Assemblywoman
Aileen Gunther:
Working to improve our economy photo


Assemblywoman Gunther:
Providing the tools for job growth

Dear Neighbor:

For a healthier economy, we need to attract more businesses to New York. That’s why I cut business taxes and supported the Assembly’s NY@Work plan which earmarks millions to streamline state economic development initiatives, reform Empire Zones, improve workforce training, and provide grants and loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs. I will continue to deliver state aid to promote our tourism industry and to strengthen business strategies.

We should also make the most of our region’s assets by backing proposals like the Bethel Performing Arts Center and by supporting our rich agriculture and local farms to encourage growth.

Small businesses are the foundation of our economy. Learning about state programs that help small companies and women- and minority-owned businesses via support services and low-cost loans, are additional ways our region can succeed.

I’m working to help revitalize our local community and will continue to help local businesses grow.

Sincerely,
signature
Aileen M. Gunther
Member of Assembly



“We need to build a brighter future for our community. Creating new job opportunities, new businesses and new incentives will strengthen our local economy.”

-Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther

Investing in our community

Assemblywoman Gunther is committed to getting our economy back on track. She introduced legislation for rural New York smart sites to help establish computer and Internet businesses to compete in today’s markets (A. 1578). She fought for funding to support:

  • ATTAIN computer lab, Sullivan County BOCES, Monticello, $1 million

    To provide interactive, multi-media software for individualized instruction in academic and job development skills, helping to bridge the technological divide between lower and upper income families and creating more employment opportunities

  • Sullivan County Community College, $247,000

    To help the college continue its vital role in teaching students technological skills they need in the workforce

  • Partnership for Economic Development in Sullivan County, $4,000

    To support investment strategies to strengthen local economic development efforts

  • Sullivan County Division of Planning, $164,000

    To build a Fire Training Center, to purchase a bus to transport the elderly and needy, and to plan future development

  • Catskill Regional Medical Center, renovation of maternity unit, $100,000

    To help support services by Sullivan County’s only community health care provider

  • Property tax reductions, $681,227

    To help several towns and school districts in Sullivan and Orange counties reduce the burden on property taxpayers caused by forest land exemptions

  • Reimbursement for flood damage

    To help Orange and Sullivan county families recoup losses from millions of dollars of flood damage this year by sponsoring a law to allow affected homeowners to grieve their assessment to the local assessment board (Ch. 42 of 2005)

Making the most out of our region’s assets

Attracting tourists

Assemblywoman Gunther knows the importance of strengthening the local economy by promoting tourism and aggressively marketing the area’s culture to increase visitor traffic. This year, she introduced a resolution to establish Fly Fishing Week, June 4-12. The designation will coincide with the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2006.

Gunther also fought for funding to support:

  • Bethel Performing Arts Center, $500,000

    To house a state-of-the-art performing arts center on the historic site of the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival, creating a destination for countless visitors

  • Sullivan County Visitors Association, $107,000

    To renovate the 1947 Forestburgh Playhouse and to market and promote the local area

  • The Eagle Institute, $2,000

    To preserve birds of prey and for educational and outreach efforts

Fostering agriculture

The New York State Farm Bureau recognized Assemblywoman Gunther’s work with its “Circle of Friends” award for her stellar voting record and legislative support for the farm community as one of New York’s most important industries. Gunther sponsored the farm generational transfer bill which allows a new generation of farmers to benefit from school property tax credits (A. 395). In addition, Assemblywoman Gunther secured funding to support:

  • Sullivan County Area Farmer’s Market, $3,000

  • Sullivan County Division of Planning, $50,000

    To help local dairy farmers increase their business by developing locally-made cheeses


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Taking advantage of our state’s programs

New York State’s Department of Economic Development will help promote your business by providing:

Management, counseling, technical assistance and mentoring to displaced workers, minorities and women start-up businesses or those in the early stages of business development

  • Empire State Development, Mid-Hudson Office, (845) 567-4882

    Promotes business opportunities in New York State and helps companies network internationally

  • Division of Minority- and Women-owned Business Development, (800) STATE-NY

    Helps women and minorities access Empire State Development services

  • The Linked Deposit Program, (800) STATE-NY

    Provides low-interest bank financing to small businesses through local credit unions in addition to lending from the Department of Economic Development

For additional information, visit:

  • www.nylovesbiz.com

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther
18 Anawana Lake Road, Monticello, NY 12701
(845) 794-5807 gunthea@assembly.state.ny.us

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