On the Level: 2024 4th Quarter Issue

Fired Up for 2025

The new year forecast includes new projects, new jobs, and new regulations.

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On the Level, the quarterly magazine of the CCA of the Hudson Valley, SMACNA Southeastern and FERCA, welcomes your columns, photographs and story ideas for consideration. Working on a great project? Involved in a worthy community cause? Have an opinion on an issue, trend or piece of legislation? Let us know!

To submit a story or column or to pitch an idea, email CCA Director of Communications Lisa Ramirez at lramirez@ccahv.com or call her at 845-562-4280.

Lisa Ramirez

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Board of Directors

Construction Contractors Association

Mike Adams — Board President

James McGowan — First Vice President

Joseph Perez — Second Vice President

Josh Ingber — Secretary-Treasurer

Scott Dianis — Immediate Past President

Joseph Barone

Roland Bloomer

Dan Depew

Louis Doro

Joe Jerkowski

Kurt Kaehler

Anthony Perrello, Jr.

Mark Stier

Alfred D. Torreggiani

Charlotte Van Horn

Fabricators, Erectors & Reinforcing Contractors Association

Justin E. Darrow — Chairman

Jake Bidosky — Vice Chairman

Bernie Hillman — Secretary

Daniel Teutul — Treasurer

Ron Olori — Trustee

SMACNA of Southeastern NY

Steve Mulholland — President

Dominick DiViesti — Vice President

William Haskel — Treasurer

Mark DiPasquale — Secretary

James D’Annibale — Immediate Past President

Louis J. Doro — Trustee and Chapter Representative

Walter “Chip” Greenwood — Trustee and Chair of SMACNA North East

Richard K. Berg — Trustee

Dan Harden — Trustee

Dennis LaVopa, Jr. — Trustee

Association Staff:

Alan Seidman — Executive Director

Lisa Ramirez — Director of Communications and Marketing

Millie Rodriguez — Office Administrator

Director’s Message

Looking Ahead to the New Year and New Projects

It’s been a slow construction season so far for many trades The American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds from Federal Funding passed in March 2021 have kept some projects going, but the private sector has been hurt by the higher interest rates, curtailing many private projects that are on the books.

We see many projects that will finally get going as we head into 2025 and hope that many of our contractors and unions are involved in all of them in our region. I am grateful to our union partners for working together to help gain these work opportunities. Lisa has talked with our union leadership to get some of their ideas of what they see on the horizon.

As I look forward to what is coming, this magazine will hit around election time, so allow me a few thoughts.

As a recovering politician (20 years in the Orange County Legislature), I have many thoughts on politics. I don’t watch the debates, not because I don’t want to learn, but because I can’t stand the tenor of the discussion. In one of my own election debates many years ago I stated that I liked my opponent — he was a nice guy, but I said we disagree on policies and I meant that.

Today, we see some people running for office that make election promises and, if elected, spend the term of their office hoping the electorate forgets the promises they made before they are up for re-election. The ridiculous and negative campaigning is abhorrent to me. Let the candidates debate the issues, not slander each other and each other’s families.

There is a great Forbes article going back to 2021 that describes dirty political campaigns. As much as I admire Thomas Jefferson, so many of the dirty campaign claims against then President John Adams (and vice versa) were outlandish. The John Quincy Adams–Andrew Johnson and the Lincoln–Douglas campaigns took politics to a new level.

Rather than rambling on about what is wrong, I only go into this because our current state of name calling is nothing new. Every election is billed as the most important in the history of our country... they are all important if you want to have a say.

We each have our opinions, and as Robin wrote in her last column, politics are not a good subject for office or in-the-field discussion. What is important is your obligation to vote — don’t be a critic of government if you don’t exercise your right to vote and have a say. It is a very easy obligation to keep — expanded days with early voting – if you have a conflict on election day.

Continue to make your voice heard and vote.

As we head into the holiday season, let me wish each of you a happy and safe holiday, surrounded by loved ones. After all, isn’t that the reason we all do what we do everyday?

All the best,

Alan Seidman

Alan Seidman

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Happy New Year? Union Leaders Look to 2025 with Cautious Optimism

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Hudson Valley union leaders are looking toward the New Year with cautious optimism, encouraged by a healthy array of local projects and signs that the economy is coming out of its prolonged slump.

With interest rates finally lowered and the worst pandemic supply chain disruptions fading in the rear view mirror, the stage appears set for a busy 2025.

“This year was a weird year,” said Mike Clifford, President of Local 5, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers in Newburgh. “It was an unusually slow summer for us. But most of the guys are headed back to work.”

Clifford said that locally, several major projects will keep his bricklayers busy well into 2025 and beyond. He pointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point — in the midst of significant restoration and renovations to its storied academic buildings, barracks, stadium complex and Thayer Hall — promises years’ of work for his members.

Several public schools — Newburgh and Middletown school districts among them — also have projects in the pipeline. And like West Point, many local schools are built of brick.

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“These are nice masonry jobs for us,” Clifford said, taking the opportunity to plug the advantages of brick, one of the world’s oldest construction materials. “It’s fireproof, bulletproof, and not much can match the longevity,” he said.

Council Representative Matt Ross of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters said that while things remain a bit slower than he’d like, projects like the construction of the CTE building for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, which recently broke ground, are cause for optimism. Then there’s the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center, bridge work on New York State Route 17/I-86, and West Point’s Lincoln Hall, a 60,500 square foot building with four stories and three basement levels.

Supply chain issues are, “still haunting everybody,” but the situation has vastly improved.

“There are good projects on the books,” Ross said.

He’s additionally hopeful that the expansion of Signature Aviation’s presence at Stewart International Airport will also mean work for his carpenters. That long-awaited project includes a 6,000 square-foot terminal and a 40,000 square-foot hangar.

There are indicators that support the optimism. Gus Scacco, CEO of Hudson Valley Investment Advisors noted, recently spoke about the region’s economic outlook as a panelist at the October 17 Hudson Valley Economic Summit

Matt Ross, Council Representative, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, speaks with students at a recent career fair.

Back in September, the Federal Reserve enacted its first interest rate cut since the early days of the Covid pandemic, trimming half a percentage point. The move reduced the federal fund rates to between 4.75-5 percent, lowering borrowing costs and setting the stage for the resurrection of construction projects, many of which were stalled while the cost of borrowing was high.

“Things are starting to pick up and we expect them to accelerate,” said Scacco.

And while the evidence includes interest rates and job reports, the investment expert also pointed to two indicators somewhat unique to construction: Architects and pick-up trucks.

Architectural work, he said, is on the uptick, a sure sign of the construction work to follow. And an uptick in pick-up sales tells him that the people who work in construction - from laborers to executives - are feeling more confident than they have in a while. The truck that’s most telling? The Ford F1-50.

As 2024 winds down and the nation readies for a new American President, union leaders said the outcome of the November elections should have minimal effect on scheduled work, at least in the short term.

“Our future looks good as long as we don’t have an anti-union majority in Washington,” said Ironworkers Local 417 Business Manager Matt Stoddard, adding that threats to the Davis-Bacon Act - which requires contractors and subcontractors performing work on federally funded jobs pay all laborers wages and benefits at the prevailing rate for the area - is among his greatest worries.

Like the bricklayers and carpenters, Stoddard’s ironworkers will be on the job at West Point, likely for years, he said. They’re also busy on site at the Orange Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education Center capital project which includes $159 million in construction, renovations and upgrades at the Goshen campus.

Warehouses and logistics centers, Stoddard said, continue to “pop up like dandelions” across the region, driven in part by shoppers’ appetite for ecommerce and speedy delivery. The Hudson Valley’s positioning near population centers and criss-crossed by major roadways has made it a prime location for companies like Amazon.

“The bad part about warehouses is they’re difficult to be competitive on,” Stoddard said, adding that out-of-state - and non-unioncontractors often vie for the work alongside local workers.

Overall, Stoddard said, he has a good feeling about 2025. Pre-election uncertainty can give rise to procrastination, as some owners and developers put off projects until the results are in. One way or another, he said, Election Day will reveal the political environment in which the construction industry will operate, easing the anxiety of the unknown.

Said Stoddard, “Come 2025 we should be rockin’ and rollin’.”

Gus Scacco, CEO, Hudson Valley Investment Advisors

Looming Wetlands Regulations a Sticking Point for Owners, Developers, Builders

By Dan Depew Director of Business Development Holt Construction

I was really torn as to what to write about this issue. The interest rate drop? The presidential election? Good topics, sure, but they can wait. There’s something far more impactful about to happen to those of us in the business of building, and it’s coming at us fast.

Back in 2022, the New York State Legislature passed a bill authorizing the state Department of Environmental Conservation to amend their wetland regulations by January 1, 2025. The governor then signed that bill into law.

The changes are broad and sweeping, and don’t assume you’re grandfathered in, even if you have begun the planning process. If you own land, lend to landowners, buy land or are in the process of getting approvals, listen up.

First, a short preamble, and many of you know my record. I have a personal and deep-rooted philosophy when it comes to wetlands, mountain ranges, lakes, rivers and other irreplaceable natural resources. I have always worked to protect them, especially when land possesses an indispensable quality. I have voted to buy land to protect it, voted to restrict development near trout streams, and I’ve supported better infrastructure — like more efficient sewer treatment plants — to better protect waterways.

That said, the legislature’s review and adoption of these updated wetlands regulations was done under the cover of darkness, without meaningful discussion or a true evaluation of the impacts.

Currently, identified “DEC wetlands” are mapped, and, for the most part, that map has remained unchanged. Since the 1970s or so, when you bought property you knew how it could be used. If it was a DEC wetland, you knew a 100-foot buffer zone surrounded it, usable perhaps only for agriculture and recreation, like hunting or fishing. If your land included a federal wetland, it was likely mapped but had no buffer.

Countless buildings, homes and Little League fields have been built right up to that DEC wetlands buffer and to the very edge of a federal wetlands. You see it everywhere. In most cases, such construction and land use has had little to no impact on the adjacent wetlands. We’ve co-existed.

This

is all about change.

The new regulations add a 100-foot buffer to every federal wetland over 12.4 acres. Yesterday you could use that land; after January 1 you can’t. What’s more, come the end of 2027, the

DEC will reduce the regulated wetland size from 12.4 to 7.4 acres, requiring buffers to even smaller parcels and taking away a property owner’s right to build on or use the property without acquiring a DEC permit, which can be a costly and arduous process.

Also, New York didn’t create a formal concept map of likely impacts, making any claim of public input or transparency somewhat less than honest. The DEC may argue that the regulations are clear, that property owners can determine any impacts on their own. But New York is regulating away how people can use their land. It could have at least made a map.

Lastly, the legislation defines a need to more rigorously protect urban area wetlands. But these aren’t quite what you or I would consider “urban;” rather, it’s what the U.S. Census Bureau defines as an Urban Area. These can encompass huge swaths of land and can result in even rural communities receiving an Urban Area designation. Here, under some circumstances, the buffer can grow to a whopping 300 feet. Make that 800 feet for vernal pools. Wow.

In Orange County alone, areas deemed to be wetlands will increase by roughly 100 percent.

So what does all this mean? First, there’s the reduction of buildable land with water and sewer infrastructure, reducing opportunities for housing construction in our designated urban areas and exacerbating the housing crisis. This, in turn, will push housing development further out into the surrounding rural areas, creating more of the dreaded sprawl we’ve all been trying to minimize. All of this will drive up driving costs.

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The regulations won’t only affect big landowners. Say you bought 15 acres a few years ago, dreaming that one day your kid would build a home on it. Well, maybe not. If there’s a wetland on that land your kid might be living in your basement until you die.

Also affected are residential and commercial buildings that are already standing. That house, barn, or septic system on your parcel might be barred from expansion without a DEC permit because the land on which it sits just became regulated.

And municipalities? These regulations will absolutely change the ability to build infrastructure, expand recreational opportunities, or enhance real property assets.

I feel bad for the DEC; they have to try to enforce these regulations with fewer resources than ever before. Their hands are essentially tied, but they’ll surely bear the brunt of landowners’ displeasure. Meanwhile, the DEC is trying to create a more streamlined permit process, bracing for the coming deluge of applications. It’s unclear how far they’ve gotten with that effort.

So what can we do? The CCA, the Orange County Partnership and the Alliance for Balanced Growth all submitted comments to the DEC during the public hearing process.

You can pressure your NYS legislator to take action early in the New Year. Call on them to revisit the legislation, slow its implementation and give the DEC the time to prepare and the resources to better respond to the regulations and their consequences. We also need to get the state to redefine urban areas to communities that are, actually, urban.

Small changes like these could make the regulations far more palatable.

And a piece of advice: Tear out this article and check with the professionals you work with about how it impacts you, your property, and any plans you might have had.

A New Year & New Regulations

Wetlands Amendments Take Effect January 1, 2025

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

The Alliance for Balanced Growth (ABG) hosted an information session this summer centered on the draft rulemaking changes to Freshwater Wetlands Jurisdiction and Classification recently released by NYS DEC.

