Our last Quarterly Project Meeting (QPM) included an update on strategy, market conditions, and projects in the pipeline. The key theme was focused on long term strategic planning particularly through the Site Inventory Program (SIP). As we continue to build out the program, we’re gathering in-depth data on variables that site selectors are looking at: infrastructure, sites, entitlement timeline, and political environment. This information will allow us to proactively market sites for and engage site selectors in the markets that we are working to be competitive in including food and beverage, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.

It is also important to note that on both the attraction and expansion side, we’re working on a diverse pipeline of projects in sectors ranging from logistics and manufacturing to tourism and agribusiness. For example, one of our newer attractions, Poly Craft, is a manufacturer of specialized plastic products including pouches, bags and mattress covers for well-known brands. The project was sited in the City of Middletown and will create around 100 new jobs. On the expansion side, we’re working on the Milk Factory by City Winery. This project will be an adaptive reuse of the former Borden Factory in Walden within the Town of Montgomery.  The goal is to turn the once forgotten factory into a unique tourism destination. The project will include a boutique hotel with a distillery and commercial/retail space.

Between laying the foundation for industry growth through the SIP and managing a diverse portfolio of attraction and expansion projects, Orange County is positioned to continue to lead in job creation and economic impact in New York State.