Upstate New York isn’t like the rest of the state. In fact, I would say that our region—the North Country and Mohawk Valley—is especially unique. It seems as though Albany has set out to define who and what we are. They seem to dominate the conversation, telling us what’s going to kick-start our economy; but truthfully, the so called ‘solutions’ I’ve seen really won’t help our economy or our communities in the long run.

I find myself wanting to say, “Thanks, but no thanks,” knowing that we have the ability to create our own solutions to some of our toughest problems. I know right here, among our job creators, local officials and community leaders, we have the ideas and solutions that are tailored to work for us.

This quest to find our own solutions begs the question: what is Upstate Strong?

Upstate Strong is something that we’re going to have to define for ourselves. I have a vision for Upstate New York, one that sets our region apart from the rest of the state, where our economy and communities are thriving and prospering in a way that works for us.

In order to learn exactly what Upstate Strong means for us, I recently kicked off a Small Business and Economic Development roundtable tour. Over the course of this year, I will be taking my roundtables to each county and will be holding multiple sessions to discuss some of our most important industries in the Mohawk Valley and North Country. Open dialogues will happen between job creators in agriculture, forestry, tourism, and manufacturing and with Main Street small-business owners.

In the end, I want to know what job creators are facing in New York as business owners. What’s holding them back? What’s working for them? What is going to help them create more jobs for our communities?

At the conclusion of this tour, I will take the ideas and knowledge shared with me and bring them to Albany. In the end, Upstate Strong means taking control of our own destiny.

Job creators, please help me by taking a moment to share your ideas and concerns at tinyurl.com/blankenbushbiztour. Or, if you would like, please email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us. I look forward to hearing from each of you.