Titled “Navigating New Waters: Understanding the Impact of NYS DEC Wetland Regulations,” the event, held at the Town of Wallkill Golf Course, drew a crowd of about 140 professionals from the economic development, construction, government and real estate sectors.

The NYS DEC is poised to implement significant amendments to the Freshwater Wetlands Act that would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The rule clarifies jurisdictional status of smaller wetlands of “unusual importance” that meet one of 11 specific criteria contained in the Freshwater Wetlands Act (as amended in 2022.)

Said Andrew Fetherston, principal of Colliers Engineering & Design and co-chair of the ABG, “This is a big, big change and it is going to require all of us to have some level of understanding to get through this.”

So what does this all mean? The legislative amendments and their effective dates include:

Jan. 1, 2025: The current NYS Freshwater Wetlands Maps will no longer limit DEC regulatory jurisdiction to wetlands on those maps. Instead, maps will become informational, and any wetlands that meet the applicable definition and criteria will be regulated by the DEC and subject to permitting, regardless of whether they appear on the maps.

Jan. 1, 2025: Small wetlands of “unusual importance” will be regulated if they meet one of 11 newly established criteria in the new legislation.

Jan. 1, 2028: The default size threshold of regulated wetlands will decrease from 12.4 acres to 7.4 acres. Small wetlands of “unusual importance” will continue to be regulated if they meet one of the criteria listed in the new legislation.

In addition, the regulations provide a revised wetlands classification system and outline the process to appeal jurisdictional determinations.

The State Legislature passed The Freshwater Wetlands Act (Environmental Conservation Law Article 24) in 1975 to preserve, protect and conserve freshwater wetlands. The Act identifies wetlands on the basis of vegetation; certain types of plants out-compete others in wet soils, and so are good indicators of wet conditions over time. Such plants include wetland trees and shrubs, such as willows and alders; emergent plants such as cattails and sedges; aquatic plants, such as water lily, and bog mat vegetation, such as sphagnum moss.

To be protected under the Freshwater Wetlands Act, a wetland must be 12.4 acres, but only 7.4 acres with the rule change. Wetlands smaller than this may be protected if they are considered “of unusual local importance.” Around every wetland is an “adjacent area,”

often called a buffer, of 100 feet that is also regulated and protected.

Regulated Activities

Under the Freshwater Wetlands Act, the DEC regulates activities in freshwater wetlands and in their adjacent areas. DEC regulates such activities to prevent, or at least to minimize, impairment of wetland functions.

Almost any activity which may adversely impact the natural values of the wetlands or their adjacent (buffer) areas is regulated. Some activities requiring a permit include:

• Construction of buildings, roadways, septic systems, bulkheads, dikes, or dams

• Placement of fill, excavation, or grading

• Modification, expansion, or extensive restoration of existing structures

• Drainage, except for agriculture

• Application of pesticides

Permit standards require that impacts to wetlands be avoided and minimized. If the activity won’t seriously affect the wetland, a permit with various conditions is usually issued. If the activity will affect the wetland, the benefits gained by allowing the action must outweigh the wetland benefits lost. Compensatory mitigation often is required for significant impacts to wetlands. This may include creating or restoring wetlands to replace the benefits lost by a proposed project.

For more information and full details on the regulatory changes, visit the DEC website at www.DEC.ny.gov.

Do We Really Need Wetlands?

Wetlands are biologically diverse systems that enhance water quality, control erosion, maintain stream flows, and provide a home to threatened and endangered species.

Here’s a few of the things wetlands and provide:

• Flood and storm control by the hydrologic absorption and storage capacity.

• Breeding, nesting and feeding grounds and cover for wildlife, waterfowl, and shore birds including migratory waterfowl and rare species such as the bald eagle and osprey.

• Protection of subsurface water resources and ground water recharge.

• Recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, photography, bird watching and camping.

• Pollution treatment by serving as biological and chemical oxidation basins.

• Erosion control by serving as sedimentation areas and filtering basins.

• Protection of channels and harbors by absorbing silt and organic matter.

• Educational and scientific research, providing outdoor bio-physical laboratories, living classrooms and training and education resources.

• Natural beauty. Wetlands are often the only remaining open areas along crowded river fronts and coastal Great Lakes regions.

• Sources of nutrients in freshwater food cycles and nursery grounds and sanctuaries for freshwater fish.

Sept. 17, 2024

Mr. Roy Jacobson, Jr.

Division of Fish & Wildlife, DEC 625 Broadway

Albany, New York 12233

Re: ENV-28-24-00025-P

Dear Mr. Jacobson,

As Executive Director of the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley, I am writing to offer comments on the proposed Part 664 Freshwater Wetland regulations.

The CCA has long been an advocate of thoughtful economic growth that preserves and protects the natural environment of the Hudson Valley. That said, the proposed regulations are extreme and threaten future projects and opportunities for local union labor.

Of particular concern is the establishment of a 100-foot buffer between construction projects and wetlands and the DEC’s regulatory authority over “urban areas,” which stands to exclude countless prime project sites from development. Such a loss not only robs CCA members and our union partners the opportunity to work and build, but the potential for good-paying permanent jobs, so sorely needed in our region, also disappears.

The proposed regulation’s overly broad definition and administration of “urban areas” further stands to negatively impact economic development across the state, including here in the Hudson Valley, where large swaths of Orange, Dutchess, Westchester and Rockland counties are designated urban areas.

The CCA also urges the DEC to more thoroughly consider the proposed regulations’ public health and socioeconomic impacts. A public guidance map and additional hearings would undoubtedly provide the DEC with invaluable insights as well as bring enhanced transparency to the process. This would

845-562-4280 CCAHV.com 330 Meadow Avenue, Newburgh, NY 12550 continued...

additionally expand the DEC’s understanding of the need for exceptions, softening the impact on public projects, affordable housing and economic development.

Finally, the CCA asks that the following comments be considered:

• Confirm in the regulations that within urban areas the DEC will only consider wetlands over five acres as significant and subject to regulation unless the wetland is also considered “unique.”

• Delay implementation until the DEC can conduct a more comprehensive SEQRA review that specifically analyzes the proposal’s impact on the ability to provide diverse and affordable housing.

• Adhere to the holding in the Continental Builders case and prohibit any municipality from deducting wetlands from minimum lot area or density calculations in urban areas and/or “growth areas.”

• Reexamine the definition of “urban areas” to include already developed areas within cities but exclude areas surrounding a city where the minimum size of regulated wetland would be 7.4 acres.

• Require that municipalities in designated urban areas adjust height regulations and consider other zoning code revisions to allow more housing units to be developed in upland areas in a manner that can avoid disturbance of wetland.

Require minimum densities for residential development where central water and sewer is available in proximity to rail or other public transportation.

On behalf of the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley, I hope that you will consider adopting the suggestions above and will, ideally, reconsider the proposed Part 664 Freshwater Wetland regulations in total as representing extreme regulatory overreach that could negatively impact the economic development of the region and the state.

Sincerely,

Alan Seidman

Alan Seidman Executive Director

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Get Ready: Jobs are Coming to Orange County

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Career opportunities in Orange County are growing, but for most local businesses, attracting workers is a problem.

This was some of the news delivered by Roberta Reardon, New York State Commissioner of Labor, in her keynote address at the third annual Orange County Economic Summit. Hosted by Orange County Office of Economic Director Steven M. Gross and held at Mount Saint Mary College, the Sept. 20 event offered a comprehensive overview of the state of the local workforce.

The county’s economic goals, said Gross, include “positive job creation, economic opportunities, expansion of the property and sales tax bases, more opportunities for entrepreneurship and homeownership, and an enhanced quality of life.” Gross added, “Orange County is strong, vibrant and ready to do business and people have taken note.”

Commissioner Reardon, who delivered the keynote address, said Orange County and the Hudson Valley are poised to see growth in sectors ranging from tourism, technology, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, film production and more. The challenge, though, is in ensuring that the local workforce is prepared to step into those jobs.

“Gone are the days when you can learn a few skills, get one degree and keep doing the same thing day in and day out,” she said. “Our economy is constantly and rapidly evolving, so it is essential that our workforce is doing the same. They have to continuously learn and upscale in order to support the growth. It’s the only way we will maintain our economic momentum.”

Reardon told the crowd that in recent surveys, the Labor Department found that 70 percent of Hudson Valley businesses reported that attracting new workers was their top challenge. What’s more, professional skills (once known as soft skills), “are lacking at unprecedented levels. We need workers who have a solid footing in communication, self-motivation, problem-solving and teamwork,” she said.

Training, education, strategic workforce development and access to affordable childcare are the keys to solution, she said, and can help ensure that the region is prepared to meet demand and embrace the coming opportunities. Career planning can start as early as the teen years, she added.

“It’s never too early to talk about career exploration,” Reardon said, noting that it’s

important to introduce middle and high school students to a full array of choices, and that college is not the only pathway to a meaningful work life. She noted the crucial role of labor unions and apprenticeships as an example, and also detailed an array of virtual and in-person training and support services offered by the Labor Department.

“Together,

‘Good Jobs’ Executive Order Signed, Promotes Labor Standards

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

“Wall Street did not build America; the middle class built America, and unions built the middle class.” – President Biden, Labor Day, 2024

Just days after Labor Day, the White House issued the Executive Order on Investing in America and Investing in American Workers, which aims to support unions and further assure the creation of high-quality jobs with paths to the middle class.

Abbreviated to the Good Jobs EO, the order promotes strong labor standards such as family-sustaining wages, workplace safety, and the free and fair opportunity to join a union. President Joseph Biden signed the order during a visit to UA Local 190’s Job Training Center in Ann Arbor, MI, where he met with union plumbers, pipefitters and other workers.

Recent pro-union federal actions — dubbed the Investing in America agenda — have included the

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the American Rescue Plan and the CHIPS and Science Act. Onshoring manufacturing, infrastructure, and clean energy are among the resulting public- and private-sector investments, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Among other items, the Good Jobs EO calls on agencies to adopt the following labor standards:

• Promoting worker voice through Project Labor Agreements (PLAs), Community Benefits Agreements, voluntary union recognition, and neutrality with respect to union organizing.

• Providing tools to promote high-wage jobs through prevailing wage standards and other equitable compensation practices, going beyond long-standing Davis-Bacon requirements that only apply to construction jobs.

• Promoting worker economic security by directing agencies to consider prioritizing projects that supply the benefits that workers need — including child and dependent care, health insurance, paid leave and retirement benefits.

• Supporting workforce development through registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, labor-management partnerships, and partnerships with training organizations such as community colleges and public workforce boards.

• Supporting workplace safety by encouraging agencies to prioritize reporting structures that help ensure compliance with all workplace health and safety laws.

• Incentivize strong labor standards by including application evaluation criteria related to strong labor standards. This includes prioritizing applicants who employ PLAs and Community Benefit Agreements in funding opportunities.

• Collect data on job quality to encourage best practices and increased accountability. This includes embedding checkboxes on high-road labor standards into grant applications, a strategy that yielded 22 PLAs and 34 new registered apprenticeship programs during a pilot study at the Department of Transportation.

The order establishes a White House task force that will coordinate policy development and be co-chaired by the secretary of Labor and the director of the National Economic Council.

To date, Investing in America has catalyzed more than $900 billion in private-sector investment in clean energy and manufacturing, the White House reports. Last year, clean energy jobs grew at double the rate of job growth in the rest of the U.S. economy and clean energy unionization rates reached the highest level in history.

Hat Tips!

The CCA congratulates our friends and colleagues on their achievements and recognitions.

Meghan Taylor named 2024 Woman of Achievement

Meghan Taylor, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations at Genting Americas Inc., has been named the Orange County Partnership’s 2024 Woman of Achievement in Economic Development.

Taylor, who began her career in economic development with the Orange County Partnership in 2011 as its Director, Business Attraction, was feted at Partnership’s Investor Breakfast on Oct. 1 at The Barn at Villa Venezia, Middletown.

Taylor has worked on projects such as Legoland New York, Newburgh Brewing Co. and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals in her county level roles in Orange and Putnam counties and as a regional director for the Mid-Hudson Region for Empire State Development. Under her leadership as Vice President and

Regional Director for the Mid-Hudson, the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council secured more than $258 million in state funding to fund 327 projects.

Most recently, Taylor has helped grow Genting’s Resorts World Catskills casino in Monticello and played a critical role in the development of Resorts World Hudson Valley gaming facility in Newburgh.

Currently, Taylor is working on Genting’s proposal to convert its Resorts World New York City racino into a fully licensed gaming facility. The New York State Gaming Commission is expected to award as many as three downstate casino licenses by the end of next year, and Genting hopes to expand gaming operations and develop hotel and entertainment space at the property, which includes Aqueduct Race Track in Queens.

E-J Electric again Takes Top Spot Among NY Specialty Contractors

E-J Electric Installation Co. has again been ranked the No. 1 New York Specialty Contractor by ENR (Engineering News-Record Magazine).

The Long Island City-based firm reported an impressive $852 million in regional revenue, a 29.3 percent increase from last year’s total of $659 million. It has held the lead spot on the ENR list since 2016.

