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News Alert:
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Kingston, Ulster County #6 in USA for artists
Businesses nationwide now know what local artists have known for more than a decade: Kingston is one of America’s top spots for artists, and therefore, a great place to invest in real estate in the next 10 years.
So says Bert Sperling, who compiled a list of the nation’s top 10 artist-friendly metropolitan areas. Sperling is the president and founder of the Portland-based “Sperling’s Best Places.” His list appeared in a recent issue of BusinessWeek.
It was based on the arts and culture index (Kingston scored an 87 percent); the diversity index (33.2); the percentage of a young population, ages 25 to 34 (12.2 percent); and the cost of living index (103.1). Super cities like Los Angeles, (No. 1 on the list), New York and San Francisco were listed alongside Kingston, a city bulging with galleries and artists.
To read the full BusinessWeek article click on "more" below.
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The town of Ulster continues to position itself as the retail
shopping headquarters of the mid Hudson area, with the openings of
Panera Bread, Barnes & Noble, Cingular Wireless, Ann Taylor Loft,
Coldwater Creek, Chico's, Talbots, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Modell's
Sporting Goods and Applebee's Restaurant, all on Ulster Avenue. They
join other recent additions to the town of Ulster including Sav-On
Party Central and the Home Goods Store. The town of Ulster already
includes retail giants Wal Mart and Sam's Club, as well as the Hudson
Valley Mall with its anchor tenants of Target, Filene's, Best Buy,
Sears, J. C. Penney and Dick's Sports.
Ulster County - A Vacation Destination
Beginning over a century-and-a-half ago vacationers made their way to
Ulster County from the boroughs of New York City and the suburbs of
Long Island and New Jersey. First coming by steamship or rail and
later by car. Each summer mountain-top hotels, boarding houses and
summer homes were filled with families seeking a change of pace and a
cooler climate.
Today with numerous resorts, dude ranches, hotels, motels and B &
B's the visitors are still coming...for a day trip or a weekend...or
longer. Visitors hike our Catskills, cruise the Hudson River and
learn about our extensive history at a number of museums and stone
houses. We have lighthouse tours and trolley rides...unique shopping
experiences...and a wealth of scenic beauty that's unequalled.
Ulster County - A Balanced Economy
In addition to tourism, Ulster County supports an increasingly
diversified financial base, including retail, agriculture, technology
and heavy and light industries. With more than 69,000 acres currently
under cultivation, Ulster County is New York's largest producer of
fresh market apples and corn, as well as a major grower of a wide
variety of other fruits and vegetables. More than a dozen local vineyards
produce outstanding wines and serve as inviting regional tourist destinations.
 Ulster
County maintains an attractively low cost of doing business - less
than any area to the south and significantly lower than New York City
and the metropolitan areas of bordering states. This makes the county
attractive to both new and start-up enterprises. Effective property
tax rates are set at approximately 2% of full value, a savings of
10-25% over neighboring metropolitan areas. Local municipalities have
been awarded designations as a State Empire Zone (EZ), which creates
numerous investment benefits for commercial ventures. The City
of Kingston is also a federally designated Enterprise Community.
Careful planning and an active economic development community provide
the drive to help Ulster County navigate ongoing shifts in the mid-Hudson
regional economy. The manufacturing and agricultural sectors
continue to play a vital role in the local economy, while the largest
recent gains and greatest projected growth are in the
service-producing fields. The EZ program
has designated Kingston as one of the participating communities,
offering incentives to new and existing businesses that can present
significant savings to corporations and investors. Benefits of the
program include:
Much of the growth and stability of industries that have built
facilities in Ulster County can be attributed to the Ulster
County Development Corporation (UCDC), which develops and
implements vigorous initiatives to promote business in the county.
UCDC programs support existing businesses, create employment
opportunities and bring in new business, providing start-up,
retention, and expansion resources through low-interest financial
assistance. UCDC is assisted by the Ulster County Industrial
Development Agency, which finances major capital expansion projects.
The agency promotes the county through print advertisements, direct
mail, telemarketing, trade shows, and by hosting representatives from
other regions. At home, the UCDC brings a dynamic mix of ideas and
abilities to the work of economic development.
Ulster County - Large Employers
Among the county's significant employers are:
The State University of New York in New Paltz, SUNY Ulster in
Kingston and Stone Ridge, Uniprise/United Health Care, Ulster-Greene
ARC, Gateway Community Industries, Kingston and Benedictine
Hospitals, Ametek Rotron, Treasure Chest, Huck Manufacturing, The
VirTis Company, Zumtobel-Staff Lighting, Hunter Panels and VAW of America.
Mohonk Mountain House, The Nevele Grande, Emerson Place, Williams
Lake Hotel, Pine Grove Dude Ranch, Rocking Horse Ranch and The Hudson
Valley Resort are excellent destination resorts and also employ a
significant workforce.
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