The IDA has requested the State Inspector General remove the monitor due to his “unlawful” veto that it asserts was made under political pressure from New York State Senator James Skoufis.
The Maybrook award will allow for the development of the Switchyard Terminal for Economic and Advanced Manufacturing (STEAM) Rail & Business Park at the long-vacant Maybrook Rail Yard.
Heading into 2026, it is clear that inflation is above the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal and the labor market is showing continued signs of weakening...
The Maybrook award will allow for the development of the Switchyard Terminal for Economic and Advanced Manufacturing (STEAM) Rail & Business Park at the long-vacant Maybrook Rail Yard.
ALBANY—In a major win for Orange County’s push to secure high-tech manufacturing investment, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Friday (Dec. 12) that the Village of Maybrook was awarded a $25.48-million FAST NY grant to upgrade the former Maybrook Rail Yard site for future high-tech manufacturing use.
The Village of Maybrook secured the largest of the more than $43 million in Round 7 FAST NY grants awarded late last week.
Governor Kathy Hochul said, “Through FAST NY, we are effectively promoting manufacturing and bringing good-paying jobs to communities across Upstate New York. Leading companies are choosing to come to New York because of our top-tier workforce, and the added attraction of plentiful shovel-ready sites makes our state a destination for world-class businesses seeking to expand their operations here.”
The Maybrook award will allow for the development of the Switchyard Terminal for Economic and Advanced Manufacturing (STEAM) Rail & Business Park at the long-vacant Maybrook Rail Yard. The grant will fund infrastructure installation, improvements and expansions set to benefit roads, water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure. The result will be six building-pad sites accessible via the existing Middletown, New Jersey rail line.
For decades, the Maybrook Rail Yard sat idle as a forgotten relic of New York’s industrial era. The site—formerly known as the Galaxy Maybrook Rail Yards—has been re-branded as the STEAM Rail Park. With immediate access to rail and proximity to major Northeast markets, the park is designed to accommodate advanced manufacturers across sectors such as food and beverage, life sciences, materials, and other innovation-driven industries, officials with the Orange County Partnership stated.
Conor Eckert, president and CEO of the Orange County Partnership, said the Goshen-based economic development organization played a central role in securing this highly competitive award —helping to author and advance the FAST NY application and working closely with Empire State Development, the Village of Maybrook, Galaxy Limited, and Orange County. He said the Maybrook project aligns with the partnership’s long-term strategy to deliver shovel-ready, investment-grade business park sites to meet modern employer demand.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said: “For decades, the Maybrook Rail Yard sat idle, a forgotten industrial site with enormous potential. Today, that potential is being recognized. The STEAM Rail Park will create high-quality, well-paying manufacturing jobs, revitalize a long-neglected property, and strengthen the local economy for generations. I’m glad to see some positive movement on this.”
Orange County Partnership’s Eckert added, “The STEAM Rail Park transforms a long-underutilized industrial site into a modern, rail-served hub designed to attract advanced manufacturing, drive innovation, and create high-quality jobs in lower New York. From fully served rail-enabled pad sites to strategic infrastructure, every element positions Orange County as a dynamic location for investment.”
Village of Maybrook Mayor Dennis Leahy said: “For many years, the Maybrook Rail Yard has symbolized both great promise and missed opportunity. Today, through Governor Hochul’s leadership and the FAST NY program, we take a transformative step forward. The state’s $25-million investment will redevelop this long-idle property into the Switchyard Terminal for Economic and Advanced Manufacturing, establishing shovel-ready sites that will attract innovative employers and expand economic opportunity for Maybrook and Orange County.”
Galaxy Limited Chairman, Armand Pohan said: “Our family has for many years had a presence in Orange County in the transportation and freight industries. Now through Governor Hochul’s leadership and the FAST NY program’s $25-million investment in the Galaxy property in Maybrook and Montgomery, we can redevelop a long-idle property into the Switchyard Terminal for manufacturing and other productive economic uses… We look forward to working with our public partners to bring this project to fruition quickly and successfully.”
The other Round 7 FAST NY grant award winners were all for upstate development sites: Fulton County Industrial Development Agency – $8.99 million; Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency – $7.9 million; Advance Albany County Alliance Local Development Corporation – $500,000 and Erie County – $500,000.
The program, administered by Empire State Development, helps to diversify New York State’s economy by supporting site improvements that encourage new investments to grow businesses and create jobs. Since its inception, FAST NY has awarded more than $326 million to 39 sites located throughout Upstate New York. Governor Hochul secured an additional $100 million in the FY2026 Executive Budget to expand the FAST NY program.
The IDA has requested the State Inspector General remove the monitor due to his “unlawful” veto that it asserts was made under political pressure from New York State Senator James Skoufis.
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