Hudson Valley Region, May 2011
Firm Expansions and Contractions
This briefing is intended to provide information on firm-specific hiring and layoff announcements in the Hudson Valley. Information in this report is derived from press releases, newspapers, business journals, newsletters, and other public sources. It does not include all expansions and contractions in the region – only those for which public information has been obtained. An attempt is made to present only current information – events that have recently occurred or will in the near future.
Business Expansions
New this Month
Dutchess County
Hudson Valley Baylor Corporation will soon begin construction of its new recycling facility in Beacon. When completed by the end of the year, the $17 million project is expected to generate 150 construction jobs and 50 permanent full-time positions.
Orange County
After almost 2 years of negotiations, Coach USA has signed a contract with Orange County to relocate its operations from New Jersey to Tetz Industrial Park in Chester. The bus company will build a 192,000 square-foot office and garage complex, and will employ 225 people.
Putnam County - Nothing to report.
Rockland County - Nothing to report.
Sullivan County
Concord Associates and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority have agreed to terms to develop a $600 million Mohegan Sun casino, harness racetrack, and a 258 room resort hotel in the Town of Thompson. The mega complex will be built on the old Concord Hotel site and is expected to create an estimated 1,000 jobs.
Ulster County - Nothing to report.
Westchester County
Life Time Fitness Center Inc. plan to build a fitness and recreation center on Westchester's Platinum Mile Corridor. The company recently applied for approval to build a 209,000 square-foot facility at the former Journal News headquarters in Harrison. The proposed fitness center will be the company's second in New York. Life Time Fitness opened a new center in Syosset, Long Island in January. It is estimated that the new facility will create more than 200 jobs.
Metropolitan Plaza, one of a few multi-million dollar projects that have sprung up in White Plains calls for a mixed-use retail and office space and a 130-room hotel. A 130-space garage will also be built underground. The project is expected be completed in 15 to 18 months.
Westy Self Storage, a 20-year old higher-end self storage company based in Stamford, Connecticut plans to open a 117,000 square-foot facility on Westmoreland Avenue in White Plains. No job numbers were available.
New Last Month
Dutchess County
M&T recently announced that it has initiated a $10 million expansion. M&T will open a new branch in Newburgh and also create a regional processing center in Fishkill that will process checks and other materials. The processing facility will be built at the bank's regional headquarters on Jackson Street, with a scheduled opening in late 2nd quarter or early 3rd.
Orange County - Nothing to report.
Putnam County - Nothing to report.
Rockland County - Nothing to report.
Sullivan County - Nothing to report.
Ulster County - Nothing to report.
Westchester County
Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. will stay in Westchester County, after receiving a $500,000 grant from Empire State Development Corporation. The company considered moving to other states, including New Jersey and Nebraska. Kawasaki will instead invest $25 million in its Yonkers facility and retain all of its estimated 375 employees.
Business Contractions
New this Month
Dutchess County
The Hudson River Psychiatric Center will close its doors for good in the fall of 2011. The office of Mental Health announced plans to close the facility as part of the State’s budget cutbacks. All of its patients will either be transferred to the Rockland Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg or to other local community residences, depending on their needs. No announcements have been made as to the fate of the 375 employees that work at the facility in Poughkeepsie.
Orange County - Nothing to report.
Putnam County - Nothing to report.
Rockland County
Pfizer announced plans to lay off another 119 workers at its Pearl River facility. Pfizer filed a WARN notice with the Labor Department on May 12, 2011 in anticipation of its latest round of job cuts. The company has laid off several hundred employees at the Rockland facility since it completed its acquisition of Wyeth Pharmaceutical in October 2009.
Sullivan County - Nothing to report.
Ulster County - Nothing to report.
Westchester County
Nokia, the world’s leading manufacturer of mobile phones, will close its U.S. office in White Plains as it carries out a global consolidation and shrinks its workforce by 7,000 employees over the next two years. In the U.S., approximately 500 jobs will be eliminated as the company reduces its research and development activities at its offices in San Diego, CA and White Plains, NY.
New Last Month
Dutchess County - Nothing to report.
Putnam County - Nothing to report.
Orange County
The Elant at Goshen Home Care Agency is outsourcing its home and personal care services and as a result will lay off an estimated 77 employees.
Rockland County - Nothing to report.
Sullivan County - Nothing to report.
Ulster County - Nothing to report.
Westchester County
Westchester County lost a long-shot bid to lure the U.S. headquarters of Bayer AG from New Jersey to Tarrytown. The company took some $38 million in incentives from New Jersey and is now considering sites in Wayne, Morristown and Montville.
Our Lady of Victory Academy in Dobbs Ferry is closing down on August 31, 2011, laying off 29 employees. It has not yet been announced when the layoffs will begin.
Westchester Medical Center announced plans to disband its mobile psychiatric crisis unit and reorganize its 24-hour psychiatric emergency room. The medical center will eliminate 35 jobs.
Strikes and Labor Disputes
Nothing to report