Sullivan County Chamber Shares April Update on Business Activity and Events 

In northeastern Pennsylvania, a growing debate over data centers is drawing attention from residents concerned about how development could reshape their communities.

“I grew up around the scars,” said Brian Wrightson, a rural broadband specialist from Archbald.

Wrightson recently spoke with Radio Catskill after reading reporting on proposed data center projects in the region. He is also running for Pennsylvania State Senate in District 40—a point he disclosed during the interview—but said his concerns come from his experience living and working in the area.

Lessons 

For Wrightson, the issue is personal—and historical.

He describes a region still marked by the legacy of the anthracite coal industry, where economic growth once came at a lasting environmental cost.

“I could drive around pretty much any part of northeastern Pennsylvania… and see the scars,” he said.

He remembers waterways that were once heavily polluted, later restored through years of cleanup.

“But those scars are still here,” he said.

That history, he says, should guide how communities approach new large-scale development.

Industry on the rise

Data centers—the facilities that power streaming, cloud computing and artificial intelligence—are expanding rapidly.

Wrightson says their growth is unavoidable.

“Data centers are coming. They’re definitely coming,” he said.

But he says the speed and scale of that growth raise questions about long-term impacts—especially on land, water and infrastructure.

Across the Delaware River Basin, dozens of data centers are already active or proposed, and the region’s location between major metro areas makes it a likely target for more.

Who decides where they go

For Wrightson, the central issue is local control.

“If you come into my neighborhood, it’s on my terms,” he said.

He argues that large facilities should not be placed near residential areas and should instead be sited in locations that minimize disruption.

“They should never be placed next to residential communities,” he said.

He also questions whether the economic benefits often highlighted—like tax revenue—will outweigh the costs for the people who live nearby.

Calls to slow the process

Wrightson is among those calling for a pause in new development.

“I truly believe that the state itself needs to put a moratorium… even for one year,” he said.

He says that would give municipalities time to update zoning laws, coordinate regionally and prepare for potential impacts.

Without that, he worries development could spread quickly, putting pressure on natural resources and changing the character of local communities.

A Spanish-language comedy show is coming to Ellenville this weekend, bringing a new voice—and a new audience—into the Catskills’ historic comedy scene.

The Borscht Belt Comedy Club will host Venezuelan comedian Laura Bolivar on Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. at Shadowland Stages Studio on Market Street. The show will be performed entirely in Spanish, part of a growing effort to expand comedy offerings beyond English-speaking audiences.

Bolivar, who has been based in New York City since 2015, said her comedy is deeply rooted in her experience as an immigrant adjusting to a new language and culture.

“When I came here, I didn’t speak any English at all,” she said. “So a lot of my material comes from those mistakes… trying to speak another language, adapting to a new country, making new friends.” 

Before finding stand-up, Bolivar studied journalism and worked in media in Venezuela. She initially turned to comedy as a way to improve her English, enrolling in classes and performing short sets in front of classmates.

“I was just doing it for fun,” she said. “But then I realized I was having so much fun—and I felt close to my dreams again.” 

Over time, she began performing in both English and Spanish, discovering that each language shaped her performance differently.

“In Spanish, I feel like I can go faster, be more free,” she said. “In English, I’m more structured—what I write is what I say.” 

That flexibility has helped her connect with a wide range of audiences, from Latin American communities to non-Spanish speakers curious about the experience. In one recent show, she recalled a woman translating each joke in real time on her phone.

“She told me, ‘I don’t speak any Spanish—I’m translating every joke you’re saying,’” Bolivar said. “That was so sweet.” 

The upcoming Ellenville performance is part of a broader trend. Spanish-language comedy has been growing in popularity, especially in cities like New York, where audiences are eager to laugh in their native language after spending much of their day working in English.

“People want a space where they can laugh in Spanish, remember how they were raised, and see someone with the same experience,” she said. 

Organizers say the show is also about expanding the legacy of the Borscht Belt, the Catskills region long known as a launching pad for American stand-up comedy. Bringing in bilingual and Spanish-language performers is one way to keep that tradition evolving.

The April 18 show is aimed at Spanish speakers, bilingual audiences, and even those still learning the language—what organizers describe as “Duolingo lovers” looking for a fun, immersive experience.

For Bolivar, performing in the Catskills carries added meaning.

“This is the right moment for shows in Spanish,” she said. “People want to see it.”

The show takes place Saturday, April 18 at 8 p.m. at Shadowland Stages Studio in Ellenville.

Residents and immigration advocates rallied in Goshen on April 12 to demand Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus to end Orange County Jail’s contract with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Radio Catskill's Kimberly Izar reports.

Delaware County is investing in its agricultural future — rolling out new grants, funding opportunities, and marketing initiatives aimed at supporting both new and established farmers.

According to county officials, the effort is part of a broader push to strengthen the local farm economy, as agriculture continues to evolve beyond its traditional roots.

In a conversation with Radio Catskill, The Reporter editor Lillian Browne said the momentum is being driven in part by renewed energy within the county’s Department of Economic Development.

“There’s been a resurgence of really positive energy,” Browne said, pointing to new staff — including agricultural specialist Lindsay Whitbeck — who are helping connect farmers with funding opportunities.

Whitbeck, a farmer herself, is working directly with producers to navigate a growing list of grants and low-interest loan programs. Those opportunities are available to a wide range of agricultural operations — from crop growers to livestock and dairy producers. 

The support is not limited to established farms. Browne said a key focus is helping new and beginning farmers enter the industry.

“Folks who want to go into agriculture but need a little help… can apply for these grants,” she said, noting that trainings and one-on-one guidance are available to help applicants build strong proposals. 

Those trainings include assistance with business planning — a critical step in securing funding — as well as connecting farmers with the right programs for their specific operations.

Among the opportunities highlighted is the “value-added producer grant,” which helps farmers expand their businesses. For example, a farm raising cattle could use funding to process and sell beef directly to consumers.

While each grant has its own timeline and requirements, farmers can find updated information through the county’s economic development website or by contacting staff directly.

The investment comes at a time when agriculture in the region is shifting.

Delaware County, once heavily rooted in dairy farming, has seen that sector decline over the years. Rising costs, labor challenges, and federal pricing pressures have made it harder for traditional dairy operations to survive.

In response, many farms are diversifying.

“One of the things that’s been very successful here is agritourism,” Browne said. 

That includes experiences like farm stays and “glamping,” where visitors can spend time on working farms — blending tourism with agriculture and creating new revenue streams for farmers.

Local agencies — including the Watershed Agricultural Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the county’s economic development office — are also working together to support the industry’s transition and long-term sustainability.

Together, these efforts reflect a broader strategy: not just preserving agriculture in Delaware County, but reshaping it for the future.

 This spring, Pennsylvanians will vote in primary elections that will have huge ramifications for the way the state House and Senate look next year. 

Child Care Voucher Enrollment Is Closed in 34 New York Counties and NYC

That number is up from 21 last July. New York City’s waitlist alone has surged to over 17,000 — a tenfold increase in less than a year.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released a policy draft last month to increase the accessibility of the outdoors to people with mobility disabilities. The policy aims to standardize the criteria for evaluating where Other Power Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) can be used and is currently accepting public comments until March 9. 

Radio Catskill’s Julia Kim had the chance to speak with DEC’s ADA Accessibility Coordinator Leah Akins, Accessibility Advisory Committee Chairman Jason Thurson and others about issues the policy is aiming to address, ongoing debates surrounding accessibility and environmental protection and future efforts to increase the accessibility of the outdoors.