Press Release

For more information contact:

Linda D. Puglisi, Supervisor

Town of Cortlandt

(914) 734-1002; Fax: (914) 734-1003

Cortlandt Manor, NY

February 10, 2021

Despite COVID, under Supervisor Puglisi, Cortlandt Gives Economic Development a Boost

          Cortlandt Supervisor Linda Puglisi will be one of the first to admit it, COVID has challenged some of the economic development plans of the Town.  But she refuses to let COVID halt her administration’s goal of boosting business and economic growth to help fill the property tax void soon to be felt with the closure of Indian Point.

                “Four years ago, when the Governor and Entergy announced Indian Point would be closing, the Town Board discussed what the Town could do to mitigate the loss of property tax revenue and jobs,” said Puglisi.  “The Town was just about finished with a Master Plan that focused on economic development, though when it started, we had no inkling about the closure.”

                Supervisor Puglisi and the Town Board held a series of meetings with other stakeholders such as the Hendrick Hudson School District and Village of Buchanan and New York State.  It soon became evident that most of the effort to fill the gap would have to be done locally. 

                Specifically, the Town has taken two major steps.  It developed a branding campaign designed to raise awareness of the assets of the Town with a modern logo and tagline that reads: “Cortlandt…Where life works.”  Second, the Town has begun to streamline the permitting and approval process for businesses looking to relocate or expand in Cortlandt. There are several specific proposals being proposed to develop sites or improve underutilized buildings.

                “The Cortlandt, where life works campaign was all set to be unveiled at the annual Business Council of Westchester EXPO last March when COVID hit,” Puglisi noted.  Of course, it had to be delayed until late summer.  Certain aspects of the campaign, such as personal outreach to businesses and investors in New York City are still on hold.  But the campaign has gathered some attention.  Via a video, dedicated website and a brochure, the campaign highlights four major reasons business should consider Cortlandt: Twice the space at half the cost; Educated and diverse workforce; Lifestyle second to none; Location.  The message also touts Cortlandt’s high average household income ($114,000), stable tax base, strong infrastructure and transportation network.

                In November the Town Board took a step to reduce the steps in a review process for certain projects.  This coupled with the Board’s willingness to take on lead agency on certain projects, shortens the approval process. Also, an economic consultant, George Oros, was retained to assist with economic growth.

                There are several proposals in various stages of development, but all look promising. They include a potential new use for the former Shop-Rite on Route 6, a revitalization plan for the Hamlet of Montrose, the designation of a Transit Orientated District around the Cortlandt Rail Station, several exciting new tenants in the Cortlandt Town Center, a new restaurant and two Public Private Partnerships along the Hudson River on Town owned land in Verplanck.

                Since the areas of Verplanck and Montrose are in the Hendrick Hudson School District, they are an area of concentration.  The impact of Indian Point’s closure will be most felt there.

                “Working with the Verplanck Residents Association, we hope to achieve approval shortly of two projects on the Town owned site known as the Quarry Park,” said Supervisor Puglisi.

                The Quarry site was acquired by the Town from Con Edison in 2015.  The Town is entering final negotiations with an indoor recreational facility and a hard cider producer/taproom.  In addition, in Verplanck, the former St. Patrick’s School is undergoing a renaissance.  Mikiko Ino, widow of noted artist Kikuo Saito, is repurposing the building to hold art exhibits, small receptions, classes in art for the community and an artist in residence program.  The facility is targeted to open late summer.

                “The Town Board joins me in a pledge to do what we can to encourage and facilitate businesses to locate or relocate or expand here in the Town of Cortlandt, Where Life Works,” concluded Linda Puglisi. As always, we promote our current small businesses, as well.