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Putnam County EDC previews ‘Brewster Crossing’ and third annual breakfast symposium
Summary
The Putnam County Economic Development Corporation previewed its third annual breakfast symposium, named Joe Cotter as the featured speaker for the Brewster Crossing revitalization project, and announced a one‑speaker plus three‑panelist format with attendance reportedly up about 18% from the prior year.
Kathleen Abels, listed in the agenda as president of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation, told the committee on Sept. 23 that the EDC's third annual breakfast symposium will focus on downtown revitalization and include a featured speaker who will lead the planned Brewster Crossing project.
"This will be our 3rd annual breakfast symposium. We're gaining momentum. I think our attendance was up 18% last year as compared to the year before," Abels said, and identified Joe Cotter of National Resources Inc. (Greenwich, Conn.) as the event's primary speaker.
Why it matters: The EDC framed the symposium as both a fundraiser and a chance to promote downtown revitalization strategies that rely on arts and placemaking to attract foot traffic and businesses. Abels credited arts‑led reopenings elsewhere with stimulating restaurant growth and said the Brewster Crossing work includes housing and infrastructure improvements to support local economic development.
Event format and speakers: This year's program will feature one primary speaker with a three‑person panel. Abels named panelists Carla Castillo (clean energy/stream funding resource), Linda Malave (regional director, Empire State Development), and Adam Bosch. Alana Daley, identified as the chair of the EDC board, will serve as moderator.
Attendance and outreach: Abels said paper VIP invitations were distributed to legislators and county department heads and reported Eventbrite registrations showing an increase in attendance. She noted a mix of expected attendees, including trade‑training center representatives, realtors and local business people, and encouraged committee members to attend.
Committee response: Committee members thanked Abels for the update; no committee action on the event was recorded during the meeting.
Notes on transcript inconsistencies: The agenda and the chair introduced the presenter as "Kathleen Abels, president of the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation." At the end of the presentation the chair referred to the presenter as "Miss Fleming" in the transcript. The transcript does not resolve whether the speaker who delivered the full presentation is Kathleen Abels or a differently named presenter; this article attributes the presentation to the agenda‑listed presenter while noting the inconsistent reference recorded in the meeting transcript.
What happens next: The EDC event is scheduled; the committee was encouraged to attend and no further action was recorded.
