Brooke Spraragen (Daley) Managing member, Spraragen Partners/Upstate Electric
What would it take to attract more young professionals to the Capital Region? Economic development really is the key. In particular, I think it’s imperative we focus on transportation and pedestrian connectors between residential developments and our commercial downtown cores. Walkability is a major factor in attracting people to our cities and to the stores and restaurants in our downtowns. There’s a lot to be said for a bedroom community model where people can live, work and enjoy recreational and shopping activities all in one walkable area.
What’s the most pressing issue facing the region and how would you tackle it? Population loss. The key to addressing population loss is population retention. We have some of the best colleges and universities in the country, which draw incredibly smart and talented young adults. As they transition into their careers, we need to make the Capital Region an appealing option for putting down their roots. I believe this can be accomplished by aggressively marketing the wide variety of events and activities that we have to offer. There are a lot of hidden gems in the region that often go undiscovered due to lack of awareness.
What do you want to accomplish in the next 10 years? I would like to work on projects that force me to step outside my comfort zone and make an even greater impact. I want to continue to grow both Upstate Electric and Spraragen Partners. For Upstate Electric, that means doing continuously larger projects and scaling up in the coming years. For Spraragen Partners, I’d like to move toward an increasingly diverse portfolio of properties. I want to keep our core focus on Schenectady, but also cast a wider net to see what opportunities exist elsewhere in the Capital Region.
What recharges your mental energy? I have a large family, and we’re all really close, so I always look forward to being together — there’s never a shortage of laughter or fun. I especially love spending summer weekends in Lake George. What relaxes and recharges me the most is just being on the water, kayaking and paddleboarding.
Age: 36 Grew up: Niskayuna Resides now: Saratoga Springs; moving to Niskayuna Education: Bachelor’s marketing/management, Siena College, 2008 Family: Husband, John Daley; daughter, Elizabeth, 11 months
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