SPARC: Igniting Prosperity Forum Draws 55+ Community Members to Cobleskill-Richmondville Central High School

Community showcase held during Economic Development Week 2026 highlights the partnerships, businesses, and initiatives shaping Schoharie County's future

SCHOHARIE COUNTY, NY — More than 55 community members, business leaders, and elected officials gathered at the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central High School Auditorium on Thursday, May 7, 2026 for SPARC: Igniting Prosperity — a community forum hosted as part of Economic Development Week 2026.

The event was presented by Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corporation (SEEC) in coordination with Schoharie County Partners for Advancing Resilient Communities (SPARC), a regional coalition whose members include SUNY Cobleskill Institute for Rural Vitality, Schoharie County Industrial Development Agency, Destination Marketing Corporation, and Schoharie County economic, community, and agricultural development partners.

This year's Economic Development Week theme, Collaboration, was on full display throughout the evening. A community panel featured Town Supervisor Werner Hampel, Chair of the Schoharie County Economic Development Committee; Denise Kelly, Former Mayor of the Village of Sharon Springs; Dasha Mattia, owner of Middleburgh Coffee Co.; and Andrew Rowles of Wayward Lane Brewing. Agency discussions spanned a wide range of topics central to Schoharie County's growth, including agricultural events and agritourism, broadband expansion, Empire State Greenhouses, Hoshino Resorts, small business development, and municipal resources.

The event was one of five community activations SEEC organized throughout Economic Development Week 2026, which also included a coworking open house at 287 Main, a United Way Weavers collaboration conversation, the ribbon-cutting of free public WiFi at Middleburgh's Art Park, and a UAlbany AI asset management session for municipal leaders.