Orange County’s Fifth Economic Summit Highlights Business Growth and Future Opportunities
Fireside Chat featuring Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus & Orange County Partnership President & CEO, Conor Eckert
Orange County business leaders, elected officials, and economic development professionals gathered at SUNY Orange’s Middletown campus on Friday, October 16, 2026, for the Fifth Annual Orange County Economic Summit, reflecting on the county’s economic progress and exploring the opportunities and challenges that will shape its future.
Organized by Orange County Economic Development Director Steven Gross, the summit focused on the county’s ability to adapt to changing economic conditions, embrace new technologies, strengthen its workforce, and continue attracting private-sector investment.
The program opened with remarks from Gross, SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young, and Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano, who highlighted the importance of collaboration, education, and continued investment in supporting Orange County’s economic growth.
A highlight of the morning was the panel discussion, “From Strategy to Success: Five Years of Business Progress,” featuring Matt Garzia, COO of MFNY Group; Darren Klein, COO of Poly Craft Industries; Tony Glazer and Summer Crockett Moore, Producers and Owners of Choice Films & Theatricals; and Paula and Sabrina Fidanza of Fidanza Family Properties.
Moderated by Vincent Rouhotas, Executive Director of the Town of Montgomery IDA, the panel offered firsthand perspectives from businesses that have chosen to invest, expand, and grow in Orange County. The discussion explored what initially attracted these companies to the region, the advantages of doing business locally, and why they continue to see Orange County as a place for long-term investment.
Keynote speaker Gus Scacco, Senior Portfolio Manager at Advisors Capital, followed with an economic outlook examining the trends, risks, and opportunities that could influence Orange County’s business climate over the next five years.
The summit also featured a rapid-fire discussion with Orange County’s economic development team, including Steven Gross, Director of Orange County Economic Development; Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism and Film; Conor Eckert, President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership; and Heather Bell, President & CEO of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Moderated by Mike Torelli of the Orange County Executive’s Office, the panel highlighted the coordinated efforts of the county’s economic development partners to support existing businesses, attract new investment, and strengthen Orange County’s competitive position.
The discussion highlighted Orange County’s existing industry strengths and explored how these established sectors can serve as a foundation for attracting new investment and future economic growth. Panelists also reflected on the successes and challenges experienced in attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses throughout the county, offering valuable insight into the evolving economic development landscape. The conversation concluded with a forward-looking perspective on the industries, opportunities, and strategic initiatives the economic development team hopes to cultivate to strengthen Orange County’s economic future.
The morning concluded with a fireside chat between Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus and Orange County Partnership President & CEO Conor Eckert, who discussed the current economic climate, ongoing development activity, and the opportunities ahead for Orange County.
The conversation highlighted the County Executive’s and OCP President & CEO Conor Eckert’s recent trip to Taiwan, where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a drone chip manufacturer, marking an important step toward strengthening international business relationships and attracting new investment to Orange County. They also explored their shared vision for advancing economic development for future generations, emphasizing the importance of long-term strategic planning, business attraction, and sustainable growth. Additionally, the conversation provided insight into several projects currently in development throughout the county and the opportunities they present for Orange County’s economic future.
Throughout the summit, a common theme emerged: Orange County’s continued economic success is driven by its ability to evolve, respond to the needs of businesses, and bring the right partners together to move projects forward.
As the county looks toward the next five years, the summit reinforced the importance of building on that momentum through strategic investment, workforce development, and a shared commitment to making Orange County a place where businesses can establish roots, expand, and succeed.
