Fans, Students, Players and Community Benefit from Amsterdam Mohawks

May 2019 Fans, Students, Players and Community Benefit From Amsterdam Mohawks By Jessica Ford Newsline Editor “… And they’ll walk out By The Numbers to the bleachers, and sit in shirt-sleeves on a perfect after- — The number of games noon. They’ll find they have played each season by reserved seats somewhere 50 each team in the PGCBL along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were The number of children and cheered their he- fireworks shows, roes. And they’ll watch the 5 on designated game, and it’ll be as if they’d evenings, that top off 35 dipped themselves in magic games during each The number of players waters. The memories will be season on the Mohawks roster so thick, they’ll have to brush Amsterdam Mohawks fans look on as the 2013 team celebrates them away from their faces.” their championship win in 2013. Photo by Mark Perfetti It’s hard to forget that vivid ,899 — The approximate distance dialogue from the movie “Field cessful elite wood bat sum- young players that will carry 4between Amsterdam, NY and University of of Dreams,” where character mer-league teams, will open the sport into the future. Hawaii, the farthest distance a student has trav- Terrence Mann, played memo- its 16th season at Shuttleworth The Mohawks, website, eled to play for the Amsterdam Mohawks Park, and mark the 33rd year www.amsterdammohawks. rably by James Earl Jones, ex- Number of championships since its founding in 1986 in com, details the team’s impres- — The number plains why people would come won by head coach Keith Schenectady. sive record in recent years. They 6 of people who to visit an obscure baseball Griffin to date The Shuttleworth venue is won 3 New York Collegiate 6 have served as field in the middle of Iowa. the official Mojo Fans of the Amsterdam in the confines of the city, but Baseball League champion- Number of families in mascot to date Mohawks understand, as they when you’re a fan, it seems ships prior to 2004. They have 12 and near Montgomery too, have a special place to en- like worlds away. Sitting in won 6 championships since County who house Mohawks joy the sport of baseball and all the bleachers or along the 2009, when current coach Keith players during any given season 30 that goes with it. On Thursday, baseline, you are reminded Griffin took the helm. — The Number of May 30, the Mohawks, one of the past, yet all the while More than 100 former Number of players freebies (tee shirts, of the region’s most suc- you are watching the talented Mohawks players have signed 5 hosted each sea- frisbees, etc.) that are professional baseball con- son in the home of Bob thrown to tracts, including San Francisco Adamson, the Mohawks’ excited fans during Giants phenom Hunter Pence most long-standing host each game

(Texas-Arlington) who played

PERMIT #370 PERMIT for the Mohawks in 2002 and — Maximum capacity of Mohawks

ALBANY NY ALBANY Stadium and additional viewing areas

PAID helped the Giants to World 2,500

U.S. POSTAGE U.S. Series victories in 2012 and

PRSRT STD PRSRT 2014; Luke Maile (Kentucky) The number of the Toronto Blue Jays; Mark 40 of staff and 43,000 interns onsite for — The approximate total See Mohawks, each game attendance logged for the on page 5 2018 Mohawks season

