“There are no plans to transfer or downsize those positions in Hudson,” Katzman said, adding that a position may be moved or transferred if an employee requests it, but the long-term plans remain to keep those operations in Columbia County.

The assurances came amidst speculation that Kaz’s entire operations may cease in June. Rumors of the elimination of all local jobs have circulated in the area despite statements made last September no non-manufacturing jobs will be impacted as the manufacturer outsources production of the vaporizers, humidifiers, heating pads, and other home health products that are now made in Greenport and Memphis, Tennessee, to a plant in Juarez, Mexico. The relocation of the manufacturing operations and the elimination of from 250 to 350 local jobs are designed to cut costs for the international company.

Katzman also reported this week that there is little movement at the present time in leasing or selling the plant in Greenport, but over the next few months those efforts will be ramped up as the manufacturing operations are shifted to Mexico.

“Hopefully, we will be able to bring in another manufacturer to the facility to keep some of these jobs,” he said.

Even if the 200,000 square-foot plant—which was constructed in 1996—is sold, Katzman, the grandson of Kaz’s founder, said he plans to keep a Columbia County presence. “We would look at leasing office space in Hudson, if that were the case,” he said.

In terms of finding a tenant or buyer, Deputy Executive Director of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation Todd Erling said on Friday that it is Kaz’s responsibility to start that effort.

“We have been working with [Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chair] Art Baer, the state Department of Labor, and Empire State Development,” said Erling, “but at this point we are waiting for Kaz to designate a real estate agency or a point person,” before a search for a new occupant can begin earnest.