Schumer, Gillibrand, Maloney & Local Officials Announce Major Investment to Expand Large Hudson Valley Employer

Press Release

After working with the City of Newburgh and Hudson Valley Lighting, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) and local officials announced approval of a $2.9 million Economic Development Agency (EDA) investment to aid in the expansion of one of the area's top employers, Hudson Valley Lighting. With this investment, the City of Newburgh can make critical sewer and water infrastructure upgrades to develop a post-industrial brownfield site at 5 Scobie Drive and allow for a new headquarters for Hudson Valley Lighting.

"Today's wonderful news that we have secured this significant federal EDA investment for Newburgh's exciting Hudson Valley Lighting project means jobs, jobs, jobs. Just last month, I stood at the site and pushed the EDA to approve funds for this critical water and sewer infrastructure improvement project, which would enabling Hudson Valley Lighting make its new, permanent home at the site," said Senator Schumer. "With this much-needed funding, this site will now have the potential to create and retain at least 230 manufacturing jobs."

"This is a much needed investment for Newburgh," said Senator Gillibrand, who wrote a letter to the Economic Development Administration Regional Director in support of the application. "Upgrading water infrastructure is an effective way to attract new jobs and sustain growth in the Hudson Valley. This new project will help Hudson Valley Lighting expand and will create more good--paying jobs for residents in the area."

"When we roll up our sleeves and work together, we can create local jobs, support our local businesses, invest in our infrastructure and revitalize communities in Orange County. Since the day I took office, I've been fighting for critical economic development projects that expand manufacturing right here in the Hudson Valley and create good-paying jobs for our neighbors," said Representative Sean Patrick Maloney.

"This local job creator's affiliate, USAI, hires 70 percent of its workers from the City of Newburgh. Thanks to this timely funding and the hard work of our partners in the federal government, Hudson Valley Lighting can add more full-time employees and remain right here in Orange County as a family-owned business," said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.

"Opportunities like this don't just happen, they take a great deal of effort and persistence. I know how ardently Congressman Maloney and Mayor Kennedy have been working to put this significant economic development and job growth project together. Now we can gladly say that the City of Newburgh will benefit from their actions," said Assemblyman Frank Skartados.

"Hudson Valley Lighting is an outstanding local company and a key component to the City of Newburgh's economic revitalization. I applaud the U.S. Economic Development Administration for recognizing their importance to the City and ensuring they will stay in Newburgh with this investment," said Senator Bill Larkin.

"I am deeply appreciative for the leadership and hard work of Congressman Maloney's office, Governor Cuomo's Office of Economic Development, the City IDA, our City staff and the project engineers. This project, which has been two years in the making, is vital to the City of Newburgh because not only will it create 40-50 new jobs, it will retain about 180 current jobs," said Mayor Judy Kennedy. "This is also an excellent opportunity for adaptive re-use of a brownfield property. None of this would have possible without a team effort. This is how government should work."

"Congressman Maloney, working with elected officials at the federal, state and local levels, has been singularly focused on retaining our businesses in Orange County, while creating an environment for growth and job creation. Thanks to their efforts, along with our partners at the Newburgh IDA and City, my family will retain and grow our businesses, employing and creating jobs in our hometown. This is a win for all of us," said David Littman, CEO, Hudson Valley Lighting.

The City's Industrial Development Agency owns the property slated for development. ItsChairman, Joshua Smith, lauded the Congressman noting that "from day one this has been a team effort from City Hall to the Capitol." He went on to say that this is the first new commercial building to be built in the City "in over a decade."

Rep. Maloney held nearly a dozen meetings to advocate for the project, sent a letter urging approval of this project and brought the Regional Director for the Economic Development Administration to tour the site. Hudson Valley Lighting is one of several innovative, international lighting businesses owned by David Littman and his family that is based in Orange County. One of the largest non-institutional employer in the area, the project will ensure that 180 existing jobs are not lost to other states, while creating 50 new ones as a result of the project. This infrastructure investment would also immediately create between 30 and 60 temporary, well-paying construction jobs, plus the potential creation of many more jobs at Hudson Valley Lighting as it continues to grow. In addition, the new facility will allow Hudson Valley Lighting and its affiliates--USAI and Sonneman--to expand their existing capabilities.

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