“Meghan grew in her position at the Partnership quickly and was invaluable during her more than three years at the organization. While I was sad to see her leave, I knew in my heart that the sky was the limit for her,” said Partnership President and CEO Maureen Halahan. “Since her departure, she has never forgotten Orange County and has helped facilitate some of the biggest transactions this county has seen in decades.”

The top 10 firms in the New York region collectively increased revenue by 30 percent to $2.6 billion, up from $2 billion on last year’s survey, ENR reports.

E-J Electric, with a Hudson Valley office in Newburgh, has been a CCA member since 2022.

Bonadio Recognized for Performance, Inclusivity

Cheers to the Bonadio Group, which has once again been included on INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) annual Top 100 list, even rising up a notch to the 42nd spot from 43 in 2023.

The IPA list was determined by assessments of U.S. net revenues and an estimated 629 responses by accounting firms to its annual Survey and Analysis of Firms. The organization also considers firms’ overall growth, regional comparisons, five-year trends, profitability, and compensation for partners and staff to determine rankings.

What’s more, Bonadio was also recognized as a 2024 Best Companies Group Inclusive Workplace in collaboration with COLOR Magazine. Recipients of this recognition have shown significant commitment to ensuring all their employees feel included, heard, and valued, and serve as beacons of inclusive culture within their respective industries.

“Our consistent rise in the ranks of IPA’s Top 100 List and national recognition as an Inclusive Workplace highlights the effectiveness of our efforts to continuously advance our offerings, grow our footprint and maintain a purpose-driven culture,’” said Bruce Zicari, CEO and Managing Partner of the Bonadio Group. “Our people are at the core of our success, and these recognitions are the direct result of their commitment to upholding what differentiates our firm.”

Welcome to Our New Member

We are pleased to welcome our newest members to the Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley:

Jason Lichwick Architecture PLLC (387 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie) is a full-service architecture firm specializing in custom residential and light commercial design. The firm prides itself on listening to their clients’ needs, vision and goals, working closely with them to provide a solution that enhances their lifestyle. Whether it is designing a custom home or a company’s new headquarters, JLA always provides their clients with the utmost professionalism, courtesy and attention to detail.

Jason Lichwick is the founder and principal at Jason Lichwick Architecture, and is the client’s main point of contact, overseeing each project through all phases to completion.

A Hudson Valley native, Jason followed his creative spirit and returned to college at the age of 28 to earn a Bachelor of Architecture degree from New York Institute of Technology. Prior to founding JLA, Jason worked for firms in the Hudson Valley and New York City and has held the roles of project architect, planner, construction manager and designer and has had the opportunity to work on projects in the public and private sector. Areas of work experience include residential, education, healthcare, government, historic restoration and preservation, restaurant, commercial and mixed-use developments.

To learn more call 845-284-6344 or visit www.JasonLichwick.com.

In the News America’s Support for Labor Unions Continues to Grow

Americans are feeling good about labor, and those good feelings seem to be getting even stronger: Seven in 10 Americans currently approve of labor unions, a recent Gallup poll has found, the highest approval rating recorded since 1965.

More precisely, 71 percent of Americans approve of labor unions, up several points from last year’s 68 percent and a pre-pandemic score of 64 percent.

Gallup first measured the public’s approval of labor unions in 1936 and found the highest support (75 percent) in the 1950s. Approval has only fallen below 50 percent once, dipping to 48 percent in 2009 after the Great Recession.

The latest reading, marks the eighth consecutive reading above 60 percent, the longest streak at this

level since the 1960s. Gallop conducts the poll each Labor Day.

The study also found: 34 percent of respondents think labor unions will become stronger than they are today.

• A majority of those polled said labor unions mostly help their union members (77 percent) and the U.S. economy in general (61 percent).

Democrats’ latest approval of 94 percent is the highest it has been in the past quarter century and is up six points since last year. Meanwhile, Republicans’ (49 percent) and independents’ (67 percent) support stayed static.

Of those surveyed, 13 percent said a household member was in a labor union. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11.2 percent of the U.S. workforce were represented by unions and 10 percent belonged to a union in 2023.

From the 1930s and through the late 1970s, support for unions was at least 60 percent, after which it began to decline. But since 2009’s all-time low, support for labor unions has generally been on the upswing.

Sullivan Ponders Conference Center, Consultant Hired

Sullivan County officials this fall hired a consultant to evaluate the feasibility of developing a conference center.

Johnson Consulting, which bills itself as “a real estate and hospitality consulting firm that performs strategic planning and market and financial feasibility studies,” will be paid $100,000 through the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association.

“The legislature had interest in this and we are exploring their request to go forth with a feasibility (study),” said Roberta Byron Lockwood, president of the Visitors Association. “We are exploring that opportunity,” she said.

The relatively limited number of conference venues in the Hudson Valley and Catskills has long been a regional topic of discussion and speculation, with many citing the need for more options.

Wind Safety Training Center Coming to Orange County

A $3.8 million training center, where New Yorkers will train for careers in the burgeoning clean energy industry, will soon rise in Walden.

The federal funding comes via Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry to help establish a Global Wind Organization (GWO) onshore and offshore wind safety training facility.

“This new offshore wind training facility will help train hundreds of workers here in Orange County for good-paying clean energy jobs and union careers with the best of the best at IBEW Local 3,” said Senator Chuck Schumer. “With this federal funding, Orange County can be among the New York communities leading the way on environmentally-friendly industrial development, ensuring more wind technologies are not only powering New York, but also made with local union NY labor.”

The federal funding will be used to renovate a 10,000 square foot building in Walden owned by the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electrical Industry. The facility will feature a working-at-height

training module platform, a sea survival platform, a sea rescue tank, three classrooms, a storage room, a fire awareness training room, and a helicopter underwater escape training platform, training necessary for all workers on offshore wind platforms.

“In conjunction with the Joint Industry Board’s Educational and Cultural Trust Fund and our signatory contractors, we will be able to construct a world class facility, in line with Local 3’s values of education, safety, and training,” said Christopher Erikson, Business Manager of Local 3 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, adding that Local 3 members “are eager to do their part in building offshore wind projects up and down our coastlines.”

Kingston to Study Business Park Concept

The City of Kingston has contracted Buro Happold, an international engineering and design firm, to provide architectural concepts for a potential housing and/or mixed-used development in the Kingston Business Park.

The City of Kingston and the Kingston Local Development Corporation (KLDC) are seeking to understand the feasibility of adding housing to the Kingston Business Park, a 107-acre property on Delaware Avenue owned by the KLDC. After a competitive RFP process, Buro Happold’s proposal was selected.

“We are pleased to contract with Buro Happold, a firm that brings a wealth of experience and expertise in planning and designing mixed-use developments,” Mayor Steven T. Noble said.

Noble noted that the site has challenging topographical features, which will require “a creative and forward-thinking approach.”

Estalished in 1998, the Kingston Business Park was designed to accommodate four or five light manufacturing facilities, utilizing 40-50 acres for commercial development. There are currently two active tenants: Howmet Aerospace and Community Manufacturing Solutions.

Buro Happold, which was hired by the city in September, will perform initial site analysis based on a review of undeveloped parcels in the Business Park, explore possible residential or mixed-used development under the city’s zoning code, and recommend programming that could complement any new development.

“We are exploring a number of areas to increase our housing, and believe the Kingston Business Park could be a great area to expand our housing options.” — Mayor Steven T. Noble

NJ Companies Schemed to Deny Overtime, Must Pay $600k

Two Newark construction companies and their owners and managers must pay $600,000 in back wages and liquidated damages to 131 former employees after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation found the employers engaged in an illegal bonus pay scheme.

The judgment follows an investigation by the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division, which found that masonry and concrete contractors Innovative Design and Development LLC; E&N Construction Inc.; and Shawn Roney, Joaquim Ferreira and Elio Ferreira engaged in illegal pay practices.

Specifically, the division found that in addition to a weekly check for 40 hours worked, employers paid

workers with a second “bonus check” for overtime at the regular rate of pay rather than the legally-required overtime rate of one-and-one-half times the regular rate.

“For years (they) schemed to withhold overtime wages earned by their hard-working employees and tried to cover up their wage theft by falsifying records,” Regional Solicitor Jeffrey S. Rogoff said of the August court ruling.

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that most U.S. employees be paid at least federal minimum wage for hours worked and overtime at not less than time and one-half their regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Call the division confidentially with questions, regardless of immigration status, at 866-4US-WAGE. The division can speak with callers in more than 200 languages.

Medical Examiner’s Office on Track for Late 2024 Opening

Orange County’s new, state-of-the-art Medical Examiner’s office should be up and running before the end of the year, county officials say.

Built on the county emergency services campus in the Town of Goshen, construction on the new facility broke ground in August 2023. The state-of-the-art, 18,175-square-foot facility on Wells Farm Road will include a dignified public entrance and waiting area, a family viewing room, an autopsy room, and an isolation autopsy room.

For years, the medical examiner’s office has been operating in mobile facilities, also on the spacious EMS campus.

The Medical Examiner’s Office investigates sudden, unexpected, and unnatural fatalities in Orange County to ensure the accurate cause and manner of death certification. In 2022, the office investigated 1,081 deaths and conducted 514 autopsy and external examinations.

Surprised? Route 17 Report Confirms Crash Sites, Commute Congestion and Summer Backups

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Report Available for Review, Comment

The long-awaited Project Scoping Report for the NYS Route 17 Mobility and Access Improvements Project has been published.

The 132-page report includes in-depth analysis of one of the region’s most traveled arteries, running from Orange County into Sullivan County. The

project’s history; social, economic and environmental considerations; several redesign concepts, and anticipated costs are all addressed in the report, which was made public Sept. 9.

Precisely, the Improvements Project is located along NYS Route 17 between Exit 113 in Sullivan County and I-87 in Orange County. Traffic along the roadway has increased steadily over the years,

with congestion - and crashes - peaking on summer Fridays and Sundays, when tourists and weekend residents are added to the mix. At the same time, the year-round population in Orange and Sullivan counties has increased by some 9 percent between 2010 and 2023.

In describing the roadway, the study notes that, “The area surrounding the transportation corridor includes a combination of rural, suburban, and urban (i.e., City

Surprised? Route 17 Report Confirms Crash Sites, Commute Congestion and Summer Backups

of Middletown) landscapes. Land uses include a variety of residential and commercial developments, medical facilities, schools, open farmland, and open space, including parks. Multiple tourism destinations exist within the vicinity of the Project, including Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and Legoland in Orange County, and the southern Catskill Mountains, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, and Resorts World Casino in Sullivan County.

The study further describes Route 17 as “an important Hudson Valley corridor with aging infrastructure and worsening operational characteristics, both of which contribute to decreased safety, mobility deficiencies, lost productivity, and longer travel times.”

Improvements are needed in order to meet current design standards and to make Route 17 safer, the DOT has said. Non-standard features found on ramps and the main roadway include insufficient horizontal curve radii, steep grades, insufficient stopping sight distance, narrow shoulder widths, insufficient headlight sight distance and insufficient acceleration and deceleration lane lengths.

The study revealed statistics that most local motorists and emergency respondents already knew, if only anecdotally. Here are some highlights:

• The highest density of crashes occurs in the Town of Wallkill within the vicinity of Exits 122 to 120, which can be directly attributed to areas of known congestion, closely spaced ramps, and non conforming acceleration and deceleration lanes.

• Other areas with high crash density occur:

- Near Exits 122A – 124 in Goshen;

- Between Exits 125 and 126 in Chester;

- and Between Exits 130 and 131 in Monroe.

• Exits that contain only exit ramps with no corresponding entrance ramps are of particular concern due to the increased likelihood of a wrong-way movement to re-enter the freeway, thus increasing the risk of crashes. Two exits - Exit 114 at Mamakating

Surprised? Route 17 Report Confirms Crash Sites, Commute Congestion and Summer Backups

Road and Exit 128 at Oxford/Craigville Road - have a single exit ramp but no entrance ramp. Exit 114 and Exit 128 each only provide a single exit ramp in the westbound direction.

• NYS Route 17 westbound within the transportation corridor experiences congestion during the 3-6 p.m. Friday peak travel period; 20 percent of the westbound crashes occur on Fridays, and 30 percent of those crashes occur during that Friday peak travel period.

• Meanwhile, eastbound within the corridor experiences congestion during the 2-6 p.m. Sunday peak travel period, and 28 percent of those crashes occur during the Sunday peak travel period.

• Fifty-seven percent of crashes occurred during the summer and fall months (June-Nov.) in both the eastbound and westbound directions. Fifty-four percent of crashes occurred between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. eastbound and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. westbound.

The PSR explores various options, ranging from “No Build,” which essentially leaves the corridor as it is, to upwards of $1 billion in renovations and upgrades. The Hudson Valley economic development community has long called for improvements which, they say, would encourage business and tourism opportunities and create both construction and long-term jobs. And while the study details a host of possible improvements, many have advocated for a third lane along the business stretch to alleviate congestion and enhance safety.

Improvements have been talked about for years, decades even.

