McDonald Promoting Economic Development

Assemblyman McDonald has continued his efforts to promote economic development in Washington County by working to help attract new businesses to the area.

McDonald, along with the Washington County Local Development Corporation, recently announced the relocation of a new business to the town of White Creek.

Lj Fulfillment Services is a company that provides professional shipping and storage of a wide range of items, including promotional literature, books and magazines as well as videos, CDs and computer software. Owner and Chief Executive Lisa Pembroke has decided to relocate her center of operations to 152 State Route 67 in Eagle Bridge, the former Eagle Bridge Furniture Building site in the town of White Creek.

Lj Fulfillment has been doing business in Albany for the past 11 years. Pembroke expects this facility to employ six people with the possibility of adding more staff in the future.

"I am always very pleased to assist local entrepreneurs who are interested in doing business here and creating jobs for the community. I would also like to praise the hard work of the Washington County economic development team, specifically, Mark Galough and Mac Sanders of the Washington County Planning Department, as well as Chairman Jock Williamson, Vice Chairman Ken Talkington and White Creek Supervisor Bob Shay."

Washington County ‘Future Plan’

Assemblyman McDonald has continued his efforts to promote a countywide economic development plan. McDonald, who is currently working in conjunction with the Washington County Board of Supervisors, has secured funding to support the creation of the Washington County plan. "Every local community would determine its economic destiny. To grow or not to grow should be left up to each individual town. With the changes our region is experiencing, I believe that this is certainly the appropriate time to embark on creating a structured plan that will give the local officials in these communities a unified strategy to work toward."

McDonald also addressed this issue in February when he appeared before the Washington County Board of Supervisors meeting to give town supervisors an update and discuss the effects economic development could have on Washington County.

Historic Sites Tour Would Enrich Local Tourism

Assemblyman McDonald has proposed that Washington County develop a tour of historic sites to help promote the local tourism industry.

"Washington County is very fortunate to have so many wonderful historic sites, and I feel that it is important that we work hard to let potential visitors know where they are."

McDonald is currently working with the Washington County Tourism Association to identify possible sites and formulate a campaign to attract potential tourists.

"These are the types of attractions that people really enjoy. Visiting the museums and the historic sites in our community will provide a wonderfully interesting and educational way to spend a day with your family."

Some prospective sites include: Roger’s Island in Fort Edward, the Salem Court House, the Pember and Slate Valley museums in Granville, the Greenwich Cemetery, Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, the Argyle Free Library, the Hartford Museum, the Cambridge Hotel, the Whitehall Museum plus many, many more.

Washington County Farm Museum

Assemblyman McDonald with Fort Edward Supervisor Merrilyn Pulver at the Roger’s Island Visitor Center.

Assemblyman McDonald is working with farmers and local town and county officials on a potential plan to transform a site on the Washington County fairground to a year-round museum to house antique farm equipment.

There are currently two structures on the grounds that are used as a forum to showcase farm equipment during the week of the fair.

"This is an agricultural area and upstate New York is a tourist destination, so there is no reason why we shouldn’t capitalize on the resources we have right here in our backyard."