Specific priorities exist among segments of the Hudson Valley population

Existence of quality jobs is of concern to many Hudson Valley residents
57% of Hudson Valley residents feel the quality of jobs in their community isn't very good, while 51% of community leaders rate the quality of jobs positively. 50% of Hudson Valley residents feel their community spends too few resources on improving the quality of jobs in the area.

Many Hudson Valley residents and community leaders see a need for after-school activities for children and teens and quality child care.
48% of Hudson Valley residents and 49% of community leaders feel too few resources are spent on recreational activities for children and teens. Single parents specifically would like to see more money allocated to these kinds of activities.

Health insurance is a real issue for many Hudson Valley residents
24% of Hudson Valley residents either are currently without health insurance or have had at least one member of their household without health insurance during the past year. 41% of residents thirty years old or younger did not have continuous health coverage in the past year.

Kirstin Litwin
May 20, 2003

Rise of the "creative class"
Attracting and retaining the creative class - which includes writers, artists, scientists and others paid to be creative - appears to be a key to economic vitality in communities. Professor and author Richard Florida outlines the value of this group in his book The Rise of the Creative Class: How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community, and Everyday Life. Areas that have large concentrations of these creative thinkers are likely to show significant increases in employment and population in years to come. Planners nationwide are expected to tune into this thinking.

Businesses increasing use of temp agencies and outsourcing human resource tasks to "professional employee organizations." (PEO's)
One significant reason for this trend is that it frees up managers to focus time and attention on knowledge based tasks as opposed to mundane activities.

IBM Corp. has reshaped the Hudson Valley, especially Dutchess County
- Communities have diversified after 1990's layoffs. At one time, IBM was driving force behind the development of local communities. Many neighborhoods were primarily made up of of IBM employees. Since layoffs, communities have changed bringing variety in jobs and families. (Locally, about 12,000 people work for IBM in East Fishkill and Poughkeepsie - this is down from more than 31,000 in 1984)
- Commuter patterns have changed. 20 years ago many workers in the southern part of the Town of Poughkeepsie and in East Fishkill headed to jobs at IBM plants - now thousands head to Westchester County and New York City.
- Attitudes toward IBM have changed. Many feel IBM is not as loyal as it once was. Graduating students consider IBM as one option for employment, no longer the option, although it is one of the region's largest employers. Few look to IBM for a lifelong career.
- IBM's workforce has changed. The company's average age is now between 38 and 42 with half its workforce having less than five years of service. Casual attire and increased flexibility are also noted. About one third of the workforce works remotely.
- IBM still contributes to the local economy. Although not as predominant as it once was, officials in East Fishkill and Poughkeepsie claim IBM is still important to the local economy. IBM Poughkeepsie's tax payments are still the largest in town and IBM's East Fishkill plant has helped the town develop water systems and improve traffic flow in certain areas.

The way women think and behave is impacting business, causing a marketing shift away from a hierarchical model toward a relational one
Two factors contribute to this trend, the fact that women are involved in business in increasingly large numbers and the reality that women relate to others differently than men. Some notable statistics:

Regional economy is changing
Three distinct economies are emerging in the Hudson Valley

Growth of information industries creating a knowledge-dependent global society
Information is becoming the primary commodity of more and more industries. The Internet has made it possible for small businesses throughout the world to compete with industry leaders, making innovation and information key products. New technologies have permeated almost every industry, making computer competence necessary for everyone. For a good career in almost any field, technology skills and continued training will become increasingly necessary.

