Millions awarded to local projects by Regional Economic Development Council

Lana Bellamy, Times Herald-Record
·4 min read

CITY OF NEWBURGH – A hotel project seeking to transform part of downtown Newburgh received a $1.25 million economic development grant from the state.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced Monday that $81 million has been awarded to 97 projects across New York. This round of funds was part of a Regional Economic Development Council initiative to help the state recover from economic distress caused by the pandemic.

The $24 million Foster Supply Hospitality plan in Newburgh involves transforming three vacant, county-owned buildings near the bottom of Broadway into a hospitality complex. Plans include an 80-room hotel, rooftop tavern, luxury spa, restaurant and event space.

The Masonic Lodge on Grand Street in Newburgh, one of the buildings to be renovated as part of a major project that will include an 80-room hotel, rooftop tavern, luxury spa, restaurant and event space
The Masonic Lodge on Grand Street in Newburgh, one of the buildings to be renovated as part of a major project that will include an 80-room hotel, rooftop tavern, luxury spa, restaurant and event space

Holiday spending: Shopping malls prepare for a robust Black Friday

Development: Montgomery Supervisor says Medline to drop $1.3 million tax challenge

Then and Now: NY used to arrest thousands for marijuana each year

Developers of that project are also seeking a 12-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, agreement from the Newburgh Industrial Development Agency that would exempt 90% of its property taxes for its first six years.

The request drew the ire of some local officials who support the project but oppose the length of proposed PILOT.

According to the amended proposal, exemptions would steadily decrease after the first six years until the company is paying its full share.

"We're only asking for the PILOT because it is necessary," Foster said earlier this month.

A second public hearing on the project and its PILOT request is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at City Hall, located at 83 Broadway.

The project should be operational by 2023, according to a description of plans included in a list of award winners from Hochul's office. It would provide 61 "full time equivalent" jobs and is estimated to generate $1.25 million in annual hotel and sales tax revenue.

Here's a list of other projects that will receive funds in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties:

An example of a tentative layout for a proposed Dinosaur Park planned for a location in Orange County.
An example of a tentative layout for a proposed Dinosaur Park planned for a location in Orange County.

Orange County

  • Aspire Brewing: $500,000
    Aspire Brewing plans to transform a mostly-vacant 90,000-square-foot commercial building in the town of Wallkill into a microbrewery and hospitality center. It would feature a restaurant, beer garden, outdoor patio and a indoor entertainment space.

  • Orange County Dinosaur Park LLC: $1.2 million
    The Orange County Dinosaur Park is planned as an immersive experience that will feature more than 60 realistic, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. The dinosaur park is planning to include six dinosaur-themed playgrounds, a splash park, six education pods, a fossil dig site, robotic dinosaur rides, an amphitheater, a T-Rexpress train that circles the park, multiple dining spots and a dinosaur carousel. The company plans to invest $12 million in this project and provide more than 100 jobs.

  • Storm King Art Center: $2 million
    In response to growth Storm King, the art center launched Art that Moves You Outside, a capital project that aims to enhance the experience of residents and visitors and protect its art, nature and people.

Storm King Art Center in New Windsor
Storm King Art Center in New Windsor

Sullivan County

  • Camp Fimfo Catskills: $1.5 million
    Sun NG Kittatinny RV plans to transform the Kittatinny Campground and Canoes in Barryville into Camp Fimfo, which stands for "fun is more fun outside," Catskills. Upgrades would include infrastructure to support improved RV and cabin sites and new amenities.

Dutchess, Orange

  • Abilities First, Inc. School Expansion: $300,000
    Abilities First School plans to renovate existing space into new, technologically updated classrooms. The project would add capacity at its sites in the towns of LaGrange and New Windsor and help accommodate a demand to serve children with disabilities.

Ulster County

  • Hudson River Fruit Distributors: $400,000
    The commercial grower and distributor of mainly apples in the Hudson Valley plans to construct a controlled atmosphere storage building to increase its storage capacity and eliminate the need to rent off-site facilities. The company could also accommodate other regional farms.

  • Viking Industries: $780,000 and $550,000
    The Viking Industries Expansion Project seeks to grow its factory in New Paltz to meet the increased need for corrugated packaging. The project would add capacity and improve efficiency through by constructing and equipping a new 45,000-square-foot addition to the plant at 89 South Ohioville Road.

  • Upriver Studios Expansion & Carbon Neutral Project: $500,000
    Upriver Studios plans to create a carbon-neutral campus and a more competitive series of sound stages for film and television production projects in a 101,000-square-foot facility in Saugerties.

lbellamy@th-record.com

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Mid-Hudson Valley projects receive millions in state development boost