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Partnership to honor Les Kristt with Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Reserve Meeting & Celebration tickets by October 2
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INSIDE: President’s Message page 3E Silver Wins Distinguished Service page 5E Make Annual Dinner Reservations Now page 8E Empire Resorts CEO to Give Keynote page 9E Sullivan County Building for the Future!! pages 10 - 13E S.C. Real Estate Not Cooling Off page 14E What’s in a Brand? A Lot! page 16E Advance Testing Helps Youth page 19E
You can find just about anything you need for your office at Kristt Kelly Office Systems, Corp., from furniture, to copy machines and more. Story and Photos by Autumn Schanil
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ach year, the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development presents the Walter A. Rhulen Award to an individual for their business excel-
lence, their commitment to community, and overall service to humanity. This year, that deserving person is Les Kristt, president of Kristt Kelly Office Systems, Corp. and lifelong resident of Monticello.
Partnership responds to national disasters In an effort to help those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development has partnered with Operation Endeavor to help. “We are only too happy to join forces with Operation Endeavor in this humanitarian effort to help the residents of Florida and
Texas and the entire south who were affected by these storms,” Partnership President and CEO Marc Baez said. “We have a disaster relief fund which we have used to help local businesses in the past and would like to leverage that money to help our fellow Americans in need,” he
Kristt will be honored at the Partnership's Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 5, at the Sullivan Event Center in Rock Hill.
Please see KRISTT, page 4E said. The Partnership will match, dollar for dollar, donations made by Partnership members to Operation Endeavor up to $5,000. Donations from individuals are also welcome and very much appreciated. Donations can be earmarked for Hurricane Harvery victims by going to https://www.youcaring.com/hurricanevictim-
Yel!Fest IX a Success page 20E CRMC Receives Cancer Accreditation page 21E softexasusa-914276. Donations can be sent to Operation Endeavor’s general disaster fund at https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofdisaster whorequirerescueandreliefsupport-940980. Or checks, made out to Operation Endeavor may be mailed to the Sullivan County Partnership, 196 Bridgeville Rd., Suite 2, Monticello, NY 12701.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE This is OUR Time To the People: With little over 5 months until the official opening of Resorts World Catskills, there is something that is now evidently clear. This is our time. The pace of development as a result of this Empire Resorts project has now increased dramatically. In just over a year we have witnessed, on or near Route 42 in Kiameshia, a refreshed Jeff Bank, refreshed Exxon/Mobil, New Taco Bell, a refreshing of the current McDonalds, the ground breaking for a New Hampton Inn and a new and expanded assisted living facility. Nearby, a new Dunkin Donuts on an upgraded Jefferson Street and a host of new restaurants opening on Broadway signal what is yet to come in the Monticello area. Also driving this development is the construction of a destination indoor water park resort, mid market Entertainment Village Hotel
soon to break ground, and the completion of the Veria YO1 wellness center. We have had two bank acquisitions and are seeing external financial institu- CEO/President Marc Baez tions interested in doing deals in Sullivan County, a far cry from the not so distant days of, dare I mention, redlining. We have added 300 people to our total employment in Sullivan County and sales tax revenue is on the rise year to year once again. Investors, developers, retailers and service businesses look for opportunities where there is a reasonable and predictable upside. We are now experiencing that moment. Sullivan County is now the county in the Hudson Valley where a decade or more of investment is becoming more and more attainable. This is our time. We are at a point now where generating revenue in terms of tax rata-
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bles, sales tax and the economic impact of adding several thousand new jobs to our community is a reality, and no better time for it. Our businesses in outlying towns will benefit as well, with visitation set to more than double an already increasing number and surpass a projected 8 million in the next two years. The attitude has now shifted. From businesses, to local governments, volunteer groups to our healthcare facilities, everyone is moving forward with positive initiatives and building upon the positive energy and growing opportunities. Entering, the fall and our holiday season there will be much to celebrate moving forward and we are poised to keep this momentum going. This is our time. Sincerely,
Marc Baez President, Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development
Published by Catskill Delaware Publications, Inc.
Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development 196 Bridgeville Road • lMonticello, NY 12701 845-794-1110 • Fax 845-794-2324
196 Bridgeville Road, Suite 7 Monticello, New York PO Box 405 • Mongaup Valley, NY 12762 845-791-4200 • Fax 845-791-4220
One Cablevision Center Ferndale, NY 12734 845-295-2603 • Fax 845-295-2604
Sullivan County Visitor’s Association 100 Sullivan Ave. • Ferndale, NY 12734 845-747-4449 • Fax 845-747-4468 www.scva.net
Publisher: Fred Stabbert III Advertising Director Liz Tucker Designer Rosalie Mycka Advertising Representatives Barbara Matos, Tim Sohn Special Sections Coordinator Susan Panella Advertising Coordinator Janice Vooght Production Associates Ruth Huggler, Elizabeth Finnegan, Petra Duffy, Nyssa Calkin, Claire Stabbert, Peter Melnick Business Manager Sue Owens Distribution Billy Smith, Phil Grisafe
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KRISTT,
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2017
to be a part of many different communities, families and backgrounds in the area.” Kristt was honored by the Sullivan County NAACP back in 1998 and a second time in 2003. “I was really proud to be a recipient for an award from the NAACP and I still try to remain very much a part of that group, to help where I can for their great cause,” said Kristt. “They asked me to give a talk about black families in Monticello which I gladly accepted. Many of the families I’ve known since high school and I am still friendly with those who haven’t passed on or moved on to a different community.” Kristt was also a founding director of the Community Bank of Sullivan County, now known as the Catskill Hudson Bank, and served as Chair of the Loan Committee for 13 years. A photo of Kristt and his colleagues, a grand moment captured in time, hangs just above a small round table in the corner of his office. It shows the directors of Community Bank of Sullivan County the day it officially opened its doors.
FROM FRONT PAGE
“I actually knew Walter, and to be mentioned in the same breath as him is really exciting to me,” smiled Kristt. “He was a really wonderful person, so to be honored makes me feel fulfilled. It lets me know that the things I’ve done over the years have been productive and helpful to the community.” Kristt has dedicated more than four decades to growing Kristt Kelly Office Systems, expanding it from the days when his father had a storefront on Broadway in Monticello with typewriters, to now providing office machines and repairs, office furniture, computer software and services, and much more. More of an artist than a computer wiz? The Frame Game & Art Supplies is part of the company as well, selling a variety of supplies for painting, drawing, framework, the list goes on. An old black-and-white photo of Kristt’s parents hang in his office, bringing back memories and a vision of the community at a very different time. Growing a business wasn’t the only thing Kristt had his heart set on though. He spends quite a lot of his free time in helping improve the community he lives in. “One really important thing to me, that I’ve tried my best over the years to help do, is to have a resurgence in Sullivan County economically, socially and more,” Kristt stated. “I also try my hardest
Please see KRISTT, page 8E Kristt Kelly Office Systems, Corp., an office supply company and copier dealer in Monticello, was established in 1936 and has been growing ever since with the dedication and hard work of company president, Les Kristt
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Story and Photo by Autumn Schanil
Gary Silver: recipient of the Distinguished Service Award
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ervice above self. Three simple words that when phrased together harbor a more profound meaning, especially for local attorney and resident Gary D. Silver. Silver, of law firm Billig, Loughlin & Silver, LLP on Broadway in Monticello, was chosen to be honored with the Distinguished Service Award at the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development’s 23rd Annual Meeting and Celebration in October. The award is presented each year to a person, or persons, who has provided exceptional or outstanding service to the Partnership. “It really comes back to the same thing with [Liberty] Rotary, everything that I do and all our friends do: service above self. If you’re going to do something, you do it. “If you are going to participate in something you should give it everything you have,” expressed Silver. “I jumped in to help the Partnership re-write their bylaws, gave them a conflict of interest policy, updated their ethics policies and other
things, but that’s just what I do.” Silver has served on the Partnership’s Board of Directors for the past three years and was recently re-elected for a second term. Partnership President and CEO Marc Baez stated that Silver’s actions show his unwavering commitment to the economic development of Sullivan County and, “more importantly, he’s dedicated himself to helping others – both in and outside our region.” Silver is also a member of the Bethel Woods Business Development Committee, director and vice president of not-forprofit humanitarian organization Operation Endeavor and president of the Liberty Rotary Club. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be honored, it’s very humbling because I don’t do things for recognition. I do things because I believe it’s the right thing to do,” stated Silver. “Whether it’s helping an organization I’m a part of or helping people, for me that’s just one of the purposes of life. “Again, it comes back to service above self.”
