During the modern period, many companies and businesses have attracted people of diverse ethnic backgrounds to the Hudson Valley. IBM , with plants in Poughkeepsie, East Fishkill, and Kingston, is the largest employer in the Hudson Valley. Second in employment in the area is Central Hudson Gas and Electric . Many people are employed in education at local schools and colleges such as Marist College , Vassar College , and the Culinary Institute of America .
Restaurants offer employment opportunities to people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.
For example, Italian and Vietnamese restaurants can both be found in the Hudson Valley. Another field of employment which attracts diverse groups of people is tourism. The Hudson Valley features historical sites and other attractions that bring a variety of people to the area.