About Harlem Valley Partnership

The Harlem Valley Partnership is a non-profit agency, based in Dover Plains, concerned with economic development and regional cooperation. Working with partners from the public and private sectors, the Partnership seeks to improve the business climate of the Harlem Valley while making sure the area obtains its fair share of resources.

With funding assistance from Dutchess County, local municipalities, private sector donations, and grant writing, this partnership of public officials and private business people from the Harlem Valley is committed to promoting cooperation among its member communities for the purpose of identifying and developing a regional response to their shared issues, opportunities, and problems. This regional approach towards economic development enhances the social and economic viability of the Harlem Valley and allows for the creation of a plan for systematic and sustainable growth in keeping with the desires of its constituents.

The Harlem Valley consists of the well-known and charming towns, villages, and hamlets that form the eastern border of Dutchess County - Pawling, Wingdale, Dover, Wassaic, Amenia, Millerton, North East and Pine Plains. The area is also home to several cherished hidden hamlets, such as Amenia Union, Leedsville, Coleman Station, and much more! These rural communities have beautiful vistas, farms, small Town centers, and a total population of about 29,000, according to the 2000 Census. Separated from the rest of the county by the Taconic Mountain range, the valley is geographically removed from the typical economic development activities in western Dutchess. It is connected to the New York City metropolitan area by Metro-North Commuter Railroad's Harlem Division Line and NYS Route 22 which have both seen significant increased usage by commuters and tourists in recent years.

The Harlem Valley Partnership continues to strengthen its relationships with the community organizations, chambers of commerce, county and state agencies, and other economic development groups. The Partnership fulfills its mission by representing the interests of its member communities to all public agencies as well as private businesses. It acts as an advocate for its members with State and Local government agencies by suggesting and promoting projects; providing information; providing support for projects; and (where applicable) seeking funding to support these projects. The Partnership also goes to bat for these entities and for the people of the Harlem Valley to provide support on public policy and other regional matters. The Partnership advocates for the needs specific to rural areas and works towards the universal goal of creating successful communities where we can live work and play.

The Harlem Valley Partnership, Inc. was formally incorporated as an independent non-profit in 1994, after expanding from the original Harlem Valley Planning Partnership. The Partnership's Board of Directors consists of public and private sector representatives of the five towns and two villages of the Harlem Valley which is located in beautiful eastern Dutchess County. These communities are Pawling, Village of Pawling, Dover, Amenia, North East, Village of Millerton, and Pine Plains.

2003-2004 Accomplishments 2004-2005 Action Plan

Michael Hagerty, Executive Director

(845) 877-3738

(845) 877-1342 (FAX)

hvpartnership@worldnet.att.net

2005 Harlem Valley Partnership Board Of Directors

David Kelly
President

Susan Thompson
Vice-President

Richard Rennia
Treasurer

Charles Hatcher
Westchester Modular

Jeanne Rebillard
Wassaic

David Sherman
Town of North East

Bonnie Hundt
Town of Amenia

Linda Gregory
Jack's Auto Service, Inc.

Noah Katz
Foodtown

Albert Francke
Millerton

Jill Way
Town of Dover

Larry House
Hufcut Funeral Home

Edward Hauser
Town of Pawling  

Charles Daniels
Daniels Agency

Kent Johnson
Heinchon Dairy

Tracy Durkin
Village of Pawling

Michael Hayes
Daniels and Porco

Sanford Kaplan
Millerton

Ex-Officio

William R. Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive

Roger Akeley
Dutchess County Commissioner of Planning

Anne Conroy, Acting President
DC Economic Development Corp.

Bradford Kendall
DC Legislator - Dover

Margaret Fettes
DC Legislator-Amenia

Gary Cooper
DC Legislator-Pine Plains

Peter Riva - General member
International Transactions

HARLEM VALLEY PARTNERSHIP
P.O.BOX 680
Dover Plains, NY 12522
845.877.3738
moreinfo@hvpartnership.org