News in brief
Regional development group hits $6M target for capital campaign
ALBANY, N.Y. >> The Center for Economic Growth has reached the $6 million target of its ‘Accelerate’ capital campaign.
Launched in Septmber, Accelerate is a five-year campaign and collaborative investment to accelerate and secure the region’s economic stability. According to a news release from the 30-year- old, regional professional and economic development organization, the success of the campaign leaves the CEG better positioned to promote the region to businesses and entrepreneurs across the country and beyond, while also helping existing local companies to thrive.
“CEG’s successful $6 million capital campaign under the leadership of Andrew Kennedy marks the beginning of a new stage of advancement for not only this vital economic development organization, but also for each of our region’s eight counties,” said Laura Schweitzer, chairwoman of the CEG board and vice president for heralth sciences at the University of Albany. “The region-wide, team effort — from developing our economic blueprint to the Capital 20.20 Plan – laid the groundwork. and now, regional leaders have shown their confidence by rallying behind CEG so it can help implement the plan.”
About 200 organizations have contributed to the campaign, led by Albany Medical Center, National Grid, the Port of Albany, Rensselaer County and SEFCU.
“The Center for Economic Growth plays a vital role in ensuring businesses from throughout the global economy know the benefits of opening a business or expanding their operations in the Capital Region,” Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino said in the release. “As our region continues to see interest from these businesses, it is imperative that CEG increase their efforts to ensure even greater investment into our communities and job growth, and this campaign will allow CEG to do just that.” To date, the campaign has allowed the center to create three new positions and rebrand the organization with a new logo and website. It has also stepped up its economic development efforts in attracting manufacturers and technology companies to the region.
Breathing Lights ends with day-long summit
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. >> Breathing Lights, the large-scale public arts project that lit the windows of hundreds of vacant homes throughout Albany, Schenectady and Troy last fall, will officially come to a conclusion with a Project Finale and Policy Summit from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, April 7, in Key Hall and the GE Theater at Proctors.
The event will review the two-month project and look to the future of public art in the Capital Region. The day will be highlighted by a panel discussion at 1 p.m. featuring the mayors of the three cities, as well as the release of survey data and findings collected over the history of the project.
The day will conclude at 7 p.m. with the first public screening of the WMHT documentary, “Behind the Lights,” which is scheduled to premiere on the public television station at 10 p.m. Monday, April 17.
The event is open to the public, with registration available at www.breath-
Waterford library sets astronomy program
WATERFORD, N.Y. >> The Waterford Public Library will offer a free astronomy program at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at the new Waterford Community Center.
Astronomy for Everyone: Size and Scale of the Universe is a family-friendly presentation by noted astronomer Kevin Manning, who has worked as a consultant for NASA and at the Chandra XRay Observatory, winning both national and international awards for his work. Following Manning’s presentation, participants are invited to view the night sky through a powerful hand- crafted telescope.
The program is free, but registration is recommended. For more information, call the library at 237- 0891 or email watpublibrary@ gmail.com.