One hundred thirty eight of Columbia County's influential figures, private, political and combined met for networking, dinner and drinks at the annual CEO Roundtable, hosted by the Columbia-Hudson Partnership. Here, Greenport Supervisor Edward Nabozny chats with Columbia Economic Development Corporation Board President David Crawford and Greg Fingar of Fingar Insurance, also chair of the county Republican Party. (Francesca Olsen/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers)
By Francesca Olsen
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Published:
Thursday, October 28, 2010 2:16 AM EDT
Entrepreneurs, public officials and quasi-governmental officials gathered again this year for the Columbia Hudson Partnership’s CEO Roundtable, an annual event that puts the spotlight on local business and the independent, fierce spirit that can be seen in local businesspeople from New Lebanon to Clermont and back again.
Held at Hudson’s Club Helsinki, 138 of the county’s finest gathered to eat, drink, network and learn about CHP’s new entrepreneurial program, which according to county Director of Planning and Economic Development and Columbia Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Ken Flood will make capital more available to fledgling businesses and shine a light on Columbia County to “create an entrepreneurial hub” for business development.
The hub will include more directed publicizing of Columbia County as a positive business environment, a network of experts and leaders who can assist entrepreneurs in developing their ideas, collaboration with local entities like the county Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Greene Community College, and a wide array of financing plans available through CHP — including $200,000 to be set aside for seed funding, privately funded capital loans and venture capital funding.
“We want to create a strong network for small businesses,” Flood said. “We want to sell the lifestyle Columbia County has to offer.”
When he addressed the crowd, Flood explained that CHP’s new efforts were not in any way meant to exclude existing businesses. “The major employers in this county are really homegrown companies,” he said. “Building an environment which fosters entrepreneurial spirit must be a part of our mission...if you lose one business, and you get another, you’re even.”
The event’s keynote speaker was CGCC Division Chair of Technology, Business, Mathematics and Science Dr. Stewart Dutfield, who spoke about the importance of leadership and community. “A leader is a seeker who can help us move into the future,” he told his audience. “There’s a paradox between serving and leading...paradox is good.”
New challenges and collaborations bring new resources and new realities, Dutfield said, which “is all creating new meaning,” in the world around us — making the entrepreneurial spirit “the essential component of a thriving society.”
Dutfield gave several examples of local leaders who may well change the state of the world around us, including Greenport-based Local Ocean, who created a no-waste, mercury-free, completely contained fish farm and have enjoyed skyrocketing success since their fist fingerlings were placed in their tanks.
“Fish farming may never be the same as a result of this model,” he said. “Entrepreneurs, like leaders, are making history by changing the way we make sense of the world.”
Some local leaders present at the roundtable, like Al Bellenchia, president of the Capital Region division of The Alternative Board, are already working with business owners to help them expand and develop the skills they need to do so. The Alternative Board, with headquarters in Denver, works with business owners to create a “plan to get from A to B,” Bellenchia said. “Most small businesses don’t have coaches. So how are they going to get better at what they do?”
Find out more about CHP and new opportunities for local business owners at www.chpartnership.com; or call 518-828-4718.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
Held at Hudson’s Club Helsinki, 138 of the county’s finest gathered to eat, drink, network and learn about CHP’s new entrepreneurial program, which according to county Director of Planning and Economic Development and Columbia Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Ken Flood will make capital more available to fledgling businesses and shine a light on Columbia County to “create an entrepreneurial hub” for business development.
The hub will include more directed publicizing of Columbia County as a positive business environment, a network of experts and leaders who can assist entrepreneurs in developing their ideas, collaboration with local entities like the county Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Greene Community College, and a wide array of financing plans available through CHP — including $200,000 to be set aside for seed funding, privately funded capital loans and venture capital funding.
“We want to create a strong network for small businesses,” Flood said. “We want to sell the lifestyle Columbia County has to offer.”
When he addressed the crowd, Flood explained that CHP’s new efforts were not in any way meant to exclude existing businesses. “The major employers in this county are really homegrown companies,” he said. “Building an environment which fosters entrepreneurial spirit must be a part of our mission...if you lose one business, and you get another, you’re even.”
The event’s keynote speaker was CGCC Division Chair of Technology, Business, Mathematics and Science Dr. Stewart Dutfield, who spoke about the importance of leadership and community. “A leader is a seeker who can help us move into the future,” he told his audience. “There’s a paradox between serving and leading...paradox is good.”
New challenges and collaborations bring new resources and new realities, Dutfield said, which “is all creating new meaning,” in the world around us — making the entrepreneurial spirit “the essential component of a thriving society.”
Dutfield gave several examples of local leaders who may well change the state of the world around us, including Greenport-based Local Ocean, who created a no-waste, mercury-free, completely contained fish farm and have enjoyed skyrocketing success since their fist fingerlings were placed in their tanks.
“Fish farming may never be the same as a result of this model,” he said. “Entrepreneurs, like leaders, are making history by changing the way we make sense of the world.”
Some local leaders present at the roundtable, like Al Bellenchia, president of the Capital Region division of The Alternative Board, are already working with business owners to help them expand and develop the skills they need to do so. The Alternative Board, with headquarters in Denver, works with business owners to create a “plan to get from A to B,” Bellenchia said. “Most small businesses don’t have coaches. So how are they going to get better at what they do?”
Find out more about CHP and new opportunities for local business owners at www.chpartnership.com; or call 518-828-4718.
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
