OVERVIEW:
On October 21, 17 people participated in the Troy listening workshop. The group included stakeholding interests representing a number of state and regional agencies and nonprofit organizations involved with strategic action and policies relating primarily to environmental and heritage/cultural issues and concerns for the Valley. Participants noted that the audience was not representative of the region’s ethnic, racial, age or professional diversity. In particular, the group encouraged future representation from: the agricultural sector; higher education; hospitality, tourism and marketing organizations; cultural groups; emerging technology development companies; and recreational sports activists.

DISCUSSION:
The discussion focused on the need to create a new generation of stakeholders and activist leaders for the Hudson River Valley who can deal authentically with the issues and concerns that the current generation of leadership has been addressing for the past 20 years: treating the region as a whole system; addressing demographic inclusion and diversity; narrowing the gulf between the “haves” and “have-nots”; connecting the natural with the built environment; addressing issues relating to river access, use, and development, etc. There is a yearning for “new urbanism” (walkable municipal centers that contain a range of housing and job types, with connections to public transit, and protection of regional open space); and for recreational experiences that encompass multiple activities and opportunities (e.g. visiting a historic site and kayaking). It’s time for “climate leadership” (green jobs, forward technology, preparing the region for change).

PRIORITY THEMES:
27 ideas were generated by the group to address a “new agenda” for action. The participants then selected those ideas they felt to be most promising. Priority Themes that emerged include:

• Forwarding legislative action through more aggressive and effective regional advocacy efforts;
• Continuing the emphasis and refining strategic direction for regional development;
• Encouraging greater organizational cooperation and collaboration at the regional level;
• Focusing on tourism development and regional marketing;
• Promoting “green consciousness”
• Improving river access, and linking river access points more effectively; and
• Encouraging “green” transportation systems.