President's Message

Dear Friends and Supporters:

With the final days of 2005 fast approaching, it is only fitting that we take the opportunity to look back and reflect on the things that together we have been able to accomplish to strengthen the economy of Ulster County.

Frank Falatyn Named New York State
Small Business Person of the Year

One of Ulster County's own... Frank Falatyn, CEO of FALA Technologies, Inc. ...has been named the New York State Small Business Person of the Year for 2005.

Hudson Valley Center for Innovation, Inc. Officially Opens
Regional Business and Technology Incubator Launched by
Ulster County Development Corporation
And the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center

New Emerson Inn and Spa Breaks Ground

On April 25, 2005, only months after being named by Conde Nast as the Most Outstanding Inn in North America, tragedy struck The Emerson Inn and Spa.

Noah Hotel Breaks Ground

On November 16th ground was broken along the City of Kingston waterfront for the new Noah Hotel.

BIRCHEZ ASSOCIATES: Kingston-Based Developer Grows in Response to Critical Need....

Birchez Associates was founded by Kingston developer Steve Aaron, in response to the critical need for affordable housing in Ulster County. After building two highly successful communities in Ulster County, with several more in various stages of development, Birchez has earned a reputation for creating original strategies and partnerships to build innovative communities designed specifically for workforce families, senior citizens, single parents and veterans.
When Birchez began operations as a family-run business in the mid-'90's, affordable housing was sorely needed, but not necessarily at the top of local community agendas. As the decade progressed and working people throughout the region struggled with skyrocketing housing costs, in large part due to a continuing influx of downstaters and a lucrative second home market, the lack of affordable housing reached crisis proportions.