Story Ideas

The six million-acre Adirondack Park is a unique home to 3,000 ponds and lakes; 2,000 miles of hiking trails; hundreds of miles of canoe routes; four-star resorts; the highest mountain peaks (42 of more than 4,000 feet) in the state and nearly 100 campgrounds. The region also teems with historic villages, farms, museums, artists and craftsmen. Created by the state legislature in 1882, the Adirondack Park will remain forever wild. Learn more from the New York State Adirondack Park Agency.

Advanced Micro Devices' State-of-the-Art Chip Fab
Lured by the region’s hub of nanotech research, world class resources and incredible support from state government and the business community, Advanced Micro Devices selected Tech Valley over other locations around the world for its next generation semiconductor fabrication plant. The $3.2 billion facility – which should be fully operation as early as 2012 – is expected to employ 1,200 workers and attract hundreds of other jobs to the region. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

Alternative Energy
Tech Valley is a world leader when it comes to researching, developing and commercializing applications in the field of alternative energy. The region is at the forefront in helping the nation achieve energy security. The Center for Future Energy Systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute encourages collaboration between academic research institutions and industry. It promotes and facilitates the commercial use of the state's academic-based technology and intellectual property. GE Energy, GE Global Research, MTI Micro Fuel Cells, Plug Power, The Solar Energy Consortium and SuperPower are just a few of the region’s organizations shaping the alternative energy industry. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

The Arsenal Business and Technology Campus
Arsenal Business and Technology Campus – also know as the Watervliet Arsenal – is home to several companies in advanced materials, biotechnology, engineering design, homeland security and nanotechnology. The arsenal is also the U.S. Army's only manufacturer of large caliber cannon and is considered one of the most sophisticated, automated heavy manufacturing and machining centers in the world. Recently, Vistec Lithography announced it will move its administrative offices and manufacturing operations from England to the campus. Learn more from the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership.

The Arts
The arts have found a welcoming home in Tech Valley and are flourishing throughout the region. The New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra make their summer homes here. Venues such as the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Eisenhower Hall, Proctors and Troy Music Hall bring international artists and performers to the region as Tech Valley has become a favorite stop on many national and worldwide tours. Art galleries and museums abound throughout the area showcasing the works of local artists and international favorites. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

Biotechnology
Significant research and development is being performed in the field of biotechnology throughout Tech Valley. The University at Albany East Campus acts as a research facility and business incubator for established biotech companies and emerging start-up ventures. The Trudeau Institute conducts research into immunology and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, influenza, cancer and AIDS. The Wadsworth Center is the most comprehensive state health laboratory in the country. Albany Molecular Research is making strides in cancer research among other areas while AngioDynamics has become a major contributor in treating peripheral vascular disease and other non-coronary diseases. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

With its first commercial vintage produced in 1839, Brotherhood holds the distinction of being the country’s oldest winery. It has continually operated ever since and is considered one of the premier wineries of New York State. The winery survived prohibition by selling sacramental wine. Brotherhood Winery is listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Learn more from the Brotherhood Winery.

Respected business publications and organizations such as Deloitte, Entrepreneur, Expansion Management, Forbes, Fortune, Inc., Milken Institute and Money have all taken notice of Tech Valley as an excellent place to build or relocate a business and start or advance a career. The region has placed highly on such reports as Best Cities for Building Personal Net Worth, Best Performing Cities, Best Places for Business, Best Places to Work in Academia, Hottest Cities, Most Educated Workforces, Top Business Opportunity Metros, Top Cities for Doing Business, Top Cities for Entrepreneurs, Top Metros for High-Value Labor and many others. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

Tech Valley’s Catskill Mountains have the distinction of being the birthplace of American fly fishing. In the late 19^th century, writer and angler Theodore Gordon created dry flies suitable for the fast flowing rivers of the Catskills. Over the years the region – with such waterways as Beaver Kill, Biscuit Creek, Esopus Creek, Neversink River, Pigeon Brook and Schoharie Creek – attracted the best fishermen and fly tiers in the world. Learn more from the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

Centers for Advanced Technology support university-industry collaborative research and technology transfer in commercial relevant technologies. The CAT program was created in 1983 to facilitate the transfer of technology from New York’s top research universities into commercially viable products produced in the private sector. Tech Valley is home to the Future Energy Systems Center and Center of Automation Technologies and Systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University at Albany’s Center for Advanced Technology in Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics. Learn more from NYSTAR.

The Tech Valley Chamber Coalition has placed a strong emphasis on preparing students for the careers of the future. The region is known for having an innovative, knowledgeable workforce and through these initiatives Tech Valley companies will continue to blossom by drawing on outstanding, well-prepared workers. Programs include Love SAM and the Tech Valley Teacher Externship Program. For more information contact Karen Fox at 518.431.1435 or karenf@acchamber.org.

Education Rankings
A number of initiatives are underway in Tech Valley to help prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow (see Education Initiatives) and these programs are already having impact as several of the region’s schools and school systems received high marks from Expansion Management and others have landed on Newsweek’s list of the top U.S. public high schools. Forbes ranked Tech Valley as the third best place in the country for education also named it a Top IQ Campus, one of just 25 areas to receive that distinction. Higher education opportunities also abound in the region. Tech Valley colleges have appeared on lists such as Best Entrepreneurship Programs, Best Values in Public Colleges, Campus Technology Innovators, Most Connected Campuses, Top Colleges for African Americans, Top Entrepreneurial Colleges, Top Liberal Arts Colleges and Top National Universities. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

Herkimer Diamonds are brilliant, double-terminated quartz crystals – hard enough to scratch glass – that have a diamond-like geometrical shape. While some stones may be up to six inches in length, most are less and an inch in length and have excellent clarity. About 400 million years ago, water containing silicon seeped into the earth and became trapped in pockets of dolomite rock. The crystals formed under great pressure over many years. These gemstones are now mainly found in rock cavities that have been exposed after years of weathering and erosion. Young and old alike collected the gemstones using crowbars, crack hammers, sledgehammers and heavy chisels. Herkimer Diamonds are also credited with many metaphysical and healing qualities. Learn more from the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce.

