TOWN OF ULSTER – Businesses at Tech City in the Town of Ulster were notified two weeks ago by Central Hudson of the imminent shutdown late this week of power to the entire complex because of the long-term failure by landlord Alan Ginsberg to pay overdue electric bills.
There are 14 businesses with over 140 employees at that facility and they faced being shut down when the lights get turned off.
Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan’s office discussed the issue with Central Hudson and thanks to AT&T, which provides mobile telecommunications from a tower at Tech City it has agreed to take over responsibility of electric usage charges on the site, keeping the power on for the businesses there.
That agreement will enable the businesses to fulfill holiday seasons orders and continue working with the county to potentially secure new locations for long-term continued operations and the retention of the jobs.
“Alan Ginsberg has failed to pay his taxes, he has failed to clean up environmental issues that he has causes, and now he has failed to provide basic services to his own tenants,” said Ryan. “I want to thank Supervisor (James) Quigley, AT&T and Central Hudson for partnering with us to ensure that the over 140 people will continue to have work during the holidays.”
AT&T Project Manager Timothy Connelly said the company “was happy to help in this difficult situation by working with the tenants of Tech City to keep their lights on during the holidays.”
Central Hudson spokesman John Maserjian said the utility “has been working diligently with Ulster County, the Town of Ulster, the Public Service Commission and business tenants at the site to maintain utility services to the extent possible, preserving more than 140 jobs during this holiday seasons. We continue to work with the tenants and others to identify creative ways to overcome the challenges this site presents.” Maserjian said Central Hudson is “happy to hae reached this newest arrangement.”
