By Jill Nagy
The Saratoga County Economic Development Corporation will soon cut the ribbon at their new quarters at 517 Broadway, in the heart of Saratoga Springs.
Already, “we’re a very busy office here. . . .Very excited to be in the center of Saratoga Springs,” J. Gregory Connors, president and CEO, said.
Prominent on his agenda is dealing with the coming closure of Quad Graphics and helping to find new jobs for the company’s 400 employees. The EDC sponsored a job fair for Quad Graphics employees in February, along with Workforce Development for Saratoga County. He said that Jen McCloskey, the director of Workforce Development, contacted some 105 businesses to invite them to attend. He didn’t know how many responded, but observed that “It certainly was crowded and there was a lot of interest.”
Further job fairs are planned, including one at the City Center in Saratoga Springs and at least one in the southern part of the county, perhaps in Clifton Park.
Fortuitously, the Quad Graphics announcement came almost at the same time as Global Foundries’ announcement of its plans to expand its Malta facility and add another building. That company reached out to Quad employees, he said, and have already interviewed several of them. He noted that many of the skills needed at Quad Graphics can transfer to the Global Foundries operation.
“Everyone seems to be in the same boat rowing in the same direction,” Connors said.
Although bound by non-disclosure agreements to hold the details close to his vest, Connors noted that there are a number of other businesses looking to relocate to the Saratoga area.
He expects the Quad Graphics property to be listed for sale after it is de-commissioned, probably in early May. Connors noted that there is plenty of power and infrastructure to support another business and his office is helping look for a tenant or purchaser.
Connors, himself, came to his current job from Global Foundries where he was previously director of government affairs for New York and Vermont. He has been with the SEDC since September 2023.