By Stephen Donnelly
Coeymans Town Supervisor
When we talk about economic development in the Town of Coeymans, we’re not just talking about industry, infrastructure or tax incentives. We’re talking about people. We’re talking about community. And most importantly, we’re talking about the graduates of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School.
Too often, economic development is framed as a top-down process—build a factory, attract a big corporation, and hope the rest falls into place. But real, lasting economic growth comes from the ground up. It comes from investing in people, particularly those who are just entering adulthood and making decisions that will shape the future of our town.
In Coeymans, the majority of our working residents travel outside the town for employment. Of the 10% who work locally, many are earning minimum wage. And let’s be clear: you can’t raise a family on minimum wage—not in today’s economy. That’s why we’re shifting our focus toward building a sustainable, high-paying workforce right here at home.
We’re working with the RCS School District, the Village of Ravena, and local industry to create meaningful partnerships that connect education with real-world opportunity. Work-based learning programs already exist within our school system—we want to harness these programs to launch a comprehensive workforce development initiative that prepares students who don’t choose the college path to succeed in skilled, well-paying jobs.
Investing in these students isn’t just good for them—it’s good for all of us. When young adults can buy a home, raise a family, and build a life in their hometown, the entire community thrives. This is how we grow our local economy—by increasing household income, not outsourcing our workforce.
Across the country, towns that focus on growing a strong middle class see lasting results. Studies have shown that regions with robust vocational training and local career pipelines experience higher employment rates and economic resilience. Coeymans is no different—we’re laying the foundation for that kind of future here.
And it’s working. Thanks to our administration’s sound and responsible fiscal plan, the Town of Coeymans is projected to generate $250,000 in revenue this year. This isn’t money for the sake of money—it’s about reinvesting those earnings into the services and programs that support our residents. A strong local government is one that can fund its vision—and our vision is focused on people.
We’re committed to making Coeymans a place where our kids want to stay, not leave. A place where hard work is rewarded, families can grow, and businesses want to put down roots. Economic development isn’t just about what we build—it’s about who we build it for. And here in Coeymans, we’re building it for our children, and their children.
After all, our kids aren’t just our future—they’re our most valuable asset.
