While space and strategic location brought them here, quality of life makes these manufacturers stay
What happens when two guys in Brooklyn – one an artist, the other an engineer – get together around some serious heavy machinery? 4th State Metals. And what happens when the original Brooklyn shop is rezoned and rents are raised? You open your next facility in Dutchess County, N.Y.
Dave Markusen-Weiss and Isaac Sprachmen are co-founders of 4th State Metals, an award-winning creative design and machinery firm with industrial, artistic and private clients looking to make a statement through engineering and design. After needing more production room beyond their Brooklyn footprint, 4th State Metals opened a second location in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. in 2016.
Searching for space to design and create their larger pieces of art, they found a building that worked for their immediate production needs, with room to expand and grow their business. Choosing warehouse space along the Cottage Street Industrial District in Poughkeepsie allowed them to operate “in three times as much space at ten percent less of what they paid in Brooklyn.”
With strong connections and customers in New York City and surrounding areas, 4th State Metals chose Dutchess County not only for the business-friendly costs, but also for the location. With Metro-North and Amtrak trains available for their customers and employees, as well as access to interstate highways like I-87, I-84 and I-95 for the logistics and distribution of materials and installments, the City of Poughkeepsie proved the ideal spot to take their business to the next level. Partnering with other creatives and sharing resources with local partners like Hatfield Metals and Rush Designs created the ideal environment to attract employees who love the work as much as they do. Ask Weiss about what makes them stay, and he’ll tout the quality of life throughout the region and the building energy in the City of Poughkeepsie that make it exciting to be a part of a growing community and attract young professionals and talented individuals.
For more information on locating your business in Dutchess County, N.Y., contact Philip Scarano III, Director of Business Attraction.