Attorney Gary Silver is a dedicated volunteer who serves on the Sullivan County Partnership board of Economic Development.
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Dinner Reservations The 23rd Annual Meeting & Celebration Dinner will be held on Thursday, October 5 at The Sullivan Event Center, Rock Hill. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person and include hors d’oevures, open bar, dinner and desserts by Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant. R.S.V.P. by October 2 to 845-794-1110 or email jenn@scpartnership.com.
Kristt Kelly Office Systems, Corp., also includes the invaluable art supply store The Frame Game.
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KRISTT, FROM PAGE 4E and was chairman of Monticello’s Bicenntennial Committee in 2004. Most recently, he helped organize and served as chair of the Rotary’s Monster Run, a fundraising event that benefits the veterans of our area. Right alongside Kristt, with the same passion for helping the community and those less fortunate, stands his wife Amy, zealous animal advocate and board member of Pets Alive. “Just at home we have our own four permanent rescue dogs and we have a fifth who we’re fostering at the moment,” Kristt said with a smile. “We also have seven birds. But the amazing thing that Amy and Pets Alive have done in the past week, is that they’ve taken in nearly 50 animals from Texas. They’ve been working really hard." Sitting back in his chair and folding his hands on his knee, Kristt concluded, “Everybody likes that pat on the back every now and again, and to be chosen for the Walter Rhulen Award, that pat couldn’t be any bigger. I like to give the proper amount of time and effort to everything that I do, so I’m very proud.
New Empire Resorts President/CEO to give keynote address Ryan Eller, who recently took over as the President/CEO of Empire Resorts, Inc., will be the guest speaker for the 23rd Annual Sullivan County Partnership Annual Dinner and Celebration. Mr. Eller is currently focused on completing the World Resorts Casino project in Monticello, a $1.4 billion building project which will be open in March 2018. Mr. Eller brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the project and leading a fantasic team as they work hard to open the new casino. A graduate of U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, Mr. Eller served our country as a United States Marine from 1997-2004, where he attained the rank of Major. He holds an MBA with honors from Harvard Business School.
Ryan Eller Before joining Empire, Mr. Eller served as a senior vice president of development at Genting Americas, Inc., where he oversaw the design and development of the Resorts World Las Vegas, a $4 billion project on the Las Vegas strip.
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He is also a committee member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Orange & Sullivan Celebrity Dinner & Tip Challenge, attending the annual dinner each year dressed in full costume and a radiant smile. And many know and recognize him from his active involvement in the Catskill Regional Medical Center's Annual Heart-A-Thon. “The Heart-A-Thon is a fantastic event for a great cause,” said Kristt, “and it’s always a joy to be a part of it. It’s wonderful to see the familiar faces that work hard each year to help raise money.” A member of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, as well as their former vice president, Kristt was honored by the Chamber in 2002 as Businessperson of the Year and again in 2016 with the Silver Anniversary Award. And for the past four years, Kristt has served as chairman on the Monticello Central School District’s Hall of Distinction Committee in which, according to Les, they have “inducted 25 fabulous inductees into the hall in that time.” If you didn’t think that was enough, Kristt has been a member of the Monticello Rotary Club for the past 42 years
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
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New CRMC Urgent Care facility has busy summer
FRED STABBERT | DEMOCRAT
Fresh off its grand opening on Memorial Day weekend, Catskill Regional Medical Center’s new Urgent Care Facility at 38 Concord Rd. in Monticello has been a busy place, according to new hospital CEO Jonathan Schiller. “We are pleasantly surprised [by the volume of visits],” Schiller said last week. “The volume of visits far exceeded our planning. The clinical outcomes have also been outstanding. It goes to prove that our research was correct – we built it in the right spot, at the right size and offering the right services.” The facility – which is staffed by 15 healthcare professionals on a busy day – offers urgent care, x-ray and lab in addition to being able to see healthcare providers. The building was built to also be able to add a CatScan machine. “We are now offering world class urgent care,” Schiller said.