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Letter from the President

We now have had enough rain and sunshine to bring about a sudden and intense green to our landscape. And We are the leading voice of business in the region providing with that comes the desire and need to “spruce up” proper- advocacy, resources and solutions for our members. ties – business and/or residential. There have recently been a number of organized com- Newsline is published by the Fulton Montgomery Regional munity clean-up efforts throughout the region, sponsored by Chamber of Commerce in partnership with McClary Media/ local organizations including the Chamber. These efforts are The Recorder good – and timely – because in just a few short weeks the official start of summer is upon us with Memorial Day week- Officers 2019 end, and with that, travelers from outside the area coming to our region to spend their dollars at our local businesses. Chair of the Board James Landrio, The Chamber’s Tourism department does an excellent Holiday Inn Johnstown-Gloversville job of marketing our region, reaching out to prospective Chair Elect Denis Wilson, visitors from the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Central Mark Kilmer Fulmont Community Action Agency New York, and the New York Metro area, as well as those President/CEO Immediate Past Chair Amy Karas, Ruby & Quiri, Inc. living in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and beyond. First Vice Chair Dustin Swanger, Ed.D., Fulton- In doing this, we draw thousands of visitors who spend tens of millions of dollars annually in Fulton and Montgomery counties. These dollars are Montgomery Community College not only spent in restaurants, hotels, retailers and gas stations, but also in auto repair shops, Secretary Carl Marucci, grocery stores and many other types of businesses. The importance of traveler dollars to our Kinderhook Bank region cannot be overstated. Treasurer Laurence Kelly, Nathan Littauer Now to my point. As important as cleaning and upgrading the facades and landscapes Hospital & Nursing Home of our businesses is, it is equally critical to review our customer-service policies. All too often, we overlook how our customers view us, and how that reflects not only on our own businesses, but on the entire region. Directors 2019 When a family from Westchester County comes here, they do so because they want an en- Juanita Handy, Crum Creek CSA joyable and memorable time, and we want that memory to be positive, so that not only do they Amy McCray, CG Roxane, LLC return, but they encourage others to visit the region. Now, don’t get me wrong, I find most peo- Joe Galea, JAG Manufacturing ple in our area to be friendly, and polite, and our regions employees most often are polished, James Jankowski, Jankowski Insurance Agency professional and pleasant representatives of our region and for the businesses they work for. But it never hurts to review with your employees the importance of maintaining a Lillian Johnson, HTCP, Healing Touch Practitioner friendly and positive disposition, and to always focus on customer service. Wes Ostrander, Randall Implements Great service, a warm welcome and a cordial smile are the least expensive ways to Robin Wentworth, Wells Nursing Home promote your business and get that customer to return, while negative attitudes; along Marty Callahan, Helmont Mills-Gehring Industries with “grumpy service” is the quickest route to ruination. Remember, those who come in to patronize your business do so because they want Trevor Evans, The Leader-Herald to. Make them want to make that return visit, or many, and maybe bring some friends and Lorraine Hohenforst, HFM Boces family along. Rosalie Faber, Flooring Authority Whether you operate a business or not, be courteous to everyone you meet. And above William Keller, Keymark Corp. all, stay positive about our region. Who knows, maybe that traveler from Westchester County is considering a second home in Fulton or Montgomery County. Staff Mark Kilmer, President/CEO

