51st Edition: October 7th - October 11th 2024 | |
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Economic Development & Conservation:
The Value of Balance
Economic development is a complicated and sometimes misunderstood aspect to community growth and preservation. With most economic development, the not in my backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon is prevalent – whether it’s a solar farm or a manufacturing facility. It’s important to acknowledge these concerns, but equally important to clarify the rigorous and thoughtful planning process the Orange County Partnership undertakes when siting new developments.
We are extremely deliberate when evaluating properties and going through the site selection process to place industrial and commercial projects. These decisions are never made lightly. Each town in Orange County has specific comprehensive plans and zoning regulations that guide us. We respect these guidelines and ensure that no industrial project is placed in areas that would disrupt the character of "bucolic suburbia." Instead, we strategically position projects near existing infrastructure, particularly highways, and locations with robust water and power supply. These decisions are based on logical, long-term planning for the county's economic future. Additionally, all projects need to go through the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), New York State has one of the most intense environmental review processes in the country – this can take years of comprehensive studies, leading to mitigation measures that are prescribed to projects by the planning board.
Our mission is to stay as balanced as possible, striving to preserve valuable open space while simultaneously attracting companies that utilize local labor while bringing high-quality, good-paying jobs to our residents. Quality of life is a critical variable that companies consider in their site selection process. We must preserve our rural communities – while keeping development proximate to major infrastructure assets. This balance is essential for the future prosperity of the region, ensuring that people can work close to home and earn salaries that allow them to afford to live in Orange County. Approximately 29.2% of the county—over 156,086 acres—is designated as protected open space. This commitment to preservation demonstrates that our strategic planning efforts take into account both economic growth and environmental stewardship.
The Orange County Partnership continues to collaborate with local governments and stakeholders to ensure that new developments contribute to our tax base while adding new jobs and balancing the quality of life in the region. We understand that change can be challenging, but it's our belief that smart growth—growth that respects both people and place—is the key to Orange County’s bright future.
My very best,
Maureen Halahan
President & CEO
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Michael Normyle
US Economist & Senior Director
Nasdaq
| Meghan Taylor, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations at Genting Americas Inc. pictured with Maureen Halahan, President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership. | |
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NASDAQ Economist Tells Partnership Crowd There Will Be a ‘Soft Landing’ for US Economy
Meghan Taylor Awarded 2024 Woman of Achievement in Economic Development Award
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As we approach the 2024 Presidential election and expected further rate cuts, Keynote Speaker Michael Normyle, senior director and U.S. economist for Nasdaq, assured the crowd of approximately 425 attendees at the Orange County Partnership Investor Breakfast on Oct. 1 that the U.S. economy is on solid ground and will avert a recession.
Normyle told the gathering at the Barn at Villa Venezia in Middletown, “The hope is here that we have seen the Fed pivot to this rate cut cycle so they are reducing the restriction on the economy. The labor market is in an OK spot, but restrictions do need to go away. Overall, the economy is holding up pretty well. So, we are in a position where we should be able to get that soft landing and hopefully, this expansion will continue for the next four years.”
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NYSERDA Awards $320,000 in Grants to Roseton and Danskammer Sites in Newburgh for Transition Site Reuse Planning | |
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded $320,000 in grants to the Town of Newburgh focused on the Roseton and Danskammer sites in Newburgh, NY, as part of the Just Transition Site Reuse Planning Program. Each site will receive $160,000 toward redevelopment planning including site reuse feasibility, workforce development strategy, and market analysis tied to clean technology. This effort does not indicate plant closures, it simply provides resources for proactive strategic planning. This announcement builds on the recent allocation of nearly $4 million in federal funding to the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry. These funds will support the establishment of a Global Wind Organization (GWO) onshore and offshore wind safety training facility in Newburgh, NY aimed at preparing New Yorkers for careers in the growing clean energy sector.
The Orange County Partnership has been focused on supporting emerging sectors, including the offshore wind manufacturing supply chain. The funding will enable detailed planning efforts to reposition these sites, with a focus on attracting offshore wind supply chain manufacturers and clean energy.
