Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, the Albany County Legislature and Albany County Comptroller Susan Rizzo announced the formal passage of $1,975,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding through the County Legislature last night. This represents the first ARPA awards to be released to the community by Albany County. This initial round of funding has two main focuses: Supporting the arts, culture and tourism; as well as industrial and commercial property revitalization. 

A total of $1,125,000 was allotted to 21 various local organizations for the promotion of arts, culture, and tourism, and individual awards ranged up to $80,000. Separately $300,000 in ARPA funds were awarded to nine organizations for the purpose of recovery efforts within this specific sector of the economy, with awards ranging from $25,000 to $40,000. 

Additionally, the County Legislature last night approved a total of $550,000 worth of ARPA awards for the revitalization of industrial and commercial property within Albany County. These awards will be used for rehabilitation or maintenance, renovation, removal and remediation of environmental contaminants, demolition or deconstruction, or greening and vacant lot cleanup. Five different projects received between $75,000 and $150,000.

“We as a county have proven our resilience since the start of the COVID pandemic, however this first round of ARPA funds is an important boost for some of those who took the hardest financial hit,” said Albany County Executive McCoy. “The organizations receiving grants are essential to who we are as Albany County – they care for our seniors, they provide services to our youth, they entertain our residents and our visitors, they educate the public and so much more. Once distributed, this funding will be reinvested right back into our community, leading to stronger neighborhoods and further economic growth.” 

“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to celebrate the approval of ARPA’s Economic Development and Recovery funding. The opportunities that come from our commitment to opening the doors of financial investment to our community’s organizations and businesses – are endless and have proved fruitful in the past. I look forward to witnessing the positive impact of these investments, and I’m proud of our committees who worked hard to build and secure these initiatives with internal and external parties,” said Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce.

Prior to final legislative approval, the applications of prospective grant awardees are decided through an extensive review process, including scoring and recommendations from the County ARPA Economic Development Subcommittee. After multiple meetings of the subcommittee, those recommendations are formally submitted to the bipartisan ARPA Executive Committee for final recommendation to the full County Legislature. The Executive Committee includes the County Executive Daniel McCoy, Chairman Andrew Joyce, Majority Leader Dennis Feeney, Comptroller Susan Rizzo, Legislative Black Caucus Chairman William Clay, County Legislature Minority Leader Frank Mauriello and County Dept. of Management & Budget Commissioner David Reilly.

“As Democratic Majority Leader, I am proud of the hard work the Executive Committee and the Subcommittees have put in to reviewing the many applications we received to ensure the best use of ARPA funds in Albany County. Thanks go to the many residents and businesses who participated in this process to help create a future we can all be proud of. I look forward to seeing the programmatic and physical fruits of these funds as they are invested in our small businesses and work to continue COVID recovery efforts throughout Albany County,” said Albany County Legislature Majority Leader Dennis Feeney.

“I'm honored to stand behind the approval of ARPA's Economic Development and Recovery funds. These investments are not just dollars; they're opportunities to breathe new life into Albany County, support our local businesses, empower our workforce, and ensure a brighter future for all residents,” said Albany County Legislative Black Caucus Chairman William Clay.

ARPA Award Recipients:

• Arts, Culture & Tourism Promotion Grants: Total of $1,125,000

o Albany County Airport Authority
o Albany County Historical Association
o Albany Symphony 
o Albany Institute of History and Art
o Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Region
o Bring on the Spectrum
o Colonie Senior Services Center
o Dutch Apple Cruises
o Guilderland Chamber of Commerce
o Historic Altamont
o Historic Cherry Hill
o Irish American Heritage Museum
o Lark Hall Productions
o Lark Street Business Improvement District
o Mahogany Connections
o Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition
o New York Bicycling Coalition
o Russell Sage College
o Shaker Heritage Society
o Town of Coeymans
o Underground Rail Railroad Education Center

• Arts, Culture & Tourism Recovery Grants: Total of $300,000

o Albany Barn, Inc.
o Albany Food & Wine Festival
o Albany Rowing Center
o Electronic Body Arts, Inc.
o Mendelssohn Club of Albany
o Old Songs, Inc.
o Palace Theatre (Palace Performing Arts Center)
o Pine Hollow Arboretum
o Steamer No. 10 Theatre

• Industrial & Commercial Revitalization Grant: Total of $550,000

o City of Watervliet – Watervliet Civic Center
o Grand Street Community Arts, Inc.
o Palace Theatre (Palace Performing Arts Center)
o Power Beauty Unlimited
o Public Policy and Education Fund


In the coming weeks, Albany County will open additional externally focused grant applications relating to Economic Growth & Recovery and Community Development & Public Health.  Those interested in signing up to receive notifications on the opening of these programs may do so at the County’s ARPA Portal at the link here.  There are two separate notification registrations.   

Economic Growth and Recovery will be focused on:
• Small Business Grants to help small businesses in the County recover and grow.
• On-the Job Training Fund: In partnership with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board, the Albany County will provide additional funding to support expansion of on-the-job training and existing working training in Albany County.

Community Development & Public Health will focus on:
• Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse & Telehealth Grants
• Affordable Housing & Housing Support Grants
• Community Improvement Capital Grants
• Food Access Grants
• Frontline Worker Support Program
• Non-Profit Recovery Grants (Other)
• Preventing and Responding to Violence Grants
• Youth Services Grants
• Senior Services Grants
• Transportation Services Grants

ARPA funds must be obligated no later than December 31, 2024, and fully expended by December 31, 2026. Funds that are not fully spent by December 31, 2026 are required to be returned to the United States Treasury.