Courtesy Saratoga Prosperity Partnership
The Village of Ballston Spa and the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a Saratoga County-based economic development organization, unveiled in October a comprehensive and customized economic development plan designed to promote future growth and drive long-term prosperity in the village.
Prosperity Partnership said the effort was guided by input from hundreds of citizens and community, business and government leaders. The blueprint outlines a strategic and tactical approach to attracting visitors, residents and businesses to Ballston Spa by enriching and promoting the assets, resources and character of the village.
It is a product of the Saratoga Partnership’s Next Wave Communities initiative.
“The plan heralds a new beginning for the Village of Ballston Spa and makes it abundantly clear that we are open for business,” said Ballston Spa Mayor Larry Woolbright. “I’m particularly proud that our village is proactively taking this important step forward, undaunted by the impact of COVID-19 on the state and national economies.”
“We are delighted to have worked with Mayor Woolbright and the steering committee, the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, and village residents to create a thoughtful and tailored economic development plan that harnesses Ballston Spa’s assets and resources and supports its future goals and aspirations,” said Shelby Schneider, president and CEO of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership.
The plan outlines four major goals and includes a matrix of timelines for implementation.
The goals are:
• Enhance the Central Business District. To attract and retain complementary retail and experience-based businesses and create a positive shopping experience, the plan recommends creating a Business Improvement District (BID) to fund infrastructure improvements; reviewing transportation and parking strategies; and encouraging merchants to collaborate, from coordinating hours of operation to developing a collaborative merchandising approach.
• Enrich the village’s Quality of Place. To bolster the atmosphere for visitors, residents and businesses, the plan calls for updating the Village Master Plan, which was last done in 1994; pursuing the Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Initiative; improving walkability in the Central Business District; creating a facade improvement program; and exploring options for affordable, workforce and senior housing.
• Provide support and resources to small businesses. To help small businesses and proprietors prosper and grow, the plan suggests conducting a feasibility study to explore coworking spaces; establishing a network of supportive workforce services and facilities, including a physical resource hub; creating peer groups, roundtables, and regional business-to-business (B2B) platforms to connect business owners for collaboration and sourcing; and tracking and sharing retail and consumer trends to guide business decisions.
• Create an economic development and community branding strategy. To enable small businesses and proprietors to compete in the regional marketplace, the plan recommends developing a community branding strategy to raise the village’s visibility and showcase its assets and opportunities; targeting vacant and underutilized properties for economic development; evaluating village zoning, land use and other ordinances to support business growth; and conducting community surveys to continue gathering input on future directions.
The Saratoga Partnership worked with the village for over a year to create the economic development plan. A survey of more than 400 Ballston Spa residents was conducted to gauge the community’s vision, identify its strengths and assets, and address current needs and challenges.
In addition, Woolbright and the Saratoga Partnership conducted six focus group meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders, and a public forum was held to generate further participation and solicit additional ideas.
“This plan is both comprehensive and flexible; it will help guide us toward the goal of maintaining our unique village, while improving our ability to attract new residents and businesses to join us in the opportunities our community offers,” said Rory O’Connor, chair of the Steering Committee.