Development agencies scuffle over program funds

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO, NY — A turf war became evident on April 21 as the Sullivan County Legislature adopted a measure to place some business retention and expansion programs under the purview of the Sullivan County Partnership.

Since the creation of the partnership in the early 1990s, county government has funded the member agency’s new business recruitment activities at $75,000 annually. County government has funded the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce’s business training and retention programs at $20,000 annually.

Meanwhile, county government got involved in these programs when the Division of Planning and Community Development created a business “incubator without walls” and a Main Street redevelopment program.

Earlier this month, Planning and Community Development Commissioner Dr. William Pammer and partnership president Marc Baez came before the legislature’s executive committee to support a resolution that would divest the county government of those programs, add them to the partnership’s agenda and increase county funding to the partnership by $25,000 annually.

Several legislators were skeptical about creating a conflict with the chamber, but no chamber spokesman appeared at the committee meeting and the resolution was adopted.

But chamber CEO and President Jon Westergreen did appear on April 21, saying he had only learned of the new funding measure “last week.”

“Clearly we support economic development,” he said, adding, “Any money is important, regardless of who receives it. We just don’t want duplication.”

Westergreen insisted that the chamber didn’t necessarily want to stop the funding but wanted time to allow his board to review the proposal.

As the chamber’s business retention and expansion specialist, Terry Hess, stood by his side, Westergreen noted that county money funds her full-time position.

Business owner Shirley Felder-Morton said it was a “horrible thing” to see the two agencies, which had helped her pitted against one another. “The chamber gave me a platform and the partnership gave me funding,” she said.

Baez later told legislators that the partnership was not out to “step on anyone’s toes,” but was taking on two publicly operated programs to answer questions from members, who wondered what good membership did for businesses that are already here.

Baez said the new programs were consistent with partnership’s original mission statement.

Legislator Ron Hiatt supported Kathy LaBuda’s failed motion to table the resolution. “I don’t know what the rush is to spend the county’s money,” he said.

“The longer we wait, the longer business is not being developed,” said Legislator Greg Goldstein.

Legislator Rodney Gaebel said there had been no intent to infringe on the chamber. “We’ve worked well in past and we understand their concerns,” he said.

Legislator Jodi Goodman said the programs were mutually advantageous. “I don’t see them competing. The goal for all is wealth and good living… We can’t get hung up on semantics,” she said.