The two-day conference sponsored by the New York State Urban Council, “Taking Care of BID-ness” focused on the work of the cities’ six business improvement districts. Conference participants had a chance to tour each of the cities and speak with the professionals who lead these various agencies, including the Central Avenue BID, the Downtown Troy BID, the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority, and the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation. They also got to trade insights on what has worked in other parts of the state and best practices for local economic development.
“It was a mobile learning lab, and that’s something that’s never been done before,” says Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the CBID and the recently elected President of the Urban Council. “It was fun to capitalize on three regional cities and showcase our strengths in such a collaborative way. People really appreciated that.”
The conference offered a chance to tour all three cities, experience their distinctive Main Streets, work together to analyze their challenges, and discuss what can be learned from them.
Capece was elected President at the Urban Council at the organization’s June 19 meeting in Oneonta. He has been a member of the organization for 16 years, serving most recently in the role of vice president.
“It’s really a nice opportunity to work with my peers to champion the cause of small business and Main Street development,” says Capece. Capece says the role of Main Streets is more important than ever in building a sound long-term plan for a cities and towns. “The mayors get it. County execs get it. Revitalizing our downtowns is the key to a strong economy. This is where jobs are created. This is where people have their livelihoods. This is where our resources come from. It’s the heart of the community,” Capece says. While great strides have been made in the 22 years since the council was created, what’s missing, Capece says, is a statewide strategy for Main Street revitalization and more dedicated resources.
“Everyone says they want a vibrant downtown with restaurants and entertainment and successful small businesses and storefronts, but we need more resources dedicated to that idea. We need roadblocks removed,” Capece says.
“The Urban Council is unique in that it is the only practitioner-based organization that works specifically with BIDs and Main Streets in New York State,” says Capece.
Capece says his goal is to bring all the disparate economic development agencies across the state together, and to have the urban council serve as a “collective voice” for the Main Street practitioner. “Teamwork will go a long way," Capece says.
