Photo:(L-R) Supervisor Jesse Dwyer, WVLDC vice president Mike Sweeton, WVLDC president Robert Krahulik, WVLDC secretary Michael Newhard
The Warwick Valley Local Development Corporation (WVLDC) , a 501 3c public benefit corporation, was formed in 2011 for the sole purpose of ensuring the acquisition and redevelopment of the Mid-Orange Correctional Facility that was ordered closed by then Governor Andrew Cuomo. The WVLDC, comprised of volunteer local business owners, secured private financing to pay New York State for approximately 150 acres of the 700-acre site, the remainder of which became property of the Town for recreation purposes. The WVLDC then began the process of gaining zoning approvals necessary to conduct the marketing of the parcels as “shovel ready” in order to attract businesses that would create jobs and provide tax revenues to the Town.
With the assistance of grants from the Orange County Industrial Development Agency( OCIDA), the NYS office of Empire Development and private entrepreneurs the WVLDC engineered the sale of its properties to businesses that now occupy what is now known as the Warwick Office and Technology Park. Companies include Hudson Sports Complex (the Foxes), Drowned Lands Brewery, the last Whiskey Bar, Phyto-Farma labs, Citiva medical, DeGraw & Dehaan Architects, Ground Control, Green Thumb Industries and urbanXtracts.
On July 26th the WVLDC concluded its last parcel sale and at the September 12, 2024 meeting of Town Board presented the Town with a check for $1.5 Million dollars to be used for improvements to recreation facilities throughout the Town.
WVLDC vice-president Michael Sweeton said” The WVLDC is pleased that we were able to successfully complete the redevelopment of this beautiful property into a mix of corporate park and recreational space while repaying our incurred debt, creating tax revenue and jobs for the Town. The icing on the cake was providing 1.5 million dollars to improve Warwick’s magnificent parks”
Town supervisor Jesse Dwyer commented “The transformation from prison complex to a thriving business hub and sports park has proven to be an invaluable endeavor for the Town of Warwick. The risk involved required unmatched foresight and commitment by both the Town as well as the LDC Board throughout this process and we are forever grateful for the culminating achievements. The Town Board looks forward to continuing to build upon the success of the Tech Park and are excited to utilize the remaining LDC funds to improve all of the parks within the Town of Warwick.“
WVLDC president Robert Krahulik remarked ”I thank our Board Members Marie Corlett (WVT Fiber), Michael Newhard (Warwick Village Mayor) and Lou Heimbach (Orange Bank and Trust & former County Executive) for their years of volunteer service to see this through. I’m proud of the final development and thrilled to see our successes in supporting local business and creating economic opportunities. “
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