Schumer Convenes Orange County Tourism Summit To Ensure Local Businesses Get The Most Out Of New Sullivan Casino -- Schumer Brings Together Fed Officials, Orange County Tourism, & Orange County Chamber To Develop Comprehensive Tourism Strategy

Press Release

At the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today co-hosted the first ever Orange County Tourism Summit to ensure that local businesses are able to capitalize on the economic impact of the new casino coming to Sullivan County. Schumer said that with more visitors set to pass through Orange as a result of the new casino, it is important for the county and its businesses to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure they are benefiting from the eventual tourism uptick.

Schumer said that restaurants, hotels, farmers, local shops and other tourist attractions are most likely to benefit from the incoming casino, and that is why he is bringing together federal agency officials to meet with Orange County Tourism & Orange County Chamber of Commerce, and business leaders to begin to develop a comprehensive strategy. Schumer said that these federal and local agencies will offer expertise and funding that can help make the plan a success.

"Our goals today are the same as they've always been: foster economic growth, higher wages, and job creation from the town of Newburgh to New Windsor, Tuxedo to Middletown and everywhere in between. But these goals will not be achievable unless we think about this region and Orange County's core advantages, and then customize our approach to suit those characteristics in preparation for this incoming Sullivan casino. With this new tourism destination on the horizon, we need to come together and chart a path forward to harness the opportunity of this world-class gaming destination to increase awareness, improve access and marketing, and enhance the tourism experience for visitors from all around the world passing through Orange and the Hudson Valley," said Senator Schumer. "I am hopeful that with the minds we have gathered here we can develop several new ideas, avenues to pursue, and ways to make sure the expected new visitors to the area in the years to come become a permanent fixture in Orange County's tourism economy."

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