Spitzer Cabinet Member And Senator Bonacic Visit Economic Development Sites In Ulster County

Governor Spitzer’s top economic development representative - Empire State Development Chairman Patrick Foye and State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mt. Hope), met with local officials and visited key properties in Ulster County yesterday. Foye is the "downstate" Chairman of Empire State Development. Ulster County falls into the "downstate" region. Governor Spitzer has split economic development by region and has a separate Chairman for the upstate New York area.

Bonacic and Foye visited business facilities in Ellenville and also in the Town of Ulster. Local elected officials participating included County Legislator Susan Cummings, who is also a Bonacic aide, Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan, Wawarsing Supervisor James Dolaway, and Town of Ulster Councilman Joel Brink. Assemblyman Kevin Cahill also joined the group for the Town of Ulster portion of the visit.

Also participating at one or both sites were Ulster County Development Corporation President Lance Matteson and March Gallagher from the Ulster County IDA.

Senator Bonacic asked Foye to assign a person dedicated toward economic development in Ulster County. "We have a new economic development leader and it is important for him to see new opportunities and a fit for Ulster County. By having the Chairman Foye here for a more substantive look at some of the available sites, we have hopefully raised Ulster’s profile in his eyes," Bonacic said.

"There is a lot of potential in the facilities, as well as the people of our region. We have excellent institutes of higher learning, award-winning teachers, and plenty of people who would like to remain in New York State to work and raise their families. We need strong leadership, partnerships between the State and County, and initiatives to promote the Hudson Valley region as a great place to start and grow businesses. I believe the new leadership at Empire State Development is committed to those goals and look forward to working with them," concluded Senator Bonacic.