Local Businesses in Stony Point Struggle with Revenue Losses

News Summary

Local businesses in Stony Point are experiencing significant hardships due to ongoing utility construction projects, with revenue losses exceeding 40%. The disruptions caused by the Orange & Rockland Utilities and Champlain Hudson Power Express projects are severely impacting local retailers along Route 9W. Town officials are calling for state intervention to prevent further economic decline and support the survival of these small businesses, which are essential for the community’s economic health.

Local Businesses in Stony Point Face Major Revenue Losses Amid Ongoing Utility Construction

Stony Point is grappling with significant revenue losses as local businesses face hardships caused by ongoing construction works by Orange & Rockland Utilities (ORU) and the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) project. Reports indicate that local retailers are experiencing revenue declines of over 40% during the past eight months due to disruptions along Route 9W, which is the main commercial corridor of the town.

Business owners, including the proprietor of Rock’s Kitchen, have reported declines in income significantly impacting their operations. Stony Point Town Supervisor Jim Monaghan has been vocal about these concerns, reaching out to New York State officials to express his frustration over the construction projects that continue to affect the small business community adversely.

In a letter addressed to state authorities, Monaghan highlighted the simultaneous activities of ORU’s gas main relocation during the execution of the CHPE project as a primary cause for the ongoing disruptions. These construction efforts have been characterized by continuous noise and traffic interruptions, occurring six days a week, with ORU executing its work during the day and CHPE scheduled for nighttime operations.

The CHPE project is a major infrastructure initiative aiming to transport hydroelectric power from Canada to New York City along a distance of 339 miles. While this project is essential for clean energy development, its execution has led to challenging conditions for local businesses. The disruption, coupled with lack of communication about concurrent construction activities, has made it difficult for customers to access retail locations.

Monaghan has described the situation in Stony Point as pushing the community into a crisis, warning that potential revenue losses could escalate up to 75% for some businesses. He has raised concerns that without state intervention, the long-term survival of these local shops is at risk, which could result in a loss of jobs and vital economic strength for the area.

The ongoing challenges for small businesses have also brought attention to the need for better coordination and oversight at the state level regarding construction projects. Town officials emphasize that while cooperation with state energy initiatives is important, it should not come at the expense of the local economic health. The potential long-term damage could linger even after construction activities cease if immediate actions are not taken.

Amid these construction undertakings, Route 9W has transformed into a zone of increased traffic congestion, causing additional strain on the local economy. The delay in the construction process has been partly attributed to ORU’s work following the CHPE’s installation beneath Route 9W, further complicating the timeline and leading to more interruptions than initially anticipated.

The CHPE project has faced its own share of challenges, as it was originally proposed more than a decade ago and had to be rerouted due to environmental concerns and local transportation authority objections. The resultant changes redirected the pipeline through Stony Point rather than following the Hudson River, necessitating additional adjustments to mitigate the impact on community resources.

Environmental advocacy groups have also played a role, with concerns being raised about the proximity of the pipeline to historical sites. Monaghan’s warnings underscore the urgent need for decisive action to prevent the potential collapse of longstanding businesses that contribute to the character and economic vitality of Stony Point.

As the community continues to cope with the ongoing impacts of these construction projects, local businesses remain hopeful that state officials will take note of the situation and work towards a resolution that balances infrastructure development with the preservation of the small business ecosystem.

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