Rockland County officials joined with local officials and business representatives at Town Hall in Stony Point on May 5 to formally announce that Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) and its majority owner and financial blacker The Blackstone Group have agreed to establish a fund of $1 million to help local businesses in the North Rockland area that have been financially hurt by CHPE’s power line construction project.
The CHPE transmission line is being built underground along an approximately 339-mile path from Canada to New York City. It is expected to deliver about 20% of the city’s electrical needs. The route of the power line takes it through Rockland County.
Construction work has hindered customer access to some local businesses along Route 9W in the Towns of Stony Point, Haverstraw and Clarkstown and the Villages of West Haverstraw and Haverstraw. Stony Point experienced severe disruptions to the point that some businesses had up to 75% losses of revenue. Construction along Route 9W from Colonial Plaza south to Helen Hayes Hospital produced severe traffic impacts.
Stephanie Melowsky, president of the North Rockland Chamber of Commerce, said that about 100 businesses had been devastated by the construction project, cutting hours, laying off employees and even shutting down. She reported that local businesses lost about $10 million in business compared with what they had done in 2024.
While CHPE offered $150,000 to help local businesses, local leaders said much more was needed but CHPE stood firm at that figure. Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Legislature Chairman Jay Hood Jr. refused to approve property tax relief for the company unless it offered more to help those affected by the construction.
“This outcome is unquestionably the result of that action in addition to sustained advocacy by many, including Congressman Mike Lawler, Senator Bill Weber, Chairman Jay Hood, Minority Leader Lon Hofstein, former Stony Point Supervisor Jim Monaghan, myself and many others,” Day said. “I also want to thank our local residents and business owners who fought back and stayed on top of this to hold CHPE accountable. The county will always stand firm in demanding accountability and protecting the people of Rockland.”
The $1 million will be distributed by The Community Foundation of Orange, Sullivan & Rockland. An application process will be developed in coordination with the North Rockland Chamber of Commerce.
“We are able to help manage an open and transparent application process for the funds, and support the review committee with collection and organization of appropriate documentation and backup,” said Elizabeth Rowley, president and CEO of the Community Foundation.
Lawler said, “Small businesses aren’t just storefronts. They’re family livelihoods, they’re community anchors, and they deserve to be supported.”
Stony Point Town Supervisor Amy Stamm said she views the $1 million as “a meaningful step in helping our local businesses move forward after the challenges brought on by construction. Our businesses are the backbone of Stony Point and a vital part of what makes our town such a great place to live.”
