Business and real estate leaders discuss county growth

ELIZABETH LEPRO
Posted 11/6/18

CALLICOON, NY — Fitting that a panel on real estate and investing in Sullivan County would take place on Callicoon’s Main Street, at a popular establishment now up for sale. When …

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Business and real estate leaders discuss county growth

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CALLICOON, NY — Fitting that a panel on real estate and investing in Sullivan County would take place on Callicoon’s Main Street, at a popular establishment now up for sale.

When Dominique Jenkins and her husband, Matthew Lanes, bought the building that would become Matthews on Main Street in 2003, friends and relatives thought the New York City transplants were crazy, Jenkins said Wednesday. Not so, 15 years later, as Sullivan County continues to grow and attract new investors, residents and business people.

With the opening of the $1.7 billion Resorts World Catskills, an influx of new small businesses and increased tourism, Sullivan County is trending up for business-minded people. Unemployment is at a nearly 10-year low at 4.2%—the lowest in the Hudson Valley Region, according to the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development. Housing sales have gone up as well, with median sales price rising by 23%. Many local real estate agents cite an incredible number of second-home buyers in the area.

The panel October 17 at Matthews on Main focused on promoting this growth, while continuing to invest in the area. The panel was made up of people who work in real estate and hospitality, along with New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. Local real estate agent and member of the Sullivan County Board of Realtors, Deb Gorenflo, hosted the panel, while lawyer and real estate broker Steven Kurlander moderated.

“We’re finally seeing so many positive attitudes in Sullivan County,” Gunther said, citing the Sullivan Renaissance and upcoming Woodstock anniversary. “My role in that revitalization has been to bring money—taxpayer money—back to our community… there’s not a day that goes by that we’re not doing constituent work, or we’re not asking New York state to send more money to Sullivan County.”

Though the discussion revolved around a number of topics, including taxes, education and remembering the needs of locals, the afternoon’s conversation was dominated by inadequate access to internet and cell service in the area.

“People would be here in a minute if we could just get internet,” Jenkins said, referring to second-home owners she’s spoken to who would love to spend more time here, but are restricted by a lack of access. “They would be going to Peck’s more, to the movies, to restaurants.”

Sims Foster, the co-founder of Foster Supply Hospitality, said he, with Gunther’s help, has had to fight with Spectrum to get Wi-Fi at his properties. In one situation, a family had to leave one of his hotels because they couldn’t communicate with their child’s nurse.

Gunther promised that she’s been diligently working with Spectrum, NYSEC and other service providers to increase access to cell service, internet and cable in the area. Bringing more connectivity to the region isn’t just for visitors, the panelists noted.

Locals need connection so that children can keep up with education standards, so that people can have access to information online and for emergency services, they said.

The panelists also addressed the quality of education in the area and taxes.

“How do you sell somebody a house that is X amount of money per year, then turn around and tell them they’re going to pay $16,000 a year in school taxes?” said Marc Baez, president and CEO of Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development.

When the afternoon opened up to the audience, Josiah Early, the co-owner of the Cochecton Fire Station restaurant, encouraged any new investors or business people to take into account the needs of locals.

“They’re here, spending money in the winter time,” Early said, referring to locals who often buoy businesses in winter but don’t reap many of the benefits year-round.

callicoon, Mathew's on Main, Real estate, economy

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