News
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Small Business Saturday a Success
December 1, 2019CEDC has been a proud supporter of Small Business Saturday since its creation in 2010. Nationally, AmEx reports Small Business Saturday hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion. An estimated 110 million shoppers, up from 2018, positively impacted communities. MORE
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Low Unemployment Continues for County
December 9, 2019State Labor Department Releases Preliminary October 2019 Area Unemployment Rates In October, Columbia County has again posted the lowest unemployment rate in the state. The County’s October unemployment rate of 2.8% is slightly higher than the October 2108 rate of 2.7%. MORE
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$14 Million Farmland Protection Initiative
December 9, 2019Governor Cuomo announced a new $14 million initiative to help New York farms with critical financial assistance to keep valuable farmland in production, allow diversification, and ensure long-term viability of operations. More
Public Meeting Schedule
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CEDC Board of Directors
December 18, 2019 - 8:30AM -
CEDC Executive Committee
January 14, 2020 - 8:30AM -
CEDC Audit & Finance Committee
January 15, 2020 - 8:30AM -
CEDC Workforce & Education Committee
January 16, 2020 - 8:30AM -
CEDC Governance & Nominating Committee
January 22, 2020 - 8:30AM -
CEDC Loan Committee
January 22, 2020 - 9:30AM -
CEDC Board of Directors
January 28, 2020 - 8:30AM
Holiday - Office Closed
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Newsletters & Special Edition EBlasts
Germantown Laundromat & Shop
3 Church Avenue, Germantown, NY 12526
Dana and Tracy Martin are the proud owners of Germantown Laundromat & Shop, a staple in the hamlet of Germantown since 1965. The couple purchased the business in 2018, and since then they have been busy expanding their offerings and upgrading the property.
Today, the familiar little building on Chuch Avenue houses a sustainable shop, a weekly on-site seamstress, as well as a traditional laundromat. And it’s now painted a bright, cheery yellow and features a bocce court and seating in the backyard.
“Germantown Laundromat has been here over half a century,” says Tracy. “We wanted to keep the business going while adding products and services that support environmentally friendly behaviors, like a weekly seamstress for alterations and repairs. It’s a laundromat that aims to teach the community the impact our daily choices have on our bodies and the earth.”
Once Dana and Tracy purchased the property, they turned to Columbia Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) to help finance the cost of inventory and new equipment. The couple were approved for an SBA 
Microloan, which qualified them to receive free technical assistance from one of CEDC’s business consultants.
“The consultant who assisted with setting up our books was terrific,” according to Tracy. “Having one-on-one training to set up QuickBooks and payroll was extremely helpful.”
Germantown Laundromat is no ordinary laundromat. It has free Wi-Fi, indoor + outdoor seating, a water refill station and restroom. The laudromat is open 24/7. A seamstress is onsite on Fridays. The sustainable shop is open Thursday-Sunday, 11-5pm. The business can be reached by calling 518.537.7133 or emailing hello@germantownlaundromat.com. Follow along on instagram @germantown_laundromat.
Saisonnier
11 Chatham Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106
Saisonnier is a family-owned beer, cheese and sundries bar and shop located in the heart of Kinderhook. Founded in 2018 by Kasey and Patrick Kenny, the business offers 150 craft beers, local artisanal cheese, select wines, choice charcuterie, and provisions for dine in or takeaway.
The majority of their products and ingredients are produced by local farmers, artisans and brewers.
Kasey and Patrick moved from Brooklyn to the Hudson Valley to start a family as well as a small business. They found an ideal live/work situation in a historic building on Chatham Street in the Village of Kinderhook.
“The entire community has been supportive of our plan from the beginning,” according to Patrick. The couple and their two-year-old son live upstairs while the tavern occupies the ground floor.
Shortly after arriving, Patrick enrolled in the 8-Week MicroBusiness Seminar Series offered by Columbia Economic Development Corporation. He took advantage of the free Technical Assistance to finish his business plan and learn QuickBooks. A small business loan from CEDC helped finance the start-up costs.
“CEDC provided the gap financing that made the project come together,” said Patrick.
Saisonnier provides a comfortable space for the community while also supporting local agriculture. It is open Mondays & Thursdays 11:30am-9:00pm, Fridays & Saturdays 11:30am-10:30pm and Sundays 11:30am-7:00pm. Events and parties can be scheduled using the space by calling 518.610.8100. Follow along on instagram @ok_saisonnier.
