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Economic development committee seeks grant, urges comprehensive-plan refresh
Summary
The Economic Development Advisory Committee presented goals including a business network, commercial-property inventory and a proposal to apply for a Hudson Valley Greenways McHenry Community Planning Grant (50% match) to help fund a comprehensive-plan refresh; the board endorsed the committee to continue and asked for a formal resolution at the next meeting.
The Pleasant Valley Economic Development Advisory Committee outlined a short-, medium- and long-term plan to strengthen local hamlets and support small businesses, and asked the Town Board to endorse its work and back an application for a McHenry Community Planning Grant through Hudson Valley Greenways.
Keith Doyle, who identified himself as a committee member and provided his Pleasant Valley mailing address, said the group has met four times and aims to build a network of local businesses, create quarterly roundtables and a newsletter, and assemble an inventory of available commercial properties to better match businesses with local opportunities. "We're just trying to strengthen the hamlets of Pleasant Valley to bring in business and economic growth," Doyle said.
Heather Evanett, the committee's grant drafter, told the board the committee has reviewed the town comprehensive plan and company presentations from consultants such as MJ Engineering and LaBerge Group. Evanett said the current plan contains a roughly 20-year data gap and recommended a targeted refresh rather than a full rewrite. She said the McHenry Community Planning Grant is a 50% matching grant and that the county could help supply demographic and population data to reduce duplication of effort.
Committee members also described goals to support agriculture through a farm lead and partnerships with local organizations, including a planned small-business roundtable and outreach via the Think Duchess economic-development group. Mary Meyer, the committee's community lead, emphasized involving long-time residents so the plan focuses on realistic projects.
After questions from board members about why portions of the last comprehensive plan were not implemented, a board member moved to engage the business community and formally authorize the committee to continue its work and pursue the grant; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee said it will bring a more detailed resolution outlining budget targets and timeline at the next town council meeting and asked for public feedback in the meantime.
Board action: The Town Board accepted the presentation and endorsed the committee to continue; the committee was encouraged to attend the Pleasant Valley Library event organized by Think Duchess and to have a presence at the upcoming Pleasant Valley Weekend to gather public feedback and conduct surveys.
