Chamber of Commerce supports Crossgates’ hotel plan

To the Editor:

I am writing to express the support of the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce for the proposed hotel project at Crossgates Mall.

Job creation benefits us all. This project would employ local construction workers and provide new staff positions. That is a positive economic impact that then will ripple throughout our entire community.

This project also supports local tourism. I refer you to the information provided by Albany.org on the financial benefits of tourism in our area. The bottom line is that, when people come to town, they come with money to spend in the location they are visiting.

“Each household in Albany County saved an average of $985 this year thanks to visitors to Albany County. According to a recent report released by Tourism Economics, Albany County also supports $69 million in local taxes and $52 million in state taxes while supporting 15,000 jobs.

“The Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau also reports that for every $1 invested in marketing and selling Albany County to visitors and conventions, it returns $53 in taxes to the local economy. In addition, travelers to Albany in 2014 spent $958 million on lodging, food, and beverage, recreation, transportation, and other products.”

One of our large hotels on Western Avenue has recently applied for approval to convert to senior living so new hotel rooms will fill the void. There is no reason for us to lose business to other municipalities when we have a steady stream visitors coming to the University at Albany, the College of Nanoscience, and the New York State Harriman Campus.

I hope the community at large will join the Chamber of Commerce in its support of this new project.

Cheryl Lasher, president

Guilderland Chamber of Commerce

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