Homeland Security
Tech Valley has emerged as a leading center for the latest technology developments in homeland security and defense. The region annually lands millions dollars in defense and homeland security contracts. Projects include pocket-sized radiation locators, fuel cell systems, chemicals and biological weapons protection, night vision gear and lightweight guns. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

The 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid made sports history with the Miracle on Ice and Eric Heiden’s five gold medals. But it didn’t end there for this quintessential Adirondack village. Each year Lake Placid welcomes the world's greatest athletes in championship competitions in downhill and Nordic skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, bobsled, luge, speed and figure skating, hockey and biathlon. More than 500 national and international championships have been held here since 1980. Learn more from the Olympic Regional Development Authority.

MapInfo/Pitney Bowes Business Insight
MapInfo Corporation – now Pitney Bowes Business Insight – is the world’s leading provider of location intelligence solutions and a true Tech Valley success story. The company traces its roots to a class assignment at RPI 20 years ago. The four students and their professor who conceived the idea then built the business at the Rensselaer Incubator Center. Two decades later, MapInfo employed 700 workers around the world and closed fiscal 2006 with revenues of $165.5 million. Learn more from Pitney Bowes Business Insight.

Tech Valley is internationally known as a hub of nanotech research and development. More than 150 of the world’s leading companies and institutions have a presence at Albany NanoTech. The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering is the first college in the world devoted exclusively to the research, development and deployment of innovative nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomic concepts. Advanced Micro Devices plans to build a state-of-the-art chip fab in the region. Learn more from Albany NanoTech.

Plattsburgh – situated next to the Adirondack Mountains and alongside Lake Champlain – is one of the premier micropolitan areas in the country to locate a business or build a career. Policon Corp. placed the city in the top five percent of micropolitan areas nationwide based on employment, population, earnings and personal income. Site Selection Magazine ranked Plattsburgh seventh in the country among micropolitan areas for its ability to secure new and expanded corporate facilities projects. For example, Laurentian Aerospace will open a $64 million maintenance, repair and overhaul operation at Plattsburgh International Airport that will create 800 jobs in the next five years. For more information contact Garry Douglas of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce at 518.563.1000 or gdoug@westelcom.com.

Quality of Life
Residents of Tech Valley enjoy a high quality of life and low cost of living. Housing prices and rental costs are far below what is found in other Northeastern metropolitan areas like Boston, New York City and Philadelphia. There is a wide choice of lifestyles to choose from. You may live in a brownstone in an urban downtown area or out in the suburbs or country. You might even find yourself in a historic village or town. It’s safe here and the commuting is easy. The region’s public education systems, health care facilities and career opportunities are nationally recognized to be among the best in the country. For more information contact the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce at 518.431.1400 or info@acchamber.org.

Quebec-New York Corridor
For 400 years, the region has been a focal point of trade and commerce in North America. It serves what has become the world’s richest marketplace. The biggest population concentration on the continent – 132 million people – resides within one day’s shipping time from the corridor. This population – about half of the combined population of the U.S. and Canada – represents more than $1.7 trillion (U.S.) in personal income. The Quebec-New York Corridor directly links Montreal and New York City, the top two trans-Atlantic seaports in North America. Learn more from the Quebec-New York Corridor.

The white cliffs of the Shawangunks (or simply, “The Gunks”) – one of the most popular climbing areas in North America – attracts more than 50,000 climbers each year who aim to tackle the range’s huge rock formations. There are roughly 1,200 documented climbing routes – averaging 150 feet in height with a maximum height of around 300 feet – in the Gunks. Learn more from the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce.

Saratoga Race Course
One of Tech Valley’s summer highlights is the thoroughbred racing season at the Saratoga Race Course which first opened in 1863. The track draws about one million fans each summer. The Travers Stakes – often dubbed the “Midsummer Derby” – is one the premier events for three-year olds in the country and has showcased such legendary horses like Secretariat, Affirmed and Man O’ War, local favorite Funny Cide and recent stars Point Given, Street Sense and Thunder Gulch. Learn more from the New York Racing Association.

Also known as the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, The Wild Center is one of Tech Valley’s newest and most engaging museums. Visitors can learn about the Ice Age from the Glacier Ice Wall exhibit. Hundreds of live animals are on display in the Living River Trail which runs throughout the museum. Explore the Adirondacks in the Ins and Outs Woods. Multimedia presentations, guided hikes, animal activities and more are offered each day. The Wild Center is dedicated to understanding the Adirondacks exploring all that the area entails. Learn more from The Wild Center.

The annual Woodstock Film Festival celebrates 'fiercely independent' film and always puts together an exceptional line-up of more than 150 films, panels, concerts and special events. The Trailblazer Award and Maverick Award are also presented. The roster of films typically features several world premieres and attracts more than 15,000 visitors including the industry’s leading actors, directors, producers and executives. Learn more from the Woodstock Film Festival.