RCS CBA meets with Empire State Development

Building relationships to better our community

RCS CBA hosted leadership from Empire State Development (ESD) on Tuesday, Feb. 1 to explore economic development and possible grants for Ravena and Coeymans. Deputy Mayor for the Village of Ravena, Nancy Warner, joined us.

RCS CBA hosted leadership from Empire State Development this month. Pictured from left: Joy Iafallo, RCS CBA Chair; Nicole Ambrosio, grant writer; Marlene McTigue, RCS CBA; Joseph Landy, ESD Economic Development Program Specialist II; Heidi Pasos, ESD Economic Development Program Specialist III; Mike Yevoli, ESD Regional Director; and Nancy Warner, Village of Ravena. Behind the camera was Rebecca Flach, RCS CBA.

Empire State Development promotes a vigorous and growing state economy, encourages business investment and job creation, and supports diverse,

prosperous local economies across the state through the use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance. Building relationships with ESD is a good step toward creating the vibrant economy we all envision for Ravena and Coeymans.

The takeaway from the meeting was that Ravena and Coeymans need an economic

development plan, which is different from the Town's comprehensive plan. An economic development plan creates a vision for a community. It also generates goals and actionable strategies to work toward that vision. With such a plan in place the community is in a better position to identify projects the state could support with grants funds.

You'll see RCS CBA advocating for an economic development plan in the weeks and months ahead.

Thanks to Gabler Realty for allowing us to use their new Main Street office for this meeting.