By Dan Hust
ROCK HILL — What County Legislator Alan Sorensen called “a concerted effort to keep jobs in Sullivan County” apparently paid off.
Yesterday, Partnership for Economic Development President Allan Scott said the Partnership and local government officials secured the continued employment of up to 50 workers at Frontier Insurance Company in Rock Hill.
NYS Senator John Bonacic told Scott on Friday that the state Insurance Department (now known as the Financial Services Department) agreed not to liquidate the company, which would have led to the abolition and/or relocation of the remaining workers.
Though the company has been in what the state calls “rehabilitation” since its insolvency crisis a decade ago, those who survived a massive cut of the workforce possess positions that pay above average in the area, noted Sorensen.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to retain these jobs in Sullivan County,” he affirmed.
“In this economy, every job is important ... and vital to the economy in the Town of Thompson,” added Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini, who worked with Scott and state representatives on the issue.
The jobs have been preserved for another 16-18 months, said Scott.
“We’re very proud to say those jobs were saved,” he said. “This is a very significant event.”
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther was involved, as well.
“It was a battle,” she admitted. “A lot of times they [the state] just liquidate.”
Gunther said this situation is a rarity.
“I’m really ecstatic!” she affirmed.
Partnership Board Chairman and Democrat Publisher Fred Stabbert III praised everyone’s efforts.
“Keeping 50 jobs in Sullivan County means as much to our economy as attracting a new business to our area,” he said. “We are committed to economic development and will assist in either job creation or retention – they are both vitally important.”
See more in Friday’s paper.