Remote work may be new Adirondack industry

ELIZABETHTOWN | A consistent lament of Adirondack towns is that, as old commercial pursuits like mining and logging have flagged, nothing has come along to take their place — until perhaps now. "We have identified a new industry that has potential for the county," said Jim McKenna, director of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism at a March 8 supervisors meeting. "It is a new industry and it is an industry we don't have to build facilities for because they bring their jobs with them." The industry is what appears to be a meaningful number of urbanites whose eyes were opened by the pandemic to the possibility of working remotely. In a survey commissioned by ROOST and the Economic Development Corporation of Warren County, Camoin 310 assessed the desire of nearly 7,000 people to relocate to the Adirondacks and asked them what factors might encourage such a move. The survey was targeted to Adirondack visitors and enthusiasts located outside the Adirondacks who are predisposed to having a warm spot for the park. Of the respondents, nearly a quarter said they were at least somewhat likely to move to the Adirondacks in the next five years. The top consideration, not surprisingly, was the ability to work remotely, a possibility that has accelerated because in many cases the pandemic proved it was possible. Hand-in-hand with remote work was dependable broadband, which groups within the park have been working hard to expand. McKenna said the implications of the findings could be considerable. "This is not a minimum wage industry," he said, meaning that transplants would have the disposable income to support local restaurants and businesses, and would broaden the tax base. Those who could work remotely would also be more likely to live in the park year-round, creating new opportunities for seasonal businesses to remain open, and boosting the chances that more communities inside the Blue Line could support longed-for services, such as gas stations and grocery stores. But in a classic chicken and egg situation, survey respondents indicated that they'd want services to be available — health care, broadband, dining, shopping — as a condition for moving. "Respondents noted concern for affordability related to taxes, housing costs, and groceries/living costs," the report indicated. "Several respondents noted concerns they have for moving to the Adirondacks including cell service, high-speed internet, access to health care, high paying jobs, affordable housing opportunities, and access to supermarkets. Others noted concerns over New York's taxes, weather, and limited diversity in the Adirondacks." But "Our biggest challenge is going to be housing," McKenna said, as real estate sales have been so brisk that Realtors say inventories are at historic lows. Another nettlesome paradox is that, as more people move to the region, concerns grow that the Adirondacks' primary attribute — solitude — is at risk. "There are concerns of overpromoting the area and increased development," the report states. "Several comments noted that increased visitation has dulled the area's allure for some while others are concerned that increased visitation will harm the Adirondack environment." Yet for some, leaving in the Adirondacks represented a "dream" scenario, considering the natural beauty, friendly people, and opportunities for recreation. Overall, the survey found, "the majority of survey respondents indicated that they would consider moving to the Adirondacks if the right housing options were available and they could work remotely. Therefore, the results indicate there is high potential to attract households from outside the Adirondacks to communities within the park."

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Remote work may be new Adirondack industry

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