Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, left, a fellow Democrat, chats with DiNapoli
TOWN OF WALLKILL – State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli told business people in Poughkeepsie and Town of Wallkill that the Mid-Hudson Valley is showing economic strength.
DiNapoli said there are “positives of a great infrastructure, educated population, educated workforce with a lot of talent, proximity to New York City – also helps the regional economy here, population growth, too.” The region has been one of the areas with “significant population growth.” But, he said the Mid-Hudson is not without its challenges – cost of living and the cost of doing business are higher than other parts of the state.
DiNapoli said the Legoland theme park proposed in Goshen and the casino
under construction in neighboring Sullivan County are both“significant
investments” that could have an economic impact.
“The jury is still out on the casinos and what they will really
do and with Legoland, there is a lot of support among local elected officials,
but I know some community leaders do have concerns and there will obviously
be a process that has to play out by a final decision is made on the siting
of Legoland,” the comptroller said. “But, I think it is a
positive statement that there is an interest in doing more investment
in this part of the state.”
Gas prices, which recently started to decline after they went up, will in the short term boost the hospitality industry, DiNapoli said.
