The Orange County Partnership is pleased to announce that the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) of the Town and Village of Goshen, has been named the Partnership’s 2014 Most Valuable Partner.

Three years ago, Goshen municipal leaders, town and village board members, real estate executives, industry leaders, economic development professionals, and interested citizens formed the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) to further foster a business friendly environment in both the Town and Village of Goshen.

Under the guidance of Phil Dropkin (former Chair of the Town of Goshen Zoning Board of Appeals and currently Deputy Chair of the Town’s Planning Board), and with administrative support from the Orange County Partnership, the group has held monthly meetings to brainstorm and to take steps to support and help stimulate economic development. The JEDI’s primary goal is attracting new business that would encourage capital investment and job creation to the town and village inventory of commercial land and real estate.

The group’s focus and determination, in just three years, has helped to attract two significant projects that are anticipated to invest more than $130 million dollars in the town and create over 720 permanent jobs.
Orange County President Maureen Halahan stated, “For the past three years, I have had the privilege of working with a truly distinguished group of individuals who understand the value of economic development. Because most of the JEDI members play a role in the approval process, the group is positioned to move projects with narrow timelines. Their success is evidenced by the attraction of two major projects.”

JEDI founder and Chair, Phil Dropkin, said, “With patience, persistence, focus, and a dash of humor, together with the continuing support of the outstanding JEDI members, we are helping to create a more welcoming environment for various commercial and other enterprises. Additionally, JEDI’s newest initiative is the promotion of the arts in Goshen; not only are the arts uplifting, but they also help to promote economic development. JEDI very much appreciates and is deeply honored and gratified to be recognized by the Orange County Partnership as the 2014 MVP and looks forward to continuing its work with the Partnership and each of the JEDI members.”

The MVP Award is presented to honor individuals or entities that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the economic strength and diversity of Orange County.

The Joint Economic Development Initiative’s mission is straightforward - to identify and prioritize potential growth corridors, target industries that could successfully operate in the town and village and streamline the municipal approval process to accommodate new projects
The Annual MVP Breakfast will be held on Thursday, June 5th at 8:00 a.m. at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor. For reservations, call Norma Byrne at 845-294-3696.