Kevin Lynch Becomes New Ulster County Economic Development Alliance President

By Bond Brungard

Kevin Lynch, the director of Ulster County’s Office of Economic Development, was recently appointed president of the non-profit Ulster County Economic Development Alliance (UCEDA) on Monday, Sept. 23 when he replaced Amanda LaValle.

As a non-profit, the UCEDA can help private businesses with financing, something the county office under Lynch’s direction cannot do. “The organization as a whole can go after federal and state grant opportunities the county can’t,” said Lynch. “There is a vehicle to access loans.”

“UCEDA is the economic development arm of the county,” added Lynch. “It’s just another tool in the tool box to make it a vibrant community.”

Recent efforts from the UCEDA have been to help iPark 87, which now occupies the industrial campus in Lake Katrine after IBM vacated it in the mid-1990s. Per iPark 87’s website, hundreds of thousands of square feet are currently available for lease in multiple buildings. 

iPark 87 recently attracted the support of Ulster BOCES, which signed a 10-year lease to relocate its Career and Technical Center to iPark 87 in 2025 from Port Ewen. Ulster County will also be an occupant at iPark 87 when it leases about 40,000 square feet for its “Sustainable Ulster Workforce Innovation Center,” partnering with SUNY Ulster, SUNY New Paltz, Ulster BOCES, and Ulster YouthBuild for programming space and offices.

According to UCEDA’s board chairperson Rev. Dr. Gregory Simpson, the Alliance helps to settle matters, such as leases, and assist on other details that are part of the hard work to keep iPark 87 moving forward. “We’re having to resolve those issues while simultaneously facilitating bringing in new tenants,” said Simpson.

iPark 87 is not the only site in the county, and Lynch’s office is responsible for all of it. Economic development in the county in part has its roots in the state, and Empire State Development is where that starts. Lynch’s office will get notified by the office of a business seeking to locate in New York state. His staff will then provide data on a site, including transportation options, the cost-of-living index, housing costs, and more. “We are competing with other areas,” said Lynch. 

And once a business decides to locate here, the UCEDA can help with financing in areas such as workforce development. According to the UCEDA’s mission statement “(It) supports the promotion of Ulster County as the premier location to expand and grow business for the creation of wealth, fostering strong, sustainable diverse economical opportunities for Ulster County and its communities.” Says Lynch, “the UCEDA will be a supportive partner around workforce initiatives.”

But more is needed in attracting other businesses. Lynch said he wants to take a tactical approach of putting more action into some of UCEDA’s mission. “We are going to be more proactive at reaching out to companies,” said Lynch. And when reaching out to other companies, the list is long and in many business sectors, including tourism, agribusiness, clean energy, and new and innovative technologies.