“Now we have the momentum to get it over the finish line,” said Conor Eckert, Sr. Development Officer and V.P. of Business Attraction for the Orange County Partnership, which has long campaigned for the project. “We won’t take our eye off the ball.”

See the PSR

View the full report at www.Route17.dot.ny.gov.

The Route 17 Project Scoping Report may be viewed at the following locations:

• NYSDOT Region 8 Office: 4 Burnett Blvd, Poughkeepsie

NYSDOT Region 9 Office: 44 Hawley St, Binghamton

Orange County Government Center: 255 Main St, Goshen

Sullivan County Government Center: 100 North St, Monticello

Goshen Public Library: 366 Main St, Goshen

• Middletown Thrall Library: 11 Depot St, Middletown

Chester Public Library: 1784 Kings Hwy, Chester

Monroe Free Library: 44 Millpond Pkwy, Monroe

Mamakating Library: 128 Sullivan St, Wurtsboro

• Woodbury Public Library (Rushmore Branch): 16 County Route 105, Highland Mills

Woodbury Public Library (Ida Cornell Branch): 23 Smith Clove Rd, Central Valley

Kiryas Joel Village Administrator Office: 51 Forest Rd, Kiryas Joel

Comment on the PSR

Individuals and agencies are encouraged to submit their comments and concerns. All comments become part of the Project file, which is a public record.

“Substantive comments” received during the scoping comment period are addressed in the Project Scoping Report. Newly received comments will and will be considered during the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement.

To comment by mail: NYS Route 17 Mobility & Access Improvements Project Team

NYSDOT Region 8 4 Burnett Boulevard Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

To comment online: Visit the project’s website at www.Route17.dot.ny.gov

Resorts World Hudson Valley

Simon Property Group Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luke’s Cornwall Chronic Care Center

Safety Roundup

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

Public Comment Open: Proposed “Extreme Heat” Rule

The public comment period for the Department of Labor’s proposed rule intended to protect workers from the health risks of extreme heat is now open.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., and excessive workplace heat can lead to heat stroke and even death. If finalized, the rule

would help protect some 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor work settings, including construction.

The proposed rule requires employers to evaluate heat risks and, when heat increases risks to workers, implement requirements for drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat. It would also require a plan to protect new or returning workers unaccustomed to working in high heat conditions.

Employers would also be required to provide training, have procedures to respond if a worker is experiencing signs of a heat-related illness, and take immediate action to help a worker experiencing symptoms of a heat emergency.

To comment, visit www.OSHA.gov. (Docket number: OSHA-2021-0009). A public hearing will be held after the close of the written comment period, which ends Dec. 30, 2024.

OSHA Launches Severe Injury Dashboard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Severe Injury Report Dashboard is live, giving users the ability to search its severe injury database.

The dashboard includes information on all severe injuries reported by employers covered under federal OSHA since 2015 and enables users to search data by year, industry, state, establishment name and system code.

Federal law requires employers to notify OSHA of a work-related hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye within 24 hours of the incident.

OSHA encourages workers and employers to use the dashboard to gain insights on injuries and how to prevent them. Learn more at www.osha.gov/severeinjury.

Together We Can Save Lives

The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates among professions—with the rate among male construction workers 75 percent higher than men in the general population.

In all, about 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022, while 1,069 were killed in a construction work-related accident. Alarmingly, suicide deaths increased slightly from 2021.

Suicide Prevention Week is observed each September, but awareness is crucial year round.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers this guidance for employers:

Speak out about workplace stress and your commitment to prioritizing employee mental health and well-being.

Maintain an open door policy and encourage employees to share their concerns without fear of retaliation. Reinforce supervisors’ role in listening to employees’ concerns and experiences. Implement changes based on feedback.

• Encourage employees to support one another. Provide opportunities to interact.

• Evaluate the overall work environment - including customer interactions, productivity schedule and pace of work - to identify what stress factors need to be addressed.

• Share educational resources about stress, mental health and substance use.

If your organization has an employee assistance program, remind employees of its benefits and encourage them to use it.

Be sure everyone understands their health plans, including mental health and substance abuse coverage.

Support employees who’ve been affected by suicide. Provide resources and services to assist their healing.

• Ensure supervisors implement all the flexibilities that are built into your work policies. Encourage them to be creative and make adjustments for employees experiencing stress at home and work.

Invite professionals to train supervisors to recognize suicide warning signs.

For more information and resources, visit ConstructionSuicidePrevention.com

And remember, help is always available. Call, text or chat 988 to reach counselors at the National Suicide Prevenion Lifeline.

Thank a Union Member: Rondout Bypass Tunnel Ready, Workers Celebrated

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

The immense efforts of LIUNA members who are leading the final phase of repairing the Delaware Aqueduct were celebrated with a worker appreciation breakfast at the Rondout Bypass Tunnel site.

Hosted by the New York State Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) Fund, in partnership with LIUNA Locals 235 and 17 and Kiewit-Shea Constructors AJV, the event included a hardy meal and a visit from union leadership.

“The worker appreciation visit to the Rondout Bypass Tunnel site is more than just a show of gratitude, it’s a recognition of the essential role LIUNA members play in keeping New York State moving forward,”

said Todd Diorio, President, Eastern New York Laborers District Council. “The men and women of LIUNA consistently demonstrate the strength, determination, and skill needed to complete this essential project.”

The Delaware Aqueduct, which begins at the Rondout Reservoir in Ulster County, is the longest tunnel in the world and carries water 85 miles from four upstate reservoirs. A critical component of New York City’s infrastructure, the aqueduct

provides about 50 percent of the 1.1 billion gallons of fresh water used daily by some 8 million people. The aqueduct also supplies water to a handful of upstate communities.

“This isn’t just another job - it’s a lifeline for millions of people across the state,” said LIUNA Local 17 Business Manager Jeff Diorio.

This essential structure, however, is showing signs of wear and tear, including two significant leaksone near Newburgh and another

in the Ulster County community of Wawarsing - and the loss of millions of gallons of water each day. At $2 billion, the Delaware Aqueduct Repair Project is the largest infrastructure repair project in the history of the Department of Environmental Protection, taking two decades of planning and preparation.

Officials have long known about the leaks, but taking the critical

aqueduct offline during years of repairs was not an option. The Rondout Bypass Tunnel project, under the direction of Kiewit-Shea Constructors Ajv, solves that problem with a 2.5-mile bypass tunnel under the Hudson River, which will keep the water flowing while the aging aqueduct, parts of which are 100 years old, is repaired.

“Our members take immense pride in being part of this historic project

The Catskill System and Satiating a City

In the early 1600s, New Amsterdam’s first residents got their water from springs, streams, and ponds. As their numbers grew, the city’s early inhabitants dug private wells and in the 1670s, the first public well was dug at Bowling Green. By the mid-18th century, water from a reservoir on Chambers Street was distributed through wooden mains laid in the principal streets.

But waste drained into open gutters, contaminating the city’s water supply and contributing to yellow fever and cholera epidemics that plagued the city into the beginning of the 19th century. The city desperately needed to increase its clean water supply.

New York City impounded water from the Croton River in Westchester County and began construction of an aqueduct, which, when put into service in 1842, delivered 90 million gallons a day. Distribution reservoirs in Manhattan helped increase supplies, but demand continued to grow.

By the late 1800s, a new aqueduct was under construction to draw yet more water. And by this time, with the population at more than 3 million people, the city’s newly consolidated Water System – encompassing Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island – was focused on finding new water sources.

and are responsible for much of the heavy lifting, from tunneling through rock to reinforcing the structure and ensuring safety protocols.” said RJ Merritt, Business Manager of LIUNA Local 235. “The workers are leveraging years of specialized training and experience to complete this highly complex project.”

In 1905, the New York State Legislature established the Board of Water Supply, which identified the Catskill region as a water source. This Board constructed facilities in four watersheds in what would become known as the Catskill System, which includes the Ashokan Reservoir and Catskill Aqueduct, completed in 1915, and the Schoharie Reservoir and Shandaken Tunnel, completed in 1928.

The construction of the Catskills System also resulted in the loss of several towns and villages and forced the relocation of their residents. Communities - Ashton, Eureka, Montela, Bittersweet, Olive City and more - were flooded and lost to the reservoirs.

Work next extended to the Rondout watershed and tributaries of the Delaware River in New York. Initially, New Jersey contested this project, seeking to prevent New York from using water from any Delaware River tributary. Finally approved, construction began in 1937 and the Delaware System was put into service in stages.

The Delaware Aqueduct, the world’s longest continuous tunnel, was completed in 1944, Rondout Reservoir in 1950, Neversink Reservoir in 1954, Pepacton Reservoir in 1955, and Cannonsville Reservoir in 1964.

The system includes a network of 19 reservoirs and three lakes and extends across eight New York counties and Fairfield County, Connecticut. It has a total storage capacity of approximately 580 billion gallons.

Source: NYC.gov

Nuclear Power Construction; A Rare Bipartisan Issue

By Aaron Hilger CEO, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association

Bipartisanship on Capitol Hill is a scarcity, especially in the run up to a presidential election.

And that makes it all the more praiseworthy that lawmakers from both parties and the Biden administration recently shelved their differences to overwhelmingly pass a major piece of legislation with the potential to reshape U.S. energy production, curtail greenhouse gas emissions and add thousands of jobs to the rolls.

President Biden this summer signed into law the ADVANCE Act (Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy), which will speed up licensing of new nuclear reactors and reduce high fees associated with licensing. It also removes regulatory roadblocks to develop a new generation of high-efficiency reactors and micro reactors, all while cutting construction costs.

Importantly for the industries with specialized skills required for constructing power plants - like the sheet metal contractors SMACNA represents - the legislation reauthorizes critical training programs to bolster an essential workforce.

In an age when partisanship is rarer than a no hitter in professional baseball, the ADVANCE Act stands out for the breadth of its reach across the political divide – it passed the House by a vote of 393 to 13 and the Senate by a vote of 88 to 2.

Sen. Tom Carper, (D-Delaware) chair of the Senate committee responsible for shepherding the legislation through to completion, underscored what he called the law’s “momentus” impact: “The urgency of the climate crisis demands a swift transition to cleaner energy sources, and fortunately the ADVANCE Act helps us to do just that,” he said. “This bipartisan law will strengthen our energy and national security, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create thousands of new jobs, while ensuring the continued safety of this zero-emissions energy source.”

That was not hyperbole.

Nuclear power currently comprises 19 percent of electricity generation in the U.S., with fossil fuels at 60 percent, wind power at 10 percent, and solar at 4 percent. The law, which aims to boost nuclear power’s contribution, couldn’t come along soon enough, with demand for power rising faster now than at any time in the past five years.

And demand is expected to grow. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says electricity demand will climb 4.7 percent nationwide over the next five years, due in part to the increasing electrification of the automotive industry, heating systems, and explosive growth in data centers, which are the heart, soul, and lungs of the internet. Associated industries — artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptocurrency, the Internet of Things (IoT), ecommerce, content

streaming and cloud computing — all have huge power needs that are expected to double by 2030.

In fact, small nuclear reactor designs the ADVANCE Act seeks to encourage will find a welcoming market as on-site power for data centers. In one example, a data center provider plans to install as many as two dozen small modular reactors at data center campuses in Pennsylvania and Ohio. They could be operational as soon as 2029.

Passage of the law comes on the heel of other initiatives by the Biden administration to incentivize nuclear power.

For example, the administration has set aside up to $900 million to support deployment of SMR (small modular reactors) technology, and the administration plans to spend $2.7 billion to develop domestic uranium enrichment capacity that will provide a reliable supply of nuclear fuel for energy production.

“Necessity is the mother of bipartisanship,” the writer Christopher Buckley quipped.

The necessity to meet power demands while producing emissions-free electricity translates into a greater reliance on nuclear power for the decades ahead — and it is something both parties can get behind.

Aaron Hilger is CEO of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, representing 3,500 contracting firms with chapters throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and Brazil.

Building a Better World

CCA members are among the kindest, most generous people around. Here, we celebrate their good deeds and acts of service:

Field of Greens

The good folks at Callanan spent a summer day harvesting fresh garlic on behalf of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The volunteers — who are generally in the business of providing high-quality aggregates, asphalt, concrete products and construction paving services — collected three large crates of garlic, which will be dried and made available to the Food Bank’s clients in the Capital District.

In 2023, the Food Bank distributed more than 48 million pounds of food — that’s about 40 million meals — to neighbors in need. And we know all that locally-grown garlic will make those meals all the tastier.

To learn more about the Food Bank, volunteering, and its services, visit www.RegionalFoodBank.net.

Local Celebs Tapped for “Towers” Fundraiser

The CCA’s own Alan Seidman was among the guest bartenders serving up refreshments at the Celebrity Bartender Night fundraiser for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Seidman, who is CCA executive director, and other local dignitaries stepped behind the bar Sept. 18 at Yesterday’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Warwick on behalf of the foundation which, for more than 20 years, has supported first responders, veterans, and their

families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes.

