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Rockland County Wants Your Input On Thoughtful, Balanced Economic Development Options
By Heidi Vandiver
Rockland County’s future is being written today. Residents, business owners, and community leaders are invited to attend the upcoming Economic Development Forum, hosted by the Rockland County Office of Economic Development and Tourism with support from the Rockland Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and the Rockland Business Association (RBA).
The event will take place on Wednesday, May 14th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the JCC in West Nyack, NY. This is an opportunity for the public to directly engage in conversations about how Rockland County can grow thoughtfully, balancing economic opportunity with preserving the quality of life that makes our community so special. The trained and talented JCC staff will provide on-site childcare for children 4-9 years old, at no charge, with prior registration.
We Want to Hear from You…
The evening forum is designed especially for Rockland residents who want to share their ideas and hopes for the County’s future. Topics will range from affordable housing and small business development to environmental stewardship, education, and transportation.
Some of the most common questions already submitted by registrants reflect the key issues shaping our county’s future:
- How can Rockland retain young professionals while remaining affordable for long-term residents?
- What are the county’s plans to support small businesses and revitalize downtown areas?
- How will we balance growth with preserving open space and suburban charm?
- How can housing be addressed for seniors, people with disabilities, and working families?
- How can we make Rockland more walkable, vibrant, and sustainable?
These questions reflect a community that cares deeply about maintaining Rockland’s character while embracing smart, sustainable growth.
Why Your Voice Matters…
As Steven Porath, Executive Director of the Rockland IDA, emphasized in a recent article, “An engaged and involved citizen provides a voice to counter a more vocal minority of ‘no’ that often is the only voice heard at a public hearing.” The forum is not just about discussion, it’s about helping residents become empowered to shape the future they want to see.
Rockland’s economic health is closely tied to issues like affordable housing, local job growth, affordability, downtown revitalization, and investment in infrastructure. With only 7% of Rockland’s housing stock built since 2010 and nearly 60% of renters facing a housing cost burden, it’s clear that new strategies are needed.
Rockland also offers open spaces, a strong nonprofit sector with many services that families seek, quality public education, three centers of higher education, and proximity to major transportation hubs, New York City, and the beautiful Hudson Valley. What parts of Rockland do you love? Is it the diverse restaurants, thriving breweries, small businesses, local theaters, and public parks? We want to hear your voice and build our future together.
A Call to Action for All Residents…
The Summit organizers stress that this is not just a meeting for government officials or business leaders—it’s for everyone who cares about Rockland’s future. Whether you’re a small business owner, a young family, a retiree, or simply someone who cares about your neighborhood, your input is invaluable.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the economic development tools available, hear about successful revitalization efforts, and discuss what strategies might work best for Rockland’s diverse communities.
As The Heart of the Community notes, building vibrant downtowns that offer housing, shops, and walkable streets can protect suburban neighborhoods while fueling local business. By coming together, we can ensure that growth enhances, rather than detracts from, what makes Rockland special.
If you have ever asked yourself, How do we support local business growth? How can we support more walkable, thriving downtowns? or, What will Rockland look like in 5 or10 years? This event is for you!
Let’s not wait for the future to happen to Rockland County, let’s build it together.
Heidi Vandiver is the Operations Manager of the Rockland Industrial Development Agency
Read also: The Heart of the Community: Why Downtowns Matter (April 3, 2025) and Engaged Citizenship…Why An Educated And Involved Public Is Key To The Economic Development Of Our Community (March 27, 2025)
