WMHT and Zone 5 Launch "Tech Valley Now" Initiative

ALBANY, NY (07/09/2008)(readMedia)-- WMHT and Zone 5 are pleased to announce the launch of an unprecedented research project designed to uncover public attitudes about the state of Tech Valley. Details of this initiative will be presented at a press conference to be held at WMHT on Thursday, July 10 at 10am.

This is an exciting time for upstate New York. Tech Valley is growing and evolving at a rapid pace. We are seeing our manufacturing-based economy move towards a technology based one on a daily basis. Traditional employers such as government, colleges, universities and hospitals are being augmented by global and regional leaders in high tech research and development. Simply said, our assets are shifting.

As with many economic shifts, the region's demographic profile is also following suit. Our housing market and unemployment rates are bucking national trends. Our median income and education levels are also growing. This rising tide seems to be lifting all boats. Yet, how do Tech Valley residents really perceive what is happening all around them? What are the intellectual, educational, cultural and infrastructure gaps that exist or that will be created?

"It is critical to know your starting point to chart the most efficient route to a new destination," said Robert Altman, President and CEO of WMHT. "It is crucial to our mission as a public broadcaster to know our community."

"As a research-based communications firm, Zone 5 has been intimately involved in the development of Tech Valley both on behalf of our clients and because it is our home," commented Paul Fahey, COO of Zone 5. "We know economic development and we understand the nature of high tech companies. Utilizing our research expertise, our goal is to take a deeper look at where this region is heading."

The pairing of the region's premier public broadcasting entity and one of Tech Valley's leading communications firms will lend a unique perspective to this research effort. The goal is to offer useful information to elected officials, opinion leaders, the business community and the public as they make decisions that affect the region's quality of life.

What is the changing nature of our psychographics, or the personality of this region? Who are we? What have we become? What drives us? What, or who, inspires us? Where do our curiosities, interests and passions lie? Where are we going? Stay tuned for the answers.

A trusted community resource for over half a century, WMHT Educational Telecommunications uses the power of non-commercial public television, radio, the web and other media to enrich the lives of more than a half million households throughout eastern New York state and portions of western Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Zone 5 is one of Tech Valley's premier strategic communications firms. Rooted in both talent and technology, their seasoned team of communicators and creatives bring a unique left-brain, right-brain approach to outreach challenges. Cutting edge research capabilities augment their creativity to consistently surpass the expectations of even the most critical clients.