|
|
|
|
|
IRG joins RBA and enters into purchase/sale agreement
for the Pearl-River based Pfizer property
The Los Angeles-based Industrial Realty Group (IRG), which owns and operates more than 150 major projects and developments in 28 states, is a nationally recognized leading force behind the adaptive reuse of buildings and facilities throughout the country and is also a new member of the Rockland Business Association.
"IRG has decided to join the RBA in an effort to build relationships with area businesses throughout Rockland County," said Lauren Crumrine, IRG's leasing and marketing specialist. "The company has recently entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Pfizer for a portion of their existing developed campus located in Pearl River. IRG hopes to align with the community, by integrating into the local culture and the business environment, and investing into the region through our purchase efforts and mutually beneficial membership in the RBA."
RBA President and CEO Al Samuels lauded IRG's new presence in Rockland County.
"IRG has the vision, experience and resources to deliver results," he said. "It has been instrumental in creating thousands of jobs at its properties nationwide, and that's what we need in Rockland County. As a nationally recognized leading force behind the adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial real estate, IRG's tremendously positive impact on the Pfizer property cannot be underestimated."
For example, IRG owns and is a master developer of three closed military bases, a former NASA manufacturing facility and a closed Veterans Affairs complex. It recently purchased properties from companies and government agencies including General Motors, Ford, Goodyear, Maytag, Northrup Grumman, United Technologies and the Army, ranging in size from 50 to 3,000 acres, with building square footages from 5,000 to four million in size.
Until the due diligence is completed, officials are not able to provide details as to what they hope to do with the campus.
However, the Nanuet School District --- a supporter of the sale --- recently posted information on its website discussing why the sale is beneficial to the community.
"Rather than demolish the existing facilities that it does not need, Pfizer has chosen to sell most of the property (although it will retain a good portion for its own use) to a company that specializes in revitalizing these types of facilities," according to the district's website. "The company it chose is Industrial Realty Group (IRG), whose president, Stu Lichter, has roots in the Hudson Valley community."
Additionally, the district wrote: "As a condition of buying the facility, IRG has asked Nanuet and the Town of Orangetown to enter into good faith negotiations to establish a tax assessment that promotes growth at the facility while still providing tax revenue to the municipalities. We have agreed to enter into these negotiations with the goal of achieving the highest possible short term revenue from the facility and with the hope that in the long term, the facility can be returned to the economic powerhouse it was for many years."
Spectra Energy joins RBA
Spectra Energy Corp., one of North America's leading pipeline and midstream companies, is a new member of the Rockland Business Association.
For nearly a century, Spectra Energy and its predecessor companies have developed critically important pipelines and related infrastructure connecting supply sources to premium markets. Based in Houston, the company's operations in the United States and Canada include more than 22,000 miles of natural gas pipelines.
"We are thrilled to have Spectra Energy be an RBA member," said Al Samuels, RBA president and CEO. "Spectra Energy's Algonquin Gas Transmission system has been operating safely and without incident in Rockland County for the last 60 years."
The Algonquin interstate pipeline system extends 1,129 miles from New Jersey into New York and New England, transporting clean, reliable natural gas from major supply basins. Algonquin interconnects with Spectra Energy's Texas Eastern Transmission and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline systems.
The Algonquin system is designed to be safely and efficiently expanded with minimal community or environmental impacts. All projects are constructed, operated, and maintained to meet or exceed federal safety standards and regulations.
Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorized Algonquin to expand its pipeline system with the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) Project. The AIM Project, currently under construction, is the most immediate pipeline infrastructure solution for the Northeast region with a proposed 2016 in-service date. Spectra Energy is developing other separate projects, including the Atlantic Bridge and Access Northeast Projects, that will help meet the region's needs for additional pipeline capacity.
|
NorthEast Community Bank opens Spring Valley branch
NorthEast Community Bank Chairman/CEO Kenneth A. Martinek is joined by County Executive Ed Day, Town of Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence (far left), NECB executives, employees and supporters as he cuts the ribbon on bank's first branch in Rockland, located on West Eckerson Road in Spring Valley.
NorthEast Community Bank (NECB), with offices in New York and Massachusetts, has opened its first branch in Spring Valley.
The new branch already has $11 million in deposits from both new and residential customers.
Founded by NECB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kenneth A. Martinek's grandfather, NECB has been serving New York and Massachusetts since 1934.
NECB held the formal ribbon cutting on Aug. 31, with Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Town of Ramapo Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence. During the open house, Roger Scheiber, RBA vice president, and members the business community met with Martinek, Jose Collazo, president/ chief operating officer, Paramand Mana, branch manager/vice president and the members of the NEBC family of lenders.
"We are definitely a people's bank," said Martinek. "We have all the 'perks' the big banks offer-open seven days a week, offering both retail banking and commercial lending and remote deposit. We don't have the high fees that the bigger banks charge. Some charge up to $35 for a returned check. We charge 25 cents. Many people are turned off by the 'big box' banks and cannot afford the high fees and demands they impose in order to have an account. That's something customers won't find at NorthEast. We work for our depositors, who are the backbone of the community."
The New York/Massachusetts-based bank has $560 million in assets, with nine branches, including its new one in Spring Valley, and three lending centers.
| Branch employees with County Executive Ed Day |
|
Welcome new RBA members!
The following is a list of our newest members. Welcome to the RBA! We look forward to many productive and
successful years of working together.
|
Welcome to fall and cooler weather!
Fall 2015 is just a few weeks old and the Rockland Business Association is ready for another great season of events and activities to promote the great work of its members.
And as we step into cooler weather, here's one last look at some of our recent gatherings and visits:
General Membership Meeting
|
The Sept. 10 RBA General Membership Luncheon featuring Rockland County Executive Ed Day. Day spoke about "the budget: historical challenges are still ahead." The event was sponsored by First Niagara Bank.
|
Time Hotel
|
The RBA staff (Roger Scheiber, Doreen Briglia, Al Samuels and Joan Neumann) visited The Time Hotel during construction. The hotel expects to open January 1st and is the first boutique style hotel in Rockland County. The venue will host the January 2016 RBA Expo.
|
|
|
Find us on the Web!
|
|
|
|
|
|