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Sullivan County partnership reviews sports-conference feasibility, casino risk and development pipeline
Summary
Partnership members discussed a feasibility study for a sports conference center, efforts to assess potential impacts from three Downstate casino licenses, and multiple economic development prospects including a sludge‑treatment company, housing projects, and infrastructure needs along the Old Route 17 corridor.
Partnership members said a feasibility study for a proposed sports conference center in Sullivan County is underway; consultants gathered private‑sector input and were expected to deliver a report late this month or early next month.
Speakers described the conference-center study as part of a larger strategy to catalyze weekend and midweek visitation and to attract ancillary retail and hotel development. Partnership members said they used room‑tax revenues to fund the feasibility work so any benefits would return to tourism-related taxes.
Officials also said a coalition of local economic‑development entities is assessing the potential negative impact on local gaming revenue and jobs if three new Downstate casino licenses are awarded. Partnership participants said they have retained counsel and lobbyists to represent county interests and are compiling analysis of potential gross‑gaming‑revenue, employment, and tax impacts.
The Partnership highlighted several specific projects under review or in progress: - Ares Clean Technologies: a company that processes sewer sludge and related wastes; Partnership members said they have shown potential sites and are evaluating municipal and county-level viability. The company would be a substantial ratable and employer if located in the county. - Old Route 17 corridor: speakers said the project had secured $1,000,000 for engineering and $20,000,000 for construction in prior grant cycles; an RFQ is under way for engineering services and parallel work is examining increased water capacity at the Elm Street well in the village of Liberty. One developer has agreed to cover permitting costs for the water work, officials said. - Livingston Manor projects: a sake-style microbrewery project secured $2,000,000 in CFA funding; another housing project (“Livingston Farms”) is returning to the planning board with revised plans. - Bethel technology project (Atwoods): the proposal did not receive CFA funding this round and will reapply; Partnership staff arranged a meeting with a local college to explore workforce synergies. - Retail and mall activity: speakers reported continuing interest at Thompson Square Mall and inquiries from national brands such as Planet Fitness.
Speakers flagged infrastructure as the main constraint to making sites genuinely “shovel ready,” citing the need for water, sewer, power and broadband. They noted updated DEC regulations have expanded wetland buffers in some areas, which can constrain development and push projects to sites with more available land.
On housing, Partnership remarks cited a recent housing report showing Sullivan County’s median home price at about $300,000; officials said limited inventory and rising rents are constraining workforce housing availability, but that developer interest could increase if market conditions allow profitable new construction.
No formal votes or commitments were recorded on these projects during the meeting; members described ongoing studies, outreach and funding applications.
