Kolmar plant, on River Road, Port Jervis

PORT JERVIS – The president of the New York State Empire State Development Corporation is hopeful that Kolmar will stay in Port Jervis.

The cosmetics manufacturing company has been considering a move to another state, but New York and Orange County officials have been lobbying to keep the company.

State ESD President Dennis Mullen told MidHudsonNews.com that he is optimistic that the company will stay.

“We have been talking to the extensively and exhaustively; the company is making decisions,” he said. “I’ve talked to the president on numerous occasions. We are going to continue to work with them and we’re very hopeful. The company hasn’t made a final decision, but we are continuing conversation with them on an ongoing basis on my level and on the CEO’s level.”

Kolmar employs 500 people and a department would be a big hit on the Port Jervis economy.