ELLENVILLE – While driving through the village on Route 209, traffic is slowed by a bridge project. And as one waits at the light, a large concrete slab, down a hill with the Shawangunks nearby, was once the platform for a TV antenna maker and knife producer.
Cresco Labs will now turn that spot into a facility to produce medical and recreation marijuana, and the company will create about 300 jobs when the operation opens in late 2022 or sometime in the 2023.
“This is huge news for Ellenville and Wawarsing,” said Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, “and I think Ulster County. The site has been vacant for 17 years, and now Cresco Labs, which already produces medical marijuana, plans to spend $50 million to construct a 360,000 sq. ft. facility over 71 acres after going through the planning and permit process.
“This is the biggest economic opportunity Ellenville has had in decades,” said Ryan. “Having this production site come to Ulster County, puts Ulster County at the front edge of this industry state-wide and nationally. There’s only going to a few of these sites in the entire state.”
