Regional Economy is Focus of SUNY New Paltz Conference

NEW PALTZ — On Friday, June 9, in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, SUNY New Paltz is sponsoring a conference titled “The Economic Outlook for Mid-Hudson Valley 2000.” Events will take place in Lecture Center 102, beginning at 9 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Hugh Johnson, chief investment officer for First Albany Corporation, whose speech titled “Mid-Hudson Valley: A Success Story” is the final item on the agenda for the half-day conference.

According to Simin Mozayeni, chair of the Department of Economics at New Paltz, “This conference will provide a unique opportunity to learn about the future of the mid- Hudson region from experts and local leaders.”

The conference is open to the public for a $45 fee. Registration forms can be found at the web site of the SUNY New Paltz Economics Department: http://www.newpaltz.edu/economics/bboard.html, or can be requested by calling the conference information line at (845) 257-3783.

Anyone wishing to attend must register by Friday, June 2 in one of two ways: Fax the registration form, complete with a credit card number, to the Economics Department at (845) 257-3693, or mail the form with a check payable to “College Auxiliary Services, Economic Conference” to Simin Mozayeni, Chair; Economic Outlook for the Mid-Hudson Valley 2000; Jacobson Faculty Tower 604 A; SUNY New Paltz; New Paltz, N.Y. 12561.

The first part of the program, “Economic Outlook,” will be moderated by Geddy Sveikauskas of Ulster Publishing. This session features Richard Peach, vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, who will brief the legislative delegation and community leaders, and also discuss the economic outlook for the entire nation. Subsequently, Rae D. Rosen, a senior economist and an officer of the Bank, will narrow the focus to New York state and the mid-Hudson Valley.

Moderating the second morning session, “Key Economic Developments in the Mid- Hudson Valley,” will be Douglas Cunningham, business editor of the Times Herald-Record. Speakers include Eugene Zeltmann, president and chief operating officer of New York Power Authority, who will discuss energy deregulation; Stacie Nunes, acting director of the School of Engineering at SUNY New Paltz, who will address e-business initiatives; and Kevin Bette, president of First Columbia LLC, whose topic will be world trade centers as engines of growth. A summary and implications for the region will be provided by Michael DiTullo, president of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress.

The conference at New Paltz is part of an annual series which the Federal Reserve Bank co-sponsors with universities to highlight issues and opportunities in the university’s economic region. This is the first time SUNY New Paltz is participating.

Other organizations whose sponsorship has made this conference at the university possible include Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley, Glomar Construction, Mid-Hudson Pattern for Progress, New Paltz Chamber of Commerce, New York Business Development Corporation, Times Herald- Record, Ulster County Economic Development Corporation, Senator John J. Bonacic (40th Senatorial District), and Assemblyman Kevin A. Cahill (101 Assembly District).

Members of the press who would like more information, or to attend “The Economic Outlook for Mid-Hudson Valley 2000” may contact Mozayeni. She can be reached by e-mail at mozayens@matrix.newpaltz.edu or by telephone at (845) 257-2969. Additional information can also be obtained at the web site of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York: http://www.ny.frb.org.