KINGSTON, N.Y., Aug. 22, 2022 – The Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors has endorsed the Winston Farm proposal, a plan to blend diverse recreational, entertainment, agricultural, residential and hospitality uses while preserving open space on 840 acres of property located immediately off Thruway Exit 20 in the Town of Saugerties.
The endorsement, at the Board’s August monthly meeting, followed a presentation from project sponsors at the Chamber’s Business Advocacy Committee meeting earlier this summer as well as during a sold-out breakfast audience in April.
“Winston Farm is a visionary proposal that will powerfully energize Ulster County and the entire Hudson Valley as a deep source of culture, employment opportunities, tax revenue and housing for generations to come,” Board of Directors Chairman John Burlingham said.
Burlingham said the directors were impressed by Winston Farm’s owners, who are respected Saugerties business leaders with deep community roots, as well as their commitment to ensuring community and municipal collaboration in shaping the proposal so it becomes a point of pride and economic firepower for the community.
Tony Montano, John Mullen and Randy Richers are developing Winston Farm in the community they have made their home. Montano was born in Saugerties. Mullen and Richers moved there with their families as children. In Saugerties, they have built businesses, raised families and volunteered their time and talents to serve the community through various organizations and initiatives.
“Winston Farm’s ownership team has hired an outstanding team of professionals to ensure that this proposal complements the unique, sustaining character of Saugerties and ensures protection of the environment,” said Winston Farm spokesman Josh Sommers. “The team deeply appreciates the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors’ strong support.”
Winston Farm, at 119 Augusta Savage Road, is best known for hosting the Woodstock ’94 music festival. It also has long been considered a desirable property for development due to its history, scale, topography and scenic views, as well as its location across from Exit 20 of the New York State Thruway. These amenities led Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a nonprofit organization that promotes balanced growth, to previously designate Winston Farm as a prime development location. The plan is now being reviewed by the Town of Saugerties, which is requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement to fully assess the proposal. Learn more at WinstonFarm.com.
The Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Kingston, N.Y., is the region’s leading business advocacy organization. It supports approximately 1,000 members through business-to-business connections and consistently providing opportunities and resources to help members grow and thrive. The Ulster Chamber is a leader in developing and advancing business growth and expansion, with an emphasis on promoting member businesses that value strength in numbers. The Chamber provides leadership, dynamic programs and business advocacy that makes it the voice and choice of businesses in Ulster County. Learn more at UlsterChamber.org.
