Just as Governor Spitzer announced one billion dollars in funding for struggling upstate cities, the state is closing correctional facilities and eliminating hundreds of jobs. The largest closing announced is the Hudson Correctional facility in the Columbia County city of Hudson. Hudson is a city already struggling to deal with factory closings and job loss over the last two decades which saw the city lose many strong middle class jobs. Mayor Richard Scalera said he will petition state representatives to stop the closing calling the move to close the prison as devastating to an already struggling city.

Hudson has undergone somewhat of a gentrification in recent years. Warren Street the cities main East West thoroughfare has become antiquers’ paradise with products and prices resembling New York City offerings. In addition a slew of upscale restaurants complements the trendy antique shops.

However, local longtime residents say the new generation of stores and eateries caters to rich New York weekenders and leaves little in the way of jobs for locals.

Hudson Correctional is scheduled to close by the end of January 2009. All that will remain is a small work release program. The 250 employees will be offered jobs in other areas of the correctional system. The facility has an annual payroll of thirteen million dollars and local officials said much of that is spent locally at diners, grocery stores and other retail outlets. Over three hundred part time jobs will also be affected. As well local vendors who have supplied the facility for years with items ranging from tools to plumbing supplies will be impacted.

Spitzer spokes people said the closings will save $70 million dollars in taxpayer funds. Other media outlets reported the actual number to be $40 million dollars. Spitzers’ administration said the closings are based on declining crime rates and declines in inmate populations.

Freshman Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro said in a press release:

“I certainly advocate reducing state spending, however, as stated in their own press release, we have invested significant resources into improving this facility that is at or near full capacity, so it makes no sense to close it now,”

The Department of Corrections said that the Hudson Correctional Facility is one of the smallest in the state system 422 beds and more than 400 inmates at the present time. The state chose to close smaller facilities because closing larger ones would have been too difficult to relocate inmates at larger facilities.