Rockland trolls for prosperity
Business growth and economic development are on the upswing in Rockland County, according to Ron Hicks, president and CEO of the Rockland Economic Development Corp.
In a wide-ranging interview, Hicks said the county has completed or is in the process of discussing several business expansion or relocation projects, thanks in part to economic incentives it can offer through the state Empire Zone program and the county”™s Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Hicks also serves as executive director of the IDA.
Hicks said potential projects the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is in discussions that could bring more than 3,500 jobs to Rockland over the next five years.
He said the county projects to add 234,000 square feet and 256 new jobs due to development expected over the next year.
One such major coup for Rockland is the relocation of the North American corporate offices of Hunter-Douglas from Saddle River, N.J., to Pearl River. Hunter-Douglas is a worldwide manufacturer of window treatments and architectural products.
“We”™re finalizing that, I imagine that will be happening in the next year,” he said.
Hicks said there has been a “new attitude” in Rockland, and through the combined efforts of the EDC and IDA the county is making a renewed effort to attract more business.
“We”™re very busy,” he said. “We”™ve created hundreds of jobs (in the past year), and we”™re projecting a hell of a lot more than that going forward.”
Hicks said in addition to tax incentives the county can offer through various programs, the quality of life in Rockland is also a selling point to draw more companies. He cited the quality of local public school systems and proximity to New York City among those selling points.
Also, the existence of major companies already here is a draw to companies thinking of moving into Rockland, he said.
“When companies see another large corporation doing business here, they see it as stamp of approval,” he said.
One such company is Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Hicks said, which employs 3,900 people and is a major impact on offsetting local property tax burdens.
Wyeth is currently embroiled in an alleged discrimination suit. Seven current and former black employees of Wyeth have alleged they faced racial discrimination while working at the pharmaceutical company’s Pearl River plant. As of press time last week, one case had gone to trial.
Hicks said when large companies are located in Rockland, it helps not only with the commercial tax base, but businesses from delis to dry cleaners also benefit.
And Hicks is quick to note that small-business development is just as important in Rockland as attracting large corporations.
To that end, the EDC is creating a small-business center, which among other things will help financing for startup small businesses that may not be able to get traditional bank loans.
The EDC also has a relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense and helps connect businesses with government contracts. The EDC operates this program for Rockland, Westchester and Orange counties. He said businesses in the three counties have received more than 4,000 government contracts totaling about $234 million since the program”™s inception.
Hicks hopes the county can continue to offer more job opportunities and attract more people from New York City to make the reverse commute to Rockland.
“It is very important that we continue to expand the transportation infrastructure,” he said.