Most of these businesses are located in the towns and villages along the main east-west corridors through the Catskills, for example, Windham on Route 23, Hunter and Tannersville on Route 23A, and Olive, Margaretville or Andes on Route 28. It is at these "development nodes" where businesses have access to the infrastructure necessary for business growth (sewer, water, power), that increase foot-traffic for other businesses located nearby, and that create a growth center that generates jobs, provides tourists and locals alike with necessary services, and ultimately, that protect our mountain tops and ecologically sensitive areas where human impacts from development are unacceptable.

We highlight one such business in each issue of our newsletter. We hope you support them.

But this same principle pertains to where we choose to build our homes. Whether it is a primary or secondary residence, we should attempt to build, like our businesses, not on the mountaintops, but in the valleys and near to existing development nodes. I recently purchased a 1950s ranch-style home, not my favorite style, but the property was already cleared, the house already built and near to the main road. By building, or better, by reusing homes in the valleys and along main roads near our businesses, we create walk-able communities, generate lower taxes (homes or businesses built on steep slopes and far from main roads are costly to service) and ultimately create quality, sustainable communities within the context of a healthy environment.

These kinds of decisions are important and extremely personal, but our decisions impact the whole community- for the long term. It is how we make decisions about our home and businesses that ultimately will determine what our communities will be like in the future. Lets do our best to make the right choices.

Tom Alworth
Executive Director