OrthoNet Holdings, Inc. Expands into Hudson Valley

$4.5 Million in Private Investment Will Retain 350 Jobs and Create 155 New Jobs

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that OrthoNet Holdings, Inc. will invest up to $4.5 million to expand its national headquarters in White Plains, retaining 350 jobs and creating a projected 155 new jobs to boost the Hudson Valley economy. OrthoNet Holdings is a national leader in orthopedic specialty benefit management.

“The expansion of OrthoNet demonstrates our commitment to attracting private sector investment and stimulating job growth in New York,” said Cuomo.

“I am proud to have worked with OrthoNet and our local partners to ensure New York jobs remain in the hands of New Yorkers.”

Supported by an incentive package including up to $3 million in Excelsior Tax Credits from Empire State Development and $31,000 in sales tax exemptions from the County of Westchester IDA, OrthoNet will be able to significantly expand its presence as a key economic and employment resource for the local community, while meeting its mission of providing services that promote high-quality, cost effective health care.

“We are excited about keeping and expanding our business in Westchester,” stated OrthoNet’s President and CEO Dr. Roger Shedlin.

“This means our excellent local workforce will not face relocation or disruption. The support from ESD and WIDA will help enable our continued growth, and job creation, here in New York.”

OrthoNet is the nation’s largest provider of musculoskeletal benefit management services. For over sixteen years the Company has called Westchester home, successfully growing a business that works with most major health plans, providing a wide array of programs related to orthopedics, rehabilitation and related clinical services throughout the United States and its Territories. These initiatives create efficiencies that keep treatments affordable, while promoting improved clinical outcomes and greater patient access to the most appropriate care.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “As OrthoNet grows so will employment opportunities for Hudson Valley residents. Over the next five years, their aggressive agenda for corporate expansion has the potential for significant job creation and economic activity to support the local community. I want to thank our local partners, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and his strong team for their outstanding efforts in helping keep these jobs in the Hudson Valley.”

“From day one I have made economic growth a cornerstone of my administration. Attracting and retaining business in Westchester is how to put people to work and strengthen the economy. Partnering with OrthoNet not only maintained jobs but created new ones. I would also like to thank Empire State Development (ESD) for collaborating with my IDA team to make this possible,” said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.

Image courtesy of http://www.ortho-net.com.

Cuomo Creates Storm and Flooding Recovery Task Force

Group Will Coordinate Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts for the Catskills, Upper Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley

Governor Andrew Cuomo today established the Upstate Storm and Flooding Recovery Task Force, which will be comprised of key agency commissioners and ensure seamless coordination between agencies. These agencies will work together to coordinate rebuilding of infrastructure, economic development, agricultural renewal, power restoration, and assistance with private insurance.

"From repairing roads and bridges, getting power back, helping with insurance claims and working with family farms, state government has rapidly mobilized to make sure that all available resources are in place to help the affected areas recover. This task force will ensure the highest level of state and local coordination to leverage all state resources and get them to where they are needed," Governor Cuomo said.

The task force will be chaired by Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine and President and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corporation Matthew Driscoll. Full membership of the task force is below:

Co-chair -- Darrel Aubertine, Commissioner, Department of Agriculture and Markets
Co-chair – Matthew Driscoll, President and CEO, Environmental Facilities Corporation
Joan McDonald – Commissioner, Department of Transportation
General Pat Murphy – Adjutant General, Division of Military and Naval Affairs
Andrew Feeney – Director, State Emergency Management Office
Joseph D’Amico – Superintendent, State Police
Joseph Martens – Commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation
Ben Lawsky – Superintendent, Department of Financial Services
Garry Brown – Chairman, Public Service Commission
RoAnn Destito – Commissioner, Office of General Services
Brian Stratton – Director, Canal Corporation
Kenneth Adams – President and CEO, Empire State Development Corporation

As a result of the record heavy rains caused by Hurricane Irene, there is historic flooding occurring in the region that has damaged numerous roads and bridges, destroyed 500-600 homes, and devastated thousands of acres of farmland.

