KINGSTON – While it's still unclear who may have signed a contract to purchase the Nevele Grande Resort in Ellenville last week, we do know this: they're going to have to shell out at least $290,959.16 to Ulster County to satisfy a lien against the property.

"In order for there to be a closing, they would have to satisfy the lien — basically, pay the taxes," said a spokesman for County Executive Mike Hein's office late last week. The total cost includes the above figure of over $290,000, in addition to which penalties, interest, and attorneys' fees are owed.

"There are two things that concern [County Executive Mike Hein] the most about this case, and any others: one is protecting the taxpayers of Ulster County, and the second is ensuring that good jobs return to the area," said the spokesman about how the county will deal with the Nevele's new owners going forward. In terms of the relationship going forward, the county will assess "how sustainable is the business, what's its ability to provide good, high value jobs to the people of Ulster County, and they're going to be measured against that.

"As the county executive said, he works very, very hard, and the county works very, very hard on economic development overall, and in providing the right package of incentives and benefits to attract businesses, and retain businesses, and ensure that they remain viable and succeed. Part of that responsibility on the other side is that those folks abide by their agreements. We will make it clear to any entity that we enter into an agreement with that that's what's expected. We will work very hard to help businesses thrive and succeed, but we expect them to do their part in delivering."