The Local Economies Project of the New World Foundation has officially become a member of the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance.
Founded in 2010, the Local Economies Project works to strengthen economic growth across the region by supporting the local food system through research, education and the establishment of strong local partnerships among Hudson Valley growers and investors. The organization’s Food Hubs Initiative seeks to identify and fill the production and financing gaps in the local growing industry by connecting area food producers with investors, connecting these growers to new markets and providing the educational infrastructure to ensure a steady supply of trained workers.
“We are very excited about becoming the newest member of the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance,” said Bob Dandrew, director of the Local Economies Project. “This organization will help facilitate our goals by connecting us with its growing list of partners, which include area investors, local food producers and buyers. The Local Economies Project is dedicated to the strong, continued growth of the local food economy, a goal that we share with the Alliance. With its help, we are better positioned to advance our cause, and we look forward to working with our fellow members.”
The Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance brings organizations within the food and beverage industries together, helping area businesses forge strong partnerships. Founded by Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC), the alliance provides access to economic guidance and marketing resources to businesses throughout the region.
“Through its research, local partnerships and initiatives, the Local Economies Project is working to bring about positive change in Hudson Valley agriculture,” said Laurence P. Gottlieb, president and CEO of HVEDC. “We hope that the Food & Beverage Alliance will help this organization achieve its ambitious and worthy goals, and we’re thrilled to welcome its team as our latest member.”
“I’m thrilled that we were able to bring together the Local Economies Project and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation. By joining the Alliance, the Local Economies Project can continue to support local agricultural producers while helping to attract more investment into our region. Together, we can work to create more opportunities for small businesses and create more jobs in our region,” said Sean Eldridge, president of Hudson River Ventures.
In addition to the Food Hubs Initiative, the Local Economies Project is overseeing the creation of the Hudson Valley Farm Hub. The hub consists of 1,255 acres of prime growing land, where the Local Economies Project will perform critical agricultural research, demonstrate newly created farming technologies and provide training to local growers. The Local Economies Project is working in partnership with Cornell University’s School of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County to bring the Farm Hub Initiative to fruition.
“Ulster County is incredibly fortunate that the New World Foundation’s Local Economies Project is creating the Hudson Valley Farm Hub here,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “Of course it makes perfect sense that the New World Foundation should work with our own HVEDC’s Food & Beverage Alliance to further their goal of establishing strong local partnerships among Hudson Valley growers.”
To learn more about the Local Economies Project of the New World Foundation, go to http://www.localeconomiesproject.org.
About Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC):HVEDC is the leading economic development agency for the seven-county region of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties. The public-private partnership markets the region as a prime business location to corporate executives, site selection consultants and real estate brokers. HVEDC also helped start the branding and promotional effort for NY BioHud Valley. For more information or to review available business sites, visit http://www.hvedc.com or call CEO Laurence P. Gottlieb at 845-220-2244.
