Eight things you need to know on topics related to Saratoga County's economy.

1. Next Wave Communities - Survey for Village of Ballston Spa Residents

Have you ever wanted to voice your opinion on what you would like your community to look like in the future? Well, the residents of the Village of Ballston Spa are being asked to do just that. As part of the Next Wave Communities Initiative, residents and business owners are invited to share their ideas on what their economic development priorities are, the types of businesses they would like to see in Ballston Spa, the quality of the Village's infrastructure and community services, and other questions. If you are a resident or business owner in the Village of Ballston Spa, please fill out this survey .

2. DEC clears former Ballston Spa mill for re-use

DEC and the state Department of Health have determined that the former Angelica, 6.35-acre site in Ballston Spa "does not pose a significant threat to public health or the environment," according to a draft finding released for public comment last week. The Angelica site has a long industrial history. The property was the site of a tannery called Haight's Tannery starting in about 1887, and it then became American Hide and Leather, at one time among the largest leather tanneries in the United States. Angelica conducted the earlier site cleanup under the state's brownfields redevelopment program. The 80,000-square-foot brick structure, was most recently the home of an Angelica Healthcare commercial laundry facility, which closed in 2010 and is currently vacant and ready for redevelopment. Angelica conducted the earlier site cleanup under the state's brownfields redevelopment program. CLICK HERE TO READ COVERAGE FROM THE DAILY GAZETTE.

3. Co-Warehousing: The Evolution of Industrial Space in a “Coeverything” World

According to Cushman Wakefield, disruption caused by the coeverything movement has had varying impact across industries, finally making its way to the industrial sector. Third-party logistics providers (3PLs) have long provided shared services and expertise needed to assist companies with warehousing and distribution needs. New companies, such as Saltbox in Atlanta, FLEXE and STORD, have emerged over the past few years to provide different types of flexibility and cost savings for tenants in the ecommerce fulfillment, retail distribution, inventory and overflow space. Locally, companies like Arnoff Global Logistics, is offering customized commercial storage + fulfillment services right out of their Malta location for both small and large businesses. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

4. 4 Year College or Trade School? Where is the ROI and what can help fill the income + skills gap?

New studies by Georgetown University and University of Southern California are trying to determine the return on investment for a four-year bachelors degree. CNBC reports that the amount of vocational training available relative to the size of a country’s manufacturing sector may reduce income inequality, and improve the fortunes of workers earning below the top 10 percent of household incomes, the data show. “As manufacturing sector becomes more important in a country’s income, relatively unskilled laborers benefit from access to vocational education, thereby narrowing the income gap with skilled labor.” The Washington Post reports there is a drive for greater accountability amid the huge increase in college-going beginning in the 1980s and rapidly increasing tuition costs. The study suggests that 16 year-olds perform risk analysis and understand the ROI of a four year degree. If they want a quick turnaround, they can choose a certificate program with a successful track record, with the understanding it may be the most lucrative choice a decade out but probably won’t be the best value during a 40-year career. Or they could decide that assuming debt is worth it for future potential. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE from the Washington Post. Check out which local college ranked #1 for institutions with the highest long-term net present value (NPV)

5. Applied Materials' $850M research center now open in Albany

Applied Materials officially opened its new research center at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany last week. The center is known as the Materials Engineering Technology Accelerator, or META Center, is designed to help computer chip manufacturers prototype new materials and devices. “Realizing the full potential of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data will require significant improvements in performance, power consumption and cost both at the edge and in the cloud,” said Gary Dickerson, president and CEO of Applied Materials. “The industry needs new computing architectures and chips enabled by innovative materials and scaling approaches. The META Center creates a new platform for working with customers to accelerate innovation from materials to systems.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM APPLIED MATERIALS and TIMES UNION.

6. The Beauty Premium: How Urban Beauty Affects Cities’ Economic Growth

The study by Gerald A. Carlino of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and Albert Saiz of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, examines the connection between a city’s beauty and key growth indicators. The study finds evidence of a significant beauty premium for cities and neighborhoods. A city with twice as many picturesque locations as another city saw 10 percent growth or greater in population and jobs from 1990 to 2010. In fact, urban beauty ties with lower taxes as the most important predictor of overall population growth in cities. Plus, these cities disproportionately attract greater numbers of college graduates. Cities in the top 25 percent of picturesqueness saw nearly 3 percent higher growth in the number of college grads than those in the bottom 25 percent. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM CITYLAB

7. Makerspace, Artist Incubator, and Rapid Prototyping Center coming to Saratoga County

Saratoga County has thriving arts communities and a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc. is a place where these worlds combine to create the future. The Innovation Center will be a collaborative makerspace where artists, entrepreneurs, and community members come together to learn, create, and innovate. Plans include a fully equipped woodshop, a makers space, an artist incubator, and a Rapid Prototyping Center with CNC, 3D printing, and a host of other tools available to help make prototypes. Learn more about the Innovation Center and how you can become a founding sponsor here .

9. Community Uses Holiday Homecoming to Lure Talent

ReThink West Michigan is happy hour-style event aimed at attracting talent back to the West Michigan region. On Thanksgiving Eve, when many former students and professionals are back in the region, several area companies and non-profit organizations come together to convince former West Michigan residents that it's time to take another look at their hometown. In the past seven years of hosting ReThink West Michigan, 1,018 people have attended an event, 72 local companies have participated, and 70+ attendees have been hired from attending ReThink. Read more about the event here .

WORKFORCE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Intro to Craft Brewing and Distilling Course - Course begins January 2020 Area brewers have teamed up to develop a training program to meet the growing needs of Craft Breweries throughout the Capital Region and Upstate NY. To apply, send resume to Christine McLear.

Saratoga CanCode Returning to Saratoga County in January - In January, Saratoga CanCode will be returning to Saratoga County with a new coding course - Python for Data Analytics. The class will cover the basics of Python, and will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the SUNY ADK Wilton Center from 5:45 - 8:45 starting on January 28 and continuing through the week of April 13 with make up classes the week of April 20. Special grants to be available to Veterans . Stay tuned for details about an upcoming InfoSession.

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU SEEKING YOUR HELP

The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking thousands of people to assist with the 2020 Census count and are actively recruiting for Census Listers, Census Field Supervisors, Office Operations Supervisor, Recruiting Assistant, and Office Clerk.

These positions provide the perfect opportunity to earn extra income while helping your community! The results of the Census help determine each state's representation in Congress, as well as how certain funds are spent for schools, hospitals, fire departments, roads, and more.

Benefits to working for the U.S. Census:

This is your chance to play a part in history and help ensure that everyone in your community is counted! If you are looking for a temporary, part-time or full-time position, don't miss out on this exciting opportunity and apply today at  https://2020census.gov/jobs

No experience or education is required!

*Bi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply!  Spanish, Chinese, and other languages are needed.