ELLENVILLE – Ulster County Executive Michael Hein signed a legislature resolution implementing the recommendations of the Ellenville Million Task Force, on the grounds of the Hunt Building, one of the more prominent old structures in downtown Ellenville.
Hein, accompanied by area county legislators Craig Lopez, seated left and Thomas Briggs, applauds the
Ellenville Million Task Force chaired by Julie Lowenstein,
standing center
The Hunt building is one of nine targeted beneficiaries designated by the Ellenville Million Task Force, created after the Ellenville/Wawarsing area lost out on its bid to have a casino at the dormant Nevele Resort.
Hein said following the casino announcement, his hopes were restored by the effort of citizens to quickly rebound.
“The thing that has brought me, without question, the most pride, is how amazing this community has been in embracing the concept of the Ellenville Million, how amazing they have been in determining intelligent, thoughtful solutions, and moving forward, bravely, and absolutely inspiring every other part of the county,” Hein said
During the monthly legislative session earlier this month, the legislature specifically targeted the Ellenville/Wawarsing area as the first recipient of special funding, totaling $1 million.
Ellenville Million Task Force Chairwoman Julie Lonstein said their list of nine projects could be just the start of something big.
“The hope is that with the grant writer, it will be seed money to continue to invest in our community, and we hope that it’s not a million and done, but that that million can turn into five million or ten million and continue to promote our area as an asset for tourism, for new residents, for new jobs, for new industry, and that’s the goal,” Lonstein said.
The project list puts an emphasis on infrastructure enhancements that generally improve the quality of life and appeal of the Ellenville/Wawarsing area for both residents and tourists.
