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2021 25th Edition: July 19 - July 23
 Job Market Improving, but Worker Shortages Persist
 
Predicting job market trends in the era of COVID is difficult at best, if not impossible. While the state, region and Orange County have seen dramatic declines in unemployment rates since the economy was reopened, employers are complaining about many jobs that have gone unfilled.
 
The federal and state Pandemic Emergency Unemployment programs are set to expire in September. While sorely needed when the economy was shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in 2020, state and federal leaders are clearly indicating that they will let the program expire in September.
 
However, until then, employers are faced with filling jobs and few applicants. Many have been forced to offer lucrative signing bonuses to fill positions. For example, Amazon is offering a $3,000 signing bonus for workers at its Montgomery complex; UNFI is offering Class A CDL truck drivers a $5,000 signing bonus; Medline is offering CDL Drivers a $3,000 bonus, while YRC Freight is offering truck drivers a $7,500 bonus, Steris has a $1,500 signing bonus program for a Material Handler position, while Risinger Brothers is offering a $10,000 signing bonus to Class A CDL drivers that sign on with the company.
 
The latest statistics from the New York State Department of Labor show an improving job market, particularly in the hard-hit leisure and hospitality sector. New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% to 7.7% in June 2021. According to preliminary figures released by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in June in New York State lagged the nation, increasing over the month by 9,800, or 0.1%, to 7,455,300. By comparison, the number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.5% in June 2021.
 
Private sector jobs in the Hudson Valley rose over the year by 72,200, or 10.6%, to 754,000 in June 2021. The largest gains were in leisure and hospitality (+28,900), trade, transportation and utilities (+18,400), educational and health services (+11,200), professional and business services (+9,200), other services (+3,800), natural resources, mining and construction (+1,500), and manufacturing (+1,400). Job losses were centered in financial activities (-2,400).
 
The June 2021 over-the-year job gains continued to reflect the reopening of the economy as more pandemic-related restrictions around businesses are lifted, the Department of Labor stated. Year-over-year, the region’s leisure and hospitality sector grew the fastest, up 52.9% or 28,900 jobs. While the region’s leisure and hospitality sector has regained a large portion of the jobs lost, it remains 19,200, or 18.7% below the pre-pandemic levels of June 2019.
 
For those that are looking for work in Orange County, the good news is that there are plenty of opportunities out there.
 
The Partnership will consult with experienced human resources and labor executives to monitor developments in the weeks and months ahead. I wish I could predict that the jobs market will work itself out, but there are so many factors that are at play, including preferences by some workers to continue to work from home. Stay tuned for job openings that we will continue to post in our newsletters. We work best when you keep us informed.



My very best,

Maureen Halahan

President & CEO
LEGOLAND New York Opens All Seven Themed Lands at $500-Million Resort
The multi-year campaign to bring a $500-million theme park to Orange County came to fruition. Successful negotiations with town Boards, the advocacy by the Orange County Partnership, Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, the business community, the Building Trades and others that led to more than $15 million in state aid, the massive investment by Merlin Entertainments that included a $40-million road and bridge flyover from Route 17 and finally delays from the coronavirus pandemic all culminated in the festivities celebrating the full opening of the theme park on July 9.

County Executive Neuhaus Says Route 17 Expansion is Vital for Hudson Valley Region
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus in a recent interview said that if Congress passes a large federal infrastructure bill, one of the first projects in New York State that should be funded is the expansion of Route 17, which could come with a price tag of more than $1 billion.

Neuhaus, in an interview with Real Estate In-Depth, said the Route 17 project “should be the first one done in New York State. They could do what they want in New York City, they have a lot of infrastructure issues too, but this is a region that is growing. You see massive commercial and residential development. Residential development in Southern Orange County is off the charts. You are going to need to match that with a transportation system that actually works.”

Source: OneKey MLS
Source: Howard Hanna | Rand Realty
Home Sales in Hudson Valley Region Continue Strong Recovery from COVID-19 Impacts
Residential home sales in the lower Hudson Valley for the second quarter of 2021 continued a remarkable recovery from the depths of the COVID-19 crisis a year ago, with every county in the region demonstrating strong gains both in the number of sales as well as increased median sale prices.
 
Realtors indicate that while the home sales market in Orange County and elsewhere in the Hudson Valley continues to be a strong “seller’s market,” the level of activity is not as frenzied as it was when COVID restrictions on the home sale process in New York State were first lifted. They are also bullish that activity will remain strong and home sale values will continue to rise for the remainder of this year.

NAIOP: Commercial Real Estate Operating Conditions Improve, but Supply Shortages Delay Projects, Raise Costs
Although business conditions have improved for commercial real estate, according to the most recent COVID-19 impact survey conducted by NAIOP, 86.6% of developers now report delays or shortages in construction supplies—an all-time high since the survey began in April 2020. The survey findings released on July 9 suggest that supply chain disruptions may outlast other effects of the pandemic, increasing construction costs and slowing new development.

Sharp Increase in Inflation Rate in June Has Some Economists Concerned
The nation’s rate of inflation last month surprised many, but the Federal Reserve says that inflation is transitionary and not cause for alarm.
 
On July 13, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.9% in June on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.6% in May. It was the largest one-month change since June 2008 when the index rose 1.0%.

Orange County Partnership Honored by Graphic Design USA - American Inhouse Design Award!
For 58 years, Graphic Design USA has sponsored competitions that spotlight areas of growth and opportunity. Their “In-House” Awards is the original premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse designers, recognizing their talent, the special challenges they face and, most important, the value they bring to their businesses and institutions. In 2021, more than 6,000 entries were submitted: the top 10% are being recognized as winners – that includes the Orange County Partnership!
 
