2020 16th Edition: November 30 - December 4
Despite Long Odds

We started this year with confidence and maybe a touch of arrogance, bolstered by a strong market and a swollen portfolio of leads and prospects. And then everything was halted due to the Coronavirus. The Orange County Partnership never stopped as we immediately formulated an action plan that, despite long odds, resulted in the much needed creation and retention of jobs for Orange County residents.
 
We understood that no one was getting a free pass this year as the virus threatened all of our lives and livelihoods to varying degrees. Since failure is never an option, especially when led by an arsenal of committed and dedicated members of our Board of Directors and by the inspired leadership of County Executive Steve Neuhaus, the Partnership pressed on, doing whatever was necessary to succeed in its mission to create jobs that will ultimately stabilize our economy.
 
We are proud to say that the county’s year-end numbers rival some of our best years as we worked with remarkable development companies, construction companies, labor and businesses on their expansion plans. As documented in this year’s Annual Report, the opportunities that await in the coming year provide promise of continued growth that will offset the economic damage of the virus. The leads this year have been plentiful-- especially in e-commerce and distribution requirements. There has been an explosive land-grab by national developers representing large retail and pharmaceutical companies needing prime locations to distribute product. Believe it or not, during a pandemic and an economic pause, we had a 211% increase in job creation, a 253% increase in square-foot occupancy and a 27% increase in capital investment compared to 2019.
 
We close the year replacing arrogance with humility and gratitude. We celebrate our health care heroes who battle on the front lines, saving lives and preserving hope.
 
As economic development professionals, we work together with our strategic partners to strengthen our economy. When we all work our hardest, we all win!
 
In closing, thank you to our Investors who believe in and support the mission of the Orange County Partnership.

Have a safe and Happy Holiday!

Maureen Halahan
President & CEO
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Alan Guarino
Vice Chaiman, Korn Ferry
Remote Work will be a ‘Huge Driver’ of Growth for Orange County
In spite of rising coronavirus cases in the county and throughout New York State, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and keynote speaker and well-known recruiting executive Alan Guarino are bullish on the county’s prospects in 2021 now that vaccines will be arriving later this month.

County Executive Neuhaus and Guarino, who is vice chairman of New York City-based Korn Ferry, were among the speakers at the Orange County Partnership’s Annual Event held for the first time virtually on Dec. 2. The program was entitled “Resilience: Powering Through the Pause.”
Boston-Based Development Firm Breaks Ground
On Largest Industrial ‘Spec’ Project in Memory
Principals of Boston-based development firm GFI Partners and commercial brokerage firm Resource Realty of Parsippany, NJ were joined by county and local officials on Nov. 24 to turn the first dirt on the largest speculative industrial project in memory in Orange County.

The local dignitaries that attended the event celebrating the launch of the 500,000-square-foot Tri-State Logistics Center at 2500 Route 17M in Goshen included Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Village of Goshen Mayor Michael Nuzzolese and Orange County Partnership President and CEO Maureen Halahan.
Pictured at the groundbreaking event were, from left, Resource Realty’s Scott Peck and Tom Consiglio, the Orange County Partnership’s Maureen Halahan, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, GFI Partners Brian Poitras and Village of Goshen Mayor Michael Nuzzolese
E-Commerce Growth Surge Sparks a Logistics Free-For-All
E-commerce has exploded in recent years, but as COVID-19 emerged, the sector has seen unprecedented growth. While many industries battled disruptions, e-commerce provides opportunity. E-commerce and logistics companies are accelerating planned innovation and restructuring initiatives to stay ahead of the curve, if that’s even possible, spurring the implementation of three to five years of advancements in a span of just five months to keep up. It’s akin to upgrading the jet while traveling at Mach speed.
Partnership Sheds Light on Energy Issues, Opportunities
The Orange County Partnership held a highly informative program on Nov. 17 that focused on the current energy industry and the opportunities and issues that lie ahead in the years to come.

An expert panel at the “Light the Way to our Future” event discussed utility programs that can offer savings to business as well as regulatory issues that could impact energy capacity and energy usage in Orange County in the future.
Construction Completed on New Logistics Center in Montgomery
A ribbon-cutting event was held recently at Orange County’s latest new project—the Stewart Logistics Center, an 81,200-square-foot building located at 84 Hawkins Drive in Montgomery.

New York City-based Tower Holdings Group, a leading, integrated developer, construction manager, specialist façade contractor, and materials supplier, celebrated its new logistics center with local officials at the ribbon-cutting event at the 7.4-acre site.
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