Residents of the Mohawk Valley should feel upbeat about the areas future.

That was the message Thursday at The Genesis Groups monthly luncheon, which took place at Hampton Inn and Suites at the New Hartford Business Park.

The group of about 75 people heard reports about the nanotechnology initiatives in Marcy, economic development efforts in Herkimer and the statewide Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Mohawk Valley EDGE Economic development agencys Mark Reynolds briefed the group on progress at a site being marketed to nanotechnology manufacturers.

He said the $300 billion international nanotechnology industry continues to develop and shift.

It is insidious in terms of where it is in your daily life, Reynolds said. It is everywhere and it continues to grow.

If a chip fabrication plant can be netted for the Marcy site, it could bring as many as 2,300 jobs to the area and spark the growth of thousands more in support industries.

The preparation of the site has been held up by a decision by the Army Corps of Engineers that certain wetland mitigation cannot progress unless a tenant is found.

Reynolds said other work still can be done, such as road construction over wetlands that can be bridged without breaking the law.

Alicia Dicks of Ft. Schuyler Management Corp, which is involved with the SUNYIT nanotechnology endeavors, said developments there were progressing as planned, and that soon naysayers would be proven wrong.

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Nanotechnology highlights business luncheon