A new Albany Business Review article ranks Lake George as the 7th hottest housing market in the nation, with neighboring Queensbury also making the top 100 at No. 55.
The rankings speak to the growing attractiveness of Warren County, but they also highlight something fundamental to our region’s economy: the value of our freshwater resources.
Research confirms the connection. A 2023 national study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examining nearly 674,000 property transactions near 1,632 lakes, estimated that a 10% improvement in lake water quality nationwide could generate $6 billion to $9 billion in additional property value.
Clean freshwater isn’t simply an environmental asset. It’s an economic driver.
It supports tourism, recreation, hospitality, residential investment, and the businesses and communities that depend upon them.
For Warren County, this is especially relevant. Our lakes, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities are increasingly part of what attracts residents, entrepreneurs, and investment. These advantages create significant opportunities for year-round economic growth.
But growing demand also reinforces two important priorities: protecting the natural resources that make our region desirable and expanding housing opportunities for the workforce and families who sustain our communities.
At EDC Warren County, our emerging freshwater economy initiatives recognize this connection. Freshwater protection, research, innovation, and responsible development aren’t separate from economic development. They are increasingly central to it.
Protecting our freshwater resources is not simply preserving what makes this region special. It’s investing in what makes our economy valuable and competitive.
Article: https://lnkd.in/g6GK-ScT
Research: https://lnkd.in/gpgiEEZt