The behind-the-bar crew also included Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Mid-Hudson News

Publisher Mike Martucci,Orange County Clerk Kelly Eskew, and others.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Siller had finished his shift with Brooklyn Squad 1 when he heard news of an airplane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center. He returned to Squad 1 to gather his gear and drove to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, only to find it closed. With 60 pounds of gear in tow, Siller ran through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he lost his life, leaving behind a wife and five children.

Granting Wishes and Setting Records

The amazing gang at Make-a-Wish Hudson Valley wrapped up 2024 with this record-breaking announcement: In all, 142 wishes were granted, more than ever before.

The CCA’s members are proud to play a small part in this profound mission to bring joy into the lives of children facing serious illness with loyal fundraising support.

Our union partners, most especially Carpenters Local 279, provide near limitless volunteer hours working on wishes, including magical backyard treehouses for “Wish Kids.”

Serving Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties, the chapter’s mission is to ensure that every child residing in the Hudson Valley who qualifies for Make-A-Wish services is granted their fondest wish.

To learn more visit www.Wish.org/Hudson.

Youth Shelter Gets Cozy Upgrades

Central Hudson employees spent a September day volunteering at the Family of Woodstock Inc’s. Family House.

Volunteers built a stone patio for a picnic table, power-washed the deck, cleared a vegetable garden, planted flowers, trimmed hedges, painted a bedroom and much more, all in support of United Way of Ulster County’s Day of Caring 2024.

“The United Way of Ulster County treasures our relationship with the people of Central Hudson,” said Stephanie Kearns, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “Their commitment to community work and supporting all of our friends and neighbors shows in their time volunteering for our Day of Caring.”

Family of Woodstock provides crisis intervention, information, prevention and support services to address the needs of local people. The organization’s Family House provides emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth, age 12-17. Counseling, life skills training, medical and mental health services, and advocacy are among the services provided.

To learn more visit www.FamilyOfWoodstockInc.org.

Project Roundup

Port Jervis Schools Unveil Major Upgrades

Schools in the Port Jervis City School District have undergone dramatic upgrades and renovations, and for CCA member Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical it’s been a true labor of love.

Completed in three phases and at a cost of about $80 million, the project significantly revamped the district. The middle school was converted to an elementary school; an elementary school became a middle school, and athletic fields were upgraded. The changes required an array of reconfigurations which, for example, meant a gymnasium became two levels of classrooms, classrooms were merged to become a library, and playgrounds became baseball and soccer fields.

Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical is based in Port Jervis and owned by Charlotte VanHorn, who serves on the CCA Board of Directors. Visit the PJCSD website at www.pjschools.org to see all the great work.

Michie Stadium Project Underway

The century-old football stadium at the U.S. Academy at West Point is getting a major facelift.

Michie Stadium, home to the Army Black Nights and host to the iconic West Point graduation ceremony, has undergone several renovations in the past 100 years. The current plan, though, is the most encompassing.

The renovations include the demolition of the stadium’s East stands, which are being rebuilt with new amenities and seating for the 4,400 members of the Corps of Cadets stretching from end zone to end zone. The 160,000-square-foot structure will include

premium seating, upgraded concessions and service, a fan store, improved accessibility, and more .

The “Michie Stadium Preservation Project” is fully funded by donors. The project also reconfigures the stadium’s surrounding landscape to further enhance views of Lusk Reservoir, the Cadet Chapel, Fort Putnam and the Hudson Valley.

Also in the plans is “Victory Plaza,” a pedestrian-only area celebrating the achievements of notable West Point graduates. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.

Construction Ramps Up at Sullivan Airport

Construction of a new terminal at Sullivan County Airport in White Lake is on track for spring completion.

Holt Construction, Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical and Sullivan Construction are among the CCA members on the project, which included the demolition of the 55-year-old existing building to make way for the new two-story terminal.

The new 15,000-square-foot, two-story terminal will feature a two-story glass curtain wall with views of the apron, taxiway and runway to the Catskill Mountains. A restaurant on the second floor will feature a deck for outdoor dining, and the first floor waiting area will have an adjacent covered patio. A pilot lounge, flight planning area and conference facilities are among the amenities, and the building will use geothermal heat pumps for heating and cooling. Solar panels will generate some of the terminal’s electrical power.

In all, the project created about 250 construction jobs. Local officials hope that the new terminal will help attract airline service as well as activity by business jets and other general aviation aircraft.

In September 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that nine upstate airports would share $230 million in state grants. In addition to Sullivan, which received $18.5 million, grants were awarded to Albany International Airport, Watertown International Airport, Saratoga County Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Ogdensburg International Airport, Greater Binghamton Airport, Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and the Adirondack Regional Airport.

Commercial Industrial Pharmaceutical Healthcare

• Process Piping

• Pipe Prefabrication

• Plumbing

• Heating/Ventilation/Air-Conditioning

• High Purity Orbital Welding

• Clean Room Pipe Prefabrication

• Institutional Lab Plumbing

• Data Center HVAC

• Engineering/Design Build

• BIM/Drafting

• QA/QC

• Service/Repair/Maintenance

The Word of the Day is Bifurcation

Bifurcation: The point or area at which something divides into two branches or parts

Kris Breitzman, Director of Public Investments (left) and Patrick DiCerbo, Wealth Management Advisor (right) Northwestern Mutual

The Federal Reserve started a cycle of hiking the Fed Funds rate in March 2022 and many economists have been waiting for a recession ever since. What has everyone been missing?

One possible answer is that after more than a decade of financial repression in the wake of the Great Financial Crisis, the U.S. economy’s fundamental sensitivity to interest rates has changed. This new and different sensitivity is both a product of, and a cause of, increased bifurcation across the economy.

The most obvious bifurcation is with the consumer. For the top 20 percent of the income distribution, higher interest rates have arguably been a net positive. It is an unfortunate fact that the top 10 percent of households in the U.S. own 50 percent of the assets, meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent of households own just 6 percent of the assets.

Those upper-income households have enjoyed a stock market rally, they are able to put their savings into a money market account earning over 5 percent, and they are more likely to be homeowners sitting on fixed rate mortgages. Things have been pretty good for these folks, so it is no surprise that they continue to spend money and that the top 20 percent of households

account for nearly 40 percent of spending in the U.S.

Contrast that with the lower income households. They are more likely to be struggling with ever increasing rents, are more likely to carry credit card debt at higher rates of interest, and are seeing any wage gains eroded by high inflation. It is no wonder consumer sentiment surveys are so weak! There is a bifurcation of the U.S. consumer base, where those who spend the most are doing the best, and those who are struggling the most spend the least.

So, the aggregate statistics look like consumer spending remains positive and we see record numbers of leisure travelers, even as credit delinquencies rise and fast-food restaurants are forced to cut prices.

There is a similar bifurcation in the corporate world. On the one hand, we have the large companies with strong balance sheets and cash flow. Capital markets are wide open for these firms and in many cases, especially for some of the larger technology companies, they are seeing the interest income on their cash holdings rise more than the interest expense on their debt. This dynamic is supporting a capex cycle in this country, but it is concentrated among larger companies and in less capital-intensive industries. On the other hand, smaller firms that rely on floating rate bank financing

are finding it much harder or more expensive to access the capital needed to run their business and we have seen an unfortunate rise in bankruptcies.

As mentioned earlier, this bifurcation in the economy has changed the underlying sensitivity of the economy to interest rates. The other big rate-insensitive driver of domestic economic activity has been government spending. The federal deficit is near record levels _ outside of times of war or financial crisis - and when including transfer payments, nearly $1 in every $4 of GDP is directly supported by government outlays.

With the move in interest rates and the amount of new debt issuance, net interest expense alone is now roughly 17 percent of tax revenue and is expected to exceed defense spending in 2024. Historically, Congress has become more fiscally responsible when net interest exceeds 14 percent of tax revenue and intuitively the bond market will eventually force fiscal discipline, but it has not happened yet. This will be important to watch in 2025 as there are over $4 trillion in tax provisions expiring in 2025, and the debt ceiling will become relevant again at the beginning of next year. How congress and the next president ultimately deal with these issues will help determine how the next several years might unfold.

Some infrastructure investment may be at risk but keep in mind that it is already below the historical average as a percentage of GDP. What that means for U.S. competitiveness is a topic for another day. In any case, non-defense discretionary spending is only 14 percent of the federal budget, so to bring down the deficit outside of accounting gimmicks, Congress only has two levers to pull: Non-defense discretionary spending and raising taxes. Depending on the outcome of the election, clean energy and electric vehicle subsidies seem especially vulnerable.

It should be noted this outlook does not necessarily have to be all negative. While at the federal level the fiscal needle may start pointing towards austerity, at the state level we can use

A final opportunity to use the word bifurcation is in the outlook for inflation. The concept of the dependency ratio is defined as the ratio of unproductive workers - those younger than 18 and those over 65 -, to productive workers, those between the ages of 18 and 64. The demographic impact of retiring baby boomers and a rising overall dependency ratio should keep upward pressure on wages over time, which will in turn put pressure on prices for services including leisure and hospitality (though the current immigration wave is alleviating some of this potential labor imbalance.)

In contrast, the struggles of the low-end consumer has put cyclical pressure on goods prices for more than a year. The outlook for prices of commodities is trickier to forecast given the vagaries

of the Chinese economy, the geopolitical risks in some parts of the world, and the outcome of the U.S. election which could affect tariffs and foreign relations with some of the countries critical to the production of some commodities.

All these examples of bifurcation have helped to offset the traditional interest rate sensitivity of the economy so far, and now the Federal Reserve has embarked on a rate cutting cycle in September. With all the customary allowances for “the long and variable lags of monetary policy,” this should give a boost to the more rate sensitive side of the economy.

Bifurcation implies instability so risks certainly remain, especially if the labor market cools further. But while no one

the word bifurcation once again. The actual numbers of dollars being spent on infrastructure at the state and local level are at record highs. In particular, states with faster population growth and a strong fiscal position seem especially well positioned to continue investing.

would have said it when the Fed started hiking rates, the yield curve inverted, and the index of leading economic indicators turned negative, we must at least acknowledge the possibility that it really is different this time.

International Union of Operating Engineers

JEFF LOUGHLIN

JAMES SASSO

MIKE MILLER

JOHN BELARDI

DAVE RYAN

JAMES ARNAU

SEAN MEANEY

BUSINESS MANAGER

PRESIDENT/BUS. AGENT

VICE PRESIDENT/BUS. AGENT

RECORDING CORR. SECRETARY

TREASURER/TRAINING DIRECTOR

FINANCIAL SECRETARY

ASSISTANT TRAINING DIRECTOR

Executive Board

Ronald Burgess – Rocco Miceli – Dan Calandro – Trevor Rodney Pete Sampogna – Evan Vona

Swimming in Grants

New York’s Community Pools Awarded $150 Million

By Lisa Ramirez, Director of Communications

While most of us are bracing for the winter ahead, communities across New York are welcoming a surge of swimming pool funding, marking the state’s largest investment in public swimming since the New Deal.

In all, 37 capital grants, totalling $150 million, have been awarded, including tens of millions to communities in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. The initiative - the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) - supports pools in underserved communities, providing grants between $50,000 to $10 million.

“This is fantastic news,” said Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey. “Our state-of-the-art new aquatic center at Delano Hitch Stadium will provide a much-needed space for families to gather, swim, and enjoy healthy activities together. This initiative not only promotes physical well-being but also strengthens community ties. It’s great to see such support for underserved communities, ensuring that everyone has access to quality recreational opportunities.”

In Newburgh, $8 million has been earmarked for upgrades to the Delano Hitch Aquatics Center, including the construction of a new aquatic center featuring a fully ADA accessible competition sized pool, a splash pad, and new changing rooms, restrooms, parking area and concession stand. The money will help municipalities design, construct, rehabilitate, or modernize public swimming facilities, with a focus on communities that lack access to safe swimming and outdoor recreation. The grants can also be used to add amenities, such as splash pads, concession stands, picnic areas and playgrounds.

Regional SWIMS-NY grants include:

ALBANY COUNTY

Albany: $10 million toward the complete rehabilitation of the Lincoln Park Pool. Built in 1930 in Albany’s South End, the project includes a zero-entry pool, a half Olympic style lap pool, splash pad and upgraded restrooms.

DUTCHESS COUNTY

Dutchess County: $10 million for the construction of the Youth Opportunity Union Aquatic, comprised of an eight-lane lap pool, a two-lane family and therapy pool, and locker rooms. The Aquatic Center is part of a larger Youth Opportunity Union facility that includes space for after school programming.

Hyde Park: $794,560 toward the revitalization of the Hackett Hill Park Pool, replacing the filtration system, pool shell, pool deck and adding new ladders and an ADA compliant walkway.

Millerton: $6.4 million to build an outdoor swimming pool, community pool house and septic system at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.

ORANGE COUNTY

City of Newburgh: $8 million for upgrades to the Delano Hitch Aquatics Center, including construction of a new aquatic center featuring a fully ADA accessible competition sized pool, a splash pad, and new changing rooms, restrooms, parking area and concession stand.

SULLIVAN COUNTY

Monticello: $660,000 toward the construction of a larger community swimming pool at DeHoyos Park, increasing bathing capacity to 300 people and adding ramps, handrails and pool lifts for individuals with mobility challenges.

