Brochures and magazines lining long, wooden racks whisper the charms of picturesque villages deeply rooted in their 19th century origins.

This is endearing – even inspiring - but not surprising.  You’re in the new offices of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, just down the road from the SUNY Delhi campus at 5 1/2 Main Street.

But the lobby, with its various print promotions of life and leisure in the Catskills is where preconceived notions of a rural chamber office end.  Open a door, and your trip into the promise and potential of 21st century Delaware County begins.

If you’re lucky (as we were), Mary Beth Silano, the Executive Director of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce might even provide the tour.

Traveling clean, white halls, passing new offices sporting recently assembled desks and chairs, we stop at the door of a large room.  Ms. Silano’s pride is palpable.  This is the Chamber’s new “Computer Training Lab.”

With 8 tables, 16 seats and an equal number of wireless laptops, the room is a dream environment for computer-based learning.  The room's utility is further enhanced by the designer’s inclusion of a ceiling mounted projector, a large, wall-mounted screen and a presenter’s work station.

The already busy schedule of the Computer Lab includes regularly scheduled classes in computer basics, Microsoft Word, Excel and other Microsoft Office programs, Quickbooks, Adobe Photoshop, Website Design and more.

In addition, the Lab hosts the Chamber’s14 session Micro-enterprise Program and other assorted business courses.

Moving to the building’s shared entry, we literally open the door to the County’s future.  This is the long anticipated Business Incubator and Conference Room.

At 6,400 square feet, it is an impressively large space.

Along the walls of its halls are a collection of paintings and other artwork, each of which, Silano quickly points out, are for sale.  (The current display features the work of the Catskill Mountain Artists’ Group, with other showings of local arts groups and individuals being planned for the future.)

The art gallery not-with-standing, the primary function of the space is that of an incubator for new – and especially small business.

Silano explains, “Because of our location in the watershed, we do not get the large influx of companies moving to the area. All of us [project partners: The Delaware County Chamber, the Department of Economic Development, the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency and SUNY Delhi] feel the future of Delaware County is small business.”

Specifically, she adds, “with our proximity to New York City [we see] telecommuting types of businesses.  Internet related.  Broadband.  They need more high-technology.”

“There are spots in Delaware County,” she notes, “where service is still dial-up.  Coming to the eCenter gives them the ability to expand their business by having very low rent, their heat paid, their electric paid, and they have wireless capability.”

“Our goal is to get them in here for a year, then rotate them out [into a community in Delaware County] to make room for more businesses.”

Our tour continues past a kitchenette, restrooms, a copier room, and a media and communications room featuring a computer and monitor, high speed fax, flat bed scanner and a wide tray (17”) color printer.  All of these, Silano explains, are shared resources for tenants of the Business Incubator.

Each tenant is provided with a private office, and either one or two sets of L-shaped workcenters, chairs, phone(s) and wireless connection.

Although there are several options for small meetings, perhaps the most impressive component of the eCenter is its huge conference room. 

With seating for more than 2-dozen, ceiling mounted projection to a wall-mounted screen, and video-conferencing this room is certain to be a prized space, utilized by community and business groups.  (Contact the Chamber for full details on reservation.)

With every compliment to the vision displayed in design and production of the facility, Ms. Silano directs credit to the Chamber’s partners in the process, notably the Catskill Development Foundation.

The project’s price tag exceeds one million dollars, with a substantial amount of that funding provided by Senator Bonacic through “member items.”  Other partners that played a significant role in ensuring the success of the enterprise were the Catskill Watershed Corporation, USDA, and the Appalachian Regional Commission, all of which provided grant funding.

Why have so many seen the merit in support of the Business Incubator? “More than 80 per cent of small businesses fail in the first year,” Silano explains.  “With the incubator space, they have the support to help them along through their first year, so they don’t fail.”

Plus, we note, they have access to the resources of the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.

Silano agrees and reminds that, “All the organizations in the county work really well together.  We’ve got a great working relationship.”

Living testimony to that relationship and the vision shared can be found at 5 1/2 Main Street in Delhi. The eCenter’s doors opened officially on January 27th, 2007, and with it a county that delights in its connection to a 19th century idyll makes a seemless transition to the business model of the 21st century.

For more information about the eCenter call (607) 746-9710 or toll free, 877-44E-CNTR. 
Visit them on line at www.dcecenter.com

Click here for more about Delaware County.

 

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