Welcoming visitors to Sullivan County Sims Foster brings upscale dining and retreats back home to Sullivan County. With experience, knowhow and a formula that he has perfected in the Sullivan County Catskills, Sims has reinvented the DeBruce Inn (pictured at right) along with the Arnold House in Shandelee. He also has properties on Main Street, Callicoon, in North Branch and recently got approval to remodel the Quirk homestead overlooking Kenoza Lake in the Town of Delaware. His signature properties in Sullivan County make Sims and his wife, Kirsten, a virtual attraction engine on their own. The Fosters can be credited with helping bolster visitation into Sullivan County from the New York metro area.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN BLOOM
Egg U gets reborn Principal Daniel ‘Butch’ Resnick of the Resnick Group continues his local investment in Sullivan County, completely rehabilitating the Former Egg U property on 715 Glen Wild Rd. in Woodridge into a second industrial park, where he will be opening a metal rack fabrication facility under a new business called Sullivan Fabricators. The facility will feature state-of-the-art laser fabrication equipment and will serve the greater metropolitan area.
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S U L L I VA N C O U N T Y B U I LDI NG FOR TH E FUTU R E!!
MATT DORCAS CONSULTING PHOTOS
Resorts World Catskills not a gamble any more By Fred Stabbert III
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fter decades of promises and lost hope, Sullivan County is finally getting a casino. A dream that started in the late 1970s will officially become a reality in less than six months. Empire Resorts Executive Vice President Charlie Degliomini can feel the excitement. “I have an ap on my phone that tells me exactly how long until the casino opens,” Charlie said. “It’s now 168 days, 14 hours and 14 minutes.” That was last Wednesday. “It’s not prospective any more. After years of talking about it we are finally counting down the days until it is going to happen,” he said. The 18-story hotel which accompanies the Resorts World Catskills casino is the tallest building in the Sullivan-OrangeUlster region. With its own exit off of Route 17/I-86 near Monticello, the building can be viewed from miles down the road as you approach Monticello. “Over 800 union construction workers are on site right now focused on completing the project,” Charlie said. “It’s a
lot of hard work and we have a fantastic team.” Leading that team is the new Empire Resorts President and CEO, Ryan Eller. Eller’s background in leadership and casino gaming brings a wealth of experience to the table and Charlie said he is the right person for the job. “He’s a fantastic leader,” he said. “He understands how to open a casino.” Before joining Empire, Eller served as senior vice president of development of Genting Americas, Inc., where he oversaw the design and development of the Resorts World Las Vegas integrated resort, a $4 billion project on the Las Vegas Strip. He also has extensive experience in the design, development, and operation of many casinos and video gaming machine facilities, including the Monticello Casino & Raceway. Progress on all fronts “We have drywalls going in and hotel rooms being finished,” Charlie said. “The inside of the building is really taking shape.” He said elevators will be installed shortly and a massive, reflective ceiling is being constructed. “It’s a true architectural feature,” he said. “Everybody is going to come in [to
Charlie Degliomini Empire Resorts Executive Vice President the casino] and say ‘wow.’ They will not be underwhelmed.” The $1.4 billion building project aims to impress. Built to a 5 Diamond standard, Resorts World Catskills casino will not only need an impressive physical structure but also plenty of talented help. “We’ll have well over 1,500 employees
just at the casino,” Charlie said. “We will be posting all the positions in October.” “We will be hiring managers,” Charlie said. He said Indeed.com and Casinocareers.com are two of the websites they will be using. “We will be hiring 600 dealers,” he said. “They are all good paying jobs with a benefits package. “It’s a skill that can be taught but it does require training of between 80-120 hours,” he said. “Up to 200 hours for the more complicated games. “And once you pass the audition you are hired as a table game dealer.” Empire Resorts recently opened dealer schools at the ShopRite Plaza in Monticello and Stewart Airport in Newburgh (Orange County). “We will be opening up another one in Ellenville on September 18,” Charlie said. He said a wide array of professionals will be needed to run the “small city” of Resorts World Catskills. “We are a very data driven business,” he said. “We will need all kinds of help – from marketing to accounting to bookkeeping to surveillance.” “This is going to be a very historic time for Sullivan County,” he said.
BUSINESS EDGE S U L L I VA N C O U N T Y B U I LDI NG FOR TH E FUTU R E!!
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SC Partnership, SCVA host Keller Williams Brokers tour Brian Facquet, principal of Prohibition Distillery, speaks to Keller Williams representatives about his distilling process.