ROCKLAND COUNTY

Spring Valley: $217,520 towards the rehabilitation of the Memorial Park Pool, which will allow the village to reopen the facility.

ULSTER COUNTY

Kingston: $3.3 million for upgrades to the Kingston Point Beach Swimming Facilities, which will include multi-tiered raised terraces to connect upland areas on either side of the beach, providing flood mitigation and protection against sea level rise.

Kingston: $180,000 toward Andretta Pool upgrades, including pump replacement, ADA-compliant steps, a splash pad and a shade structure.

Ulster County: $3.9 million for renovations to the Ulster County Pool, including the replacement of the pool deck, pool bottom and piping; a new gutter system; zero-depth entry ramps and modification of the wading pool into a modern spray ground.

Wawarsing: $3.7 million toward the reconstruction of Town of Wawarsing Community Pool and bathhouse facilities.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

New Rochelle: $1 million to make renovations to the Lincoln Park Pool, including upgrades for the main pool and replacement of the existing wading pool.

Drowning is the leading cause of death

for children ages 1-4 in the U.S. and claimed the lives of 230 New Yorkers in 2021.

NY SWIMS is also promoting initiatives to address the statewide lifeguard shortage, such as lifeguard certification classes on SUNY campuses, and increasing swimming instruction opportunities.

Community swimming pools, health and safety experts say, enable more people to develop swimming and water safety skills. The absence of a community swimming pool also leads more people - often without those swimming skills - to seek out unsafe waterways without lifeguards, such as rivers and lakes, resulting in preventable drowning deaths.

The Town of Wawarsing Community Pool

And it’s incredible in here.

Our teams are dedicated to providing cutting-edge, compassionate care, from primary care to intensive care and everything in between. With our broad expertise and commitment to innovation, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall has been recognized as one of the top 2% of hospitals in the nation. Much like Newburgh and our surrounding communities are changing, so too are we.

MontefioreSLC.org | (845) 561-4400

In Memoriam: Tony Cellini, Former Town of Thompson Supervisor

Anthony Paul Cellini

of

Monticello, a beloved Sullivan County lawmaker who for decades championed efforts to bring casino gambling to the county, passed away September 6, 2024.

Known to most as “Tony,” Mr. Cellini was born December 5, 1940 in Port Jervis, to Anthony Sr. and Elizabeth Cellini.

Mr. Cellini was a proud 1958 graduate of Port Jervis High School. After graduation, he enlisted as a military policeman in the Fourth Infantry Division, U.S. Army, which took him across Europe and

widened his perspective and deepened his appreciation for our American freedoms.

Following his military service, an employment opportunity brought him to Monticello, where he would go on to become part of the fabric of Sullivan County. In the late 1960s he became owner of Roark’s Tavern, where he forged lifelong friendships over the legendary roast beef sandwiches. It was at Roark’s where he met the love of his life, Linda.

In 1974, Mr. Cellini joined the Thompson Town Board and for two decades he served as a councilman and worked as a regional director of the Salvation Army. In 1994 he became Town Supervisor and until his retirement in 2014, was known as a fierce advocate for his constituents and will especially be remembered for his efforts to bring a casino to Sullivan County, a goal that was eventually realized.

“We finally reached the golden carrot that’s been dangling in front of us for so long,” he told the New York Times in 2014, when the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board selected a developer to build a resort with a casino, hotel, indoor-outdoor water

park and conference center on the old Concord Hotel property. “We’re going to be back as the hospitality capital of the Northeast.”

Following retirement, Mr. Cellini affirmed his love of Linda as her primary caregiver during her long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. For 10 years, he demonstrated by his actions what true love looks like.

Mr. Cellini is survived by his sons, Todd (Kristen), of Arvada, Colorado, and Christopher (Christina), of Rock Hill, N.Y.; grandson Doran; granddaughters Lydia and Emilia; brother Charles and sister-in-law, Jean; several in-laws, nieces and nephews; and his “adopted daughter” Meagan Galligan and her family. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife.

Arrangements are under the direction of Van Inwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. (www.kennyfuneralhome.com)

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FROM CLUBS TO CRUSTACEANS...

WE LOVE GETTING TOGETHER WITH OUR MEMBERS!

The CCA is built on relationships, and that’s why getting together with our members, friends, and union partners will always be among our priorities. Our four annual events provide an opportunity to network, but just as importantly, they’re a chance to simply socialize, reinforcing existing relationships and building new ones. To learn more about our events, visit ww.CCAHV.com or call the CCA at 845-562-4280.

LOBSTER BAKE

September 12

Laborers Local 17 Pavilion

Our early autumn Lobster Bake is the perfect way to welcome the fall season, and we can’t say enough about T&M Deli To Go in Washingtonville, the culinary powerhouse behind this amazing meal. Held at the Laborers Local Pavilion in Newburgh, the event is a wonderful gathering of members and industry partners.

Photos by Lisa Ramirez

ANNUAL CCA GOLF OUTING

July 22

Trump National Golf Club, Hudson Valley

A long summer day of fine food and friendly competition, members start planning their foursomes long before the spring thaw, making the CCA Golf Outing one of the most anticipated days on our members’ calendars.

Photos by Lisa Ramirez

Economic Development & Conservation: The Value of Balance

By Maureen Halahan, President & CEO, Orange County Partnership

Economic development is a complicated and sometimes misunderstood aspect to community growth and preservation.

With most economic development, the not in my backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon is prevalent – whether it’s a solar farm or a manufacturing facility. It’s important to acknowledge these concerns, but equally important to clarify the rigorous and thoughtful planning process the Orange County Partnership undertakes when siting new developments.

We are extremely deliberate when evaluating properties and going through the site selection process to place industrial and commercial projects. These decisions are never made lightly. Each town in Orange County has specific comprehensive plans and zoning regulations that guide us. We respect these guidelines and ensure that no industrial project is placed in areas that would disrupt the character of “bucolic suburbia.”

Instead, we strategically position projects near existing infrastructure, particularly highways, and locations with robust water and power supply. These decisions are based on logical, long-term planning for the county’s economic future. Additionally, all projects need to go through the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), New York State has one of the most intense environmental review processes in the country – this can

take years of comprehensive studies, leading to mitigation measures that are prescribed to projects by the planning board.

Our mission is to stay as balanced as possible, striving to preserve valuable open space while simultaneously attracting companies that utilize local labor while bringing high-quality, good-paying jobs to our residents. Quality of life is a critical variable that companies consider in their site selection process. We must preserve our rural communities – while keeping development proximate to major infrastructure assets.

This balance is essential for the future prosperity of the region, ensuring that people can work close to home and earn salaries that allow them to afford to live in Orange County. Approximately 29.2 percent of the county — more

than 156,086 acres — is designated as protected open space. This commitment to preservation demonstrates that our strategic planning efforts take into account both economic growth and environmental stewardship.

The Orange County Partnership continues to collaborate with local governments and stakeholders to ensure that new developments contribute to our tax base while adding new jobs and balancing the quality of life in the region. We understand that change can be challenging, but it’s our belief that smart growth — growth that respects both people and place — is the key to Orange County’s bright future.

Maureen Halahan is President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership, a private not-for-profit office of economic development that serves as the external marketing agency for business development in Orange County.



Unlocking Profitability with Key Metrics

By Thomas Zupan, CPA, MBA Client Advisory Partner, RBT CPAs, LLP

When facing certain business challenges, do you know which metrics and financial data can help you make informed decisions to find solutions?

As a construction business owner, you likely have a keen eye on gross profit, revenue, cash flow, and working capital. While it’s vital to stay in-the-know about these fundamentals, it’s also important to know the other metrics you can turn to for insights when specific challenges arise.

For example, let’s say profitability is down. To gain insights into potential issues and make informed decisions to improve profitability, there are several metrics to consider.

One place to look for potential issues and answers is in job costing to ensure expenses are accurately tracked, resources are effectively allocated, and services are priced competitively. By understanding the cost of materials, labor, subcontractors, and overhead for each job, you can make better-informed bidding decisions and put

project managers in the position to keep projects within budget.

Another place to look is your breakeven point. Breakeven analysis helps you determine the minimum number of services you must sell to cover your costs. This calculation can be crucial for strategic planning, pricing, and forecasting. Understanding the breakeven point can help you make informed decisions about pricing strategies, cost reduction, and profit optimization.

You may also want to consider your payroll burden, due to its role in job costing and bidding. Payroll costs often make up a significant portion of a project’s total cost. Hence, understanding the full burden of payroll — including wages, benefits, taxes and insurance — can help you make more accurate job costing calculations. This information can also be used to create competitive bids that cover all project costs and yield a profitable margin.

Analyzing overhead rates will provide you with insights into the indirect costs of running your business, such as administration, equipment

depreciation, and rent, so you can identify potential inefficiencies and cost-saving opportunities, and ensure these rates are adequately reflected in bids.

Lastly, job analysis to measure profit fades can provide valuable insights into estimating accuracy. Profit fade occurs when a project’s profit margin decreases over time due to cost overruns or inefficiencies. By analyzing profit fades, you can identify areas where estimating or project management processes may need improvement.

These are just a few of the metrics that can provide insights to help you find solutions to challenges your business may face – there are more. Ultimately, when you analyze the right metrics you can gain additional business insights to help you make informed decisions to protect profitability and promote growth.

Tom Zupan joined RBT CPAs, LLP in 2014 as an MBA graduate of Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. In 2023 he became a partner in the client advisory department, where he focuses almost entirely on the Construction Industry Practice.

Join CCA

Since 1956, the CCA has had a hand in almost every significant construction project in the region. With a commitment to providing quality management together with outstanding local labor, CCA members get the job done right, on time and within budget.

The CCA is your tireless advocate. OUR

The power and leverage of strong relationships with state, local and federal officials Project leads

• Exclusive networking and informational opportunities

• Inclusion in the CCA’s directory of contractors, suppliers and service providers The support of the CCA’s expert staff

• Money saving support of the CCA’s labor expertise regarding compliance, wage and fringe issues, and grievances

Competitive health insurance plans with premium rates not available on the open market

• Access to exclusive networking events Retirement planning

Our Member Directory

CCA members are the very best contractors, suppliers and service providers in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. For detailed information about their services and specialities, visit our online directory at www.CCAHV.com.

CONTRACTORS

Construction Management | General Contracting

Andron Construction Corp.

914-232-7531

21 Anderson Lane Goldens Bridge, NY 10526

Joel Foley jfoley@androncc.com androncc.com

Members since 1996

Barone Construction

845-691-2244

23 New Paltz Road Highland, NY 12528

Joe Barone joseph.barone@bcgcmgc.com Bcgcmgc.com

Members since 2019

Beam Enterprises, Inc.

914-617-7699

3 Contorino Way, Bldg #2 Chester, NY 10918

Mike Adams mike@beamenterprisesinc.com

Members since 2021

Con-Tech Construction Technology, Inc. 914-455-3100

1961 Route 6, Suite R-3, Box 12 Carmel, NY 10512

Antoinetta Carino amcarino@contechconstruct.com contechconstructiontechnology.com

Members since 2010

Darlind Associates, Inc.

845-223-5115

1540 Route 55, P.O. 130 LaGrangeville, NY 12540

Justin Darrow j.darrow@darlindassociates.com darlindconstruction.com

Members since 1990

Ferrari & Sons, Inc. 845-452-0387

195 Van Wagner Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Anthony Ferrari tony@ferrariandsonsinc.com ferrariandsonsinc.com Members since 1996

Helmer Cronin Construction, Inc. 845-942-1330

27 NY-210

Stony Point, NY 10980

Bill Helmer wfhelmer@helmercronin.com helmercronin.com

Members since 1971

Holt Construction Corp.

845-735-4054

50 East Washington Ave. Pearl River, NY 10965

Dan Depew ddepew@holtcc.com holtcc.com

Members since 1984

Key Construction Services 845-454-1192

4246 Albany Post Road, Suite 1 Hyde Park, NY 12538

Alfred Torreggiani adt@contactkcs.com keyconstructionservices.com

Members since 2006

LeChase Construction 914-741-1212

1 Labriola Court Armonk, NY 10504

David Campbell david.campbell@lechase.com lechase.com Members since 2016

Paramount Building Construction 845-569-0970

28 Windsor Highway New Windsor, NY 12553

Joe Perez jperez@pbcinc.co pbcinc.co Members since 2017

Pike Co. 800-264-7453

1 Circle St. Rochester, NY 14607

Edward Kurowski kuroe@pikecos.com pikecos.com

Members since 2017

Profex, Inc.

