Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy tonight delivered his virtual State of the County Address, his tenth speech and the second since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. He outlined the challenges county government, our essential workers and residents everywhere had to overcome throughout the last year amid the public health crisis. Additionally, the County Executive announced new initiatives that will continue to make the county a better place to live, work and raise a family, and better prepare it for natural disasters in the future.

“The pandemic has devastated countless individuals and communities around the world, and no one could have predicted the widespread ramifications. But COVID-19 has reminded us of the importance of constantly improving the way government operates and how it serves its people. And while this has always been a priority of mine, this public health crisis has created an urgency for change that could not be ignored, and I couldn’t be more proud of the way we’ve adapted and will continue to adapt in the years ahead,” said County Executive McCoy.

“Economic development and job creation should always be a priority, however it’s now more important than ever before in our lifetime. Making government leaner and more efficient and connecting residents with broadband is critical; but now we realize that this is a measure we need to take to keep workers safe and able to work from home. We will continue to invest in technology and study ways to further expand internet access as we did for the Hilltowns last year. And we should always fight for equity, but now we know that our minority communities and those dealing with mental illness are the ones that carried the biggest burdens during the pandemic,” he continued.

Amid the worst of the pandemic, Albany County reimagined the way its workforce operated. County Executive McCoy directed the purchase of hundreds of laptops and tablets with docking stations that allowed staff to both work remotely and alternate in-person schedules to ensure social distancing. During the State of the County Address, the County Executive announced a new government co-working space within the Albany County Office building at 112 State Street in Albany. County workers who operate mainly in the field will have access to work stations without the need for an assigned desk.

To ensure more residents are able to work from home safely during a public health crisis, the County Executive unveiled his Albany County Connect Project, which in the first phase will call for a study of the technical feasibility of launching a county-wide broadband initiative to bring high-speed internet access to every resident by 2023. Advancements and investments in technology are also allowing Albany County to reduce their paper consumption. Tonight, County Executive McCoy pledged to cut the amount of paper used in government operations in half by the end of 2025, and by the end of 2030, reduce it further by 75%.

Late last year, the County Executive and County Legislature launched and funded the Advance Albany County Alliance, the first local development corporation dedicated solely to Albany County businesses. To build on that success, County Executive McCoy outlined the five-point Albany County Economic Recovery Plan to bolster the economy that has been devastated by the lingering effects of the economic shutdown. The vision is for Albany County to become the manufacturing hub of Upstate New York for the state’s offshore wind program, to expand internet access, incentivize the expansion of online sales for local businesses, further fund the Advance Albany County Alliance and cultivate a workforce development pipeline.

County Executive McCoy made his Equity Agenda a priority long before COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, but the disease, the quarantine and the economic shutdown have worsened mental health issues, substance abuse and domestic violence. In the first two weeks of the public health crisis, he created a Mental Health Support Hotline, and more recently announced the creation of the Third Judicial District’s first Mental Health Court. During the State of the County Address, the County Executive unveiled a new partnership with Genoa Pharmacy to open Albany County’s very own mental health pharmacy specifically for those receiving care from the county. This is a safe, secure and efficient way for clients to access their medication at the same time that they are receiving treatment.

Throughout the pandemic, the need to provide services for survivors of sexual violence and crimes only grew, and the County Crime Victims and Sexual Violence Center were an indispensable resource despite significant underreporting. County Executive McCoy announced tonight that he will create a new safe, private and secluded space for victims reporting crimes through a partnership with public and private investment.

“I am confident in the strength of our County and I am hopeful for the future on the horizon. Indeed, the State of the County is strong. We are strong because of our leadership. We are strong because of our partnerships. We are strong because of our communities. We are strong because of our compassion and caring. We are strong because of our experiences. We are strong because of our successes. And, we are strong because of our hope,” said County Executive McCoy.

Additionally, County Executive McCoy thanked the County workforce, County Legislature and all partners for working together for the people of Albany County.

The 2021 State of the County address may be read in its entirety here