Washington County NY Economic Development

09/14/2026

Starting or growing a business doesn't mean figuring it all out alone.

The Capital Region SBDC, based at the University at Albany, offers free, confidential advising on everything from business plans to financing to your next growth move - no cost, no catch. Their service area covers Washington County, and meetings are available in person at satellite locations throughout the region or virtually by Zoom.

Getting started is simple: just request a free consultation on their site, and an advisor will follow up to schedule your session.

Learn more and request your consultation: https://www.capitalregionsbdc.org/

09/11/2026

Ask a Washington County resident why they stay, and outdoor access is usually part of the answer.

Here, you can bike or hike the county's trails, cast a line in the Battenkill or Mettawee, paddle Lake George or the Champlain Canal, or enjoy a trail ride through flowering meadows and enchanting forests. That's the kind of all-encompassing access that both draws visitors and keeps residents here.
And it matters for businesses, too! Recreation-driven tourism brings visitor spending into our downtowns and small businesses, all year long.

Explore more of what makes this county worth living, working, and playing in at washingtoncounty.fun

09/09/2026

Washington County's farmers markets are still in full swing, and there's plenty of season left.

From the Cambridge Valley Farmers Market on Sundays at Owlkill Commons to the Slate Valley Farmers Market on Wednesdays at Veteran's Memorial Park in Granville, Washington County's markets run well into fall, most through mid to late October. These weekly markets are a great way for small producers to connect directly with the community that supports them.

So before the season wraps up, come find everything from fresh produce and local honey to farm-made goods and more. All grown or made right here in Washington County, NY!

Explore local farmers markets and farm stands at washingtoncounty.fun/farmers-markets-around-the-county/

09/03/2026

You don't have to look far in Washington County, NY to find a beer, wine, cider, or spirit with a family name on the label.⁠
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Many of our breweries, wineries, and distilleries are family-owned and hands-on, with owners crafting everything on-site, from milling and mashing to fermenting and bottling. That kind of direct, entrepreneurial involvement is part of what keeps this county's agricultural economy thriving.⁠
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Whether you're into a cold pint, a crisp cider, a small-batch spirit, or a glass of wine grown right here, there's a taste of Washington County waiting for you.⁠
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Explore the full lineup at: https://washingtoncounty.fun/beverage-trail/

08/31/2026

Hollingsworth & Vose has operated in Washington County since the 1950s, part of a company history that spans over 200 years. Talk to anyone on the floor, though, and you'll hear a different kind of story: family.
"I've had uncles that worked here. My brother works in the other mill. My father-in-law used to work here," said longtime employee Sharon Bruce. "It provides very well for a family and lifestyle."
That kind of generational connection doesn't happen by accident. It comes from a company that promotes from within and invests in the people already here.
Watch the full video:

Hollingsworth & Vose has been driving innovation in advanced filtra...

08/21/2026

Mark your calendar: the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce's September Mixer is happening Thursday, September 24, 4-6 PM, at Adirondack Brewery in Lake George.

These mixers are a great low-pressure way for Washington County business owners and entrepreneurs to make new connections across the region.

Save the date now: https://www.adirondackchamber.org/events/details/save-the-date-for-september-mixer-at-adirondack-brewery-4874

08/20/2026

Farmers and food producers, take note: New York State just relaunched the Nourish New York portal.
The redesigned site makes it easier for food banks, schools, and other food organizations to find and buy directly from New York farms. You can now build a business profile, list your products in detail, and get discovered by buyers actively searching for local suppliers, including by certification type.
This isn't just for meats and fresh fruits & vegetables; it's for value-added products, too. If you grow it, raise it, or process it here in Washington County, creating a profile costs nothing and puts you in front of a whole new set of wholesale buyers.
Access the portal here: nourish.ny.gov/search
Know a fellow business owner who might benefit? Share the news!

08/18/2026

Heading to the Washington County Fair next week? Remember to visit the Entertainment Tent on Wednesday, 8/26, from 10:30 AM to 12 PM for the BOCES Connections event. http://wswheboces.org/apps/news/article/2215503?categoryId=17065

Whether you're an alumnus, a business owner looking to connect with future members of the workforce, or want to share a WSWHE BOCES success story of your own, it's a great opportunity to connect!

08/18/2026

Did you know?? Varak Park in Cambridge, NY used to be the seed warehouse for Jerome B. Rice & Co. Today, its three buildings hold an antique shop, medical practices, working artists, and more.

It's a working example of what adaptive reuse can do: giving smaller, newer businesses a foothold in a well-built, character-filled space, without the cost of new construction. The building and the nearby park also serve as flexible options for local events and gatherings, tying economic activity to the space itself.

See more of what adaptive reuse looks like across the county: washingtoncounty.fun/adaptive-reuse-in-washington-county/

08/14/2026

Downtown Hudson Falls is in the middle of a revival, and it's centered on a century-old theater the community refused to let sit empty.

This month's issue of 518 Profiles Magazine traces The Strand Theatre Hudson Falls' path from bustling entertainment venue, through decades as municipal offices, to the community-powered restoration that turned it into one of Washington County's most active arts spaces.

It's proof of what creative infrastructure and adaptive reuse can do for a village's economy, and it's playing out right now on the streets of Hudson Falls.

Read the full feature:

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.