Susan Jaffe is no stranger to economic development and to its catnip of incentives.
The Sullivan County resident was steeped in that area”™s economic activity, but was coming to the end of her tenure with the Sullivan County Partnership.
Partnership President Tim McCausland suggested she interview for the position of regional Mid-Hudson director with Empire State Development Corp.
“We clicked,” said Jaffe of her interview with President and CEO Dennis Mullen, who put the Empire State Development Corp. back together again after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer split it into downstate and upstate regions. “We share the same philosophy, vision and values.”
Jaffe landed the position in January. Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties comprise her territory.
“Our business is putting together incentive packages for businesses to relocate or expand here,” said Jaffe. “Each county has something to offer that appeals to a site selector depending on the business they are looking to open. As long as they chose the mid-Hudson, it is a boost to region as a whole, not just the county they chose to relocate to.”
She ticked off a list of accomplishments in which ESDC is playing a part: Taylor Biomass Energy in Montgomery, waiting anxiously for final U.S. Department of Energy approval; Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in Tarrytown; and SpectraWatt in Fishkill, among others.
“These are all companies that are already here or are in the process of bringing high-paying, high-tech jobs to the Hudson Valley, particularly in the bio-tech, solar and pharmaceutical industries,” said Jaffe.
Jaffe said the nine-year quest for Yukigini Maitake Corp. of America to open its proposed mushroom plant in Sullivan County”™s town of Mamakating is working its way through another environmental review.
Yukigini has already agreed to scale back the size and height of the proposed plant and to use less water than it had originally planned. “It is no easy process to get things done in some areas of the region, but the company is committed to building here and we are committed to helping make that happen,” said Jaffe. When finished with necessary approvals, Jaffe said the mushroom plant would be in operation within 12-18 months, bringing good-paying jobs to the most economically stressed county in her region.
Jaffe is also eager to build on a working relationship with Stewart International Airport. “The potential is enormous, not just because of its proximity to New York City and Albany, but because it is surrounded by a great transportation infrastructure and offers Foreign Trade Zone and Empire Zone status to potential tenants.”
She had the opportunity to meet with the Port Authority”™s new Director of Aviation Susan Baer at Stewart Airport Commission”™s April 6 meeting and introduce herself to its members, restating her commitment to helping the PA”™s newest acquisition become the economic driver many are counting on.
While the Empire Zone is poised to sunset in June, “anything can happen,” said Jaffe. “There is a lot of discussion about extending the Empire Zone and perceptions and questions about the Excelsior Program that Gov. Paterson has proposed; for us at ESDC, there must be a program in place to provide incentives that will attract businesses. We have no budget now, and we are all waiting to see what Albany decides to do.”
Once a weekender to Sullivan County, Jaffe became a full-time resident and is no stranger to entrepreneurship, highly encouraged in the Hudson Valley where big corporate employers are scarce. She and her husband bought land in the area while they rented in Rockland County and decided to move to Livingston Manor and start their own farm.
“Snowdance is not a certified organic farm, but we do have all grass-fed meat and poultry processed through the USDA plant,” said Jaffe. “Most of our customers buy directly from the farm or come from local restaurants.”
Jaffe said being a small-business owner has helped her appreciate the need for a strong business infrastructure all the more, one that has balance and brings appropriate use of land to each place she represents.
“There”™s a place for corporate growth, manufacturing growth and for agricultural growth,” said Jaffe. “But the bottom line to all of it is keeping business flourishing here in the mid-Hudson. The goal is to strive for balance that promotes business and retains the beauty of the Hudson Valley.”
