When opportunity knocks, the wise will be those who are able to recognize it as such and capitalize on its arrival. Currently Upstate New York is poised to take on the challenging task of transitioning the direction of its regional economic growth. There is an extraordinary opportunity for growth in the high tech, energy independence and conservation technology sectors in this region due to our unique natural resources and history of manufacturing and agriculture.

The success of other communities transforming themselves into hubs of technology and innovation provides important lessons. A new vision, clearly articulated and executable, will help guide regional economic growth and will require cooperation, education and leadership so that the entire region can reap the benefits. With such exiting job growth on the horizon, we must take this opportunity to consider the challenges that accompany growth and prepare our communities through workforce development and infrastructure investment.

To help the region define a vision, plan for its economic future, and identify leaders that will help drive toward a shared goal, Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand will lead a collaborative economic summit to be held on August 14 in Saratoga Springs. The 2007 Economic Summit: Entrepreneurship and Growth in Upstate New York will bring together representatives from business, education, labor, local government, environmental protection advocacy groups, the media and other community leaders to examine existing resources and develop effective and clean ideas for economic growth.

Specifically, the summit will: provide ideas for creating an environment that will empower entrepreneurs and small businesses and create new jobs in the region; consider ways to tap into promising research being conducted in university laboratories; establish ‘smart growth’ guidelines for urban planning and affordable housing, promoting ‘green’ public transportation and promoting investments to local infrastructure; and, examine the necessary steps to educate and train local residents to provide the valuable human capital necessary for the successful economic growth, and making priority investments into math, science, engineering and technology education to create a pipeline for high tech and entrepreneurial jobs.

The format of the summit will combine presentations by experts, panel sessions, and an interactive technology called eFORUM designed to collect instant feedback from summit participants and identify action steps and plans. Following the summit, a report will be published on-line to encourage and facilitate future action on the priorities agreed upon at the summit.

The summit will be coordinated by the Public Forum Institute, an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that has considerable experience with similar efforts.