Broadband access promoted

POTSDAM — The Forever Wired Conference at Clarkson University drew 260 people Tuesday to discuss bringing jobs to the north country by promoting broadband access.

The Adirondack Initiative for Wired Work plans to create 2,019 telecommuting jobs by 2019. That's a goal Elmer D. Gates, the driving force behind the initiative, insists the group can and will achieve.

"There are too many debating societies in the Adirondacks. People talk about what they want to happen — here's what will happen. We will do it," the 1950 Clarkson graduate said. "We all need creativity. There is a torrent of talent leaving and we need to rebuild it."

Mr. Gates, the lead director for Embassy Bank, petitioned his alma mater for help with the initiative, to create a plan of action to bring jobs back to the region.

He and Clarkson already have founded the first of 10 business centers across the Adirondack Park, in Mr. Gates's hometown of Blue Mountain Lake. The facility has four computers with Internet access, a copier, a printer, a fax machine and a conference room, so that residents and visitors can keep up with their work.

"People keep asking, 'How can I stay here longer?' This is a way," said Stephen M. Erman, special assistant for economic affairs for the Adirondack Park Agency. "There's a lot of buzz around broadband, and communities that don't have it are going to lag."

The Forever Wired conference offered panel discussions on what kind of investments and infrastructure are needed to support teleworkers, as well as a "Business 101" session for entrepreneurs. Panelists also discussed the challenges and benefits of working from home as a lifestyle.

Clarkson President Anthony G. Collins said the conference represented a day of "hope and opportunity" after the Labor Day celebrations in Massena, which were a reminder of the many jobs that have been lost there, between Alcoa layoffs and the closing of the General Motors plant.

"This conference cannot be the last chapter. It has to be the first chapter of economic success in the north country in the 21st century," Mr. Collins said. "We see a shrinking work force and we hope those industries will come back. But we have to be realistic. If that's not going to occur, we need to grow our own businesses."

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli gave the conference's keynote address.

He encouraged entrepreneurs and established businesses to take advantage of the In-State Private Equity Investment Program, which has $528 million available to invest in New York-based companies.

The state Common Retirement Fund funds the investment program, which has a rate of return of more than 30 percent.

In 2007, the equity program invested $2.5 million in ZeroPoint Clean Tech, a Clarkson startup in Potsdam.

"If you're prepared to make an investment in New York and have a compelling argument for investment, we are prepared to invest with you," Mr. DiNapoli said. "I believe economic recovery will come from the ground up. ... Certainly our comeback is very likely to begin in a lab here at Clarkson University or in someone's garage."

The comptroller pointed out the polished wood chain saw carving of a bear that served as the conference's mascot, and said he would have liked a bull instead to encourage an upswing in the stock market.

Charles L. Wilsker, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Telework Coalition, said that allowing employees to work from home saves companies money and often improves retention and productivity.

"The big question I get from companies is, 'How do I know if people are working if they're home?' Well, how do you know if people are working at work? Instead of making it about the time you spend in the office, it should be about objective and productivity," he said.

Sherry Nemmers, an advertising executive well-known for creating the Charmin bear and McGruff the Crime Dog, is a recent convert to telecommuting. Another Blue Mountain Lake native, she started her own consulting firm six months ago and began working from home.

She brought her laptop — and her work — with her Tuesday.

"The whole goal is to create jobs locally, and once we get the income coming in, we can start spending locally and bringing in business," Ms. Nemmers said. "True Adirondackers have survived and they love where they are. We need people who have that blood connection, who know that this is where they're supposed to be."

ON THE NET

Adirondack Initiative for Wired Work: www.clarkson.edu/adk