Reclaimed prison attracts business

WARWICK — As the Town of Warwick awaits closing day on its purchase of the site of the former Mid Hudson Correctional Facility, several companies are considering moving to the 733-acre plot.

At least one company is rumored to already have a keen interest in moving.

"The Orange County Partnership brokered an incentive meeting for a Warwick-based manufacturer that is very interested in the Mid Orange correctional facility," said OC Partnershio President Maureen Halahan.

The high-tech firm is looking into applying for state and local tax breaks through the Orange County Industrial Development Agency and also at the state level in order to help fuel a possible expansion to the prison facility, Halahan said.

Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton confirmed strong interest from a company like the one described by Halahan. Neither Halahan nor Sweeton revealed the name of the firm.

"We’ve had lots of interest and those discussions are ongoing," Sweeton said. "Until we get some ink on paper, I think we have to be cautious."

Sweeton said he is working to subdivide a 60-acre portion of the site for immediate, "shovel-ready" projects.

"We’re going to market it aggressively," Sweeton said.