Cozzolino (file): "we do have an opportunity here"

KINGSTON – The economic news across the nation and the region appears to be more dire every day as more and more jobs evaporate.

But there seems to be a little good news as green technology hopes to bring more jobs to Ulster County.

Vincent Cozzolino, the president and CEO of The Solar Energy Consortium, told the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce in Kingston Tuesday that the momentum is building to bring hundreds and hundreds of jobs to the county for manufacturing and development of solar energy components – even though only 70 have been created thus far.

Cozzolino is optimistic about the future of his venture. “I like to reach for the stars, so I wish 300 jobs could have been created by now; we’re at 70 though, that’s very good, especially in a down economy. That’s exceptionally good.”

IBM's departure left the Kingston area with a lot of unemployed highly skilled workers, and a lot of empty office space

Cozzolino, a physicist and electrical engineer who worked at IBM for more than 30 years, explained to chamber members that developing a tech-based business is a timely process that takes a lot of patience and capital needed for long-term results.

“These are high dollar investments these companies are making with very sophisticated equipment,” he said.

Ulster County was hit hard in the mid-1990s when IBM decided to close its Kingston area plant entirely. The closure left the county with an experienced workforce that either relocated or found another means of making a living. But the closure also left facilities that could be used for other means.

So when energy prices started to soar and renewable forms seemed within reach of willing mass market, a window of opportunity opened for Ulster County, he said.

“The idea and leadership started in Maurice Hinchey’s office. Once he articulated that to the business community, we kind of picked up on it,” said Cozzolino. “We said, ‘we wonder where this stuff is and why isn’t out there.’ And we do have an opportunity here.”