UCIDA Supports Agri-Business Initiative

UCIDA SUPPORTS AGRI-BUSINESS INITIATIVE

UCIDA
Ulster County Industrial Development Agency


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Matteson (845) 338-8840 ext 214
(845) 389-3300 cell
lmatteson@ulsterny.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

UCIDA SUPPORTS AGRI-BUSINESS INITIATIVE

KINGSTON, NY – February 15, 2011 – The Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) voted unanimously at its February 9, 2011 meeting to approve a $25,000 grant to the Hudson Valley Agricultural Development Corporation (HVADC).

The IDA is a public authority governed by a seven-member board appointed by the County legislature. It provides tax incentives, bonding, and selective grants that create jobs and enhance the quality of life in Ulster County. The IDA partners with industry engines that boost economic growth in the County.

IDA Chair Dave O’Halloran noted, “Agri-business is a key industry sector in Ulster County and HVADC continues to be a productive partner of the IDA. Our continued financial support of the Hudson Valley Agricultural Development Corporation is good for business, good for jobs, and good for Ulster County.” IDA CEO Lance Matteson added, “HVADC has been running hard to keep up with the demand for agri-business development support. We’re very happy to partner in this ongoing effort.”
Ulster County Legislator Jim Maloney, who chairs the Economic Development and Tourism Committee of the legislature, noted that, “Agriculture and agri-business are vital to the Ulster County economy in their own right, but they also are key attractions bringing people to Ulster County as tourists. So I’m pleased that the IDA is supporting this sector.”
HVADC director Todd Erling said, "HVADC welcomes the opportunity to continue our partnership with Ulster County to bring agribusiness development services to the county through these funds. We have worked with several entrepreneurial firms such as Farm to Table Co-packers, who rehabilitated the former IBM facility into a modern day food processing facility. In its first year of operation, Farm to Table has worked with more than 30 local farms and employs 30 people.”

HVADC supports growth and reinvestment in Ulster County’s 500 farm enterprises which produce $66 million in sales and operate on 75,000 acres of County land. Local farms hold production assets of nearly $600 million dollars and produce a wide array of year round and seasonal products. These operations are a cornerstone of the County’s rural economy and a key contributor to Ulster’s high quality of life. In addition, Ulster County is home to a vibrant food industry cluster with nearly 100 firms producing $400 million in output and employing more than 1,000 individuals.

Agri-business was identified as a strategic industry in the Ulster Tomorrow Sustainable Development Plan approved by the Ulster County Legislature as a part of the county’s comprehensive plan.

The UCIDA holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. Information is available at the IDA’s Website, www.ulstercoiuntyida.com.

About the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency
The UCIDA is a public authority authorized by the State of New York, with members appointed by the Ulster County Legislature. The UCIDA offers taxable and tax-exempt bonding for business expansion and relocation. UCIDA can also offer real property tax abatements, mortgage recording tax abatements and sales tax abatement during construction. The Ulster County Development Corporation (UCDC) has been contracted by the UCIDA to administer and promote the UCIDA programs.

For more information about the Ulster County IDA, please visit: www.ulstercountyida.com.