AIDA was created in 1973 as a Public Benefit Corporation for the purpose of assisting in the creation and retention of both employment opportunities and businesses in the City of Amsterdam.

A seven member Board of Director's is appointed by the City Common Council to oversee the Agency's operations.

Amsterdam is the only city located in Montgomery County, in the Leather Stocking region of New York State along the beautiful banks of the Mohawk River, the third and final channel of the Erie Canal.  The Erie Canal played a large history in the city's growth in the 1800's and early 1900's. 

A majority of the city lies on the North bank of the River, which was formerly the village of

Historically, the City of Amsterdam was known as a center of carpet production, housing the Bigelow-Sanford and Mohawk Mills Carpet companies.  In the early 1980's, it was also the home of Coleco, makers of the Colecovision, Cabbage Patch Kids and the Adam Computer.  In the nineteenth century, the city was also known for carpet, textile, and pearl button manufacturing. Current industries include the Longview Fiber Co., the Fownes Glove Co. and Fiber Glass Industries (FGI)

Some stats on Amsterdam

• Population (year 2000): 18,355
• Males: 8,416 (45.9%), Females: 9,939 (54.1%)
• Median resident age: 39.2 years
• Median household income: $27,517 (year 2000)
• Median house value: $67,400 (year 2000)

Races in Amsterdam

ancestries in Amsterdam

• Italian (24.8%)
• Polish (20.0%)
• Irish (13.8%)
• German (12.0%)
• English (6.0%)
• United States (4.4%)

  
  colleges/universities close to Amsterdam

   

Attractions in and around Amsterdam

Amsterdam is host to some unique museums, including the Walter Elwood Museum and the Noteworthy Indian Museum to name a few.  Amsterdam is also home to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum with yearly inductions of some of Wrestling's favorite all stars. 

Amsterdam is a nice short drive to some of the best horse racing in the US, Saratoga.  Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame is a short drive as well.  Some great concerts of both local and national acts are offered free of change at Amsterdam's Riverlink Park during July and August.  Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Glimmerglass Opera are within a short drive bringing you some of the best music available anywhere in unique settings. 

Amsterdam is within a short drive to literally thousands of things to do any time of the year.  There is some of the best hiking and camping in the Northeast in our back yard.  If you like auto racing, there are multiple tracks for you to choose from including both asphalt and dirt tracks within easy reach.  If you like fairs and festivals, there are hundreds to choose from including Montgomery County's Fonda Fair, one of the oldest county fairs in New York.