Hudson Valley AgriBusiness efforts debut in three counties
HUDSON—Farming success in the Hudson Valley requires a multitude of skills. It is no longer sufficient simply to be good at growing crops or raising livestock. Today’s farmers must also be knowledgeable about the local, metropolitan and even global markets. They must be sophisticated about financing, innovative about equipment and technology, and plugged into labor force networks.
These same farmers are a major part of the economic engine driving the local economy. Orange County’s farm economy produces about $110 million a year, which generates an additional $60 million in related economic activity. In Columbia County, farmers pump about $80 million/year directly into the local economy, while in Ulster, the farm economy produces $51 million and an additional $26 million in related activity.
So it is only natural that agencies concerned with economic development see the importance of supporting and nurturing the agriculture sector.
Giving muscle to this commitment, the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and the Ulster County IDA have each pledged $25,000/year for the next three years to support the newly created Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC).
Columbia Economic Development Corporation earlier this year helped establish HVADC with a three-year grant of $25,000/year, along with an identical matching grant from the Columbia County Empire Zone.
HVADC’s purpose is to map out an over-arching plan for the region’s agricultural development, and then to develop a regional agriculture “Incubator Without Walls,” providing economic development support services targeting agribusiness in Ulster, Orange and Columbia counties.
The incubator programs will work with food processors, forest product industry operators, and other agricultural production businesses that can benefit from greater regional communication and access to technical assistance. The new agency will also provide assistance to those businesses in value-added food processing, ag marketing and distribution, ag related alternative energy production, and ag biotechnology.
HVADC’s business assistance programs will include identification of services needed, provide coaching and facilitation, and monitor progress, all with the goal of accelerating the growth and increasing the chances for long-term success for qualified agriculture-related businesses.
To provide these services, HVADC will put together a regional team of professionals – lawyers, accountants, marketing specialists, financiers, professors/instructors, industry specialists and others – who will be accessible to businesses receiving assistance.
Because access to quality business development services in the Hudson Valley is limited, especially for small farms and food processors, HVADC organizers believe opening access to sophisticated services is likely to improve the bottom line of existing businesses as well as the success rate of start-up businesses. As a regional agricultural development entity, HVADC is ideally positioned to coordinate and deliver these services.
Recognizing the potential leverage of HVADC, State Senators Stephen Saland, William Larkin, Jr., and Thomas Morahan sponsored two member items in support of these new efforts. The senators secured $50,000 for HVADC’s work on the Agribusiness Incubator without Walls, and another $50,000 for HVADC to do a Biodiesel Feasibility Analysis for the Hudson Valley.
“Given the importance of agriculture to both our state and local economy, the significance of an infusion of funds to provide technical assistance through the Agribusiness Incubator Without Walls cannot be understated,” said Saland (41st District, Poughkeepsie). “In addition, the Biodiesel Feasibility Study can play a critical role in agribusiness development in the Hudson Valley. These two programs are a step in the right direction to make our area one of the premier agribusiness venues in the state. I am pleased to have been of assistance in securing the funding,” said Saland.
“These grants will be extremely beneficial in helping to improve the profitability of our local agricultural community,” added Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson). “The funding will bring farmers and expert business counselors together in a way that will create more successful opportunities for farmers and area agriculture-based businesses, and help broaden the economic base of the Hudson Valley in general. I am very pleased to have been able to support these important efforts.”
The Biodiesel Feasibility Analysis will assess the supply and demand factors for biodiesel production, examine the feasibility by looking at the technology, scale and competition as well as gather data and do a financial analysis on a potential facility. The HVADC project will also study the feasibility of a biodiesel raw input crushing facility.
Assemblyman Marc Molinaro (103rd District, Red Hook) secured a member item for a Biodiesel Study of Non-Market Factors that will look at regulatory and environmental issues, various potential government and tax incentives, and investment and other financial implications.
“I am pleased to have secured $7,500 for Hudson Valley AgriBusiness that will be used to study the feasibility in developing a bio-diesel plant,” said Molinaro. “It is imperative that we explore alternative fuel sources. I am delighted to support a project that may not only create jobs, but also reduce our reliance on foreign petroleum, and support our local farms.”
Overseeing HVADC’s start-up activities is Executive Director Todd Erling, who was deputy executive director at Columbia Economic Development Corp. for five years. CEDC, with offices in Hudson, is housing and providing support services to HVADC.
Additional funding for HVADC’s work comes from the Orange County Ag & Farmland Protection Board, Dyson Foundation, the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation, Rheinstrom Hill Community Foundation, and the State Department of State Quality Communities Program. For more information about HVADC, call Mr. Erling at 518-828-4718 or e-mail terling@chpartnership.com.