Greene County Success Stories

The Return of a Thriving Greene County Mountain Community

The Return of a Thriving Greene County Mountain Community

It’s been over 5 years since Tropical Storm Irene swept through many mountain communities in Upstate New York and Vermont, leaving severe devastation in its wake.  Even today, a Google Search on Prattsville, NY still returns first page results on the aftermath of the storm.

The town was flooded when the Schoharie Creek rose over 15 feet in 12 hours back on August 28, 2011 when the water overflow volume was greater than that of Niagara Falls.  The community of just over 300 homes was descended upon by national media, broadcasting video and images of this once-in-a-lifetime catastrophe.

Every structure in the Main Street business district was partly or fully destroyed, including all 22 of the town’s businesses. Eleven houses collapsed in the flood, fifteen were condemned and torn down, and more than 100 homes were so damaged that the residents couldn’t return to them, but amazingly there were no fatalities.

Governor Andrew Cuomo cited Prattsville as the place hardest hit by the storm in all of New York State.

The recovery began immediately as this close-knit community banded together for support.  The Town of Prattisville received funding from a variety of agencies to assist in the aftermath of the hurricane, including FEMA. New York State’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Main Street programs, the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) and the Greene County IDA.

Greene County’s Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Planning was extremely active in Prattsville after the hurricane, along with not-for-profit organizations such as the Huntersfield Christian Training Center and Catskill Mountain Housing Development Corporation.  Along with emergency relief, existing funding sources were targeted to Prattsville to speed up recovery.

Prattsville was one of the first NY Rising communities named for relief from Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, and the Prattsville Revitalization Plan created by Margaret Irwin of River Street Planning with the assistance of a largely pro bono team of professionals, was selected to be presented at the Governor’s Storm Recovery Conference and won an award from the American Planning Association.

Fast Forward to the Spring of 2017

Prattsville's business district has recovered from Irene's floodingToday, Prattsville is thriving with over 40 businesses along the Main Street corridor and on NYS Routes 23 & 23A to the east and south.  This community of just over 700 full time residents serves a significant number of visitors for vacation stays, day trips, or travel through the town to other destinations.  The revitalized business district is delightfully laid out with ample on-street parking and newly improved, lighted sidewalks (completed in part with funding from the  NYS Department of State and the Main Street Revitalization initiative).

Conine Field, home to the town’s Little League was also destroyed by Hurricane Irene, but has been beautifully restored as a pastoral gateway into the hamlet.

Conine Field, home to the town’s Little League was also destroyed by Hurricane Irene, but has been beautifully restored

So, Where Is Prattsville, NY?

The town of Prattsville is located in the northwest corner of Greene County, surrounded by the Catskill mountains. It borders the towns of Ashland to its east and Lexington to its south.  Schoharie County borders Prattsville to its north with Delaware County to its west.

Pratt RockThe area was first settled in 1763 when the region was known as ‘Schoharie Kill’.  It was later named for Zadock Pratt, a congressman and prominent citizen. Pratt built a tannery (using the native hemlock trees for tannin) larger than any other in the world at the time, helping it become a major town in upstate New York. His life is depicted through as series of stone carvings called Pratt Rock which he commissioned during his lifetime.

Want To Learn More?

Set amid the Year-Round Splendor of the Great Northern Catskill Mountains, Prattsville is the epitome of small town charm and tight-knit community. A growing number of Second Home Owners are choosing Prattsville as a destination for rural serenity and natural splendor.  The Schoharie Creek is widely acclaimed as one of the premiere trout fishing locations in the county, and close proximity to both Windham and Hunter skiing, hiking, and mountain biking is a big attraction.  The availability of affordable business and residential properties continue to draw entrepreneurs to the area.  You can find out more about the businesses located in Prattsville at http://www.buyingreene.com/prattsville and read more about new business successes across Greene County, NY.

What Types of Small Businesses are Doing Well in Greene County?

While many different types of businesses thrive across our Mountain, Valley, and Historic Hudson River Towns, they seem to share a common theme:  A connection with our natural surroundings, life-work balance, and creativity.  Here’s some additional stories you may find interesting:

Rural Mountain Location Key to 21st Century Lifestyle Businesses

Flipping the Equation – A Creative Couple Transforms Their Lives

New Faces in Legacy Spaces

Craft Beverage Boom Spikes Economic Development

Keeping the Rural Mercantile Tradition Alive

If you want to learn more about how to Make It In Greene, check out our free helpful business guides and contact the Invest In Greene team by email or phone at 518-719-3290.

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Topics: Success Stories

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