Ex-Clarkstown Finance Director To Lead Region's Economic Development Efforts

New City resident and former Clarkstown town finance director Aimee J. Vargas has been named Mid-Hudson regional director for Empire State Development, an economic development arm of the state government.

Working out of the agency’s New Windsor office at Stewart International Airport, Vargas will oversee economic development initiatives for Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and Putnam counties, according to Kenneth Adams, Empire State Development president and CEO.

 “With her experience and local expertise, Ms. Vargas will be an invaluable addition to our team,” Adams said. “As regional director, Ms. Vargas will work directly with businesses and local development partners throughout the Hudson Valley to promote economic growth in the region and play a key role in coordinating the efforts of the Mid-Hudson Regional Council.”

Vargas’ appointment ends her term as associate counsel and director for the Office of Environmental Justice at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, a post she took earlier this year. Until that time, she was Clarkstown’s director of finance.

Vargas said her post with the Department of Environmental Conservation took her throughout the state.

“It is an exciting time to be in economic development,” said Vargas. “I am honored to work alongside ESD president, CEO and commissioner Adams to promote Governor Cuomo’s job creation strategy and to highlight the Mid-Hudson as an attractive place to do business. Working in partnership, I believe we can identify and overcome the barriers that challenge our local businesses, helping to create jobs and spur economic growth across the Hudson Valley.”

Mike Oates, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, praised Vargas’ appointment.

"With the Governor's Regional Economic Development Councils about to start, Ms. Vargas will be a strong leader and will help shape the future strategic plan for our region,” said Oates. “I have worked with Ms. Vargas in the past and know her to be an innovative leader who will be up to the challenges facing the Hudson Valley.”

Ron Hicks, president and CEO of the Rockland Economic Development Council, said Vargas’ legal background and her experience with different levels of government will help her in promoting economic development.

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency and administrator of the statewide business resource portal New York First. The mission of Empire State Development is to promote business investment and growth that leads to job creation and prosperous communities across New York State. The agency also oversees the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the state’s tourism brand.