CEG Economic Development Week in Review January 26-January 30, 2026
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CEG IN THE NEWS
Times Union: What data says about the Capital Region’s job market
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Albany County to refocus economic strategy after Trump policy changes
“Albany County is revising its economic development strategy following the Trump administration’s reversal of Biden-era initiatives.
A key plank of the strategy, which dates to 2019, was to pursue clean-energy manufacturing projects, Kevin O’Connor, the county’s top economic development official, said recently during a public meeting.”
At Transfinder, AI has freed up workers to go back to basics
“As most Americans are just getting used to what life is like with artificial intelligence available at their fingertips, Antonio Civitella has been using AI to supercharge his business.
The CEO of Transfinder, a Schenectady-based software company best known for its bus routing software for school districts, says AI is not doing his employees’ jobs. What it is doing is freeing up their days from mundane tasks and helping them realize their full potential.”
First look renderings for new $1.7B public health lab in Albany
“New York state has pulled back the curtain on a $1.7 billion public health lab being built in Albany so people can see how it will look when completed.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office on Monday released six exterior and interior renderings of the five-story, 663,000-square-foot Wadsworth Center that will rise on the east side of the W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus near Route 85.”
Momentive Performance Materials plans to redevelop Niskayuna HQ
“hemicals company Momentive Performance Materials is planning to overhaul its Niskayuna headquarters and research-and-development center.
The manufacturer has submitted an application to the town’s planning board seeking to renovate two wings of the former SI Group property off Balltown Road and build an addition to replace other sections earmarked for demolition.”
Thomas Pest Control opens new Albany HQ
“The owners of Thomas Pest Control have come a long way from building the business with one employee out of their basement.
In the last year, husband-and-wife owners Bill Clark and Sarah Thomas-Clark have bought a new headquarters in Albany and booked $8.6 million in revenue.”
Fort Miller Precast adds 35,000-square-foot building to campus in Easton
“Fort Miller Precast is building a new structure at its Washington County manufacturing campus.
The maker of precast concrete for infrastructure projects is constructing a new 35,000-square-foot production building at its property in Easton, the company said on social media.”
“I come from a background in materials science. After working at a company in South Korea, I went to the United States to pursue my Ph.D. After earning my doctorate, I joined my previous employer—a flash memory manufacturer—because I was told I would be directly involved in materials development.
At the time, the company was still a small venture. It later formed a joint venture with a major Japanese manufacturer and established operations in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
After joining Rapidus, I was given two missions.”
Report with help guide $200M for downtown Albany
“There are still no answers for how $200 million in state money set aside for economic development in downtown Albany will be spent.
But that may change in the next few months.
Guiding those decisions will be a report that will have recommendations for how to improve specific areas within a 1-mile radius of the Capitol, and strategies to accomplish the goals.”
Athens brewery makes USA Today’s list of best in the country
“Twenty new craft breweries from Maine to California have been named as the best in the entire country, including one right here in Athens.
Night School, home of Deep Fried Beers opened at 21 Second Street in April of 2024 and is among the score of breweries selected this month by USA Today’s panel of brewski gurus. Now the national news outlet is asking the public to vote for their favorite.”
