President Christian addresses Ulster Chamber

SUNY New Paltz President Donald P. Christian served as the guest speaker at the Tuesday, Nov. 18, meeting of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce.

In his address, Christian updated business leaders on recent happenings at the College—including rankings, the 3D printing initiative, new mechanical engineering major, campus construction, college-community partnerships, and more—and shared the recent Economic Impact Statement SUNY New Paltz produced.

“In all of these efforts that fulfill our academic mission, we have a major impact on the regional economy,” said Christian. “Evidence from our recently released 2014 Economic Impact Statement demonstrates that the College plays a seminal role in the growth, vitality, and well-being of New Paltz, Ulster County, and the region.”

He added, “It’s worth noting that our positive economic impact has remained remarkably stable through a period of great economic upheaval in our country and in the Hudson Valley.”

Based on the latest data, the College is the largest employer in New Paltz and third-largest in Ulster County employing nearly 1,600 full and part-time people. College contributions, noted Christian, total about $335 million in economic activity and more than 3,200 jobs annually to the Hudson Valley economy, and nearly $400 million and 4,000 jobs to the New York State economy.

To read the full report visit http://www.newpaltz.edu/makinganimpact/.