FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 9, 2019

Speaker Heastie Continues Statewide Tour in Troy with Assemblymember McDonald
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Speaker Carl Heastie today continued his annual statewide tour in Troy, accompanied by Assemblymember John T. McDonald III. They were joined by Troy Mayor Patrick Madden as they visited local businesses and One Monument Square.

"During session, I spend a lot of time in Albany, but the tour gives me the opportunity to really appreciate some of the Capital District's local gems," Speaker Heastie said. "It was great to see businesses that are booming in Troy – from developing video games to developing places for the community to gather."

"Troy is brimming with innovation and commerce, from entertainment to the restaurant industries," Assemblymember McDonald said. "I am so glad I had the opportunity to show Speaker Heastie some of the exciting things that are making Troy a destination for families and businesses alike."

The first stop of today's Troy tour was Velan Studios, where they were joined by President Guha Bala and CEO Karthik Bala. The independent game development studio was founded in 2016 to create breakthrough new games by bringing together industry veterans and taking creative risks. The Bala brothers' first game development company, Vicarious Visions developed multibillion dollar franchises including Guitar Hero and Skylanders.

Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember McDonald continued to One Monument Square. At this site, Hoboken Brownstone Company (HBC) is collaborating with the City of Troy and the Troy Local Development Corporation (TLDC) on developing an all-season civic plaza, which will include two levels of parking and open-air public space that continues onto River Street and Monument Square.

The last stop in Troy was lunch at The Placid Baker.