CEDC and BTCF announce grant recipients

HUDSON — Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) announced on April 24 the award of 92 grants to local businesses through the Columbia County Business Continuity Fund. This joint effort with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and the Hudson Business Coalition was launched March 30 to raise new resources in support of small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

Generous individuals, foundations and businesses made this fund possible.

The businesses receiving grants are spread out across the county and met key grant making criteria, including being located in city, town or village centers, open to the public and reliant on foot traffic, and having fewer than 10 full-time employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue. Read more…

Scenic Hudson chief discusses group’s environmental work

SALISBURY, CT–On Tuesday, May 12 at 10 a.m. Scenic Hudson President Ned Sullivan will provide an illustrated Zoom talk about how Scenic Hudson launched the modern environmental movement in the 1960s and emerged as a champion of clean air and water, and protected land and farms throughout the region in the 21st century.

The online talk is sponsored by Noble Horizons in Salisbury, CT.

Mr. Sullivan has led the organization’s collaborative victories against threats to the region’s natural beauty and environment—halting the proposed St. Lawrence Cement plant, reducing the height of LG’s headquarters atop the Palisades and spearheading the ongoing campaign for a comprehensive PCB cleanup.

During his tenure, Scenic Hudson has protected 35,000 “must-save” acres—from scenic landmarks in the Hudson Highlands to productive fields and orchards on more than 125 family farms and the organization of a dozen public parks.

Prior to joining Scenic Hudson, Mr. Sullivan served as Environmental Commissioner of Maine, where he brought together environmental and business leaders across party lines.

He earned a B.A. in political science and a coordinate degree in environmental studies from Williams College and master’s degrees from Yale University’s School of Management and School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. In recognition of his “dedication and willingness to build the necessary bridges, battle through the bureaucratic red tape and address financial and technical challenges,” Mr. Sullivan  received the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Distinguished Service Award in 2012.

Registrants will receive the Zoom link after they register with Noble Horizons Retirement Communities.

CEDC Rapid Recovery Loans available to county small businesses

HUDSON – Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) has established a $300,000 Rapid Recovery Loan Program to support small businesses in Columbia County.

The new Rapid Recovery Loan Program offers low-interest loans of up to $15,000 to qualified applicants.

Businesses must be located in Columbia County, be in operation for at least 2 years, and have 25 or fewer full-time employees. Complete loan criteria is available online at: www.columbiaedc.com. Read more…

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Don’t go in the sun unprotected

NEW YORK CITY—Vitamin D is essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system. While a limited amount of the vitamin can be obtained from exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the suggestion that the best way to obtain vitamin D is through sun exposure is both misleading and dangerous, according to a May 4 press release from The Skin Cancer Foundation.

The health risks of UV exposure—including skin cancer—are serious and well-documented. While many people have found their time outdoors severely limited because of Covid-19, some may misguidedly forgo sun protection completely in an effort to obtain vitamin D. Instead of damaging one’s skin, The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests people get their vitamin D from sources like oily fish, fortified dairy products and cereals, and supplements.

“Too many people believe that exposure to the sun’s radiation is the optimal way to obtain vitamin D, and that using sunscreen leads to vitamin D deficiency. In reality, unprotected UV exposure can put people at risk for potentially life-threatening skin cancer, and it isn’t the most effective way to reach your vitamin D quotient,” President of The Skin Cancer Foundation Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, said in the press release. Read more…

Tierra Farm opening Latham distribution center

Reprinted with permission from the Times Union

VALATIE – Tierra Farm, the Valatie-based organic food company, has signed a lease on an 11,000-square-foot distribution center on Sicker Road, about two miles from Albany International Airport.

The new facility will handle the growing company’s East Coast distribution, and eight to 12 employees will staff the site. The company currently employs 60 people and will be hiring new employees to adjust to the expansion, though an exact number is not set, Tierra CEO Todd Kletter said.

Mr. Kletter said the new facility will be an upgrade over Tierra’s Valatie distribution center, which he said wasn’t designed to handle the company’s current levels of production. The center will be the company’s third, after Tierra opened an Aurora, Colorado facility to serve the West Coast market. Read more…