[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6536794,"mediaKeyId","3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0","parentId",3677155,"title","New SCVA CEO outlines data-driven branding and grant plan as small businesses, arts groups warn of frozen tourism funding","audioSeconds",2416,"startMs",1591000,"endMs",4007000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0&start=1591&end=4007","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0/thumbnail_1591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536794/Sullivan-County/New-York/New-SCVA-CEO-outlines-data-driven-branding-and-grant-plan-as-small-businesses-arts-groups-warn-of-frozen-tourism-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536794-fc5ec56ebdc11c8acbd4ee354a1c78bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099112&Signature=JuFAUIwla4Q5ZmJYsldPBn5YkVcQ01i~OHbmCET-aRQjRWOy1T~wxEzh2JxwlCFp3j~grdbv7k-qFc~DytFgYeqlC8Rdvx4OuJm6RCDzGafZAsiJ8Aq0w5O6z75Xh3or1IC~rLIpiimFh9ctZwkHw~ECrpz7zvvd3QXHlIKBEQxTsJAjs0Y5cuSAhyw~xX1K82yc5fQXKbA8SZRV0lp3FpuabRpEDXDo9RQ31mn-eBesLKlYGeusWqEe3fxxw9IM~-imwJNNVu5zwd7axjRpwPKlu1lIFCbF-g-GYkyLz0JjmXGHPL2zdrZG4dbhQ0p4Ed4a3QQAaY3P9Tn6pcEdpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sullivan County","date","2025-06-05T09:58:00Z","article","Michael Marlon, the newly installed president and CEO of the Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA), used his first legislative report to outline a data-driven branding strategy, a retooled grant program and changes to membership and marketing practices aimed at promoting the county as a single destination.

\"We are a servant to the brand,\" Marlon said, describing plans to center the county under one geographic brand and to expand data capabilities. He told the legislature the SCVA has signed contracts for analytics tools including KeyData, Datify, and Symphony to aggregate lodging, booking and spending data and to create forward-looking marketing indicators.

Marlon said he has frozen the SCVA grant program temporarily to create a \"grant program handbook\" that defines categories, grading and distribution. He read proposed allocation buckets to the legislature: \"60% room focus room night focus grants, 15% arts and culture enhancement, 10% hamlet and micro brain grants, 15% events and festival support.\" He said the SCVA plans to publicize awards and scoring to make the process more transparent.

Chamber and Chamber Foundation updates accompanied the SCVA presentation. Chamber representatives said they hired a social media marketing manager, that a new \"grants ambassador\" on their board has identified more than $250,000 in industry-specific grant opportunities for local businesses, and that the Chamber will underwrite 90% of local advertising costs to reduce the burden on small businesses. The Chamber Foundation described leadership and community programs, including a leadership class that will hold ribbon-cutting tours on June 20 and projects to place small food pantries in higher-need areas.

Local small business owners and arts organizations used public comment to warn the legislature that a recent pause or slowing of tourism and discretionary funding decisions is harming events and organizations that drive economic activity:

- Ashley Levitt, owner of All Things Accuracy (an archery, fishing and outdoor retailer in Liberty), said her business is down sharply this year and that her group did not receive timely marketing support for a festival. \"My business is down $300,000 in sales year over year,\" Levitt told the legislature, and she appealed for faster, more consistent support for local events and tourism marketing to help small businesses survive and attract visitors.
- Lourdesa Hunt, representing the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center (HPAC), said arts organizations deliver free and low-cost programming and act as community anchors. She said recent news of frozen county-level tourism and discretionary funding \"only deepens our concerns\" and asked legislators to visit HPAC and recognize its economic and social role.

Marlon also described several operational changes: eliminating paid SCVA membership (all tourism industry operators to receive basic listings), producing seasonally targeted visitor guides (separate winter/spring and summer/fall publications) and instituting a more data-driven approach to media placement (zip-code-level booking data, RevPAR tracking). He said he is creating a grants handbook and offered to share it with the legislature.

