ORANGE EVENT: SelectUSA Delegation visits Orange County

Conor Eckert, Incoming President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership presenting at the Invest in Orange County, NY Event

By Conor Eckert, Incoming President & CEO of the Orange County Partnership

Early this month, we hosted the SelectUSA Summit delegation of over 20 Taiwanese companies visiting the United States to explore investment opportunities in the country. The delegation was made up of executives in the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors – from computer hardware manufacturing to semiconductor design firms. Additionally, we hosted leadership from our partners at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Empire State Development, TECO, and others.

Over the last year, our economic development team has focused on building international relationships in the advanced technology sector – including visiting Taiwan last month. Our Taiwan visit has resulted in a substantial increase in foreign direct investment opportunities and new site selection opportunities for companies seeking expansion into the United States market.

County Executive Neuhaus and I presented to the group – with a key focus on showcasing our real estate assets and access to the greater northeast innovation markets in New York City, Boston and Washington D.C. We were able to tell the story of Orange County as an emerging location for advanced manufacturing – boasting assets like shovel ready sites, proximity to consumer markets, and the ability to train and attract STEM talent from across the Hudson Valley and lower New York State. These variables are critical for siting advanced manufacturing projects.

As we look toward the future, we firmly believe that Orange County will play a dynamic role in the advanced manufacturing economy – with the right mix of market fundamentals, real estate, and new international relationships, we are poised to help drive a new era of economic growth.