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Danskammer Energy - Newburgh, NY | Roseton & Danskammer Parcels in Town of Newburgh | | |
Steve Neuhaus, Orange County Executive | |
Conor Eckert, VP of Business Attraction
Orange County Partnership
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Real Estate Conference Highlights Orange County's Vibrant Economic Development Sector | |
On Sept. 28, the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors feted Orange County with a highly informative program that focused primarily on commercial and residential real estate trends.
The program aptly titled “Orange County Day,” held at the Country Club at Otterkill in Campbell Hall, featured association executives who discussed the state of the residential real estate market and legal trends, while Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus; Conor Eckert, Senior Development Officer & Vice President of Business Attraction for the Orange County Partnership; Bill Fioravanti, CEO of the Orange County Industrial Development Agency; and Oriona Nikaj, a Board Director of the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Business Improvement District, collectively briefed the more than 100 attendees about the county’s economy and business attraction, expansion and retention efforts.
The program also included presentations by New York State Assemblyman Christopher Eachus (D-99th District) and via video by New York State Senator James Skoufis (D-42nd District).
Eckert of the Orange County Partnership said that national developer interest in Orange County remains “very strong” despite the present financial market volatility.
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Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund to Drive Housing Growth in Orange County:
A Strategic Boost for Workforce and Community Development
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The Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund will have a significant impact on housing development in Orange County, NY, offering transformative opportunities for both local residents and developers. Locally, projects in the City of Newburgh and other urban areas have seen a boost from this fund.
Oftentimes, these projects have a complicated financial package – using traditional bank financing and mixing in historic tax credits (where appropriate), IDA incentives, and other unique means of financing. The Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund serves as a key means to fortify the financial package, helping projects become more viable. As the Vice President of Business Attraction at the Orange County Partnership, I’ve seen firsthand the effects of funding mechanisms like this one in driving growth and addressing critical challenges such as housing availability and affordability.
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New York State Governor, Kathy Hochul | | |
Steve Gross, Director of Economic Development for the County of Orange, hosted 3rd Annual 'Orange County Economic Summit.' | Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus and Mount Saint Mary College President, Robert Gervasi | |
Third Annual Orange County Economic Summit Focused on New Job Opportunities for Orange County's Next Generation | |
The Third Annual Orange County Economic Summit held at Mount St. Mary College’s Aquinas Hall on Sept. 20 was laser-focused on discussing the key economic growth sectors of the future and how the county can help train its current workforce and the next generation of workers on the skills they will be required to possess in order to compete.
The program, hosted by Orange County Office of Economic Director Steven M. Gross, was highlighted by a keynote address by New York State Commissioner of Labor Roberta Reardon and three highly informational panel discussions. The summit also featured presentations by recently named Mount St. Mary President Dr. Robert Gervasi and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.
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NYSDOT Scoping Report: Two Route 17 Expansion Alternatives to be Studied Will Cost More Than $1.3 Billion Each to Complete | |
A review of the 132-page “Scoping Report” for the “NYS Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project” also known as the Route 17 expansion project reveals that the two build alternatives being advanced by the New York State Department of Transportation for further study would each cost more than $1.3 billion to complete.
Both alternatives are centered mainly around expansion/improvements in the Orange County corridor between Exit 130 and Exit 120 of Route 17. An updated project timeline calls for a Record of Decision on the scope of the project by February 2026 and the issuance of all necessary permits and approvals to allow for the commencement of construction by May 2026.
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THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA SPONSOR: | |
Welcoming our New Investors to
"The Orange County Partnership Circle of Success Investor Program"
October 2024
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2024 RENEWED INVESTORS:
"Back in the Circle Where Renewed Investors Thrive"
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No tricks, only treats here! Join Bethel Woods daily for Peace, Love & Pumpkins from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. During this walk-thru experience, guests will wind through the garden trails of beautiful Bethel Woods, highlighting thousands of unique hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and glowing displays of themed pumpkin art.
Our Partners at Bethel Woods are extending a promo code to all Orange County Partnership Investors for 20% OFF ADULT & CHILDREN TICKETS to Peace, Love & Pumpkins.
Enter the passcode “OCPPLP” in the “Unlock” button in the upper right-hand corner. And then the discounted ticket will appear for you to add to the cart.
Here is the link to the event page - click on “PURCHASE”.
https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/peace-love-pumpkins
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