Becky Dutcher, Financial Administrator/Office Manager Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Tourism Director Tara Ryczek, Tourism Associate Nicole Walrath, Director of Workforce Development James Hannahs, Membership Director Nicole Tennant, Office Assistant 2 North Main Street, Gloversville, New York 12078 Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce (518) 725-0641 • fax (518) 725-0643 2 N. Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 1166 Riverfront Center, 1166 Riverfront Center, Amsterdam, NY 12010 Amsterdam, New York 12010 (518) 725-0641 | (518) 725-0643 (fax) (518) 725-0641 • fax (518) 684-0111 www.fultonmontgomeryny.org Facebook: FMChamberNY | Instagram E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.fultonmontgomeryny.org Fulton County Tourism Member of www.44lakes.com | Facebook: Visit Fulton County, NY American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association Twitter: @SeeFultonCounty Business Council of New York State Center For Economic Growth Montgomery County Tourism Chamber Alliance of New York State Fulton County Center for Regional Growth www.visitmontgomerycountyny.com Fulton County Farm Bureau Facebook: Visit Montgomery County NY Montgomery County Farm Bureau Twitter: @MCNYTourism New York State Farm Bureau May, 2019 Newsline 3 Ossenfort: Montgomery County is Moving Forward, Full of Promise By Jessica Ford Newsline Editor Positive news about economic development, forward thinking and the power of collaboration dominat- ed the presentation of the annual State of the County address by Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort. The event was hosted by the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce. Ossenfort, whose topic featured “Challenges and Members of the community, as well as public officials, Chamber Opportunities,” said that he feels keeping a balance members and others, listen as Montgomery County Executive in priorities between business and quality of life can Matthew L. Ossenfort gives his State of the County address. The make a community grow. “Honestly, I think that the event was hosted by the Fulton County Regional Chamber of focus on business and quality of life are one in the Commerce at The Sentinel of Amsterdam Assisted Living Facility. same,” he said, citing the recent paving upgrade on LEFT: Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort discusses the Erie Canalway bike trail; promising news re- “Challenges and Opportunities” during his 2019 State of the County address. garding the re-use of the former Beech-Nut site in he said the rate had decreased to 5.4 percent, and ter vs. development. He listed a $135 million, 900- Canajoharie and the expansion and creation of civic the county was at “full employment,” so a shift in acre solar farm project in the towns of Canajoharie space in the region. He said his goal, is to make the thinking began. He said that a big issue facing em- and Minden, that will become the largest solar fields region thrive for “life, work and play.” ployers today is not a lack of workers, it is a lack of in the state. “I think it will work and work well.” He At age 37, Ossenfort is the youngest sitting people with specific skills, or a “better workforce.” said the county worked with the project and several county executive in the state. He was born and raised The county will use an $80,000 Department of State municipalities to see it through. in Amsterdam, attended Amsterdam City Schools grant, to conduct a workforce development feasibili- Regarding a 550 acre solar project proposed in and is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County. He ty study, focused on the Exit 29 site. the Town of Florida under the state’s Article 10 pro- holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and City of Amsterdam Successes cess, Ossenfort said there is not the same commu- History from the University at Albany. nity support, and not the same potential impact. So, He said he is dedicated to working collaborative- In the City of Amsterdam, Ossenfort said, the opening of the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook for that project, he’s said, “I think you have to be ly at the local, state and national levels to bring the Bridge in 2016, and The Sentinel at Amsterdam as- thoughtful, and preserve the community.” best possible results for the County. In 2017-2018 sisted living facility on Market Street, in 2017, are He used the address venue to announce that he be- alone, the county was awarded an impressive $22 testament to the fact that, in his opinion, “the city I lieves it is time for the County to step back from sup- million in economic development grants. port of a proposed annexation of 260 acres of farm- Exit 29 Canajoharie Project love so dear is making a comeback.” The Amsterdam Industrial Development Agency land in the town of Mohawk to the City of Johnstown. The challenge created with the loss of the former assisted the Sentinel’s Eliot Management Group, in The land would have potentially housed a regional Beech-Nut plant in Canajoharie, was re-classified scoring a $750,000 Community Development Block business park, and would have been connected to the as an opportunity by Ossenfort, and re-named “The Grant for the project. In 2016, AIDA secured a $12 city’s infrastructure. The municipalities in negotia- Exit 29 Redevelopment Site.” He said of course the million tax exempt bond for the Eliot Group, and a tions, including the City of Johnstown, Montgomery community was reeling after the loss, but he wanted sales tax abatement for materials to construct the fa- County, and Town of Mohawk, had difficulty agreeing to be proactive. “Let’s turn this site into something cility. The facility opened in spring 2017, and was on terms for the annexation and project. Meanwhile, special,” he said. the site for the State of the County Address, attended in April, State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Ossenfort, who calls himself a “cup half-full” by around 100 people. working with local environmental groups and the kind of guy, explained that he, along with Economic Route 5S Corridor Expansion Town of Mohawk, said he would propose legislation Development officials, the Environmental Protection The Route 5S corridor is an area Ossenfort said for a year moratorium on the annexation of farmland Agency and County Attorney Meghan Manion, an he likes to visit if he is feeling the weight of his work, for industrial use in New York State. alumna of Cornell University, worked against the as there are many inspiring developments that have Ossenfort said, as the discussions moved for- odds to convince county officials “to purchase a 22- happened there. He noted that despite the tax credits ward, economic conditions changed, and the project acre Brownfield,” so that it could qualify for gov- the Target Distribution Center facility has enjoyed did not seem to have community support. “I have not ernment initiatives like the Restore New York grant, since its exemption began in 2004, this year, $80 mil- seen it,” he said, “Is there a willingness to move for- which focuses on revitalization. lion in taxes will hit the rolls in the county. ward?” He said, “at this point, pushing that forward Ossenfort explained that he bitterly complained The expansion of Vida-Blend from its location is not something I believe we need to do.” to the state, saying that the maximum $500,000 in Amsterdam to approximately 14,000 square feet, Celebrating Partnerships Restore grant available to the county was unfairly or about triple its size, is also a positive on Route 5S, Ossenfort said that continually looking for ways limited by the size of the population in the region. As he said, and he expressed pride that developer Adam to find efficiencies, share services, create upgrades a result, special project designation was given to the D. Winstanley, a founder of Winstanley Enterprises, and consolidate, is his goal. He gave examples of project, and in March 2018, the county was award- of Massachusetts, has proposed to develop a 1 mil- partnerships the County has made, with universities, ed $6 million for the site. Ossenfort said he believes lion square-foot warehouse/distribution center in the think tanks, organizations and agencies that have re- the amount is the largest infusion of cash ever to be Florida Business Park Extension, and called the site, sulted in so many positive things happening in the promised to the county. “the best piece of real estate in this region.” county. He said “it’s not about doing this alone, not Using Manion’s connection to Cornell, officials “So we have to keep our heads down, keep work- going at it alone – it’s a team.” are collaborati