AEDC Business Development Director Russ Kinyon Designated as Northeast Transition Initative Fellow

Congratulations to Russ for representing our work and our region as a Northeast Transition Initiative Fellow! The Northeast Transition Initiative (NETI) is a partnership of organizations whose mission is to expand the knowledge, resources and tools needed to support exit planning for business owners and transition to employee ownership. Russ joins 17 other fellows selected from across New York State and New England.

This program will take place during 2024 and result in AEDC’s participation in developing a strategic model to support business owners in navigating the exit planning process. 

Pictured: Northeast Transition Initiative Fellowship Inagural Cohort.

AEDC Funds Expansion of Saratoga County Preschool

Antzy Pantz, a preschool located in Saratoga County, received additional AEDC financing to expand its offering of programs that serve toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners. In addition to its standard preschool curriculum, Antzy Pantz also provides an understanding environment for sensory and motor-rich learning. The additional loan from AEDC will be used to add classes, expand summer programming and to hire additional educators to meet the school’s growing enrollment.

Congratulations to Ashley and McKenna on the expansion of this greatly needed service! 

Pictured: Co-Owners of Antzy Pants Preschool McKenna Fleming (left) and Ashley Meister (right) recieve loan proceeds in Clifton Park, NY. 

AEDC Welcomes Kelly Gonyo & Michael Kinnie To Board of Directors

Kellly Gonyo is the President and Founder of Blue Line Insurance Agency located in Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Champlain, and Ellenburg Depot. She lives in Ausable Forks and when not busy working, enjoys traveling and exploring national parks. Kelly was a former AEDC client in 2011!

Mike Kinnie founded and operated the Lake Ontario Playhouse comedy club and theater for many years. He also helped his wife start The Little Book Store in Clayton and Watertown. He was Mayor and a Trustee of the Village of Sackets Harbor and is now a Trustee for the Village of Clayton. He is a former Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center and also teaches part time at Jefferson Community College. He's very excited to bring his small business and community leadership skills to the AEDC.

Pictured: Kelly Gonyo and Michael Kinnie.

New York CDFI Conference

Victoria and Russ enjoyed the camaraderie and content delivered at the annual conference of members and partners of the New York CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) conference in Albany recently.

This annual convening of CDFIs from across the state provides the best opportunity to learn from our peers and hear about the successes in both urban and rural practices. AEDC has been a CDFI for thirty years and is highly committed to the goals of this Department of Treasury program.



Learn more about CDFI's Here!

Pictured: Audience at March NY CDFI Coalition Conference in Albany.