Unveils Major Economic Development Initiatives, Investments in Renewable Energy Projects Countywide, and the new DART Center;

Announces New County Fellowship Program, Progress on Mental Health Education in Schools, Release of ARPA Funding Application in April, and $1.5 million in New State Opioid Settlement Funds

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today delivered his 12^th State of the County Address at the new Plug Power hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing facility in Bethlehem to a room of elected and government officials, business executives and community leaders. During his speech and presentation, County Executive announced a number of major policy initiatives that will serve to support Albany County's continued recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and boost its economic growth in the months and years ahead. Key elements outlined during the presentation are investments in mental health and addiction support, renewable energy, infrastructure upgrades, the creation of strategic shovel-ready sites for future development and more.

"This facility built by Plug Power is a symbol of what can be accomplished in the face of COVID and other adversities when we work together in a partnership as one community, and that is what makes the state of the county strong. Over the last year, we have seen a transformation in Albany County with a number of projects – including the South End Grocery and the offshore wind development in the Ports of Albany and Coeymans – while we also planted the seeds for future growth. Blighted properties like the former Ann Lee Home, Heritage Park, and the Central Warehouse will be redeveloped and lead to even greater prosperity for our residents in the future," said County Executive McCoy.

"And we will build on this progress even further by consolidating our economic development agencies under a single roof, making it as convenient as possible for our residents and businesses to find success and create jobs here. Additionally, in working with the Advance Albany County Alliance, we will invest in the arts through a new subcommittee to strengthen the culture that makes the county a unique and attractive place to live and work," he continued.

During the State of the County presentation, the County Executive announced that the site of the former Ann Lee Home, which has been vacant since 2008, will be demolished. The nearly 38 acres of strategically located land will soon be transformed into a shovel-ready site for a future developer. Redevelopments like this and others are driven by the Advance Albany County Alliance, the creation of which was driven by County Executive McCoy in 2020. In order to continue Albany County's economic growth, the local development corporation will be consolidated into one building next to the Capitol, along with the Albany County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), the Albany County Capital Resource Corporation (CRC) and the Albany County Land Bank Corporation. This will create a one-stop-shop for those looking to do business in the county.

Additionally, in response to the devastation felt by artists and cultural institutions throughout the pandemic, during his address County Executive McCoy called for the creation of an Arts and Culture Subcommittee within the Advance Albany County Alliance local development corporation. The goal of this subcommittee is to provide a mechanism to create an essential backstop for this industry to ensure it continues to flourish for generations to come. 

"Despite our progress, we are still feeling the lingering impacts of the pandemic, in terms of mental health, workforce challenges and more. We need to continue to be focused on tackling critical issues like opioid overdoses and teen suicide rates, but we also need to tackle those challenges by utilizing smart analysis and a data-driven approach. For the first time ever, Albany County now has a fellowship program. These individuals are aiding our Departments of Mental Health and Children, Youth and Families to develop a curriculum for coping mechanisms, support systems and more," said County Executive McCoy.

"I'm also proud to announce that Albany County alone has received $1.5 million for 2023 from the State Opioid Settlement Board. We've already received $1.6 million from other settlements with over $10 million over the next 16 years from current settlements. The expectation is that other settlements will follow. This funding will bolster our addiction treatment and recovery efforts, with additional funds coming in future years. Furthermore, I'm looking forward to officially releasing our American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding application process in April. This will allow us to work with the community to heal even more of the wounds caused by the pandemic and continue to move forward," he continued.

During the State of the County presentation, the new state-of-the-art Data Analytics, Research and Technology (DART) Center was unveiled. Investments have been made to transform part of the Shaker Place tower into an innovative technology and data center, which will be instrumental in the development of cutting-edge programs, the execution of county operations and future responses to storm, health and other emergencies.

County Executive McCoy remains deeply committed to preventing climate change, and fortifying Albany County for its effects through the County Climate Resiliency Plan. The State of the County Address included plans for Albany County to fully convert its vehicle fleet from combustion engines to electric within the next five years. The plan is backed by the recent tripling of the electric vehicle fleet with the purchase of four electric Ford F-150 Lightning trucks and eight Chevy Bolt electric utility vehicles.

Additionally, in order to reduce Albany County's operational carbon footprint even further, two Public Works Department highway garage replacement projects in Coeymans and Knox will exemplify renewable energy and will come equipped with roof-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays. The Coeymans highway garage will also be the county's first geothermal-heated building. Furthermore, in partnership with National Grid and Siemens, the County Executive announced construction would soon begin on a County solar-power project in the Town of Colonie.

2023 State of the County address