Discovering the Center's economic impact

Story by Frank Rizzo
HARRIS — January 1 — With the recent $2.5 million grant from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council, The Center for Discovery in Harris will continue to have a major impact on the economy of the Catskill region and the state.
According to an economic analysis (based on 2010 figures) The Center contributed $184 million to New York State and $134 million to Sullivan County economies.
The study was performed by Shepstone Management Company of Honesdale, PA, and used standard methodologies. The report noted that the total annual expenditures of The Center (over $90 million in 2010) was multiplied by a factor of 1.41, the figure used by the Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis for a specific industry’s – in this case, healthcare – regional impact.
The multiplier for statewide impact for dollars spent in healthcare is 2.05, yielding the $184 million figure.
“Since we have obviously grown considerably since the end of 2010, we are in the process of commissioning another Economic Impact Study which will be conducted next year,” said John Conway of The Center. “Our total expenditures now, I think, are over $100 million, and we feel there are other impacts that this previous study did not take into account and quantify,”
The latest regional economic award will be used to add a High-Risk Assessment Clinic on property The Center already owns in Harris and will add more than $20 million in infrastructure and over 200 jobs in Phase One, with an additional 150 jobs in Phase Two.
“The state’s critical investment of $2.5 million, coupled with private contributions and additional private financing, will allow us to begin the first phase of New York State’s first assessment center and integrated specialty hospital for children with complex needs, including autism,” read a statement.
About the Center
The Center for Discovery is one of New York State’s largest providers of services to those with significant disabilities, and a national model in the development of innovative programs for special populations, including those with developmental disabilities, autism, neurological impairments and age related cognitive decline.
From its roots as United Cerebral Palsy of Sullivan County through its growth as Sullivan Diagnostic Treatment Center, to its current incarnation, The Center is remarkable for its history of service to the special needs community and moreover for its evolution from a small local agency into a multi-faceted organization with a national and international reputation.
Visit thecenterfordiscovery.org.
By the numbers...
1400-plus Number of employees 83 percent Employees residing in Sullivan County
$68 million Capital construction past decade $45,265 Average para/professional salary
$39,900 Average salary all employees $30,290 Average salary Sullivan County
$184 million Economic impact by Center on state $134 million Economic impact on county
$2.05 What $1 spent by Center on operations/supplies/personnel generates for the state’s overall economy
2,200 Jobs directly and indirectly supported the Center in New York State as of 2011
1,800-plus Jobs directly and indirectly supported the Center in Sullivan County as of 2011
$50 million Direct wages paid statewide, most of those in Sullivan County
$106 million Center’s investment in infrastructure, including nearly $46.5 million in the past five years
$33 million Private funding raised in the last eight years.