Start Or Grow Your Business

A customer at a small business in Schoharie County, a small town in upstate New York

Starting a business in a small town, with real support

If you’re thinking about starting a business in a small town, you’re likely looking for more than just a lower cost of living.

You’re looking for a place where your work can take root.
Where your business can grow alongside a community that values it.

Schoharie County offers that kind of environment.

With a mix of rural entrepreneurship, local investment, and access to regional resources, it’s a place where small businesses, creative ventures, and land-based enterprises can take shape and evolve.

Local Resources

Starting a business doesn’t mean starting from scratch.

Schoharie County and the surrounding region offer a network of organizations designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage.

  • Local support, workspace, and connections for entrepreneurs and small businesses

    Discover SEEC

  • Connecting business owners with community, events, and regional visibility

    Discover the Chamber

  • Supporting long-term economic growth and planning

    Discover MVEDD

  • Advancing rural economies through agriculture, food systems, and entrepreneurship, offering programs, partnerships, and applied research that directly support business development in the region

    Discover IRV

  • Promotion and support for local businesses, civic and economic growth

    Discover the Chamber

  • Schoharie County Industrial Development Agency

    Helping new businesses find the right resources, incentives and location to get started

    Discover the IDA

  • Dedicated to promoting economic vitality and quality of life in the Village and Town of Cobleskill

    Click Here

Beyond the county, you’ll also find access to statewide and regional programs, including:

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) for advising, planning, and business strategy

Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region for financing and capital access

Together, these organizations create a unique ecosystem where traditional industries and new ideas intersect, making it possible to build a business that’s both locally rooted and forward-thinking.

The American Hotel exterior, a hotel located Sharon Springs, a small town in Upstate New York

One of the advantages of starting a business here is access to space and small town business opportunities that are often harder to find in more competitive regions.

Compared to more competitive regions, Schoharie County offers:

→ Affordable commercial properties

→ Flexible storefront and office spaces

→ Opportunities for home-based or land-based businesses

→ Access to shared and coworking environments

Spaces like Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corp (SEEC) at 287 Main Street provide an entry point for entrepreneurs looking for workspace and connection within the community.

For those looking to grow, there are also opportunities across the county to lease or purchase property aligned with your business goals.

Available Commercial Spaces

Business owner serving customers at his cafe in a small town in upstate New York

Community Support

In a small town, your business doesn’t exist in isolation.

It becomes part of the fabric of the community.

Schoharie County is home to a growing network of:

→ Small business owners

→ Creatives and makers

→ Farmers and food entrepreneurs

→ Service-based and local businesses

There’s a strong culture of supporting local, whether that’s through farm stands, farmers markets, events, or word-of-mouth.

For many business owners, that sense of connection is just as valuable as affordability.

Start Or Grow A Business — at a Glance

  • Business Environment

    Small town, big opportunity

    Schoharie County supports a mix of small businesses, agriculture, and emerging entrepreneurship across industries.

  • Cost of Doing Business

    Lower overhead

    Commercial space, land, and operational costs are often more affordable than in larger markets.

  • Commercial Space

    Room to build or expand

    Available storefronts, offices, and land create opportunities for both new and growing businesses.

  • Local Support Networks

    Built-in support systems

    Organizations like SEEC, the Chamber of Commerce, and regional partners help connect business owners to resources and opportunities.

  • Workforce + Talent

    Local + regional workforce

    Access to local talent, SUNY Cobleskill graduates, and the broader Capital Region workforce.

  • Remote + Hybrid Friendly

    Flexible business models

    Many businesses operate with a mix of local presence and remote work, expanding reach beyond the county.

  • Industry Mix

    Agriculture, tourism, and small business

    The local economy is rooted in agriculture, hospitality, retail, and service-based businesses, with room for growth in new sectors.

  • Funding + Resources

    Access to business support

    Regional organizations offer guidance, funding opportunities, and development programs for entrepreneurs.

  • Community Connection

    Support for local businesses

    Residents actively support small businesses, creating strong relationships between owners and the community.

  • Growth Potential

    Room to grow

    With less saturation than urban areas, businesses have space to establish themselves and expand over time.

An employee hanging wallpaper at a wallpaper design shop in a small town in upstate New York

Economic Development

Schoharie County’s economy is rooted in:

→ Agriculture

→ Tourism

→ Small business and service industries

→ Education and healthcare

At the same time, it’s evolving.

This creates small town business opportunities across industries, from agriculture and tourism to creative and service-based work.

There is increasing support for:

→ Rural entrepreneurship

→ Agribusiness and farm-to-table ventures

→ Creative and independent businesses

→ Remote-first and hybrid work models

This creates an environment where both traditional and emerging businesses can grow side by side.

Building a business here often looks different.

  • Lower overhead and more flexibility

  • Closer relationships with customers

  • Space to experiment, grow, and adapt

  • Integrating your work into your daily life

For many, that’s the reason to start here.

What are people building here?

For many entrepreneurs, starting a business in a small town offers a level of connection and sustainability that’s difficult to find in larger markets.

Explore Rooted Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.

Contact Us

  • Yes. With lower costs, available space, and strong local support, it offers a favorable environment for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

  • Local and regional resources include SEEC, the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce, the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Cobleskill Partners, along with economic development support through MVEDD and the Schoharie County IDA.

    Entrepreneurs can also access advising through the SBDC, training and research through the Institute for Rural Vitality, and financing options through organizations like the Community Loan Fund.

  • Compared to urban areas, startup and operating costs are often lower, particularly when it comes to rent, land, and overhead.

  • Yes. Regional loan funds, state programs, and small business support organizations offer financing and guidance.

  • Yes. Many entrepreneurs operate remote or hybrid businesses, supported by broadband access and proximity to larger markets.

Build something that’s rooted in place and designed to grow.

Explore what it looks like to start or grow your business in Schoharie County.
Discover Schoharie County
Work Remotely
Connect With Our Community