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he Sullivan Catskills is making news locally, nationally and internationally with tremendous growth and development in many industry clusters; most notably the hospitality cluster. To understand why all of this buzz and attention is shining on Sullivan County and see it firsthand, Rosemarie Pelatti and Anna Gibbs, representing Keller Williams
(KW) Realty Hudson Valley United, made an unusual inquiry. They sought to arrange a tour for twenty fellow KW associates in an effort to better familiarize their team with the assets of Sullivan County. The Sullivan Catskills has much more to feature and talk about as of late so the Partnership for Economic Development and the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Associ-
$79 million Sullivan County Jail progressing well Deputy County Manager Dan DePew, left, and County Manager Joshua Potosek were at the new Sullivan County Jail construction site last week to review the progress being made by Pike Construction. The Sullivan County Legislature recently voted to increase the number of beds at the jail from 256 to 304, which has already been approved by the state. The new jail, which is located near Exit 104, Monticello off Old Route 17, will replace the oldest jailhouse in New York State, which is located in downtown Monticello. The expected completion date is late next year at which time both jails will be open during the "transition period." The new facility will also house the Sheriff's Office. By 2019, the county expects to have the old jail out of operation, and talks of its future currently appear to be aimed at demolition.
ation (SCVA) teamed up to highlight key areas of interest and current projects to help bolster outside investment to our county. As the area’s economic development agencies charged with attracting tourism dollars and economic development projects both the SCVA and Partnership have a vested interest in making sure those seeking to complete transactions in the
county are armed with as much information about all of what is going on in Sullivan County as possible. Utilizing local vendors like CD Trips, Rolling V, Bethel Woods and Roscoe Beer – where a mid-tour lunch was sponsored Jeff Bank – the group began in the south, circled throughout the western part of the county, highlighting the hamlets of Narrowsburg and Callicoon and then moved north and west among other areas, completing the tour at Resorts World Casino site. “These tours are vital to presenting the broader picture of the positive developments in Sullivan County as well at what is obviously going on in our development corridor” said Partnership President/CEO Marc Baez. “Showcasing the tremendous growth within our Sullivan Catskills is an absolute pleasure as we grow our tourism brand. “Our tourism assets are the quality of life that inspires economic development” SCVA President/CEO Roberta ByronLockwood, said. The group will certainly be hosting many more of these tours in the near future as more projects come to fruition and others continued to be recruited.
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YO1 working hard to finish wellness center
Story and Photos by Fred Stabbert III
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inishing work is underway on the new YO1 Wellness Center, located on West of Bailey Lake entrance from Anawana Lake Road, on the former Kutsher’s Sports Academy property. “We currently have 200-plus construction workers employed [in finishing the project],” Abhiruchi Jain, YO1 Marketing Manager, said. “We will hire another 200 people when we open." “We are completely in hiring mode,” she said. “I have attended job fairs in Sullivan and Orange counties and we have hired an agency to help us find employees.” With much of the outside work nearly complete, including glass, balconies, and some light landscaping, workers are focused on finishing the 131 guest rooms and many other features which occupy the six-story structure. Some of the unique features which will attract the guests’ attention is a “showcase kitchen” where guests can look through a glass window and see chefs preparing their meals. “The guest chef will also host classes and teach people how to make healthy food,” Jain said. Thirty-six massage rooms will compliment the first Wellness floor, complete with separate entries for guests and masseuses. Each massage room will also include a private steam shower. A Grand yoga room and separate yoga rooms overlooking Bailey Lake are also being completed as well as an outdoor amphitheater. The amphitheater will include a place for outdoor yoga, meditation or exercises in natural surroundings. And a very interesting feature will be the two-story indoor rain curtain on the Wellness floors. From the time guests arrive at the YO1 Wellness Center, they will be exposed to natural and soothing surrounding. A huge rock monument, combining the elements of air, water, fire and Earth will be near the front entrance. Guests will then check in and meet a counselor who will set up their visit. “We have already received a lot of interest in people coming here,” Jain said. YO1 (or Yauvan) means ‘youth’ in Sanskrit. The concept of the wellness center is to take their guests back to their youthful self, regardless of age. One of the main tenants they will use is ‘Ayurveda,’ a 5,000-year-old system of holistic healing. “This is going to be our flagship project in the United States,” she said. “We plan on having more around the country.”