Dental spas pamper patients, calm fears
Those who can't imagine an enjoyable visit to the dentist have never awaited a root canal with their hands dipped in paraffin wax. They've never enjoyed a pre-drill foot massage while taking in the scent of lavender candles and fresh cranberry-orange bread. They've just never experienced "spa dentistry" where neck rubs, juice bars, scented nitrous oxide are used to distract patients from the unpleasantness associated with a visit to the dentist. Timothy Dotson, owner of Perfect Teeth Dental Spa in Chicago says this approach is a way of erasing dentistry's "painful past." Picking up on the "spa dentistry" trend, the Chicago Dental Society will become the first major dental organization to offer a class on some of these techniques. Amenities such as hot towels, white-wine spritzers, free coffee, hand/foot massages, and fragrant heated towels are increasingly appearing as dentists try to meet changing consumer demands.

Have a Cavity Filled and a Massage, too
Poughkeepsie Journal
March 2, 2003

As demographics of gymgoers shift, businesses are making a concerted effort to tailor their messages to specific groups
Memberships at health clubs have increased 95% during the past 14 years, generating more than $12.2 billion annually. Once stereotyped for twenty-something bodybuilders, healthclubs are now attracting a wider demographic spectrum. Recognizing this, health and fitness clubs are creating more targeted programs and specialized facilities for various demographic groups, and advertisers are partnering with these facilities in order to conduct target marketing of their products. Advertising in health clubs is taking a variety of forms from marketers hosting on-site promotions and demonstrations, to giving away free samples and apparel, to custom-published magazines or newsletters. According to Greg Helm, executive vice president of the Encino, California based gym promotions agency Health Club Panel Network, "The demographics of health club patrons are astronomical - the income, the buying power, the diversity. More advertisers are understanding how valuable these clubs are - probably because they're going themselves and witnessing what's taking place there."

Advertisers target "tweens" (kids 9-12)
Once considered off-limits to advertisers, tweens (those beTWEEN early childhood and teenage years) are considered one of the most powerful consumer groups in the nation. They number about 30-million, nearly twice as many as a decade ago, and are extremely diverse, with one in every three tweens being non-white. It is estimated that tweens directly spend $10 billion annually, and influence and additional $74 billion of family spending. Recognizing that the stakes are high, companies are trying harder than ever to target tweens. Most feel if they are successful at reaching someone when they are young, they'll have a good chance at brand loyalty for life.

Increase in Babyboomer grandparents
20 million boomers are grandparents today, 32 million projected for 2007. They are likely to spend alot of time and money on their grandchildren's interests and education.

Three demographic groups expected to significantly influence homeownership market across U.S. (between 2000 - 2010)

Fact Sheet: The Growth of America's Older Population
http://www.aoa.gov/May2002/Fact
sheets/Growth.html
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services - Administration on Aging

Shifting birth trends
There are three major ways in which births across the U.S. have changed:

Underutilization of potential development sites in the region
Trend toward massive warehousing facilities, superstores, and large-scale malls are a big part of this problem since land parcels in urban areas are often not large enough to accommodate such massive structures. Lack of proper water and waste services at these sites are also contributing factors.

Regional program aims to sell valley to employers
A serious regional economic development program, called Hudson River Valley Inward Investment Program, will begin Spring 2003. This endeavor will work to convince employers that the mid-Hudson valley has the labor force to support new industries. The initiative, which will be aided with $7.5 million over 5 years from CH Energy Group and managed by the Hudson Valley Economic Development Council, will take a regional approach to targeting investment. North American Realty Advisors of NYC has been hired to inventory real estate assets, develop marketing concepts and strategies, CRSR Designs in Kingston will do Web design and develop logos for the program, and Marist College Bureau of Economic Research will provide necessary data. The program will include areas in the mid-Hudson Valley served by Central Hudson, covering parts of several counties. Industries to be targeted by the Inward Investment Program include:

Program Aims to Sell Valley to Employers
February 14, 2003
Poughkeepsie Journal

Karen Weaver
January 8, 2003

Existence of quality jobs is of concern to many Hudson Valley residents
57% of Hudson Valley residents feel the quality of jobs in their community isn't very good, while 51% of community leaders rate the quality of jobs positively. 50% of Hudson Valley residents feel their community spends too few resources on improving the quality of jobs in the area.

