Waddington draws crowd for economic development presentation

WADDINGTON - Nearly 30 residents attended a special presentation of Waddington’s Strategic Economic Development plan.

The slide show was hosted by Laura E. Oswald, economic and community development manager of the Laberge Group. The Laberge Group, Albany was the consulting firm hired by the town to complete the study.

Town Supervisor Mark Scott said the meeting was designed to show people the culmination of work performed over the past year and to offer a final chance for public comment before the plan is finalized.

“We are still looking for more feedback so that we can work it into the plan,” he said. “We are hoping to have the comments in by March.”

Mr. Scott said he was optimistic about bringing the plan to life and the turnout at the meeting was a good indication of public support.

“It was great to see everyone come out. We are wrapping up the draft, but the real work is just starting,” he said.

The presentation included a summary of the 100 page draft, highlighting the challenges faced by the town as well as the strengths the town could leverage to attract more businesses.

Former town councilor James Thew, who has served on the committee overseeing the study, questioned whether then plan was solid and what the odds were of bringing it to fruition.

“We put a lot of work in it. It’s our plan but how do we know if we are right?”

Ms. Oswald stated that it is impossible to know if the plan will work, but the town’s efforts were not in vain.

“The truth is you really never know, but we have gone through an awful lot of trouble to put together the best plan we could,” she said.

Ms. Oswald said the key to bringing the plan to life is to ensure someone is put in charge of it and continuing to push to ensure it doesn’t sit on a shelf.

“I can tell you that the best way to make sure this works is to make somebody responsible. Designate someone who will keep working toward it,” she said.

Mr. Scott said the town board has already been taking steps to move the plan forward despite the fact that it hasn’t been finalized.

“We are already working on some of the things addressed in the plan and I think we will continue to do so,” he said. “We are going to need support from the community down the road if we are going to be successful.”

Mr. Scott said public comments on the plan will be accepted at the town offices for at least two weeks. He is hopeful the plan can be finalized in April.