Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the significant contributions to this research made by the 258 business owners in sixteen communities of the Adirondack Park who generously completed the written questionnaire. We also appreciate the input and time commitment of the 65 business owners and tourism representatives who met with the study team over lunch and breakfast in seven Adirondack dining establishments. Many regional and local tourism officials provided information and logistical support as well, all in the interest of illuminating the experiences, outlook and needs of small business operators in the Adirondacks. Thanks especially go out to the many local Chamber of Commerce directors who provided assistance to the study team on a number of occasions and made us welcome in their communities.
This work would not have been possible without the generous support of the four project funders who were willing to participate in a cooperative research program on a topic of interest to all of them and to many others having an interest in the communities of the Adirondacks. Bill Weber of the Wildlife Conservation Society was the first to recognize the value of this work and we appreciate both his support and guidance. We recognize and appreciate the financial contributions made by the:
Wildlife Conservation Society, and their Ford Foundation-Supported Adirondack Conservation and Communities Program
Adirondack Museum
Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks
Adirondack Economic Development Corporation
The Geography & Planning Department at SUNY-Plattsburgh and Holmes & Associates both supplied additional in-kind service to allow the geographic scope of the study to expand out to businesses in sixteen communities in the central and western Adirondacks.
Three individuals provided considerable research assistance support including data entry, project mailings, fielding calls and editing and reviewing draft materials. They include Lynn Hepburn, Robin Prenoveau and Nadia Korths and we very much appreciate their assistance. Thanks go also to Cali Brooks, Adirondack coordinator of Adirondack Conservation and Communities Program, for her editing of the draft report as well as her thoughtful insights on the preliminary findings.
For further information or questions on the research, contact:
Tim Holmes at Holmes & Associates, or Bryan Higgins, Geography and Planning Department, Plattsburgh State University, 518-564-2400