Leadership Orange Takes Deep Dive into Economic Development Across Orange County
Tour of a 218,000 SF speculative industrial building at 102 Dolson Avenue in the City of Middletown.
The Leadership Orange Class of 2025 had an action-packed and educational economic development session that highlighted the many projects, industries, and partnerships driving Orange County forward. The day began at UAP | Urban Art Project in Rock Tavern, where class members were welcomed with a fireside chat featuring a powerhouse panel of local leaders.
Moderated by Conor Eckert, Incoming President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership, the panel included Heather Bell, President of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce; Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism; Bill Fioravanti, CEO of the Orange County IDA; Steve Gross, Director of Orange County Economic Development; and Gilbert Guaring, President of the Orange County Arts Council Board and Director of Marketing, Sustainability, and Engagement at UAP. The discussion provided an in-depth overview of the region’s economic strengths—from business attraction and tourism to workforce development and the creative economy.
After the panel, the group boarded a bus and headed to the City of Middletown for a firsthand look at one of the county’s key redevelopment projects—a 218,000 SF speculative industrial building at 102 Dolson Avenue. There, they learned how the site is being transformed from a former retail store into a modern industrial space ideal for attracting manufacturing and logistics companies. The class had a wide-ranging discussion on the future of economic development and learned how the key initiatives driving Orange County’s economic development help move the county forward.
Next, the class toured Downtown Middletown, where they explored the progress being made through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), a major grant program from New York State. From new streetscapes to revitalized storefronts, the investments are breathing new life into the city’s urban core. The class also took a bus tour of the Industrial Place business park, home to PopCorners' snack food manufacturer, and Poly Craft Industries, a packaging manufacturing facility currently under construction.
The Middletown portion of the day concluded with an exciting visit to the Hope Theatre Soundstage by Choice Films, where the Orange County Film Office provided an overview of the growing film industry in the region. Class members got a behind-the-scenes look at Netflix’s Four Seasons production.
In the afternoon, the group traveled to the Town of Hamptonburgh for a tour of PharmaCann, one of the largest cannabis manufacturing facilities in the country. Leadership Orange participants learned about PharmaCann’s recently completed $130 million upgrade and the company’s role in the rapidly expanding cannabis sector.
The day came full circle back at UAP, where class members toured the state-of-the-art facility and saw world-class public artworks being fabricated, including the iconic Oscar Award.
The session gave participants a rare, up-close look at the diverse and evolving economic landscape of Orange County—where innovation, industry, and the arts come together to shape the region’s future.
“Leadership Orange helps train up-and-coming leaders in Orange County. It is our responsibility to help educate and engage the next generation of community leaders especially as it is related to economic development and strategic growth in Orange County”, said Conor Eckert, Incoming President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership.
