TENNANAH LAKE – The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development recently held its quarterly meeting at the Roscoe Mountain Club with nearly 50 investors present.

Marc Baez, President and CEO of the Partnership, gave a brief overview of several projects that are happening across the county and Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek updated the membership on several key indicators from county government, including sales tax and unemployment figures.

“Sales tax has increased from nearly $40 million to over $90 million since the casino opened,” Potosek noted. 

He said that the hospitality industry has played an important role in the amount of sales tax collected, especially from the increased amount of visitors.

Potosek talked about the lack of affordable housing in Sullivan County and how that plays a significant role in attracting new workers to the region as well as keeping residents who are already there.

Potosek also noted the building project going on at Sullivan County International Airport in White Lake and how that will help increase traffic to Sullivan County.

He also mentioned several projects that recently opened around the county and how they are creating new jobs and helping to increase the local tax base.

“Keep investing in Sullivan County,” Potosek said, to a round of applause.

Baez gave a 20-minute PowerPoint presentation on some of the projects which are underway in Sullivan County.

He noted the dramatic difference the last decade has made in Sullivan County as such businesses as Pepsico, Kartrite Indoor Water Park, Resorts World Catskills, Formaggio Cheese and Foster Supply Hospitality have either opened or expanded dramatically.

“Sullivan County has had the No. 1 job growth in the Hudson Valley region again,” Baez noted. “We have held that position for two years, except for one month.

“Right now we are working on shovel ready sites and continuing to market Sullivan County.”

He presented a status report on 11 projects that either are before planning boards, being worked on right now or are being shown to investors.

They include Keiser Redevelopment Project in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County Golf and Country Club in Liberty, Grossinger’s in Liberty, Liberty Business Park on Old 17, Sullivan County International Airport, @Woods in Bethel, RGG Realty Business Park, Exit 107 Project in Monticello, Avon Commerce Park in Rock Hill, Candlewood Suites and Camp FIMFO in Barryville.

Ira Steingart, CEO of the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), also addressed the crowd, explaining how Sullivan County has embraced growth and worked cooperatively to become one of the best teams for economic development in the state.

“We have the best organizations of any county in the state,” Steingart said. “And I have been to many places. We are the best.”