KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County is expanding its plans for an Economic Futures Summit, with a series of industry-focused meetings beginning next month and a larger countywide gathering planned for spring 2027.

The county Economic Development Department will hold its first Mini-Summit on Value-Added Agriculture and Food Production on Oct. 27 at the Ulster BOCES Career Academies at iPark 87.

Additional Mini-Summits will focus on Film and Media, Advanced Manufacturing, Health Care, and Green Building and Skilled Trades. The sessions will rotate among Ulster County’s educational partners before culminating in an Economic Futures Summit in spring 2027.

County officials say the smaller meetings are intended to bring together businesses, educators, government agencies and community organizations to identify industry-specific challenges, strengths and opportunities, including ways to strengthen local workforce pipelines.

The discussions will also help shape Ulster County’s Economic Development Strategic Framework.

“I’m excited about this extended series of Mini-Summits, which will give the County and our partners the chance to take a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities for each of these key sectors ahead of the Ulster County Futures Summit in early spring,” County Executive Jen Metzger said.

Metzger said the county’s goal is to strengthen education-to-career pathways and expand job opportunities for residents.

For more information or to join the Economic Futures Summit email list, visit ulstercountyny.gov/econ-dev/econ-futures.