Ever since Henry Hudson first sailed up his namesake river 400 years ago, people have been discovering the beauty that lies within Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam counties.
 
Today, New York State’s Hudson Valley is not only steeped in rich history, with historical sites and museums across the region, but—with some of the worlds largest, most sophisticated technology and manufacturing companies—it has become a great place to do business.
 
We have a thriving biotech cluster that includes more than 90 biopharmaceutical firms making up 60% of the nation’s pharmaceutical industry. In addition, we have a highly educated workforce which has aided in the attraction of companies like Spectrawatt and the retention of Gillette Creamery, the largest supplier of Ice Cream products in Eastern New York State.
 
Even with economic challenges facing company’s nationwide, manufacturers such as San-Mar Laboratories and biopharmaceutical companies like Regeneron have reinvested in New York. Why? Because of our successful combined efforts to leverage our resources and foster partnerships with public and private entities. Efforts which have resulted in the attraction and retention of companies leveraging millions in private investment while pledging to retain and commit thousands of jobs for the region. 
 
Here in the Mid-Hudson we are making progress everyday, working to create economically viable communities statewide. Our regional office staff here in New Windsor works hand-in-hand with businesses to help identify funding options that make the most sense for them. New York State’s progressive economic development strategies include aggressive financial and tax incentives aimed at luring businesses to stimulate growth and job creation.
 
We work along-side our constituents to develop new economic strategies which will position us for the future. This past year our efforts resulted in the attraction and retention of companies like Taylor Biomass Energy, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Kolmar Laboratories, Inc., RNN News LLC, OSI, and SpectraWatt.
     
Moving forward we will continue to work hard to identify growing trends in several sectors, including energy (high-technology, biotechnology and green technology), film television, financial services, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism and international opportunities.  These emerging sectors will lead our regions into the new, innovative economy and therefore, we must effectively position ourselves to capture that investment.
 
Working together, I believe we can continue to promote the Mid-Hudson as an attractive place to do business, securing the region’s economic future for generations to come.

Aimee Vargas
ESD Mid-Hudson Regional Director