The Accelerator focuses on manufacturing, broadens market reach to Hudson Valley and beyond
NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. (Oct. 9, 2015) — The Orange County Business Accelerator yesterday unveiled its new name – The Accelerator – to reflect its new focus and expanding marketing reach, which will now include all seven counties in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas.
Laurie Villasuso, Associate Executive Director, Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), announced the change alongside James R. Petro Jr., Executive Director, Orange County IDA, and Robert T. Armistead, Chairman, Orange County IDA. The Orange County IDA provides financial support to The Accelerator.
“The Accelerator better reflects the new dimension of this organization, which will foster job creation and economic growth in the manufacturing sector,” said Villasuso. “There is a tremendous opportunity to bring manufacturing back to the Hudson Valley – due to its prime location just outside of New York City – and we’re very excited about this new initiative.”
The Accelerator is creating opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their ventures by providing access to small but formalized space, manufacturing equipment and traditional facility resources. It works to attract manufacturing-based businesses in the areas of fashion design and production, bottling, artisan manufacturing and artisan foods by providing below-market occupancy costs, workforce training, mentoring programs, easy access to experienced professionals and a high-tech plug-and-play environment with SMARTT Pods and a host of other resources.
Villasuso also welcomed The Accelerator’s first client – Unshattered, an organization that manufactures handbags out of used clothing – under the new name. Unshattered is the social enterprise arm of the Walter Hoving Home, a residential, spiritually based rehabilitation center in Garrison serving women ages 18 and over who have been involved in drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution and other life-controlling problems. The 6- or 12-month program is geared to rebuilding lives in an atmosphere of warmth, trust, support and love. Unshattered will hire women full-time after they complete their program at the Walter Hoving Home.
“We’re on a mission to rebuild hope for lives shattered by drugs and alcohol,” said Kelly Lyndgaard, founder of Unshattered. “We’re making bags out of repurposed materials, just like these lives – creating wholeness from pieces.”
Each bag is handmade by a woman in residence at the Walter Hoving Home who is winning her fight against addiction. One-hundred percent of proceeds go directly to the Walter Hoving Home.
About The Accelerator
The Accelerator, strategically located in New Windsor at Stewart International Airport with proximity to major interstates, is a certified New York State incubator focused on bringing manufacturing back to the mid-Hudson Valley. Powered by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, The Accelerator works to attract manufacturing-based businesses in the areas of fashion design and production, bottling, artisan manufacturing and artisan foods by providing below-market occupancy costs, workforce training, mentoring programs, easy access to experienced professionals and a high-tech plug-and-play environment with SMARTT Pods and a host of other resources. For more information, visit http://ocaccelerator.com.
