I went to Troy to investigate TVCoG. They were holding a Mini Maker Faire.
Tech Valley Ctr of Gravity – Troy NY
Tech Valley Ctr of Gravity – Troy NY
Tech Valley Ctr of Gravity – Troy NY
Tech Valley Ctr of Gravity – Troy NY
Tech Valley Ctr of Gravity – Troy NY
Tech Valley Ctr of Gravity – Troy NY
A pretty depressed facility.
Troy NY Public Library
Troy NY Public Library
Troy NY Public Library
Troy NY Public Library
Worked on UTM. Spent time on phone with Tim Varney at Troy Web on new iTunes Connect provisioning system. Still very unclear how this works. Also cleaned up more of the investor presentation. Drove to UAlbany. Jan is sick so he attended most of the meeting by telecon.
Talked with Anita Harris for first time since late November. Karen had a photographer in for a portfolio review so I met Chad Weckler at Verdigris to talk about the makerspace project. Next steps, check in that we are on the same page philosophically.
Single file on all but major street sidwalks
Drove to Cambridge and Somerville. Karen for her Soup Group meeting and me to meet Mike Beach at Artisan’s Asylum, the makerspace.
The piles of snow are impressive. Drove down Kinnaird St. to see what the old haunts looked like.
Went for lunch with Esther Hanig at the Druid in Inman Sq. She has a new job as the Director of the Union Sq. Main Streets project. Then I drove Karen to Ellen Feldman’s house. I went on to Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville to meet with Michael Beach. Aside: Michael told me that Peter Flowers is in hospital with pneumonia and stroke. Currently intubated and being treated for pneumonia primarily.
Learned the importance of social factors. Involvement and presence of renters drives much of the activity. Many of the courses are taught by renters. Lots of interaction and mentoring by renters. Saw this in action with Michael and his projects. Met Derek Bradbury, President.
There is a corporate makerspace in the next building, Greentown Labs
Picked up Karen at Moira Barrett’s house in Cambridge. Drove home. Arrived 11:30pm.
Went to gym at 7:30 am.
Visited Albany Public Library Made Here Creative Space at Washington Ave branch (former main branch. The library is iun a former IRS building. Low ceilings, though they have made considerable improvements in its appearance and functionalities.
UAlbany students cancelled with less than one hour’s notice via email. Jan is skiing with his kids so he didn’t count in the equation.
Fortunately I could move my 2:30pm meeting to talk about their new makerspace at the Albany Public Library to 1pm.
Met with Sarah Clark and Ryan Slowey. Etsy’s main contribution was so stimulate the start of the space and a six week workshop on entrepreneurialism. Held last fall with sixteen participants. Staff funding is coming out of the regular budget. APL is a school district library so they get $42 per person for their budget from taxes. They will have official launch of the space shortly. Because of the layout the space can only be open during library hours. They don’t seem to have a very strong connection to their community and possible customer base.
Hudson Business Coalition meeting at Hudson Dev Corp at Firehouse. Two hours long because there were new people, including conspicuously Russ Gibson, co-owner of Croft House and Barlow Hotel. He reported on B&B matters. Interesting support for Lodging Tax proposal with some useful caveats, including spending some of the receipts on marketing Hudson.
Also spent time on Hudson Walking Guide – its future. Set up a strategy committee to come up with overall marketing direction. SJ Williams volunteered to organize this.
Got a chance to talk with Chad Weckler about the Etsy /CEDC support for a makerspace. We will collaborate further. He has a proposal ready to go to Galvan focused on the Van Kleeck Tire building.
Went to gym.