SULLIVAN COUNTY — On the heels of once again achieving the largest private sector job growth in the region year to year, The Partnership for Economic Development in Sullivan County is pleased to announce that Sullivan County has been appropriated $1 million toward infrastructure improvements on the Old Route 17 Industrial Commercial Corridor through the dedicated effort of Congressman Molinaro. The Partnership has strategically driven this effort for many years with critical support from Sullivan County, the Town of Liberty, Town of Thompson, and The Village of Liberty. Having long identified this corridor as a target for the creation of new jobs, investment, and tax rateables, these municipalities have collaboratively invested in an Opportunities and Constraints analysis managed by the Partnership which has spurred interest from both the private and public sector. Recently, the Town of Liberty preapproved 1 million square feet of space clearing the way for private investment and job creation after a long-time landholder saw the commitment and determined the time is right for developing. This project will help drive further interest in the corridor for years to come as efforts to make the area more competitive have accelerated.

The Sullivan County Partnership has worked for years with our economic development partners to draw attention to the Old 17 corridor as a location to attract industries in the light industrial, logistics, supply chain, and a variety of production sectors. The underlying basis for this strategy is to help diversify the local economy to avert any downturns in traditionally heavily weighted industry sectors. Dedicated efforts to onshore industries both nationally and regionally, coupled with a decreasing availability of sites suitable for development has opened the door to future development opportunities in Sullivan County. This funding commitment covers a critical portion of a larger project which will upgrade water and sewer infrastructure in order to drive activity to the corridor for many years to come. The location, situated halfway between Binghamton and the New York Metro area, is ideally located to access a sizable northeast market. 

“The Partnership thanks Congressman Molinaro for his efforts to listen to the needs of our community and take action to help the long-time efforts to enhance our economy. This investment marks another significant step toward securing Sullivan County as a viable and prudent location for industries seeking to access northeast markets. Our continued work to preapprove sites by expediting the approval process and provide predicable outcomes for interested prospects will ensure the continued growth and development of our area,” said Marc Baez, President, and CEO of the Partnership.

“I applaud Representative Molinaro, Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for recognizing the need and supporting economic development in Sullivan County. Local municipalities working collaboratively with the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development have recognized the need for economic development to help support and grow our middle class. said Josh Potosek, Sullivan County Manager. 

“Thanks to Congressman Molinaro, the Town of Liberty will be one step closer to realizing a long sought after economic development driver for the Town of Liberty,” said Frank DeMayo, Supervisor of the Town of Liberty.