SEEC an Engine for County Growth
2025 Times Journal Progress Publication
Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corporation (SEEC) continues to empower and expand Schoharie County’s economic future. In 2024, SEEC and its alliance took bold steps to cultivate growth, providing resources and lessons learned that will enrich the local business landscape, foster community collaboration, and celebrate the county’s distinctive culture for years to come.
A snapshot of SEEC’s impactful 2024 initiatives and projects:
Digital Revolution
SEEC’s digital efforts were one of the year’s key highlights, supporting local businesses to thrive in the online space. SEEC Digital Power Hours, an interactive four-part workshop, equipped business owners with essential skills to excel at digital marketing. The series included Online Business Essentials, Online Community Management, Converting Followers to Buyers and AI for Small Business.
In collaboration with Schoharie County, the Digital Strategies Initiative also reached new heights with $500K additional funding ($1.2M in total), allowing SEEC to support 40 local businesses in total that created more than a dozen new jobs, hired digital strategists, content creators, and purchased new equipment to power-up digital community engagement leading to increased sales. The Digital Revolution continued to unfold with the Village of Schoharie and now Middleburgh offering FREE public Wi-Fi to businesses, residents, and visitors.
The SEEC ongoing mission to connect the county to high-speed internet, positioning our communities in the top 3% nationwide, was embraced by County government in 2024. Leveraging County ARPA dollars, SEEC initiated a broadband feasibility study and impact report that led to Schoharie County securing a $30M Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP) grant to build-out the “last mile”. Schoharie County is now on track to achieve 100% high-speed internet access by December 2026, unlocking unparalleled opportunities for education, business, and healthcare. In 2025, SEEC will be working with the Mohawk Valley on its Digital Equity planning and development of a local tech eco-system.
Community & Cultural Enrichment
SEEC’s commitment to fostering community spirit and celebrating local art was evident through the 287 Main Coworking space, which also served as the venue for multiple events throughout the year. From a sweet 16 birthday celebration, yoga classes, and artist's receptions to MWBE (Minority Women Business Enterprise) luncheon, where 35 attendees learned about certification and 7+ businesses pursued certification following. The annual year-end Toast to The Town, where SEEC lights up Main Street Schoharie and its vibrant space, once again brought community together. Congratulations to SEEC ASPIRE awardee Matthew Sloane, Principal at Middleburgh CSD, and ENLIGHTEN awardee Stephanie Shultes, Director of the Iroquois Museum. Celebrating Middleburgh Central School as a recognized Top 10 school of the Capital Region was a true point of light in 2024.
The ROOTED storytelling series, highlighting local businesses and entrepreneurs, launched in 2024 and will continue in 2025, sharing a powerful narrative of local entrepreneurial spirit and inspiration for aspiring business owners.
Placemaking and Main Street Vitality
SEEC continues to invest in Schoharie County’s streetscapes and Main Street vitality. In 2024, SEEC organized direct investment into The Parrott House and launched the Placemaking: Curb Appeal Program, offering free design consultations and grant opportunities for local businesses and property owners. Rick Hauser, expert architect, Mayor of the Town of Perry, NY and owner of in.site:architecture, joined SEEC last March to lead an interactive public charrette discussing how placemaking transforms spaces into vibrant community hubs. SEEC co-invested with 11 different owners and is already transforming downtown areas by enhancing the appearance of historic buildings and improving the overall aesthetics of communities.
SEEC also supported the Town of Schoharie in applying for a $90,000 Smart Growth grant that was awarded in December to shape development at I-88 exit 23, perhaps, into a Town Center concept. SEEC led the Village of Schoharie submission for a $10M Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant—stay tuned for announcements in March 2025.
A Year of Industry Diversity Dialogue
In 2024, SEEC hosted regional experts to Root Through Opportunities at its Annual Meeting. Exploring the regional priorities, SEEC welcomed local experts in offshore wind, battery storage, and supply chain development. An envoy in November, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission and Southern Tier 8, enabled SEEC executive director to learn insights and build rapport with the emerging Pittsburgh Robotics industry meant to bring practical industry development approaches to Schoharie County.
SEEC is pleased to acknowledge the HARVA Company in its 75th year. A testament that evolution and succession may still warrant navigation support to modernize equipment and foster job creation.
Looking Ahead: 21st Century Possibilities
As we move forward into 2025, SEEC remains dedicated to fostering collaboration in an environment of innovation and rural prosperity. The extraordinary success is attributed to the guidance and generosity of Fenimore Asset Management Family Foundation, Sterling Insurance Company Foundation, The Marge & Randy Becker Foundation, and other generous individual and corporate donors. Invest in rural prosperity by visiting www.seecny.org.
PRESS CONTACT:
Emily Smith, Marketing Coordinator Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corp (SEEC) Email: marketing@seecny.org Phone: 518-517-1700