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Forum Discusses Putnam County's Business-Related Legislative Priorities

CARMEL, N.Y. -- Business leaders and elected officials from across the county and state hashed out key legislative issues during a recent forum hosted by the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce at Spain Cornerstone Park, just outside the county seat in Carmel.

State and county officials recently attended a Chamber of Commerce forum to address issues important to Putnam County.

State and county officials recently attended a Chamber of Commerce forum to address issues important to Putnam County.

Photo Credit: Putnam County Chamber of Commerce

“Our county is too small to not have good communication and joint efforts in pushing economic and business development forward. We need to lead with our strengths, identify what we can do and get it done," said Jennifer Maher, chairwoman, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. 

In keeping with County Executive, MaryEllen Odell's proclamation calling for 2016 to be "The Year of Business Development" in Putnam County, the Chamber is taking a leadership role by initiating the Putnam County Elected Officials and Economic Development Team Forum.

"New York is ranked 50th in the country for ease of doing business - We're dead last," said State Sen. Terrance Murphy. 

Murphy has sponsored several bills to help improve New York's tax and business climate. 

"We need to sunset archaic unnecessary restrictions on businesses - some of which have been around for 100 years," he added.

These are the Putnam County Legislative Priorities for 2016: 

  • Development of a cohesive county-wide master plan encompassing updated local municipality plans, infrastructure priorities, transportation improvement and workforce development. 
  • Improve the overall business climate and reduce the broad cost of doing business to spur development and jobs.
  • Continue to ensure that our sales tax goes to worthwhile benefits and services.
  • Renegotiate watershed agreement, such that reasonable development is permissible in areas unduly excluded. 
  • Reconstruct county economic development team to better promote the unique qualities of Putnam as a destination to live, work and play. 

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