845-565-8845

264 North Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Roland Bloomer rbloomer@profexinc.net profexinc.net

Members since 1995

TDX Construction Corporation 212-279-1981

3 Manhattanville Road, Suite 104

Purchase, NY 10577

Joe Fitzpatrick jfitzpatrick@tdxconstruction.com tdxconstruction.com

Members since 2020

U.W. Marx 518-272-2541

20 Gurley Ave. Troy, NY 12182

Peter Marx pmarx@uwmarx.com Uwmarx.com

Members since 1986

Acoustical | Carpentry Drywall

O’Kane Enterprises, Ltd 845-271-3445

55 W. Railroad Ave. Bldg 24C, First Floor Garnerville, NY 10923

Dan O’Kane dano@okaneenterprises.com okaneenterprises.com

Members since 2012

Schumacher Systems, Inc. 845-887-5381

1043 County Road 164 Callicoon, NY 12723

Kori Allen kallen@schumachersystems.com schumachersystem.com

Members since 1991

Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical 845-856-8400

183 Jersey Ave. Port Jervis, NY 12771

Charlotte Van Horn cvanhorn@tristatedrywall.net tsdainc.com

Members since 2006

Concrete

Darlind Associates, Inc. 845-223-5115

1540 Route 55, PO Box 130

LaGrangeville, NY 12540

Justin Darrow j.darrow@darlindassociates.com darlindconstruction.com

Members since 1990

KCM Contracting Inc.

914-963-0390

1 Executive Blvd., Suite 410 Yonkers, NY 10701

Roxanne Guerrerio rguerrerio@kcmcontractinginc.com kcmcontracting.com

Members since 2021

PCC Contracting, Inc.

800-328-7816

1861 Chrisler Ave. Schenectady, NY 12303

Michael Lock mlock@pcccontracting.com pcccontracting.com Members since 2009

Ringler Construction, LLC

914-837-7400 PO Box 573 Fishkill NY 12524

Brad Ringler ringlerconstruction@gmail.com

Members since 2024

Sullivan Construction Group, LLC 845-640-2200

21 Allen Lane Bloomingburg, NY 12721

Anthony Perrello anthony@sullivancg.com sullivancg.com

Members since 2020

Demolition | Asbestos Abatement

Taylor-Montgomery, LLC

845-457-4021

350 Neelytown Road Montgomery, NY 12549

Hans Taylor hans.taylor@taylor-montgomery.com taylor-Montgomery.com

Members since 2020

Electrical

All Bright Electric 845-358-1200

100 Snake Hill Road West Nyack, NY 10994

Howard Hellman hhellman@allbrightelectric.com allbrightelectric.com Members since 2016

E-J Electric Installation Co. 845-234-4280

5 Jeanne Dr. Newburgh, NY 12550

Brendon Bergin bbergin@ej1899.com ej1899.com

Members since 2022

Perreca Electric 845-562-4080

520 Broadway Newburgh, NY 12550

Kurt Kaehler

kkaehler@perreca.com perreca.com

Members since 1986

Ray S. Pantel, Inc. 845-343-7250

71-73 Wisner Ave. Middletown, NY 10940

Ray Pantel ray@rayspantel.com

Members since 1997

Tri Co Electric of Goshen

845-294-8882

114 Hartley Road Goshen, NY 10924

Ann Kata ann@tamenterprises.com tamenterprises.com

Members since 2022

Upstate Electric 845-565-2026

501 Temple Hill Road New Windsor, NY 12553

Rich Schwarzbeck rich@upstateelectricny.com upstateelectricny.com

Members since 2017

Fire Protection | Insulation

Blackhawk Fire Suppression, LLC 845-590-5792

163 Brookside Farms Road, Suite 109 Newburgh, NY 12550

Ralph Diaz

r.diaz@blackhawkfiresuppression.com Members since 2023

DeBrino Caulking Associates 518-732-7234

1304 Route 9 Castleton, NY 12033

Lewis P. Houghtaling lhoughtalingiii@debrino.com debrino.com

Members since 1988

Insulation Pro Inc.

845-629-4643

192 Plains Road Walden, NY 12586

Dominick DiViesti

insulationprony@gmail.com insulationprony.com

Members since 2023

Sullivan Fire Protection Corp. 845-434-4030

16 Railroad Plaza, P.O. Box 2021

South Fallsburg, NY 12779

Ira Gold

sullivanfireira@gmail.com

Members since 2023

United Spray LLC 845-829-2688

3 Contorino Way, Bldg #1 Chester, NY 10918

Zack Adams zadams@unitedspray.com unitedspray.com

Members since 2021

Glass & Architectural Aluminum

Basec Corp. 845-795-1011

1978 Route 9W, Milton, NY 12547

Emanuel Cauchi estimating@BasecCorp.com

Members since 2018

HVAC | Plumbing

ABM Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. 914-747-0910

11 W. Cross St., PO Box 204

Hawthorne, NY 10532

William Haskel bhaskel@abmhvac.com abmhvac.com

Members since 2017

AMX Contracting Corp. 914-741-2600

101 Castleton St., Pleasantville, NY 10570

Anthony DiGuglielmo atd@amxcooling.com amxcooling.com

Members since 2017

Carey & Walsh 914-762-9600

529 North State Road Briarcliff Manor, NY 10501

Don Carey dcarey@careyandwalsh.com careyandwalsh.com

Members since 2017

Clean Air Quality Service, Inc. 914-769-7700

161 Brady Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532

Lou Doro ldoro@caqs.com caqs.com

Members since 2001

D.L. Flow Tech 845-265-2828 2421 Route 52 Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Dennis LaVopa dmlavopa@dlflowtech.com dlflowtech.com

Members since 1997

EMF Technical Services, Inc. 914-747-1007

581 North State Road, Unit 6 Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510

Walter E. Greenwood info@emfcontrols.com emfcontrols.com

Members since 2003

J & M Heating & AC, Inc. 914-632-4433

395 Adams St. Bedford Hills, NY 10507

James Woodward office@jmhvac.com jmhvac.com

Members since 1995

MDS HVAC-R, Inc.

845-713-4598

192 Plains Road Walden, NY 12586

Dominic DiViesti domdiviesti@gmail.com Members since 2019

Petro Plumbing & Heating 845-561-3340

2989 Route 9W New Windsor, NY 12553

Rich Bremer rich@petro-plumbing.com petro-plumbing.com

Members since 2023

Taconic Heating & Cooling 914-348-4751

9 Dogwood Road Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567

James D’Annibale jim@taconichvac.com taconichvac.us

Members since 1998

Heavy Highway | Site

Argenio Brothers, Inc. 845-561-5102

2 Argenio Dr. New Windsor, NY 12553

Jerry Argenio ja@argeniobros.com argeniobros.com

Members since 1974

Butler Construction 845-769-7413

275 Union St. Montgomery, NY 12549

Eric Butler ebutler@butlerconstructiongroup.com butlerconstructiongroup.com Members since 2021

Callanan Industries 518-374-2222

8 Southwoods Blvd. Albany, NY 12211

Michael Mastropietro mmastropietro@callanan.com callanan.com

Members since 1986

D.A. Collins Construction 518-664-9855

269 Ballard Road Wilton, NY 12831

Aaron Tubbs dacestimating@dacollins.com dacollinscompanies.com Members since 2018

Petillo New York, LLC 845-610-9010

90 Crystal Run Road, Suite 400 Middletown, NY 10941

Michael Petillo mpetillo@petillo.com petillo.com

Members since 2023

Masonry

B. Miller Masonry, Inc. 845-769-7233

275 Union St. Montgomery, NY 12549

Bill Miller billmiller@bmillermasonry.com

Members since 2021

Casler Masonry, Inc. 315-253-8871

2080 Cranebrook Dr. Auburn, NY 13021

Michael F. Casler mcasler@caslermasonry.com caslermasonry.com

Members since 2015

James McGowan & Son Masonry 845-339-0329

5 Railroad Ave. Kingston, NY 12402

James McGowan jim@mcgowanmasonry.com mcgowanmasonry.com

Members since 2007

PCC Contracting, Inc. 800-328-7816

1861 Chrisler Ave. Schenectady, NY 12303

Michael Lock mlock@pcccontracting.com pcccontracting.com

Members since 2009

Mechanical

Armistead Mechanical, Inc. | Newburgh Office 845-566-0770

324 North Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Joseph Jerkowski jjerkowski@armistead-ny.com armisteadmechanical.com

Members since 1988

Dynamic Systems

845-454-0600

417 Manchester Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Adam Weisburgh aweisburgh@cbstrain.com dsi.us

Members since 2017

Hauser Brothers 845-359-1881

17 Old School Lane Orangeburg, NY 10962

Tim Hauser thauser@hauserbros.com hauserbros.com

Members since 2018

F&F Mechanical 203-239-7025

2 Dwight St. New Haven, CT 06473

John Ferrucci jferrucci@ffmechanical.com ffmechanical.com

Members since 2019

TAM Enterprises, Inc. 845-294-8882

1114 Hartley Rd. Goshen, NY 10924

Ann Kata ann@tamenterprises.com tamenterprises.com

Members since 2024

Turner Mechanical Service 203-544-8936

724 Danbury Road, Suite 3 Ridgefield, CT 06877

John Turner jturner@turnermechanical.com turnermechanicalservicesinc.com

Members since 2017

Painting | Special Coating Pittman & Brown 845-561-1695

227 South Plank Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Jay Harrison pittbrown58@aol.com

Members since 2000

Rover Contracting 845-834-2620

251 Upper North Road Highland, NY 12528

Victoria Bellos v.bellos@rovercontracting.com rovercontractinginc.com

Members since 2023

Sheet Metal | Roofing

Barrett Sheet Metal Inc. 203-744-2780

106 Mill Plain Road

Danbury, CT 06811

John Lucchesi

johnjr@barrettroofing.com barrettroofing.com

Members since 1998

Custom Exterior Systems

845-753-8070

12 Orange Turnpike Sloatsburg, NY 10974

Leonard Train l.train@customexteriorsystems.com customexteriorsystems.com Members since 2005

Ductmate Industries

724-258-0500

210 Fifth St. Charleroi, PA 15022

John Sorna jsorna@ductmate.com ductmate.com

Members since 2021

Harden Sheet Metal

845-562-6553

27 Johnes St. Newburgh, NY 12550

Dan Harden hardensheetmetal@hotmail.com

Members since 2001

H.T. Lyons Inc.

845-896-1145

167 Meyers Corners Road, Suite 102 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Mark DiPasquale mark.dipasquale@ht.lyons.com htlyons.com

Members since 2019

KB Duct a Division of CECO Environmental 203-804-7631

8735 W Market St. Greensboro, NC 27409

Curt Corum ccorum@onececo.com cecovent.com/ceco-kb-duct Members since 2023

Link Metal Finishing Corp. 914-737-9160

2068 Albany Post Road Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

Ron Lacerte rrlink1@aol.com Members since 1996

RKB Sheet Metal 845-382-2010

15 Anaconda Dr. Lake Katrine, NY 12449

Richard K. Berg rberg@rkbsheetmetal.com Members since 1996

The YMI Group, Inc.

845-330-4200

2014 Route 9W Milton NY 12547

Al Youna ayouna@theymigroup.com theymigroup.com

Members since 2024

Steel Fabricators | Erectors | Rebar

Allbar Steel

845-778-0126

301 East Searsville Road Montgomery, NY 12549

Bernie Hillman allbarstl@aol.com

E-Gill Rebar, LLC

914-213-0723

4 Hamilton Road Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

Jack Diedrich jack@e-gillrebar.com e-gillrebar.com Members since 2024

Orange County Ironworks, LLC

845-769-3000

36 Maybrook Road Montgomery, NY 12549

Dan Teutel dant@ocillc.com ocillc.com

Members since 2007

SUPPLIERS

Aggregate | Erosion Control Materials

Aden Aggregates 845-990-7625

PO Box 217 Montgomery, NY 12549

Reilly Carney rcarney@adenaggregate.com adenaggregate.com

Members since 2023

Eastern Construction Materials

845-705-4396

PO Box 924

Poughkeepsie, New York 12601

Kelly Libolt

kelly@easternconstructionmaterials.com easternconstructionmaterials.com

Members since 2023

Cabinetry | Millwork Materials

EKB Kitchens & Interiors

845-563-0290 1124 NY-94

New Windsor, NY 12553

Jenna Riess info@ekbdirect.com ekbkitchens.com

Members since 2024

Equipment Rentals Materials

A-Verdi Storage Containers

315-365-2851

14150 State Route 31 Savannah, NY 13146 joe@averdi.com averdi.com

Members since 2024

Bay Crane 718-392-0800

11-02 43rd Ave.

