saratoga Independent School is here.” 

By Jill Nagy

The Red Roof Inn in Clifton Park has undergone an ownership change. The new owners are giving a makeover to the facility.

“We are making it fabulous. It will be as nice as any hotel in Clifton Park, but at a lower price point,”  said Alan Schnurman, one of the new owners.

Schnurman and his partners have been active in the Hamptons on Long Island and other downstate areas, but this is their first venture in the Capital Region. Schnurman said they zeroed in on Clifton Park because of its great growth rate, its reputation as a growing tech area, and the surrounding vacation attractions

Athena Real Estate LLC has acquired Saratoga RV Park, a 154-site park located at 4894 Route 50 in Gansevoort.

The property joins a growing collection of RV parks and resorts operating under the umbrella of Applebrook RV Parks.

Saratoga RV Park offers full amenities and full service sites for seasonal and transient guests. According to the new owners, the property is well positioned competitively and provides guests with a strong location to access the fantastic activities and attractions in the area.