August 15, 2003

Steinhaus Supports Successful ED Zone Business
County Reduces Trade Show Costs

Poughkeepsie, NY... A City of Poughkeepsie manufacturing firm was awarded a grant for its participation in trade shows during 2002 through funds provided by the Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency (DCIDA) to the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC). The grant recipient was Get Real Surfaces from Washington Street.

Created in 1999 to promote sales and business development for Dutchess County companies, DCEDC’s Trade Show Assistance Program reimburses qualified manufacturing companies for up to 50% of the direct costs associated with participating in an industry trade show of their choice.

Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus, in acknowledging the vital role played by small business in the county economy, stated, “The County is constantly encouraging programs that assist in the retention and expansion of our existing small business base. What’s amazing to me is that a manufacturer with a showroom in New York City utilizes a workforce at a Dutchess County production location with skilled jobs that may well not otherwise exist. It’s just a win win situation.”

Get Real Surfaces is a niche market, creating countertops, bathroom fixtures and fireplace facades out of concrete. All materials are 100% all natural and are custom created to spec in both size and color. The company was able to use the IDA grant money to attend a market specific trade show, International Contemporary Furniture Fair, held annually at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

John Vandenbrul, General Manager for Get Real Surfaces, stated, “The IDA grant was extremely helpful and we plan to apply for it again next year. Our thinking is that it will allow us to attend more than one trade show next year.” Vandenbrul explained that most of his workforce are technicians that lost work when Fairview Block closed its doors. Vandenbrul added, “Without the implementation of the Economic Development Zone policy in Dutchess County, we probably would not have been able to set up shop here. Throughout my travels up and down New York State, I am told again and again how Dutchess has the most elaborate and efficient development of the ‘zone’s’ policy.

DCEDC President and CEO Ronald W. Coan stated, “ The value of this program is two-fold: one, flexibility, which enables companies to attend and participate in the shows that yield the highest return in their industry; and two, cost-sharing, which makes it possible for companies to stretch their dollars further when reaching for new business.”

Since its inception in 1999, the Trade Show Grant Program has awarded $128,000 to 27 Dutchess County companies. The recipients estimate the grants were responsible for the creation of over 35 jobs and $1,750,000 in new sales at year-end 2002.

                                         

County Executive William R. Steinhaus and General Manager, John Vandenbrul, Get Real Surfaces
At the company’s Washington Street, City of Poughkeepsie location
 

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