Putnam County Economic Development Corp. Welcomes New Members

From the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation

CARMEL, N.Y. – Putnam County Economic Development Corporation, which works to encourage and expand the existing business community as well as promote commercial real estate opportunities to attract new ventures throughout the county, has gained new members in support of their efforts.

Advocates of economic growth in Putnam, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. (Sponsor Member), Briante Realty Group (Associate Member), Lakeland Bank (Sponsor Member), Insite Engineering (Sponsor Member), Verticon LTD. (Associate Member), and NYSEG (Sponsor Member) formally committed their support to the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation. Putnam County EDC is grateful that these companies have become members of the organization.

“Joining forces with the Putnam County EDC is a partnership that is in line with the priorities of Central Hudson,” said Alana Mikhalevsky, project manager for Central Hudson and board member on Putnam EDC. “Central Hudson is committed to supporting balanced growth and economic development that creates quality jobs in the territory we serve, such as Putnam County.”

Mikhalevsky added, “Keeping abreast with today’s business trend, we are particularly supportive of the needs of the high- tech and industrial manufacturing companies and believe that Putnam County has the potential to grow its market.”

Central Hudson’s efforts contribute to the mission of the Putnam County EDC, which is to drive economic vitality in Putnam County. It is able to do so by offering great incentives for economic development including up to $100,000 when a company creates quality new jobs in high tech, green tech or emerging growth industries in the Hudson valley region. In addition, manufacturers that are making a new capital investment within Central Hudson’s service territory and retaining a minimum of 25 jobs may be eligible for up to $200,000 in incentives.

Briante Realty Group, LLC, associate member, is a full service NYS licensed real estate broker specializing in commercial and residential real estate. Success of the company is attributed to the specialized talents of the agents that chose to build their career at Briante Realty Group, LLC. Each agent has a niche in a market segment, which offers clients a true value based on his or her knowledge and expertise. Besides the agents having their own niches there is over 30 years experience combined in the office, with some agents speaking Italian, Polish, Romanian, French Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. Learn more about Briante Realty Group online at www.brianterealtygroup.com.

“Since the company launched in 2010, it has been a staple in the Putnam County real estate community. Its operating principal Angela Briante has a forward-thinking out-of- the-box approach. In addition, her involvement in many community organizations ensures that she has the pulse of the needs and desires of Putnam County,” said Putnam County EDC President Jill Marie Varricchio.

“As a small business owner in Putnam County, I understand how important it is for companies to know the resources that are available to help them succeed,” said Angela Briante, broker and operating principal of Briante Realty Group and Board member of Putnam EDC. “Teaming up with the Putnam EDC provides Briante Realty Group an opportunity to bring more value to our clients.” Briante added, “My business serves Putnam, Westchester and Dutchess counties, yet I choose to run my business in Putnam; that has to say something about the community.”

Identifying with the community-oriented spirit of Putnam and seeing the growth potential in its vibrant economy, Lakeland Bank has also invested in the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation. Recognizing that Putnam County is primarily comprised of small- and medium-sized businesses, Thomas Shara, President and CEO of Lakeland Bank, thinks that a partnership with Putnam County EDC makes sense.

“It is an honor to have a financial institution, such as Lakeland Bank, take an interest in what the Putnam County EDC is working to accomplish,” said Putnam County EDC President Jill Marie Varricchio. “Lakeland Bank is a community-focused institution that has been recognized by Forbes as one of ‘America’s 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies’ in the ‘Small Cap’ category ($250 million to $1 billion). Its investment in the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation confirms the importance of our role in delivering economic growth to Putnam County.”

Lakeland Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of Lakeland Bancorp, Inc. which has $4.4 billion in total assets. The Bank operates 53 New Jersey branch offices in Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties; five New Jersey regional commercial lending centers in Bernardsville, Montville, Newton, Teaneck and Wyckoff/Waldwick; and two commercial loan production offices serving Middlesex and Monmouth counties in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley region of New York. Lakeland Bank offers an extensive suite of financial products and services for businesses and consumers. Learn more about Lakeland Bank online at www.lakelandbank.com.

Understanding the complexities and necessities of commercial development in Putnam County, Insite Engineering, Surveying and Landscaping Architecture is investing the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation as well. Insite Engineering has become a sponsor member of the Putnam County EDC.

“We are so excited to have the support of Insite Engineering,” said Putnam County EDC President Jill Marie Varricchio. “As one of the most experienced engineering firms in the area, its investment in the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation confirms the importance of our role in delivering economic growth to Putnam County.”

Insite Engineering, Surveying and Landscaping Architecture’s strength is in its experienced staff led by licensed professionals in the fields of civil engineering, land surveying and landscape architecture. It provides professional services backed by a reputation of delivering timely innovative solutions to our many municipal, corporate, and private clients. Its company philosophy is to deliver quality services in a timely fashion, giving full consideration to cost effective solutions. Insite's staff is supported by a variety of advanced equipment and technology including computer aided design and drafting (CADD) systems, geographic information systems (GIS), fully automated survey data collection, and global positioning systems (GPS) surveying. Insite is located in Carmel, conveniently serving southeastern New York and western Connecticut. Learn more about Insite Engineering, Surveying and Landscaping Architecture online at www.insite-eng.com.

Devoted to their careers to the field of construction and contracting, Verticon Construction Services has become a member of Putnam County Economic Development Corporation. Verticon Construction Services’ 65 years of experience brings projects from inception to successful completion.

“Verticon has always taken great pride in helping our community grow and prosper,” said Irving Zuckerman, co-president of Verticon Construction Services LTD. “We take active roles in economic development organizations and broker forums throughout the region.”

Verticon Construction Services, Monroe, NY, is a family-owned general contracting and full-service construction firm, operating for 65 years. In 1993, Verticon Ltd was incorporated, with the understanding that experience and personalized service are the keys to satisfying and exceeding client needs. Customer care and successful project completion have been the constants throughout, as the Zuckerman family name is known throughout the region for quality, service, and superior value. Verticon Construction Services has worked on the residential, commercial and municipal projects. Learn more about Verticon Construction Services online at www.verticon.net.

As an active ally in promoting a strong and healthy economy in Putnam, New York State Gas & Electric, NYSEG, has invested in the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation.

“As a utility company, it is a leading influence on the business community and its investment in the Putnam County Economic Development Corporation confirms the importance of our role in delivering economic growth to Putnam County.” NYSEG has a decades-long history of supporting growing businesses through its robust economic development programs. In addition, manufacturers that are making a new capital investment within NYSEG service territory with a load of 100 kilowatts or more may be eligible for up to $400,000 in incentives.

“NYSEG works very closely with state and local economic development agencies, such as the Putnam County EDC, to offer economic development assistance,” said Kathleen Abels, manager at NYSEG and Board member of Putnam EDC. “We intend to play a viable role in encouraging businesses to remain in Putnam County and to attract new companies to our region.” Ables added, “We remain committed to growing jobs and helping ensure the economic well-being of the communities we serve.”

The Putnam County Economic Development Corporation acts as the primary facilitator connecting local resources with opportunities to deliver economic growth. It markets county assets such as its proximity to New York City, MTA Metro North transit links, infrastructure and highly skilled workforce. The Putnam County EDC educates and assists local nonprofits, small businesses and municipalities with incentive and grant programs from New York State, utility companies and other funding sources. It strives for balanced growth throughout Putnam County to meet the needs of the community. For more information on incentives, please visit www.putnamedc.org.