Our Marketing Director, Sarah Brosnan-Nathanson successfully spearheaded the design of the 2020 Annual Report capturing the theme “Resilience - Powering Through the Pause”. For the past decade, Sarah has led the charge in the marketing department and her design work has led to several national and international awards year after year from Graphic Design USA, NYS Economic Development Corporation and the International Economic Development Council.
 
Orange County's year-end numbers rival some of our best years as we worked with remarkable development companies, construction companies and businesses on their expansion plans. As documented in last year’s Annual Report, the opportunities that await in the coming year provide promise of continued growth that will offset the economic damage of COVID-19.
St. Anthony Community Hospital Now Offers Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Replacement Surgery
St. Anthony Community Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, recently announced it now offers robotic-arm assisted total knee replacement procedures. Robotic-arm assisted surgery assists surgeons by making implant placement more precise and aligned with each patient’s unique anatomy. This personalized precision can reduce surgical discomfort for the patient, speed recovery times and increase the longevity of the implant. 
 
The surgical robot’s modeling software uses X-ray data to create a three-dimensional image of the patient’s knee joint, and surgeons use this image map to build a customized plan to execute the procedure with greater accuracy. With this personalized patient data, the surgeon uses cameras and optical trackers to guide the robotic-arm and position the implant based on the patient’s unique anatomy. 
 
“Technology does not replace the experience of a skilled surgeon, but it can help with exact execution in certain circumstances. Robotic-assisted surgery is a powerful tool that helps ensure the implants are placed in just the right position to optimize the patient’s total knee replacement,” said John Hardcastle, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon and Director of Total Joint Replacement, St. Anthony Community Hospital. “We know the decision to have joint replacement can be difficult for patients to make, and we believe these robotically-assisted technologies have the potential to make the decision easier.”
 
Community members suffering from joint pain should call (845) 987-5400 to schedule an appointment or visit StAnthonyCommunityHosp.org/Joint-Robot for more information about the robotic-arm assisted knee replacement procedure. 
 
For 80 years, St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, NY, has served residents of Orange County, NY, and New Jersey’s Sussex and Passaic counties with outstanding and compassionate care. The 60-bed hospital is a primary resource for emergency, medical, surgical, obstetrical/gynecological and acute-care services. The comprehensive surgery program includes joint-replacement, vascular, gynecological, urological, pulmonary, ophthalmic, plastic surgery, hand, foot, same-day and general surgery. The expanding Radiology Department now offers three-dimensional mammography. Mount Alverno Center, a state-approved adult home with an assisted-living program serving 85 residents, and Schervier Pavilion, a 120-bed skilled-nursing facility dedicated to the highest standard of healthcare excellence, also are on the campus.
Ribbon cutting ceremony at St. Anthony's Community Hospital
Longtime Realtor Executive Ann Garti Retires
One of the region’s longtime real estate leaders, Ann Garti, recently announced her retirement. Garti served for more than three decades as the chief executive officer of the Orange County Association of Realtors and later for another 10 years as the chief operating officer of The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.
 
The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors’ newspaper Real Estate In-Depth recently published an extensive interview with the affable Garti on her impressive career. In addition, she penned a poignant column to her colleagues that are both definitely worth a read. She will be missed. The Orange County Partnership extends its best wishes for her retirement.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR MEDIA SPONSOR:
Looking for a new career opportunity? A few of our Investors have positions available starting immediately:
Are you an Investor in the Orange County Partnership and have available job openings that you would like us to share?

Contact our Marketing Director, Sarah Brosnan:
sarah@ocpartnership.org | 845.294.0679
Advance Testing - From the ground up, Advance Testing provides construction materials testing to verify today’s buildings and infrastructure are performing at the highest standard. Proper selection, quality, and workmanship of materials are vital. Construction materials inspections with state-of-the-art testing laboratories, enables them to respond with innovative solutions and alternatives that target your long-term performance objectives. 
Boyce Excavating Co, Inc. has been doing excavating, site work, and demolition in the Hudson Valley since 1939. They have over 100 employees and over 400 pieces of heavy equipment, trucks, and crushers. No job is too large or too small.

Boyce prides themselves on quality work, customers needs, and providing a safe, enjoyable work environment. They welcome the opportunity to meet hard working, skilled and career minded people to join their team and grow with them. 

Ulster Savings - Become part of an enthusiastic team of people where they believe in working closely together for the benefit of their customers, communities, and each other. When you add this to an environment that allows skills and experience to bring forth growth and change, you’ll find plenty of room to grow professionally.

They offer an excellent benefit package, including paid time off, paid holidays, medical, dental and vision insurance, matching 401k plan, and educational assistance. 
Resorts World Catskills - Committed to the growth of New York State & the Catskills, providing not just wonderful places of leisure, but also terrific partnership, employment, and the opportunity for business relationships. As a company that has already invested heavily into the community, they look forward to continuing their commitment to the region.
They are looking for candidates to join their team who also believe that all dreams are achievable, no matter how big, through hard work and perseverance.

**Must be 21 years or older and be eligible to obtain a New York State gaming license.*
President Container Group - The manufacturing arm of PCG, is one of the largest corrugated plants (over 500,000 square feet) in North America. Our state-of-the-art facility has some of the most up-to-date machinery in the industry, and with it we produce in excess of 2.3 billion square feet of corrugated each year.

They are hiring for all positions, including entry-level and skilled technician job opportunities such as Electrical-PLC, Maintenance Mechanic, Mechatronics and Multi-Skilled.
2021 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!
Secure your spot today!

Contact Megan Matthews with any questions:
megan@ocpartnership.org | 845.294.2323
Thank You to our 2021 MVP Catalyst Sponsors:
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