No formal county vote on tourism funding or grants took place during the meeting. Several speakers asked county leaders to prioritize timely disbursement of existing funds and to treat small businesses and arts organizations as partners in destination marketing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sullivan County - Economic Development Committee on 2025-06-05 9:30 AM - Jun 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Michael Marlon, the new president and CEO of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, presented a branding, data, and grant program plan; chamber leaders and local businesses and arts organizations urged quicker, consistent county support for tourism marketing and grant awards.","taxTitle","Sullivan County, New York","taxId",14534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536799,"Residents press legislature to use $8 million Gateway housing funds as officials discuss residential abatement and long-term housing strategy",2276,803000,3079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0&start=803&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0/thumbnail_803000.jpg","/articles/6536799/Sullivan-County/New-York/Residents-press-legislature-to-use-8-million-Gateway-housing-funds-as-officials-discuss-residential-abatement-and-long-term-housing-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536799-b07b986ba0945e76bdfea240f68a4c60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099112&Signature=otXUDai~7A2E4OHRLCBExqHL4vU6WGnfnINb70z964Limobwqv5ramepcZL4kd~AF4g5CaEstkburG~Ewf~vWC6gQhEXQyYL3diCXkZEZ1CwwYF0T-9eCnxz4IM3i8LEbNKZilu9E2--qQfgFbNpDm~9Y8s2VhrOjO56uylcjjQzbS6mJyIHT4agtFMl47a5cWxwOcGxgZSggd7PjdbBpJx7RAxhUxOtzVTgcjM2IbrrqUDEMURCxrvv6413Gc7YXzv0UzDm3mAifGu8h-MWv91HVfVqwBX5l1chDFZ1k8QjXwwa4fpA~8dPL-C-sul0nlMgnWp7jdTG~12M2H~Yvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and advocates used public comment at the Sullivan County Legislature meeting to press elected officials to commit a reported $8 million toward Gateway housing and other shelters for people experiencing homelessness, saying delays and stigma are blocking urgently needed solutions.

\"We're talking about all this money, $8,000,000 on the table for the taking,\" said Marty, a resident who addressed the legislature during public comment, urging officials to find a site and move quickly. Another commenter, Jenny, said, \"Once that $8,000,000 is gone and you lie your heads down on your pillow at night, it's gonna be too late,\" calling on legislators to act in a \"humanitarian way.\"

Legislators and economic development staff also discussed longer-term housing tools at the meeting. Jen, an IDA staff member, said she has been reviewing residential abatement programs other agencies use and is coordinating with county planning staff. \"For IDA to adopt any kind of new policy, we have to go through a public hearing process and a public input process, which takes a couple of months,\" Jen said; she added that a rollout in 2026 is possible if the policy is developed and a public process completed.

During an earlier portion of the meeting several legislators emphasized that county housing shortages are a crisis. One legislator said, \"I'm gonna ring my usual bell of this is a crisis. ... It's a national crisis, but it is especially a crisis in Sullivan County. And we need to behave as if it is a crisis.\"

Public commenters and speakers highlighted several root causes and suggested approaches:

- A local resident urged development of \"track housing\" (speculative single-family subdivisions) and more residential construction to enable apartment residents to move into homes and free up rental units.
- Speakers said the county lacks social infrastructure and amenities that attract professionals and their families, which limits recruitment for local employers.
- Several commenters warned that stigma against people experiencing homelessness has blocked site selection and slowed adoption of shelter projects.

Speakers also framed housing shortages as interlinked with education and workforce issues: one commenter emphasized long-term improvement in local school quality as part of making the county attractive for families.

IDA staff told the legislature they have been working on policy details and would meet with county planning staff (Heather's office referenced in discussion) to discuss county needs and next steps. No formal vote on a Gateway site or use of the $8 million was recorded in the meeting transcript; public comment consists of appeals to the legislature to act.

