In 2004, Advance Testing Company developed a
Mentorship Program for high school students that was designed to teach leadership
skills, give them real life work experience and a taste of what the materials
testing and engineering industry has to offer. Over the past two years, Jimmy
Smith, President & CEO of Advance Testing Company (ATC), recruited the
Orange County Partnership team to teach an economic development session geared
toward the importance of growth and development in Orange County. According to
Jimmy, “We will only thrive as a county if we invest in our youth.”
On August 7th, students from
Monticello High School and Newburgh Free Academy participated in a day-long
session that informed them on the economic growth and development philosophy of
Orange County.
The day began with a comprehensive
presentation on the services offered by the Orange County Partnership including
how it markets the county and attracts new business through site selection
assistance, identification of available incentives and demographic
research. The presentation also touched
on the wide-ranging tools employed by the Partnership to retain and expand
existing businesses and how the financial support of local businesses supports
its mission.
A tour of the Orange County Emergency Services
Center (911 Center) was followed by an in-depth roundtable discussion that
included Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Larry Gottlieb, President &
CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Maureen Halahan,
President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership, Dawn Ansbro, Executive
Director of the Orange County Arts Council and Christine Little, representative
of LEGOLAND NY.
The day concluded with a tour of Satin Fine
Foods in Chester.
On Wednesday, August 23rd Advance
Testing Company will be hosting a graduation ceremony to honor the 2017
Mentorship Class.
Maureen Halahan, President & CEO of the
Partnership remarked, “Jimmy Smith has been associated with the Partnership as
an advocate for economic development for the past 20 years. He continuously creates new and innovative
ways to engage the next generation. Because of his leadership, students are
able to recognize the opportunities and challenges they will face in forging a
career in the county they call home. I
applaud Jimmy and hope more business leaders take his lead and help us develop the
next generation of Orange County.”
For more information about how you can
participate in this program, please call 845-294-2323.
