Villasuso: “… local labor …”
NEW WINDSOR – Matrix Newburgh, the company that owns a large tract of land along Route 17K in the Town of Newburgh, was given final approval for financial incentives by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency.
Matrix plans to construct a large distribution center for Amerisource Bergen, a Fortune 20 healthcare products company, which will bring with it 121 full-time jobs.
IDA approval had been stalled for months as labor union officials had alleged Matrix would use out-of-town workers. The county agency insisted that the developer follow its labor policy of hiring locally and with that commitment, the board approved the incentives.
Laurie Villasuso, the IDA’s chief operating officer, said the assurance was enough for the board in a six to one vote, to grant their approval.
“The IDA takes very seriously the use of local labor and they intend to make sure that local labor is utilized and the policy is followed,” Villasuso said.
To ensure the IDA’s labor policy is met, the agency is going to hire a consulting firm to monitor the services of construction projects receiving benefits. Five firms have submitted proposals to monitor compliance and one will be selected this summer.
