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2021 21st Edition: March 22 - March 26
The Veil is Lifting
The Orange County Partnership is lining up a winning roster of must-attend events and we are doing it carefully and within the CDC guidelines. What’s most encouraging is that as we announce our plans, the interest is growing and the seats are filling. It is evident that while still cautious due to the pandemic, people want to be with people. We all miss human interaction and while COVID-19 is far from over, most of us understand what we need to do to remain safe.
 
When we hosted our Alliance for Balanced Growth dinner last week, we sold out the event at West Hills Country Club in hours. Of course, we believe that the topic of “Workforce Housing” was the chief draw, but there was a palpable energy about the reservation process. With the limitations of only 50 people, we knew it would be first-come-first-served. But, the fact remains “they came.”
 
As we embark on the planning of our first-ever Partnership Golf Classic in May, we quickly came to realize that we needed a second golf course to accommodate demand. Again, another good problem to have and another indicator that people feel safe in an outdoor setting.
 
On June 8th we will be hosting our 2021 MVP Breakfast honoring Rick Golden. Well, in this case, it’s not about gathering, or interaction. It’s ALL-ABOUT Rick Golden, partner with the Goshen-based law firm Burke, Miele, Golden & Naughton, LLP, and his monumental contributions to Orange County businesses and communities. We had the largest opening day ticket sales in the history of the event. Since there are still limitations on how many can attend, I want to encourage our Investors, friends, colleagues, elected officials and others to buy your tickets fast. We still have to adhere to the numbers and we hate to turn anyone away.


My very best,
Maureen Halahan

President & CEO
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MEDIA SPONSOR:
ABG Program Tackles Pressing Need for Orange County to Address Need for Affordable, Workforce Housing
The Alliance for Balanced Growth recently staged an informative program that tackled the perplexing issue of how Orange County can offer more workforce housing in an environment of rising home prices.

The ABG meeting held at the West Hills Country Club in Middletown on March 16 was entitled “Workforce Housing: Solving the Riddle with Public-Private Partnerships” and featured keynote speakers Orange County Planning Commissioner Alan Sorensen, AICP, and Sean Kearney, vice president of residential development firm Kearney Realty & Development Group of Somers.
President Container Invests in ‘Game Changing’ Technology to Increase Efficiency, Delivery Times to Customers
Pressed by global competition, rising costs and the coronavirus pandemic, manufacturing firms are making significant investments in advanced technology to increase production and workforce efficiencies. Add one local firm to the list of manufacturers that have embraced high technology—President Container Group of Middletown.
NYSDOT Updates Public on Environmental Study of Route 17 Corridor
More than 100 community and business leaders from the Hudson Valley zoomed in March 18 for a presentation by the New York State Department of Transportation on the status of a Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) study of the Route 17 corridor in Orange and Sullivan counties. Members of the coalition 17-Forward-86 voiced support for the proposal to widen Route 17 and improve mobility for enhanced safety and economic stability in the region.
City of Newburgh Issues RFPs on Three East End Development Sites
The City of Newburgh is seeking development proposals for three city-owned properties located in the heart of the Newburgh’s East End Historic District.
 
The city announced on March 17 that the first proposal calls for the rehabilitation of 120 Grand St., formerly known as the “City Club” building. A second proposal seeks the restoration of a four-story corner building at 123 Renwick St. in the center of the historic Washington Heights area. The third proposal offers a combined three-lot, vacant parcel at the corner of Montgomery and South Streets for a mixed-use, new construction development that can take full advantage of the parcel’s panoramic Hudson River views and its historic district surroundings.
A Closer and Unique Perspective on the Reasons Behind the Exodus from Cities
Almost since the pandemic began a year ago, reports have surfaced about the flight of many city residents to the suburbs in reaction to rising infection rates and imposed lockdowns.

As the virus lingered, economists, sociologists and other analysts have noted the exodus of urban residents and businesses to safer suburban locations. Many have also theorized that many of these transplants will never return to their former city residences or offices.
NAR Panel Predicts Economic Recovery from COVID Will Fuel Growth in Some Commercial Markets in 2021
A panel of leading real estate economists predict that with continued COVID-19 vaccination efforts nationwide, an improving economy will strengthen some commercial real estate markets in 2021, although some others will continue to struggle from pandemic-related demand issues.
 
“Unlike the surprising residential real estate market, which soared in the 2020 pandemic year and momentum looking very strong in the early part of 2021, commercial real estate has been challenged,” said National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. He cited rising vacancy rates in office, retail and hotel sectors and difficulties collecting rent as some of the key issues facing the commercial real estate sector.
National Association of Realtors’ Chief Economist Lawrence Yun
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Contact Megan Matthews with any questions:
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