The Capital Region’s population is growing, the latest census figures tell us. Let’s not get carried away, though. Nobody’s talking about Sunbelt-type growth — as in places like Albuquerque, Denver and Charlotte, which continue to grow by leaps and bounds. The region has grown somewhat less than that — like, barely. But it’s certainly better than the steady, signifi - cant population decline we have been experiencing since the 1990s — or the absolute hemorrhaging in western New York, especially Buffalo. Growth isn’t all good. It can bring problems, including sprawl, which is indeed occurring in Saratoga County, the part of the Capital Region that has had the most growth in recent years. But population loss can also be a problem. All of a sudden, there are fewer people to pay taxes, buy homes, shop in local stores, fill jobs. There’s a reason why in Russia, which has a demographic crisis (low birth rate and high death rate), couples are being encouraged to have more children through a variety of means, such as cash incentives and “Day of Conception” contests that make them eligible for cars, appliances and other prizes. The region’s growth between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006 was modest — around 3,000 people. Approximately half of it was in Saratoga County. More surprising was where most of the rest was: Schenectady County. In fact, according to Rocky Ferraro, executive director of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, the county has been growing since 2001, with most of the growth occurring in Rotterdam, Niskayuna and Glenville. He says the main reason is migration, and the newcomers are being attracted by jobs (the region has a stable economy with a low unemployment rate), affordable housing and quality of life. High-tech jobs are available at an expanded GE research and development center in Niskayuna and the nanotechnology facilities in Albany, and service jobs almost everywhere. Ferraro also suggests that the revival of downtown Schenectady may have something to do with the growth. He says it shows that the county needs the city and vice versa. We agree, which is why the recent cooperation between the city and county is encouraging. But it’s not enough. The counties are also going to have to start cooperating and planning if the region is going to grow in an intelligent way. Eating up land at twice the rate of population growth, as is happening in most of the high-growth areas around the country, is not intelligent.
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BIGK75
September 18, 2007, 9:42am
Guest User
God forbid they mention the jobs that were brought in behind the iron gate to the Rotterdam Industrial Park Rotterdam Corporate Park.
There’s a reason why in Russia, which has a demographic crisis (low birth rate and high death rate), couples are being encouraged to have more children through a variety of means, such as cash incentives and “Day of Conception” contests that make them eligible for cars, appliances and other prizes.
There’s a reason why in Russia, which has a demographic crisis (low birth rate and high death rate), couples are being encouraged to have more children through a variety of means, such as cash incentives and “Day of Conception” contests that make them eligible for cars, appliances and other prizes.
What?
Sounds to me like they finally found Medicaid and Public Assistance. The more people in your family, the more you get.
We agree, which is why the recent cooperation between the city and county is encouraging
Am I missing something here? Like, what cooporation? Oh I know, the city builds and the counties pay! Ya...that's it!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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