Long Island City, NY 11101

Joseph Sadden jsadden@baycrane.com baycrane.com

Members since 2023

Burt Crane & Rigging 518-271-6858

5 Veterans Memorial Dr. Green Island, NY 12183

Bridget A. Hubal bhubal@burtcrane.com burtcrane.com

Members since 2023

Durante Rentals

914-690-6969

145 Huguenot St., Suite 406

New Rochelle, NY 10801

Bobby J. John bjohn@duranterentals.com duranterentals.com

Members since 2021

Olori Crane Service, Inc. 845-623-1267

11 Seeger Dr. Nanuet, NY 10954

Ron Olori rolorijr@oloricrane.com oloricrane.com

Members since 1976

Partner Rentals

877-740-7368

711 East Chester Ave. Kingston, NY 12401

Hernan del Aguila hernan.delaguila@partnerrentals.com partnerrentals.com

Members since 2021

Service Scaffold Company, Inc. 845-513-5326

29 Railroad Plaza, PO Box 888

South Fallsburg, NY 12779

Josh Ingber josh@servicescaffold.com servicescaffold.com

Members since 2015

United Rentals

833-211-6885

5311 Route 9W

Newburgh, NY 12550

Eric Crane ecrane@ur.com unitedrentals.com

Members since 2001

Electrical Supplies Materials

D & G Electrical Supply Co., Inc

845-947-2626

62 Railroad Ave. West Garnerville, NY 10923

J. William Grabe

bill@dandgelectricalsupply.com dandgelectricalsupply.com Members since 2013

Office Partitions Materials

Modernfold Styles

201-329-6226

15 Empire Blvd. South Hackensack, NJ 07606

Joseph Jordan

jjordan@modernfoldstyles.com modernfoldstyles.com

Members since 1996

Paint & Coatings Materials

Herzog’s Home & Paint 845-338-6300

151 Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401

Greg Amato gregg@herzogs.com herzogs.com

Members since 2015

Pipe, Valve & Fittings

Raritan Group, Inc.

732-985-5000

295 Meadow Road Edison, NJ 08817

Bill Richardson bill@raritanvalve.com raritangroup.com

Members since 2015

Plumbing | HVAC

Universal Supply Group

845-343-1456

24 Dunning Road Middletown, NY 10940

Charles T. Milich, Jr. cmilich@usginc.com usginc.com Members since 2000

Toilet Rentals

Enviro-Clean

845-883-5563

70 Coy Road Clintondale, NY 12515

Bob Earl bgearl@optonline.net porta-potty.com

Members since 1987

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Accountants

Bonadio Group

585-381-1100

6 Wembley Court Albany, NY 12205

Michael Smith msmith@bonadio.com bonadio.com

Members since 2010

PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP

845-565-5400

32 Fostertown Road Newburgh, NY 12550

Alan Marks amarks@pkfod.com pkfod.com

Members since 2013

RBT CPAs

845-567-9000

11 Racquet Road

Newburgh, NY 12550

Bob Marchione rmarchione@rbtcpas.com rbtcpas.com

Members since 1991

Schultheis & Panettieri, LLP 631-273-4778

450 Wireless Blvd. Hauppauge, NY 11788

James Heinzman jheinzman@snpcpa.com snpcpa.com

Members since 2021

Steven A. Scala, CPA, P.C. 845-294-4200

15 Matthews St., Suite 305 Goshen, NY 10924

Steven A. Scala ss@scalacpa.com scalacpa.com

Members since 2002

Architects | Engineers

Alfandre Architecture, P.C. 845-255-4774

231 Main St. #201 New Paltz, NY 12561

Rick Alfrandre ralfandre@alfandre.com alfandre.com

Members since 2008

Colliers Engineering & Design 845-564-4495

555 Hudson Valley Rd. Suite 101

New Windsor, NY 12553

Joe Dopico joseph.dopico@colliersengineering.com colliersengineering.com

Members since 2017

Delaware Engineering 518-452-1290

28 Madison Ave. Ext. Albany, NY 12203

John Brust jbrust@delawareengineering.com delawareengineering.com

Members since 2020

Jason Lichwick Architecture 845-284-6344

387 Hooker Ave., Suite 5 Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

jason lichwick jason@jlarchitectureny.com JasonLichwick.com

Members since 2024

Keystone Management Associates, LLC 845-534-4660

PO Box 274

Mountainville, NY 10953

Jake Bidosky

jbidosky@keystone-associates.com keystone-associates.com

Members since 2016

Liscum, McCormack & Van Voorhis, LLP 845-452-2268

181 Church St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Michael McCormack mmccormack@lmvarchitects.com lmvarchitects.com

Members since 2016

Minuta Architecture 845-565-0055

554 Temple Hill Road New Windsor, NY 12553

Joseph Minuta info@minutaarchitecture.com minutaarchitecture.com

Members since 2023

Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors, DPC 845-534-5959

70 Pleasant Hill Road

Mountainville, NY 10953

Mark Stier mastier@tectonicengineering.com tectonicengineering.com

Members since 2007

Banks

M&T Bank 845-440-2898

300 Westage Business Center Dr. Suite 410

Fishkill, NY 12524

Mark Stellwag mstellwag@mandtbank.com mtb.com

Members since 1993

NBT Bank

845-562-6766

11 Garden St.

Poughkeepsie, NY 12602

John Davies

john.davies@nbtbank.com nbtbank.com

Members since 2000

Orange Bank Trust Co.

845-341-5043

212 Dolson Ave.

Middletown, NY 10940

Michael Gilfeather mgilfeather@orangebanktrust.com orangebanktrust.com

Members since 2015

Rhinebeck Bank

845-454-8555

2 Jefferson Plaza

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Philip Bronzi pbronzi@RhinebeckBank.com rhinebeckbank.com

Members since 2021

TD Bank

845-220-2808

555 Hudson Valley Ave. Suite 105

New Windsor, NY 12553

Mike Donnelly michael.donnelly2@td.com td.com

Members since 2024

Ulster Savings Bank

845-338-6322

1208 Route 300 Suite 101 Newburgh, NY 12550

Matthew Agor magor@ulstersavings.com ulstersavings.com

Members since 2016

Walden Savings Bank

845-457-7700

15 Scotts Corners Dr. Montgomery, NY 12549

Joann Menendez joann.menendez@waldensavings.bank

Waldensavings.bank

Members since 2014

Wallkill Valley Federal Savings & Loan Association

845-895-2051

23 Wallkill Ave. Wallkill, NY 12589

Domenic Baiocco dbaiocco@wallkill.com

wallkill.com

Members since 2017

Cleaning | Environmental

Advanced Disaster Recovery, Inc.

845-294-8919

2713 Route 17M

New Hampton, NY 10958

Angelo Ferrante

angelo@advanceddri.com advanceddri.com

Members since 2020

Nadoka Luxury Cleaning 845-201-0080

69 Townsend Dr., Apt. 1 Newburgh, NY 12550

Richmond Aidoo nadoka.lc@gmail.com

Members since 2020

Graphics | Promotional Materials

Safeguard Print, Promo, & Apparel

845-471-4466

15 Manchester Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Jerry Martin jmartin3@gosafeguard.com gosafeguardny.com

Members since 2023

Tri State Associated Services, Inc.

845-331-7581

81 Ten Broeck Ave. Kingston, NY 12401

Frank Campagna fjc@tsasinc.com tsasinc.com

Members since 2020

Insurance | Bonding

Broadfield Group, LLC 845-986-2211

68 Main St. Warwick, NY 10990

Richard Savino richs@broadfieldinsurance.com broadfieldinsurance.com

Members since 2020

Federated Insurance

845-674-3290

P.O. Box 123 Cornwall, NY 12518

Steve Powles scpowles@fedins.com federatedinsurance.com

Members since 2021

Liberty Mutual 201-327-7606

1200 MacArthur Blvd. Mahwah, NJ 07430

Ian Brodie

ian.brodie@libertymutual.com libertymutual.com

Members since 1999

Lovell Safety Management Co. 518-753-7646

80 Pleasant Ave.

Schaghitcoke, NY 12154

David S. Natter dnatter@lovellsafety.com lovellsafety.com

Members since 2004

Marshall & Sterling 845-454-0800

110 Main St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Kevin Viana kviana@marshallsterling.com marshallsterling.com

Members since 1987

Milliman, Inc. 646-473-3308

1305 River Road

Phoenicia, NY 12464

Reza Vahid reza.vahid@milliman.com milliman.com

Members since 2021

Northwestern Mutual 518-690-7961

1 Northwestern Blvd. Albany, NY 12211

Patrick DiCerbo pat.dicerbo@nm.com patdicerbo.com

Members since 2011

NXG Insurance Group 845-594-4703

159 Green St., Kingston, NY 12401

Joseph Davis nxginsurance.com

Members since 2020

World Insurance Associates, LLC 845-230-3323

3 Starr Ridge Road, Suite 100 Brewster, NY 10509

Jeff Deldin jeffdeldin@worldinsurance.com worldinsurance.com

Members since 1998

Investment Advisors

Affinity BST Advisors, LLC 973-534-5785

10 British American Blvd. Latham, NY 12110

Nicholas Preddice npreddice@financialguide.com affinitybstadvisors.com

Members since 2020

BNY Mellon Center 617-722-7149

201 Washington St., 15th Floor Boston, MA 02108

John Lavin

john.lavin@bnymellon.com bnymellon.com

Members since 2020

Boyd Watterson

Asset Management, LLC

617-312-1335

1301 East 9th St., Suite 2900 Cleveland, OH 44114

Timothy Hyland thyland@boydwatterson.com boydwatterson.com

Members since 2024

The Fischer Group at Graystone Consulting 518-386-2928

1212 Troy Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110

Mark Caropreso

mark.a.caropreso@morganstanley.com morganstanley.com/graystone Members since 2022

Focused Wealth Management 845-691-4037

11 Balmville Road, Suite 2N Newburgh, NY 12550

Justine Lease jlease@focusedwealthmgmt.com focusedwealthmgmt.com

Members since 2024

Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, Inc. 845-294-6127

117 Grand St., 2nd Floor Goshen, NY 10924

Curt Schultzberg cschultzberg@hviaonline.com hviaonline.com

Members since 2024

Merrill Lynch 518-782-4094

26 Century Hill Dr. Latham, NY 12110

Mike Chrys michael_chrys@ml.com ml.com

Members since 2011

Pivotal Wealth Management 845-219-5162

1 Blue Hill Plaza, Lobby #1509 Pearl River, NY 10965

John Scarpino john@pivotalwealthllc.com pivotalwealthllc.com

Members since 2023

Stacey Braun Associates, Inc. 888-949-1925

377 Broadway, 8th Floor New York, NY 10013

Martin Wexler mhwexler@staceybraun.com staceybraun.com

Members since 2007

Law Firms

Catania Mahon & Rider

845-565-1100

641 Broadway Newburgh, NY 12550

Mike Cantania mcatania@cmrlegal.com cmrlaw.com

Members since 1989

Couch White, LLP

518-426-4600

540 Broadway, PO Box 22222 Albany, NY 12201

Joel M. Howard, lll jhoward@couchwhite.com couchwhite.com

Members since 2013

Welby, Brady & Greenblatt 914-428-2100

11 Martine Ave. White Plains, NY 10606

Anthony P. Carlucci, Jr. acarlucci@wbgllp.com wbgllp.com

Members since 2007

Real Estate

Gillespie Real Estate

845-565-7073

167 North Plank Road

Newburgh, NY 12550

Jodi Gillespie buysellwithjodi@gmail.com hudsonvalleyrealestate-ny.com

Members since 2023

Howard Hanna Realty 845-774-6858

229 Route 32 Central Valley, NY 10917

Karen Taphorn karen.taphorn@randrealty.com karentaphorn.randrealty.com

Members since 2021

Security

Blue Eagle Security. Inc

845-642-8908

16 Beth Dr. Middletown, NY 10941

Rick Hewitt rickhewitt@blueeaglesecurity.com blueeaglesecurity.com

Members since 2022

Nexgen Protection Services LLC

845-248-1191

1108 Kings Hwy Suite B Chester, NY 10918

Frank Costa frank.costa@nexgenpi.com nexgenpi.com

Members since 2021

Testing Companies

Advance Testing 845-496-1600

3348 Route 208

Campbell Hall, NY 10916

Chris McCracken busdev@advancetesting.com advancetesting.com

Members since 1986

Fairway Testing Co., Inc. 845-942-2088

22 N. Liberty Dr. Stony Point, NY 10980

Amy Aguanno DeEntremont adeentremont@fairwaytesting.com fairwaytesting.com

Members since 2006

U.S. Test & Balance Corp. 845-896-5609

10 Corporate Park Dr., Suite D Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

William Carr billcarr@getbalanced.com getbalanced.com

Members since 1998

Utilities | Energy

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. 845-486-5755

284 South Ave.

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Anthony Campagiorni acampagiorni@cenhud.com centralhudson.com

Members since 1985

Orange & Rockland Utilities 845-577-2339

766 West Nyack Road West Nyack, NY 10994

John Flynn flynnjo@oru.com oru.com

Members since 2017

Thank You!

The Construction Contractors Association of the Hudson Valley is grateful to our Diamond Sponsors for their exceptionally generous commitment to the CCA and the work we do on behalf of our members, our industry, and our partners in the building trades:

Affinity BST Advisors/

Orange Bank & Trust / H.V. Investments

Armistead Mechanical

Barone Construction

Beam Enterprises, Inc.

Catania, Mahon & Rider

Holt Construction Corp.

International Engineers Local 137

Ironworkers Local 417

Key Construction

MDS HVAC-R, Inc.

M&T Bank

Marshall & Sterling

Paramount Building Construction, Inc./ PBC

Perreca Electric Company, Inc.

RBT CPAs

Service Scaffold, Inc.

Tectonic Engineering Consultants, Geologists & Land Surveyors

Tri-State Drywall and Acoustical, Inc.