The company has been family-owned and operated in Ellenville since 1985. Gillette distributes several well-known ice cream brands to area retail stores.

KINGSTON – Ulster County is trying attract green technology companies and keep those industries associated with its agricultural past.

Lance Matteson, president of the Ulster County Development Corporation, briefed county lawmakers Wednesday during a meeting of the Legislature’s Economic Development, Planning, Housing and Transit Committee.

Gillette Creamery, a distribution company based in Ellenville, wants to expand, and Matteson said his office is working to keep those needed jobs in this village, which has lost many industrial jobs during this decade.

“Our first choice is to keep them in Ellenville. Or we want to find a home for them in Ulster County if that is not practical,” he said.

Gillette currently employs about 70 in Ellenville and the expansion in the next few years could create another 15 to 20 jobs.

Matteson also briefed lawmakers on the status of Solar Thin Films, which wants to set up shop in the county after announcing the move here earlier this month.

“Six to 12 months is the time frame,” Matteson said of the initial hiring phase.

Matteson said Solar Thin Films would initially create about 100 jobs initially and hundreds later during subsequent years.