Clockwise from above: With a soft opening scheduled for the end of this year and a grand opening in 2018, YO1 Wellness Center in Monticello is a hubbub of activity with more than 200 workers involved with finishing the project. The six-story structure will have 131 guest rooms, all facing Bailey Lake, and each having its own balcony. YO1 Marketing Director Abhiruchi Jain stands in front of a huge rock monument which will combine the elements of air, water, fire and Earth. Workers install outside tinting to the huge picture windows which grace the Wellness Center’s Bailey Lake side.
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Sullivan County Real Estate not cooling off this fall By Lynne Freda President of the Sullivan County Board of Realtors
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he time to sell is now. The time to buy is now. Normally, those two sentences are an either-or situation. I’ll explain more in a minute. Even though our summer wasn’t the warmest on record, the housing market is hot! In Sullivan County, we’re seeing signs of a predominantly seller’s market. Inventory is down, and new listings are, in some cases, getting snapped up after the first few showings. Sales prices, while not as high as we’d like to see, are holding their own – the median home is selling for 10 percent off asking price. And the best part for sellers, multipleoffer situations – commonly known as bidding wars – are occurring, and days on market are less. Sullivan County real estate stays hot largely due to second-home buyers. In a
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SEPTEMBER 2017
are at a premium. Don’t expect to find too many bargains, though. The median sales price is up nearly ten percent. Now for the latest housing numbers from July from the Sullivan County Board of Realtors: Pending sales are up slightly from July 2016. Closed sales are up 5 percent from last year at this time. It’s taking less time to sell a home-- about 207 days from listing to closing. As previously mentioned, the median sales price is up 9.3 percent from last July to $99,500 compared to $91,000, and
sellers are getting 90.1% of their asking price, up more than a percentage point from this time last year. If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, the Sullivan County Board of Realtors is here to help! When you work with a Realtor®, and not just a real estate agent, you’re partnering with a professional who operates according to a strict code of ethics, and must invest hours of continuing education to keep up with the ever-changing laws, regulations and practices. You can find us on the web at scbrgetlamps.net or call (845) 794-2735.
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Heinrich Strauch Assistant Vice President Commercial Loan Officer hstrauch@je ank.com
(845) 482-4000 • www.jeffbank.com www.facebook.com/jeffersonvillebank
15E
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2017
What’s in a brand? A lot!
Fall foliage season is a perfect time to enjoy the Sullivan County Catskills, especially at covered bridges like this one in Livingston Manor.
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• Water and Wastewater Systems • Municipal and Industrial Building • Highway Garages / Salt Sheds • Stormwater Management Plans and Systems • Bridges / Culverts • Streets / Sidewalks / Roadways • FEMA Assistance
The next item in the campaign was to become a major presence on social media. Facebook was always our strongest performer in social media with over 20,000 fans today and engaged interaction. Twitter and Instagram have doubled in followers and comments since efforts were made to place more engaging content on these platforms. Working with our press team and the I Love NY campaign, the Sullivan Catskills has been featured in over 60 stories, editorials and blogs both nationally and
HARRIS, MONTI & McLAUGHLIN
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said that the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association is not stopping there. “Our SCVA Board made the commitment at its spring meeting to re-brand its promotional campaign to the “Sullivan Catskills.” It started with the 2017 travel guide, with a clean and crisp redesign using inviting colors, and carried over to a complete rebuild of the website that is more interactive and easier to use, with current blog posts that engage the visitors to the site.
48785
ullivan Catskills” is the brand and right now it’s hot - regionally, nationally and internationally. After coming off 2016 with a record 8 percent increase in visitor spending – the highest increase in the Catskills and Hudson Valley Region – 2017 is outperforming 2016 with spending and tax increases through the first part of the year over 2016. According to the NYS Tourism Oxford Study, the Sullivan Catskills grew in 2016 to $419 million in visitor spending with $28 million in local sales tax. What does that mean to the average household? Without tourism, each household would have to pay an additional $1,750 taxes to maintain current government services. Even with these impressive increases, Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President/CEO
internationally. These stories are only possible with the cooperation of our member partners working with SCVA to provide memorable experiences for the writers. These press stories equate to over a $1 million in earned value. SCVA has a new tool in its marketing due to Norwegian Air announcing flights into Newburgh/Stewart Airport from the UK, Ireland and Scotland. SCVA hosted Norwegian Air representatives this summer and highlighted all the Sullivan Catskills assets. Norwegian Air is promoting these new flights as an easier way to enter NYC and the Upstate regions, but several comments made by representatives were why would anyone go into NYC when there is so much to discover here. With all the great assets today, next year we will add Resort World Catskills and YO1 Wellness Center. These new investments in the Sullivan Catskills will continue to grow and spotlight the Sullivan Catskills as a premier tourism
242 East Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701
845-794-7050 kirk@harrismonti.com
48778
BUSINESS EDGE
16E
BUSINESS EDGE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
year-round destination. Plans for the 2018 campaign have begun. Notices have been mailed to tourism businesses for inclusion in the 2018 travel guide and website. New advertising opportunities in print, digital and social markets are available for member partners. If you are not a
member partner, join today or inquire about the enormous benefit to becoming a partner. For more information, visit SullivanCatskills.com or call 800-882-2287. Member inquiries can be directed to Herb Clark, Vice President at hcc@scva.net.
