Maureen Halahan, president of Orange County Partnership, and Jim Petro, chairman of the Orange County IDA.
They came from Westchester, Connecticut and New Jersey, brokers and site selectors looking at more than 70 sites Orange County has on its books waiting for a commercial developer or investor.
But times are tough, even though Orange County Partnership president Maureen Halahan kept her organization”™s 2009 brokers”™ tour upbeat. The two buses that ferried potential clients from Montgomery to Monroe on June 4 ended with a luncheon at Hilton Homewood Suites at Stewart International Airport, with many county supporters urging site selectors to “think Orange.”
Jim Petro, chairman of the county”™s Industrial Development Agency, stressed the potential for enhanced PILOT programs (payment in lieu of taxes), super PILOT programs, local municipal tax breaks and other perks that could make Orange County an attractive place to work and live.
County executive Ed Diana told the audience of nearly 100 brokers, site selectors and business owners he “believes in Orange County ”“ we”™ve been the fastest growing state six out of the past seven years. We have the space, the flexibility to work with companies that want to come in here for our quality of life.”
Petro, Halahan and others didn”™t shy away from the country”™s economic condition, but stressed Orange”™s location: one hour from New York City, three interstates and a wealth of high-caliber workers.
Marissa Brett, vice president of Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, announced a new board that will represent the Hudson Valley as well as a national search for a new executive director for Anthony Campagiorni, who left the HVEDC to work for Central Hudson. Campagiorni continues to act as executive director until his replacement is found. “We”™re very confident in our strength and in our ability to be a real partner to Orange County,” said Brett, referring all other questions to Steve Landt, chairman of the HVEDC board.Â
While buses left to take attendees on a tour of Orange County Choppers in nearby Newburgh or to visit Stewart”™s Air National Guard Base, Halahan remained positive. “The economy is in the doldrums, but it is going to come back,” she said. “This is the right time to make a move because prices and loans are at historic lows and communities need rateables. And we can have those and still maintain a wonderful quality of life.”
“These are scary times for investors,” said one commercial broker who preferred anonymity, “but there are also opportunities out there right now that weren”™t there a few years ago. If anyone”™s going to make a move, this is a good time to do it. Home mortgages are at historic lows, and Orange”™s transportation infrastructure is growing. We have Stewart Airport at our doorstep. The key is to get people moving again. This economy won”™t last forever, it will get better. I think we”™ve seen the worst of it. The mobility tax is causing a major concern for everyone, as is the threat of the loss of the Empire Zones. New York had better find a way to make this state attractive to businesses before we lose any more congressional seats.”
