The future of the Hudson Valley lies in the strength of its communities and businesses.  In Ulster County both are flourishing because of a climate that fosters a family-friendly environment that is receptive to innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Ulster has long been known for its place in New York history as the state’s first capital and center of industry and commerce, but it is also home to the Shawangunk Mountains and is the gateway to the Catskills.  And its natural beauty, pastoral setting and support for the arts, attract visitors from around the world.

In addition, Ulster County is fortunate to have committed public officials who have worked tirelessly to make our towns and villages alive and vibrant.  And involved parents and dedicated teachers and administrators make the county’s schools districts, SUNY Ulster and SUNY New Paltz leaders in New York academic community.

This is what makes Ulster more than a collection of places on a map.  Ulster is a community where people care.

This is also reflected in Ulster’s hidden strength - its collaborative approach to supporting business growth.

Strong public-private partnerships foster development that is balanced in and around the county’s “growth centers”, such as the City of Kingston and Towns of Lloyd, New Paltz, Saugerties, Ulster and Wawarsing.  These communities possess the tangible and intangible assets that support the expansion of existing enterprise while encouraging the attraction of new business from outside the county.

And Ulster County has the resources that business needs.

With available, ready-to-move-in office, manufacturing and warehousing space, Ulster County has the capacity to grow.  It is easily accessible from the New York Thruway and commercial rail lines.  Amtrak and Metro North services are only minutes across the Hudson River.  And there are advanced telecommunications networks maintained by Verizon, Time Warner/Road Runner, and Hudson Valley DataNet.

With the financial support of the Ulster County Development Corporation and the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency communities are bolstering their existing business assets.  Through a combination of grants and loans they are creating “shovel-ready” commercial and manufacturing sites, building out the basic infrastructure needed to support development, and, improving the high-speed Internet access to promote telecommuting, distance learning, and electronic commerce.

Entrepreneurs can access low-cost financing through county revolving loan funds to make their dream a reality.  Existing businesses can finance their expansion needs through tax-free bonds of the IDA.  And through the Kingston-Ulster Empire Zone, businesses, small and large, can receive a wide range of state tax credits.

In Ulster County you’ll find economic incentives for development, quality of life opportunities for your business and family, and the quality of service assets offered our public and private sectors.

But we can do more and we are.

In our continuing effort to provide Ulster County’s businesses with the tools they need to succeed, the Ulster County Development Corporation is initiating this quarterly newsletter.  Through this and future editions, we will seek to provide information about economy trends, market conditions, business development, community revitalization, and technical and financial resources.

These are the keys to building Ulster County’s future.

Your support and participation in our efforts is needed and appreciated.  Tell us what works and what doesn’t.  Where we are doing well and where we need to improve.  Collectively we can create the economy and community we believe the citizens of Ulster County deserve.

And don’t forget - in Ulster County you’ll find New York’s business partner.