COMMUNITY
BUS I NES S
EDUCATION
NEW PALTZ
REGIONAL
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
TOURISM
REGIONAL
REPORT
WINTER 2013
A QUARTERLY BUSINESS NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE NEW PALTZ REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE POWER OF MAIN STREET Solutions in this Economic Climate? Just Look Around By Gregory Schoenfeld
I
n the wake of the recent presidential election, there isn’t an American citizen who hasn’t been inundated with the ongoing debate over the state of the economy—and a host of suggestions to get back to prosperity. For years, we have heard politicians compare “Main Street” to “Wall Street” as an appeal to voters. Yet divisive speculation continues in Washington DC, and Wall Street’s struggles often seem far more distant than a two hour drive down the Thruway. Continued on p. 12
IN THIS ISSUE
10
Our Evolving Heritage
20
The Bottom Line
24
An innovative spirit marks New Paltz’s legacy, and local businesses are looking back to move forward.
New legislation allows farm distilleries to sell liquor at farmers’ markets; New York’s tax climate ranks lowest in the country.
Member Profiles Hurds Family Farm, Tuthilltown Spirits, Ulster County Tourism, Groovy Blueberry.
257 MAIN ST. NEW PALTZ, NY 12561 P 845 255 0243 F 845 255 5189 E INFO@NEWPALTZCHAMBER.ORG WWW.NEWPALTZCHAMBER.ORG