Putnam County Chamber Leads Economic Development Forum

From Putnam County Chamber of Commerce:

The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce (PCCC), the county’s largest business organization and primary advocate, voice and resource for the business community, led a Putnam County Elected Officials and Economic Development Team Forum on Sunday, April 17. Business leaders and elected officials from across the county and state hashed out key legislative issues at Spain Cornerstone Park in Carmel.

“Our county is too small to not have good communication and joint efforts in pushing economic and business development forward. We need to lead with our strengths, identify what we can do and get it done," said Jennifer Maher, chairwoman, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce (PCCC).

At the State of the County address, County Executive, MaryEllen Odell, proclaimed 2016 The Year of Business Development in Putnam County. In keeping with this mission, the PCCC has taken a leadership role in initiating the Putnam County Elected Officials and Economic Development Team Forum. The forum convened the business community with state and local government officials to promote change and progress that will ensure sustainability in Putnam over the long-term.

"New York is ranked 50th in the country for ease of doing business.

"We're dead last," said Senator Murphy. The Senator has sponsored several bills to help improve New York's tax and business climate. "We need to sunset archaic unnecessary restrictions on businesses, some of which have been on the books for 100 years."

Putnam County Legislative Priorities for 2016:

• Development of a cohesive county-wide master plan encompassing updated local municipality plans, infrastructure priorities, transportation improvement and workforce development
• Improve the overall business climate and reduce the broad cost of doing business to spur development and jobs
• Continue to ensure that our sales tax goes to worthwhile benefits and services
• Renegotiate watershed agreement, such that reasonable development is permissible in areas unduly excluded
• Reconstruct county economic development team to better promote the unique qualities of Putnam as a destination to live, work and play

About the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
Since 2010, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) has been dedicated to serving as the primary advocate, voice, and resource for our business community. The PCCC’s utmost priority is to promote its members, provide educational opportunities and to enhance individually viable commerce districts throughout Putnam County and beyond. Further information is available through the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce website.