Courtesy EDC
The Economic Development Corporation of Warren County (EDC) used its Annual Luncheon on Oct. 27, 2025, to reaffirm its commitment to a place-based economic-development strategy and to announce a significant new initiative: the formation of a steering committee charged with guiding the creation of a national Fresh Water Center. The goal of the center is to harness the expertise developed at Lake George and position the region as a leader in research, education and commercialization of freshwater protection.
The event, held before a full house at the Carriage House at the Fort William Henry Hotel, recognized outgoing board chair Dr. Kristine D. Duffy for emphasizing the importance of creating a “long-term sustainable economy.” Incoming chair Melanie Weber also assumed her new role. Moderator Ryan Moore and EDC President Jim Siplon highlighted recent development successes, including the Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which leveraged nearly $50 million from a $10 million state award. Other achievements included expanding Warren County’s broadband access from 75 percent to more than 95 percent and stimulating private development in North Creek through installation of a new wastewater system.
The luncheon’s theme of place-based growth was underscored by keynote speaker Greg Tehven, CEO and co-founder of Emerging Prairie and board chair of Grand Farm in Fargo, N.D. Tehven described how Fargo transformed its economy by embracing its local assets and becoming an innovation hub for agricultural technology. A fifth-generation North Dakotan, he urged attendees to be bold and action-oriented, attributing Fargo’s success to its “world-class public education and world-class health care.” Tehven challenged the audience to “declare your major, go public, and invite the world,” and emphasized supporting artists who “drive creativity and ego,” praising the local arts community.
Siplon closed the program with the anticipated announcement of the Fresh Water Center Steering Committee. Initial members include Siplon; Dr. Martin A. Schmidt, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI); Dr. John E. Kelly III, co-founder of the Jefferson Project; and Dr. Brendan Wiltse, executive director of the Lake George Association (LGA). The committee will also seek participation from New York State and regional business and elected leaders.
The steering committee’s mission is to build broad support for an actionable plan to establish the center near Lake George. It will include:
• A world-class scientific research facility
• An entrepreneurial center to help launch water-related business ventures
• A learning center to educate residents and visitors
This initiative builds on the work of the Jefferson Project, LGA, RPI and the EDC of Warren County. Siplon said it is “shameful that we have the best knowledge of how to protect fresh water in the world and have yet to create a company that shares it — and profits from it.”
He argued that the center is needed because no formal economic-development channel exists to capture and share the region’s unique knowledge, data and solutions. He said that expertise has global value and market potential in a world facing growing fresh-water challenges. The center aims to foster a new, investable industry aligned with the community’s strengths, creating jobs the region is well-positioned to fill.
RPI President Marty Schmidt said RPI is “excited to join this effort to create a Fresh Water Center as a catalyst for economic development in the region,” noting its alignment with RPI’s strategic plan, RPI Forward. Jefferson Project co-founder John Kelly said he was “thrilled to see that our world-class science will now spur business innovation and economic development.” LGA Executive Director Brendan Wiltse added that the new center builds on Lake George’s legacy as a proving ground and positions the region as a global leader in safeguarding this vital resource.
Siplon concluded by defining the county’s “major”: “Our major is protecting that — and figuring out how to add back to the texture of our economy and sustainable community for generations to come.” He called on the business community to join “an audacious journey,” saying, “I’m asking you all to participate in that process with me — whether with your time, talent, or treasure. We’re going to do this together.”