Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched his Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Wednesday, July 27. This Council will recreate the relationships between state government and businesses to kick-start regional economic development and grow employment throughout the region.
Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy joined local legislators, business leaders, community members and members of the College Council and New Paltz trustees to launch the Regional Council at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
Vice President of Administration & Finance Jacqueline DiStefano said “The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council will facilitate job growth in the region. I’m pleased SUNY New Paltz was chosen to host this event acknowledging the significant role that higher education will play in the economic vitality of our communities. The involvement of SUNY campuses in this endeavor aligns well with Chancellor Nancy Zimpher’s vision that SUNY will be a critical component to the revitalization of the State’s economy.”
The Mid-Hudson Regional Council will be led by Dennis Murray, President of Marist College, and Dr. Leonard S. Schleifer, President & CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., who will both serve as Regional Co-Chairs. The Regional Council will coordinate the economic development of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
The Regional Councils represent a new, fundamental plan for economic growth in New York state. Governor Cuomo’s approach focuses on harnessing and building upon community-based resources and assets that already exist in each local region as opposed to a top-down model.
“By using a regional approach to economic development, businesses and communities in the Hudson Valley will have the ability to deal with the specific economic challenges they face,” Governor Cuomo said. “For too long, economic development efforts have not met the individual needs of New York’s diverse regions and today we have chartered a new path to create jobs and revitalize this state’s economy. This announcement demonstrates that the Mid-Hudson region and all of New York is once again open for business.”
Dennis Murray, President of Marist College and Co-Chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Council, said, “The Regional Councils will finally enable efficient communication and collaboration between the business and government leaders of New York State. I thank Governor Cuomo for developing this groundbreaking approach to development. This strategy will allow for our local expertise within the Mid-Hudson region to build a powerful economic force of pooled knowledge, experience, and assets to rebuild our local economy from the bottom up. Furthermore, by identifying and overcoming the barriers that hurt local businesses, we can finally bring new jobs to New York and make the most of what this great state has to offer.”