Increasing cultural diversity will dramatically impact composition of labor force
The following chart compiled by Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress clearly identifies this trend.

Profile of the future job market

Characteristics of 21st Century Employment

What Will 21st Century Career Success Look Like?
Written by Michelle L. Casto M.Ed. for Quintessential Careers

Advantages of 21st Century Employment

What Will 21st Century Career Success Look Like?
Written by Michelle L. Casto M.Ed. for Quintessential Careers

Kirstin Litwin
January 30, 2003

A new form of retirement housing is emerging
In large cities across the country, NORC's (Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities) are being organized. NORC's are a response to many seniors' resistance toward moving out of their own homes into traditional retirement communities. In housing developments where large groups of senior residents live, NORC programs coordinate local health and social service resources to assist the aging population, while allowing them to remain in their homes. In 1994 the NYS Legislature agreed to support 14 NORC programs, 12 in New York City. In May of this year, the federal government began the National NORC Demonstration Project in Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has identified 5,000 apartment houses across the country that are really NORCs. For seniors involved in a NORC program, they can be happy in their homes knowing services are are always available to them.

Day Care Demand High
Poughkeepsie Journal
March 17, 2003

Bill may aid grandparents' custody rights
Grandparents responsible for raising their children's children may have a better chance than an absent parent to gain legal custody under two bills announced recently. More than 143,000 grandparents in New York State were responsible for raising their grandchildren in 2000, according to Census figures. The bills require approval in the Assembly and Senate, and would protect children from being uprooted and removed from loving homes in those cases where a birth parent has not shown a willingness to care for a child.

Bills Aid Grandparents' Custody Rights
Poughkeepsie Journal
June 17, 2003

Three demographic groups expected to significantly influence homeownership market across U.S. (between 2000 - 2010)

Agriculture looking different in the Hudson Valley

Apple, Dairy Acres Dwindling - Horse, Specialty Farms on the Rise
Poughkeepsie Journal
December 15, 2002

Underutilization of potential development sites in the region
Trend toward massive warehousing facilities, superstores, and large-scale malls are a big part of this problem since land parcels in urban areas are often not large enough to accommodate such massive structures. Lack of proper water and waste services at these sites are also contributing factors.

Farmers Struggle to Maintain Crops

Greig farm owner goes bankrupt
Poughkeepsie Journal
December 13, 2002

Audio E-Books becoming popular in libraries
Libraries are beginning to circulate audio e-books and the MP3 players needed to listen to them. Most have found Audio E-books programs a success.

A new opportunity for libraries: Internet2?
Internet2, a massive network of science and research information, developed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) has helped prompt the question - what is the next big idea for libraries and could this be it? People from NSF collaborated with ALA's Office for Information Technology to examine "the technical and organizational aspects of delivering advanced digital services through libraries and to suggest initial approaches to delivering these services." This development challenges libraries to consider some key questions:

Librarian Shortage Ahead?
According to library journal, 40% of library directors plan to retire in nine years or less, and as of 1998, 57 % of professional librarians were 45 or older. In the next 12 years, nearly half of the country's 125,000 school librarians are expected to retire. Library schools and associations are working to address this issue by recruiting new people into the profession. Many insiders feel that removing the stigma of the library as women's work is key to attracting new library professionals, especially men. Presently about 80% of librarians are female, but some predict this will change as the job continues to become more technology focused. Low salaries despite the advanced education required may also be a contributing factor to this potential shortage.

Public libraries are allowing coffee
Many public libraries are beginning to look like local bookstores with corner cafes and espresso machines. One library in Arlington, Va. has a sign at the entrance which reads "We're java-friendly!" Carla Hayden, incoming president of the American Library Association, says "more libraries are serving coffee in coffee bars, this is the bigger trend." This is quite a change from the traditional perception of the library, but in a time of stiff competition from bookstores, tight budgets, and a changing audience, many libraries are challenged to rethink how they do business.