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Sullivan Catskills working with Norwegian Air thing we have to offer international There is a lot of excitement here as the Sullivan Catskills gears up for the daily arrivals at Newburgh/Stewart Airport of Norwegian Air flying nonstop from Ireland, Scotland and the UK into Stewart. “This is a boost in our international market campaign,” stated Roberta Byron-Lockwood. “We have been busy hosting travel agents and press writers associated with Norwegian Air and the I Love NY UK office to promote every-
17E
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SEPTEMBER 2017
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guests here in the Sullivan Catskills.” “The opportunity to aggressively market to this international market segment is endless as the Sullivan Catskills has the assets and natural beauty this segment is looking for,” Byron-Lockwood said. “From our Delaware River to the Catskills Park, alive with fishing, boating, hiking, arts and culture, and our farm to table culinary and craft beverage experiences. “Continued growth and development is upon us with Resort World Catskills and Yo 1 Wellness Center and the International traveler is ready to enjoy and explore our Sullivan Catskills,” she said.
Smalls Plumbing, Heating, and AC
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20790
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Robert Wells, Agent 18 Thompson Square Monticello, NY 12701 Bus: 845-794-7000 robert.wells.k2on@statefarm.com
18E
BUSINESS EDGE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2017
20814
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER 2017
BUSINESS EDGE
19E
Advance Testing helps youth to build a career T
he Sullivan County Partnership recently hosted the Advance Testing mentorship program. This program was created in an effort to grant young adults an opportunity to pursue their passions in the engineering field. The program allows the students to participate in a variety of engineering sectors where they have access to materials and lab procedures they would not normally have. By the end of this program each student received certifications in a number of OSHA and industry specific specialties. Along with receiving these certifications the students also were awarded a $1000 scholarship from Advanced Testing. Sullivan County Partnership President and CEO Marc Baez, along with Partnership Marketing Outreach Coordinator Chris Lockwood reviewed what economic development is and what it entails. Both Baez and Lockwood discussed with the class the importance of economic development from a county and statewide stand-point. Along with talking about their role in economic development in the county they also looked at the day to day operations
Students listen to Advanced Testing owner Jim Smith, center, as he talks about career building. of the Partnership. “It is imperative to give opportunities like this to the younger generation. I am delighted to see companies like Advance Testing giving back to the community and taking an initiative in helping the younger generation,” Lockwood said.
The course also had two guest speakers, Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Luis Alvarez along with Deputy County Manager Dan Depew. Chairman Alvarez talked to the students about the county government, what his role is and how he got to the position he
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LeC Chase. Building Partnerships s.® Lewis Street, Suite 31 L i St t S it 303 | Binghamton, Bi h t NY 13901 | www.lechase.com
48655
47930
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is in today. Depew gave a passionate speech to the students on the five core factors on what it takes to become successful. He gave the students valuable life lessons and left a positive imprint which will resonate with them for years to come.
20E
BUSINESS EDGE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2017
YEL!Fest IX a success
T
he future of Sullivan County is bright, as demonstrated by the attendees which gathered at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts for
YEL!Fest IX on September 13. The event was held in celebration of the ninth anniversary of Sullivan County Young Professionals, a taskforce of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce.
