Aliya Schneider is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media a group of Philmont residents is looking to evaluate economic development for small businesses. The organization, Philmont Economic Development Group, consists of chair Peter Johnson, members Jean Giblette, Karen Davala, Jeff French and Susan Michiehas, Giblette asked the village board March 24 to recognize the group because it needs support from the trustees to become an official economic development committee and be eligible to receive grants accordingly. Philmont Mayor-elect Brian Johnson will appoint trustees to various committees at the village organizational meeting next week, board member Douglas Cropper said. Johnson will likely appoint an economic development representative from the board who can move forward with the committee. “We were aware that other towns and villages in the county were doing this and we were feeling a little bit left out,” Giblette said. A thorough assessment of local businesses has not been done in the past 25 years, she added. The group has identified 10 objectives for the village including: identify local market needs and opportunities for businesses; direct activities with other organizations involved in economic development in the area; identify investment and grant opportunities for the village and make recommendations to the board of trustees; promote Philmont’s potential for water power energy generation; and more. The group’s general focus will be on small business, but its members are keen to help the village investigate the potential for water power development. The village is in danger of becoming a “nonprofit ghetto,” Giblette said. She called that phenomenon "a very bad thing" because it skews the tax burden to homeowners. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.