Sullivan County, New York

another 300 jobs in the next 18 months. County government, utilities, and the municipal school districts round out the list of top employers. Sullivan County Manager, Joshua Potosek, admits, “Diversification is where we need to head. Tourism was our bread and butter. Then the market and people’s vacation habits changed, dramatically, in the ‘60s, leading to decades of stagnation. While we have adapted to support new types of tourism, and it is coming back, we need to ensure there is other industry coming in. We’re working with our economic development partners to create shovel ready sites in and around the county for manufacturing and distribution; Kohl’s Distribution Center is already located here. We have a lot of relatively cheap, vacant land that doesn’t exist in the Hudson Valley north of New York City. As those areas have already been built out, developers are looking for land in places like Sullivan County.” Food and beverage manufacturers are drawn to the area, including Nonni’s Biscotti, Formaggio Italian Cheese, and Hudson Valley Foie Gras. Capitalizing on the New York craft beverage and artisanal food movement, Sullivan County also has a number of new local distilleries, breweries, wineries and cider makers. One such maker has just planted hundreds of new trees in advance of a large-scale biodynamic cider production company. More artisanal food products are emerging from new commercial and community kitchens recently developed in the County to serve as incubators. “Entrepreneurialism goes hand in hand with tourism,” explains County Planning Commissioner, Freda Eisenberg. “While the large, old-style Catskill resorts are long gone, people now come for our high quality farm-to-table eating experiences, to sample local food and beverage products where they’re made, shop our farmers markets and makers events, and find treasures in the unique art and design stores lining our hamlet Main Streets. Tourist itineraries – and local quality of life – are being enhanced by new performance spaces for live music, comedy, film, and theater. To support the growth of these, and other micro-enterprises and small businesses, the County offers entrepreneurial SULL I VAN COUNTY , NY pictured The Center for Discovery – Sullivan County’s largest employer and a major research and specialty center that offers residential, medical, clinical and special education programs for people with complex conditions – has revitalized the hamlet of Hurleyville, rehabbing 19th century buildings lining Main Street and attracting businesses to customer-oriented storefronts like 227 Main, which currently houses a fiber arts supply store and hosts crafts classes.