From the left, President of Kristt Kelly Office Systems Corp. Les Kristt, Sullivan County Democrat Account Executive Barbara Matos, Berkshire Hathaway’s Pamela Henning and Starlight Entertainment’s Charlie Skerrett. At left: Jeff Bank was well represented at YEL!Fest. Three of their employees in attendance were Marketing Director Jackie Austin, Alicia Ryder and Chelsea Abplanalp.
Investment Advisors Creating and Preserving Wealth Philip Coombe III, CFP® Catherine Bender, CFP® Lynn McDonald
Office locations: Main Office: P.O. Box 333 / 6872 Route 209 Wawarsing, NY 12489 54520
Story and photos by Joseph Abraham
548 Broadway Monticello, NY 12701 Call for appointment
11232
Phone (845) 647-4800 • (800) 4 COOMBE www.coombebender.com Email: pcoombe@coombefinancial.com
BUSINESS EDGE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER 2017
CRMC receives National Accreditation by Commission on Cancer
IDA gets $509,000 in federal funding
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he Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has given accreditation to the cancer program at Catskill Regional Medical Center (CRMC). To earn voluntary CoC accreditation, a cancer program must meet or exceed the CoC quality care standards, be evaluated every three years through a survey process, and maintain levels of excellence in the delivery of comprehensive patient-centered care. Because it is a CoC-accredited cancer center, CRMC takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating cancer as a complex group of diseases that requires consultation among surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, pathologists and other cancer specialists. “Receiving this accreditation by the Commission on Cancer speaks to our commitment to help build a healthier community here in Sullivan County,” said Catskill Regional Medical Center CEO Jonathan Schiller. “It is a testament to the quality care that our team
21E
of professionals delivers every day to all of the communities we serve.” Patients who receive care at CRMC may access information on clinical trials and new treatments, counseling, and services that include individually focused patient navigators. Like all CoC-accredited facilities, CRMC maintains a cancer registry and contributes data to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a joint program of the CoC and American Cancer Society. This nationwide oncology outcomes database is the largest clinical disease
registry in the world. Data on all types of cancer are tracked and analyzed through the NCDB and used to explore trends in cancer care. CoCaccredited cancer centers, in turn, have access to information derived from this type of data analysis, which is used to create national, regional, and state benchmark reports. These reports help CoC facilities with their quality improvement efforts. To learn more about the cancer care program, please visit www.crmcny. org/services/cancer-care.
unding allocated through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Development Grant program in the amount of $509,642 has been awarded to the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Specifically, $314,420 will go to Catskill Brewery to help them further their expansion, creating seven jobs and growing the demand for locally sourced hops and grains. The remaining $195,222 will be used for improvements at the Goodness Grainless Bakery, which produces gluten-free, nutfree, and allergen-free products, growing the demand for locally sourced produce and creating five new jobs. “This federal investment is a win-win for Sullivan County and local businesses,” said Senator Schumer. “With support from the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant program, the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency can support Catskill Brewery and Goodness Grainless, enriching the regional economy and supporting local jobs. ...”
IN N R BO
Y N , Y T R E LIB 54067
Proud to be part of the Sullivan Coun nty business commun nity BETTER FOR YOU
home of
190 Sullivan Street, Wurtsboro
89 Mill Street, Liberty NY Y 12754
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48458
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SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
SEPTEMBER, 2017
Aerial Work Platforms Air Compressors Air Ai Tools T l Back Hoes Boom Lifts Breaker Hammers Carpet Cleaners Compaction Chain Saws Compressors Concrete Tools Concrete & Mortar Mixer Dump Trailers Excavators
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Extension Ladders Floor Cleaners Fl Sanders Floor S d & Edgers Generators Heaters Hedge Trimmers Landscape Equipment Light Towers Miter Saws Mud Buggies Paint Sprayers Plumbing Snakes Plumbing Tools Power Washers
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Post Hole Diggers Scaffolding Scissor Lifts Skid Steer Loaders Stump Grinders Surface Preparation Table Saws Tile Saws Tillers Trenchers Turbo Dryers Water Pumps Wood Chippers And much MORE!
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14049
BUSINESS EDGE
43959
22E
845-794-6639 Ask for Les or Gene
BUSINESS EDGE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER 2017
23E
B own Sharlow Duke & Fogel, P.C. Br
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Teelephone: (315 5) 399-4343
48829
Teelephone: (646) 915-023 36
24E
BUSINESS EDGE
SULLIVAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT
SEPTEMBER, 2017
54068