UPDATE: Port is still wooing Kolmar

PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — Kolmar Laboratories has reportedly taken El Paso, Texas off their relocation list. The El Paso Times reported that Kolmar may be continuing to negotiate with Louisiana officials. Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said Thursday that she just heard that the deal is off with El Paso, and that negotiations are still going on with Kolmar to keep it in New York State. Kolmar employs 500-700 persons in Port Jerivs and is probably the largest employer in the city. Gunther spoke with Dennis Mullen of the Empire State Development, and a group of other unspecified persons, and she said that they are doing all they can “to keep those jobs in Port Jervis.” “The deal offered in July was $6.125 million and it’s still on the table,” said Gunther, adding it consists of a three-part package, including $300,000 per year in energy bill help, and other incentives she didn’t specify. Port Jervis Mayor Gary Lapriore was not aware of any new developments regarding Kolmar relocation, adding “But I don’t think they would let us know.” He said he has raised the Kolmar situation from time to time in his routine dealings with the State, and to his knowledge there had not been a response to the incentives package. “I have no problem calling Kolmar directly if I have a query from a constituent,” he said. According to reports in the press, Louisiana is the front-runner to recruit Kolmar. Melissa Lambert, a public information officer at the Louisiana Economic Development Agency said Thursday that she did not know of the company or the situation. She offered to pass the question along for a reply. Kolmar President and CEO Robert Theroux did not respond to a request for comment.