Community Conversation Economic Development Recap

Economic Development Conversation

On Sunday April 13th over 40 members of the community joined in to discuss economic development in Newburgh at the Green Room in Safe Harbors of the Hudson. They had guest speaker Madeline Fletcher, Executive Director of the Newburgh Community Land Bank. The discussion was broken down into 4 groups with different facilitators: business/commercial development, infrastructure, the creative economy and residential development. Here are some of the important points they felt needed attention

  • Businesses need access to information easily and incubator and start ups should be encouraged. There should be diversity and language options as well as a designated public relations and marketing department in the City.
  • Attention to basic necessities (water, sewage, roads and sidewalks), quality of life (lighting, safety, parking, parks, transportation) and funding.
  • Get the ferry to run more often and make it more accessible. Digitize tourism for the City, an ad campaign for Newburgh targeted at Brooklynites, and alternate modes of transportation.

Overall it seemed most groups felt that marketing Newburgh is a prevalent need as well as addressing transportation and funding for new businesses and start ups. They are already trying to schedule a date for the next Community Conversation. Please email Arianna which date is suitable for you if you wish to attend. arianna.koudounas@gmail.com

Next Conversation Featured Guest
Interim City Manager, James Slaughter

Date
TBA- Please reply with your preference(s) for the following:
Saturday, June 7th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Sunday, June 8th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday, June 14th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday, June 28th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Sunday, June 29th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Saturday, July 12th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Sunday, July 13th, 3:30-5:30 pm

How to Sponsor a Community Conversation
It is their intention that each Newburgh Community Conversation be hosted at a different space within the community, and sponsored by a different local institution (ie: food and office supplies), be it a business or otherwise. Please be in touch with Arianna directly if you are interested in providing one or both!