$1 Million In Critical Economic Assistance For The Ellenville / Wawarsing Area

Kingston, N.Y - Ulster County Executive Mike Hein was joined last night by County and Local Officials, members of the County Executive’s “Ellenville Million” Task Force, and other members of the community as he signed Resolution No. 314 into law which was passed by the Ulster County Legislature on August 19, 2015.  This action provides significant funding for the Ellenville Million plan envisioned by the County Executive and also directs the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance (UCEDA) to ensure oversight and accountability throughout the process.  

“I am thrilled that the goal of providing meaningful economic development assistance for the people and businesses of Ellenville and Wawarsing is now a reality.  I deeply appreciate the Legislature’s strong and bi-partisan partnership in passing this vital resolution,” said County Executive Hein.  “Ellenville and Wawarsing have been disproportionately disadvantaged by national economic challenges and this initiative provides real help and real hope to an amazing area of Ulster County.  We anticipate that the recommended projects will serve as a jump start and attract tourists and hopefully new businesses, as well as provide assistance for existing local businesses and organizations, thereby providing improved economic stability to the residents and the entire community.  I want to especially thank every member of the Task Force for their incredible hard work and dedication.” 

Julie Cohen Lonstein, Chair of the Ellenville Million Task Force

“The Ellenville Million Committee is thrilled that all of our recommendations were approved by the County which will assist in promoting and stimulating growth and jobs in the Ellenville and Wawarsing area,” said Julie Cohen Lonstein, Esq., Chair of the Ellenville Million Committee. “I am proud to have worked with so many great individuals on this important effort and I want to thank County Executive Hein for his resolve in finding solutions to help revitalize our community.”

Thomas J. Briggs, Ulster County Legislator and Chair of the Economic Development Committee 

"The Ellenville and Wawarsing economy was struggling and when the hopes of having a casino were dashed, County Executive Hein stepped in to formulate a plan where the community could find its own solutions to restore the local economy,” said Ulster County Legislator and Chair of the Economic Development Committee Thomas J. Briggs. “I was pleased to support County Executive Hein’s important endeavor to help revitalize the Ellenville and Wawarsing area.  Now that the funding is available the recommendations from the Ellenville Million Committee can begin to be realized."

Craig Lopez, Ulster County Legislator

“Considering the economy the Town of Wawarsing has endured over the past decade and the disappointment our community felt when the Nevele was not chosen to receive a casino license – my hope is the Ellenville Million will provide that economic shot in the arm needed to create some permanent employment for folks in southern Ulster County,” said Ulster County Legislator Craig Lopez.

Leonard Distel, Wawarsing Town Supervisor

“The Town Board and I would like to thank County Executive Mike Hein for his hard work and dedication in securing funding and for providing hope to the Ellenville and Wawarsing area,” said Wawarsing Town Supervisor Leonard Distel.  “I would also like to thank the Ulster County Legislature who also made this much needed support possible.  We look forward to the implementation of the various projects as we strive to attract new residents and businesses to our area.”

The Ellenville Million recommended the following projects:

$150,000 - to be utilized to help defray the costs of the needed water and sewer infrastructure improvements that will allow the shared services between the Village and Town; 

$175,000 – to establish a “soft landing” fund for developers and new business enterprises within the Village and Town to apply for assistance in defraying engineering costs and other necessary costs associated with potential new development; 

$100,000 – for tourism promotion including year-round outdoor activities, historic sites, Shadowland Theater and Ellenville’s walkable downtown; 

$150,000 – for the expansion of outdoor recreational opportunities such as rail trails, town and village parks including pavilions, expanded parking, trail connections, and bathrooms; 

$75,000 – assistance to Shadowland Theatre for its planned renovations and to be used to leverage other available grants; 

$100,000 – for use by the Hunt Memorial Preservation Committee to assist in the complete restoration of the Hunt Memorial Building and the establishment of a tourism center; 

$25,000 – to be utilized for Main Street improvements and beautification projects in the downtown historic district to emphasize assets and complement the surrounding natural beauty and vistas; 

$75,000 – to provide for project management including allocations oversight; grant writing, liaison for public relations and marketing efforts and festivals/events; and 

$150,000 – directed to the provision of high speed internet such as high speed fiber within the US Rt. 209 corridor, critical public entities and businesses, schools, hospital, library, and other relevant sites; 

County Executive Hein announced the formation of his Ellenville Million Task Force to ensure local community choice in economic development decisions and his plans to help all of the residents of Ellenville and Wawarsing by allocating one million dollars from the County budget to projects designated by the community at his State of the County address in the beginning of the year. The funding of County dollars were to be made available for this investment which will later be offset by dollars that the State will provide to neighboring counties impacted by the siting of new casinos.  County Executive Hein decided it was critical to invest these additional County dollars in the Ellenville and Wawarsing area following the New York State Gaming Commission’s choice to not grant a gaming license to the Nevele.  

Seated – Legislator Craig Lopez, County Executive Mike Hein, Legislator T.J. Briggs; Standing – Members of the Ellenville Million Task Force along with community members