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Tourism, Planning departments become one

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — The Greene County Legislature unanimously approved the consolidation of the Department of Tourism Promotion and Department of Economic Development and Planning.

The resulting merger will create the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Planning.

“Greene County is taking an important step forward with the consolidation of these two departments,” said Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh. “We are taking two strong organizations and making them even stronger by combining them into one.”

The consolidation of the two departments is expected to save at least $100,000 through “greater efficiencies, better development of staff and elimination of redundancies” in the first year.

A press release from the legislature states that the two departments will be fully integrated, and no immediate job cuts are expected.

The Tourism Visitor Center at Thruway Exit 21 will remain open, continuing to provide tourists with information and assistance about Greene County.

“In today’s economy and with the current budget crunch, it makes more sense than ever to look at ways that Greene County can operate more efficiently without sacrificing the quality of its programs and services,” said Interim County Administrator Dan Frank. “The integration of these two departments achieves that goal and aligns our economic development and tourism objectives.”

Legislator Karen Deyo (R-Catskill) said similar consolidations of services are occurring in governments across the country, and this is just another cost-saving measure to better serve the residents of Greene County.

“The consolidation of these two departments into a single, highly coordinated department is a great move for Greene County that will pay rewards for years to come,” Deyo added.

Director of Economic Planning and Development Warren Hart said, “Tourism is economic development...tourism is our largest industry sector, accounting for significant revenue and jobs for our residents.”

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