NY Wine Industry Gets Boost from New Legislation

Cuomo Signs New Law Reducing Regulatory Burden on Farm Wineries by the State Liquor Authority

Governor Cuomo today announced that he has signed legislation to significantly reduce the regulatory burdens placed on farm wineries by the State Liquor Authority (SLA). This bill would implement several of the recommendations made by the New York State Wine Grape Task Force in its December 2008 report to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

"This bill is a huge boost for wineries across the state. Reducing the regulatory burdens on farm wineries will allow them to continue to thrive as a key tourism, agricultural, and economic engine for our state. I want to thank Commissioner Aubertine, Senator Young and Assemblyman Schimminger for their dedication to this bill," Governor Cuomo said.

The Fine Winery Bill includes:

Branch Store Capability: The bill would give farm wineries the ability to operate up to five branch stores. While farm wineries can currently operate up to five "satellite stores," under existing law those stores must obtain separate licenses and are subject to the same off-premise restrictions imposed on package/liquor stores. The new "branch store" system would allow such stores to be considered extensions of the farm winery, not as separate entities, making it much easier for such stores to be opened up around the state.

Custom Crush Capability: The bill clarifies the ability of farm wineries to provide and/or utilize custom crush services for purchasers of New York grapes, thereby encouraging smaller vineyards to enter in the industry, which in turn will foster rural economic growth.

Direct Shipper's Report Efficiencies: New York wineries have been able to ship directly to consumers in other states since 2005, but needed to produce a very costly, time consuming and underutilized report. This legislation now requires them to maintain reports on-site and provide them to SLA only upon request.

License Consolidation: Under this bill, the law no longer requires the State's wineries that manufacture less than 1,500 gallons of wine annually to apply for a separate micro-winery license; rather all farm wineries will have the same license, with micro-winery licenses continuing to cost $50 annually.

Charitable Events Filing Efficiencies: New York wineries seeking to participate in charitable events are no longer restricted to five per year. Now, wineries will have to obtain an annual permit and notify SLA of the event, greatly reducing the amount of burden on both wineries and SLA, while ensuring the same oversight.

"Farm wineries are a growing, profitable sector in our state's agricultural industry, and I thank Governor Cuomo for his focus on strengthening our economy. By signing this bill, the Governor is partnering with us to relieve these wineries from cumbersome regulations that have impeded their productivity," said State Senator Catharine Young.

"Not only will this new law permit both New York farm wineries and the State Liquor Authority to operate more efficiently, it also will allow these private businesses and state government to cut costs. This initiative is exactly what our state needs to generate more economic vitality, opportunity and prosperity, and I was proud to sponsor this legislation."

State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger also supports the new legislation.

"This bill delivers on our shared commitment to further promote the successful development of New York's wine and grape industry. By streamlining regulatory requirements on farm wineries in our state, this bill will encourage new businesses and expansion in the agricultural industry," said Schimminger.

"It also achieves efficiency and consolidation in reporting, licensing, and filing with the State Liquor Authority which will help both wineries and state government to function more resourcefully while ensuring an appropriate level of oversight. I thank the Governor for signing this bill. Working together we will continue to prove that New York is open for business."

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine said, "Governor Cuomo recognizes the significant role agriculture plays in the State's economy. With wine being one of the fastest growing sectors of that industry, this legislation offers numerous benefits to farm wineries that will have a ripple effect throughout the countryside. I thank Governor Cuomo, Senator Young and Assemblyman Schimminger for their hard work on this bill."

The New York wine and grape industry has a $3.76 billion economic impact from the production of wine and grapes grown on nearly 1,400 vineyards statewide. Since the passage of the Farm Winery Law in 1976, the number of New York's farm wineries has grown from under twenty to nearly 306 today.

Wine production has increased more than 50 percent in the last 20 years to nearly 200 million bottles annually. New York is now the third largest wine producing state in the country, behind California, and recently Washington. The sale of New York wines account for $420 million a year.

Today, more than 5 million tourists visit New York wineries annually. The five major wine producing regions in the state are the Finger Lakes, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Lake Erie and the Niagra Escarpment, but there are wineries in 51 of New York's 62 counties.

Image courtesy of http://www.pdphoto.org.