The meeting record shows continued public pressure for immediate use of available grant funds and parallel staff work on abatement and incentive policies that would take months to finalize through a public hearing process.","Public commenters urged Sullivan County legislators to deploy an $8 million funding opportunity for Gateway housing; IDA staff described early work on a residential abatement policy that could be adopted after public hearings, possibly in 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6536804,"Temporary restraining order halts closure of Delaware Valley Job Corps; county staff outline student and worker supports",277,354000,631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0&start=354&end=631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677155-d06200304a5c397c34d78ef3e5f19dd0/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6536804/Sullivan-County/New-York/Temporary-restraining-order-halts-closure-of-Delaware-Valley-Job-Corps-county-staff-outline-student-and-worker-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536804-17f6d28e473fd95017e3210efb655507/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099112&Signature=cB5y7IlUAEB21SuTe9zq-x8aUEjCSYipkn3J3fZqpnei3nDl8QFmUMfh90fpgStXW5g1Ik4hRvPIJ30apZ-ztaz6KZJ3KMDKX2A~GQRJJyxBwokhMuO3TzA1DF~0ZdFbntufrhzB6ojz0PNjSvrQBujf4yToTbJV8pBOmn~4E~2MBg4C4i1T9HDjMjrdbSDlWi2YDlz0Uxjc2TViXeiHhmYElKjBcbm51P5x7Fk9TtK6rDZ-PA-5WG7rcpy8MfK96QFeWruwmsQDL~fgHzp0V90QIyA6tZFrW0W16eeOGamimY8anFX6ZaTmXQcrZBPTtZLh5a0p1OxvqjQ6LkbA2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A court has temporarily blocked the planned closure of the Delaware Valley Job Corps campus, county workforce staff told the Sullivan County Legislature, giving officials more time to coordinate help for students and employees affected by the uncertainty.

Laura, a county workforce staff member, said, \"The court ordered a temporary restraining order on the closure of Job Corps. ... It's temporary.\" She told lawmakers the campus has 77 students and 101 workers and that \"about 65% of the workers are Sullivan County residents; the other 35% are Pennsylvania residents.\" County staff said they are coordinating with workforce counterparts in Orange County and New York City to support students who must transition home and workers who will need placements or assistance.

The temporary order matters because some students are already in precarious housing situations, Laura said: \"They have about students have already, been lehi students left that are homeless or are in a position where they cannot go back home.\" Staff said those students will be connected with services in nearby jurisdictions.

County workforce staff also highlighted several ongoing and planned programs and labor-market indicators:

- An electrical training program graduation is scheduled for June 10 at BOCES' Reuben Pollock Building; 14 of 15 students are slated to graduate and four already have jobs, staff said.
- A certified nurse assistant (CNA) course is planned to run Sept. 8 through Nov. 24 as an evening class (5:30 p.m.–9 p.m.) in partnership with SUNY Sullivan.
- The summer youth employment program received 110 applications for roughly 50 slots; confirmed worksites include Bold Gold Media, WJFF, Federation for the Homeless, Catholic Charities food pantry, HPAC, United Way, Monticello Central School, Woodridge Housing, SUNY Sullivan's Liberty Partnership, and Literacy Volunteers.
- The county received a notice of award of about $100,000 from the New York State Office of Mental Health for a local program, according to staff.

Laura also reported county labor-market figures for April: total nonfarm jobs rose about 2.3% year-over-year, private-sector employment rose about 2.9%, and the unemployment rate was 2.9%, down from 3.4% in April 2024. Sectors showing the biggest gains included private education and health services, manufacturing, and trade/transportation/utilities; leisure and hospitality and professional/business services showed minor losses. In the Hudson Valley region, Sullivan County's private employment posted the largest year-over-year gain at 2.9%, staff said.

Laura told the legislature there were three resolutions listed for the meeting; she said the first, a lease agreement with the New York State Department of Labor, was being pulled from the agenda. The other two resolutions she listed were for acceptance of incentive awards on the order of $50,000 and $50,003.33, respectively.

The temporary restraining order leaves the longer-term status of the Job Corps campus unresolved. County staff said they will continue coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and workforce partners while awaiting the final court outcome.","County staff told the Sullivan County Legislature a court granted a temporary restraining order halting closure of Delaware Valley Job Corps and described steps to connect students and workers with local services and training programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New SCVA CEO outlines data-driven branding and grant plan as small businesses, arts groups warn of frozen tourism funding

Residents press legislature to use $8 million Gateway housing funds as officials discuss residential abatement and long-term housing strategy

Temporary restraining order halts closure of Delaware Valley Job Corps; county staff outline student and worker supports