Expansion program gains new VP

BRIDGEVILLE, NY — The Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development hired Donald L. Perry, CIRA, to be vice president of business development and expansion. Perry will analyze strategic growth opportunities for existing businesses in the county.

The partnership has begun to compile a database of businesses considered optimal for expansion and will be meeting with them to introduce the new program. “We are refining the focus of the organization to augment our core activities with business expansion as part of our overall economic development strategy,” said Jonathan Drapkin, chairman of the partnership’s board of directors.

Perry was executive vice president of finance at Wyndhurst Associates, LLC, a Baltimore-based financial restructuring firm. He co-founded Pine Cobble Financial Corporation, a commercial finance company focused on fast-growing entrepreneurial businesses serving large corporate and government accounts. He has also worked with manufacturing and distribution firms and in such industries as apparel, construction, textiles, aerospace, environmental remediation, real estate development, business services, retail and restaurant services.

For more information on the program call 845/794-1110 or email donperry@scpartnersltip.com.

Hawley banks to help revitalization

HAWLEY, PA — Local banks are offering lower-interest loans to property owners sharing the cost of Hawley Borough’s downtown revitalization project.

Thirty-one businesses and one residence included in Phase 1 of Hawley’s downtown improvements must pay $60 per linear foot of street frontage toward the total project cost. For five years The Dime Bank, Honesdale National Bank and Wayne Bank will offer loans for one percent below the prime rate. The loans can only be used to cover costs associated with the revitalization fees. Wachovia Bank and PNC Bank will also offer their customers discounted rates.

Phase Two of the project will affect more residential property owners than Phase I. One example is the area of Church Street across from The Falls Port Inn.

Dime Bank aids Damascus

DAMASCUS, PA — The Dime Savings Bank of Wayne County donated $2,500 to the Damascus Township Park Commission to fund a new playground at the township public park, located behind the township community hall on Calkins Hill Road.

Damascus Branch Manager Jan Hadley and Customer Service Representative Pam Kerber presented the check at the September 19 Damascus Township meeting.

Village honors former county sheriff

MONTICELLO, NY — In recognition of the life of service led by Joseph Wasser, the Monticello Village Board renamed Government Drive during a ceremony held last weekend.

The new name, “Wasser Way,” can now be seen on the street’s new sign. Wasser was a former Sullivan County sheriff, Town of Thompson justice and New York State Department of Correction commissioner.

“He was a consummate politician who was beloved by those who knew him,” said Village Manager Richard Sush. Wasser, a life-long resident of Monticello, passed away on October 28, 2004 at the age of 83.

Railroad company back pedals

COOPERSTOWN, NY — The New York Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYSWR), owners of the Central New York Railroad Corporation, has changed its request, The River Reporter has learned.

The newspaper published a story last week on Central New York’s application to the Federal Railroad Administration to remove electronic control signals along the 123-mile railway between Port Jervis and Binghamton, NY.

“We have been re-examining the situation regarding signals and have decided that we will request that only the last five miles of the line in Binghamton be without a signal system,” said Nathan Fenno, general counsel for NYSWR.

Fenno said: “The five-mile area is called ‘yard limits’ where trains must travel no faster than 10 miles per hour and we feel that signals are not needed there.”

Fenno informed the newspaper of the change one day before a public hearing was scheduled to take place in Binghamton. Fenno said Central New York would eventually put wires for the signal system underground, a project that would take a few years.