The unified economic development strategy has worked

In 2004, newly elected Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature Susan E. Savage recruited Ray Gillen to head Metroplex and lead a new unified economic development effort. A recent Daily Gazette article points out that "Before Gillen, the economic development climate in the county was confused, fragmented and marked by infighting among 31 different economic development groups. Gillen worked with leaders of the county Legislature and city government to bring together the groups under one umbrella. Consolidation made it easier for developers to talk deals and for everyone to be on the same page about projects, Gillen said."

“One of the greatest accomplishments I have had as chair is the appointment of Ray Gillen. If you look around our community, you can see how much stronger we are because we have professionalized economic development,” Chair Savage said when reflecting upon the economic turnaround that has taken place since she became chair in 2004.

In the same article, Jan Smith, spokeswoman for GE Energy, said “When the new group came in, they said we should have a climate for change. There has been an effort on [their part] to work with us and us with them,” she said. This new partnership resulted in GE reinvesting in Schenectady County with 750 new jobs announced in the last few years.Click here for more news coverage.