January 29, 2007
The RBA is committed to expanding its mission beyond business networking and to help address the major issues of the day affecting business people in Rockland, the Hudson Valley and indeed the entire state, RBA CEO and President Al Samuels said at this fifth annual State of the RBA address.
He highlighted several crucial areas of concern for Rockland's continued economic stability and development.
Workforce housing – Samuels said this is the number one issue for keeping workers and jobs in Rockland County. Workers and especially young people have been fleeing Rockland due to the high real estate costs. A high percentage of people working in Rockland, live in Orange County. Samuels is concerned that should Orange develop its commercial base, Rockland’s workers will simply choose to work there.
Commercial development – the County must make the most of its 1,000 remaining acres available for commercial development. Samuels said that up to 6,000 jobs could be created if these areas were developed properly. The best bet is to make them “shovel-ready,” meaning pre-permitted and ready to be be built upon.
Access to broadband internet – After the RBA has lobbied for years for universal broadband access, the County has begun a project to achieve this goal.
Transportation – Praised the County for improving public transportation but said more needed to be done.
The future of the Tappan Zee Bridge – A long-time advocate for a new bridge with a rail-link, Samuels reiterated the importance a new bridge will have to the region.
Job training – There are potential workers in Rockland who have simply not been adequately trained.
Tourism – Lauded the RBA’s Hospitality and Tourism Alliance for bringing familiarization tours to Rockland County. Over the next five years these motor coach operators could bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars or more to the County.
Entrepreneurship – More should be done to promote entrepreneurship.
Political advocacy – Urged more RBA members to attend Small Business Day in Albany in March. Samuels said the RBA is recognized throughout the state as a leader in the push for needed business reform on issues including Workers Compensation, the Wick’s Law and Sections 240-241 Labor Law, aka the Ladder Law. The year 2006 marked the creation of the RBA PAC as well, which Samuels had first promised at his 2006 State of the RBA speech.
Samuels noted that he recently traveled to Albany and met with Chamber leaders from across the state to discuss the issues the state is facing. He found the Hudson Valley and particularly Rockland County, to be well ahead of the game in addressing the areas of critical concern.
The RBA is also committed to continuing its excellent networking and general membership features, Samuels said. Membership has about doubled in the last half-decade and the number of committees and events has also increased.
The crowd was impressed with the breadth of Samuel’s speech, which effortlessly flowed from one agenda item to the next. “He has a gift for bringing everything together,” praised Clarkstown Councilwoman Catherine Nowicki, following Samuel’s tour down the RBA and Rockland County’s potential future. |
