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News from Rockland County, New York

Government

Mid-Hudson Economic Development Updates

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News from Governor Hochul
$110 million in grants awarded to 86 water quality protection projects (17 awards for Mid-Hudson Projects) – details here

$31.4 million for school technology and security enhancements – details here

Important Reminders

Consolidated Funding Application Round 12 Batch 4
Open Enrollment Programs Only
Deadline: April 14, 2023 by 4:00pm SHARP!
Please click here to access the CFA application and other resources

Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund
$150 million for mixed-use housing and infrastructure projects throughout the Mid-Hudson Region. Applications available Spring 2023
Program Information | Sign up for updates
Economic Development Opportunities
Office of Strategic Workforce Development
Round 3 of the OSWD grant programs is open.
The deadline for Q1 of 2023 is Friday, March 31, 2023, 11:59 PM
Click here for program information and guidelines
COVID-19 Capital Costs Tax Credit Program
Provides financial assistance to New York State small businesses burdened with a range of operational costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for program information and guidelines
EDA Seeks Input on Recompete Pilot Program
The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) welcomes public input and perspectives on the planning and design of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program
Click here for more information and how to submit your input
2023 NYSTAR Webinar Series: “The Power of R&D Partnerships”
Join NYSTAR’s three-part webinar series to find out how your company can partner with Centers for Advanced Technology and Centers of Excellence (CATs and COEs)  to expand your markets, gain efficiencies and cost savings, and more.
Click here for more information and registration
Internet and Digital Equity Listening Session

The STEM Alliance, in partnership with Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Office, are looking to gain input from those working to close the digital divide and improve the well-being of marginalized populations including:

  • Local and county government leaders
  • Regional planning and economic development organizations
  • Internet service providers
  • Educational institutions
  • Workforce development organizations
  • Non-Profit organizations serving vulnerable New Yorkers

Date: Friday, March 24, 2023
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

In-Person Location:
Durst Family Humanities Building
735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577

Register to attend virtually:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/559050062787

 

 

County Executive Delivers 2023 State of the County Address

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SOTC 2023 2

County Executive Delivers 2023 State of the County Address

“Thanks to our collective hard work the State of our County is stronger than ever before”

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day highlighted the incredible work of Rockland County Government employees and the continued growth of Rockland’s economy Wednesday evening in the 2023 State of the County Address. The County Executive spoke from the chambers of the Rockland County Legislature to Commissioners, Department Heads, employees, elected officials, and residents of Rockland.

“When I was first elected as your County Executive in 2014, we were the most fiscally stressed County in all of New York with a $138-million deficit,” said County Executive Ed Day.  “We’ve literally transformed this County from worst to first, ranking us one of New York’s seven fiscally strongest counties.”

Recent Rockland County accomplishments include:

  • Increased funding to non-profits.
  • Continuing to waive bus fare for riders (since early in the pandemic).
  • Distribute $3 million to agencies providing services to seniors.
  • Infrastructure improvements (Demarest Dam Rehabilitation Project & revitalization of our Pomona Health complex).
  • Equipping school buses with stop-arm cameras.
  • No property tax increase two years in a row.
  • Repealed the energy tax, equivalent to an 8.4% County Property Tax cut, saving families $12 million annually.
  • Opted into New York State bills to expand property tax deductions for seniors and give volunteer first responders property tax deductions.

“All while keeping our staffing 16% lower than where it stood when I first took office,” said County Executive Day.

Below are some of the major highlights presented by County Executive Day Wednesday evening:

Health Department:

  • Administered nearly 18,000 polio vaccinations.

Veterans Service Agency:

  • Assisted +60% increase in claims.

Economic Development and Tourism Office:

  • Awarded $278,000 in Tourism Grants to 29 organizations.

Department of Mental Health:

  • Expanding the Children’s Community Assistance, Response, and Engagement Team (CARE Team).
  • Overseeing Intensive Crisis Stabilization Center.

ARPA Department:

  • Distributed $2 million to businesses, restaurants, and food pantries.
  • Distributed $7 million to municipalities and non-profits for parks, playgrounds, and gardens.

Rockland Codes Investigations Unit (RCI):

  • Responded to +1500 complaints, issued 53,000 violations, and collected $130,000 in fines.

Office of Buildings and Codes (OBC):

  • Conducted +800 inspections, issued +7,000 violations, levied $250,000 in fines.

Consumer Protection:

  • Investigated 685 complaints, a 50% increase.
  • 142 prosecutions and $88,000 returned to homeowners, up 80% from 2021.

The County Executive concluded the speech by discussing one of the most-pressing challenges being seen in Rockland – responsible development.

“This is not an easy problem to solve; in fact, it’ll be one of the toughest. But I’ve never been one to back down from a difficult challenge,” said County Executive Day. “If we can rescue this County from the brink of bankruptcy, we can find a way to make it affordable for all — and when I say all I’m referring to our essential workers, our teachers, our first responders; all of whom are having a hard time affording a home in this County.”

The Rockland County Office of Community Development is partnering with Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress to conduct the County’s first-ever comprehensive community and affordable housing needs assessment. This study of the County’s housing needs and challenges will help be utilized to determine what funding is available and the best path forward to develop affordable workforce housing.

The County of Rockland is also hosting the first-ever Housing Forum on April 21st with major stakeholders including developers, lenders, DSS, HUD, and more to strategize how to overcome Rockland’s housing challenges.

“This is an issue close to my heart because I firmly believe safe and affordable housing is a human right; one that should not be limited to those at the highest income brackets. I call on my partners in government and our County legislators to work with me and my administration to knock down these financial barriers for our families once and for all.”

Photos are available upon request and the entire event can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/rocklandgov

Upper Nyack Planning Board Meeting Agenda March 15th

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PDF icon agenda_pb_3.15.23.pdf
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PDF icon 3.15.23_202_hilltop_drive_pb_revised_submission.pdf
PDF icon 3.15.23_617_n._bway_pb_cover_sheet.pdf
Microsoft Office document icon 3.15.23_617_n._bway_pb_narrative.pdf.doc
PDF icon 3.15.23_617_n._bway_pb_area_of_disturbance.pdf
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PDF icon 3.15.23_202_hilltop_drive_upper_nyack_pb_revised_plans.pdf
PDF icon 3.15.23_csi_pb_site_plan_with_parking.pdf
Date:
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 – 7:30pm

Skoufis Bill Would Level Playing Field for Businesses, Lower Community Property Taxes

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Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) has introduced legislation (S.2774) that would allow local school districts and governments to collect property taxes from private corporations that occupy tax-exempt federal or state land like West Point. Doing so would offset some of the tax burden on all other duly-paying property owners in the community, including small businesses, while providing new funding to our schools and municipalities to provide services.

Private businesses like the Thayer Hotel that lease and operate within the bounds of West Point – federally-owned, tax-exempt territory along the Hudson River – for example, hold a competitive advantage over comparable businesses outside West Point’s gates that pay full property taxes.

“The cost of entrepreneurship in New York is already staggering for your average mom-and-pop small business,” said Senator Skoufis. “Our goal here is to ensure that our Main Streets aren’t carrying an inequitable tax burden when their competitor just up the block isn’t contributing to our schools, infrastructure, and local police. We must close this unjust tax loophole.”

Over 80% of all land within the Town of Highlands, where West Point is located, is either owned by the state or federal government, making it fully or partially tax-exempt. Should Senator Skoufis’ legislation be signed into law, over $20 million in new local revenue would be collected statewide.

“I applaud Senator Skoufis for his continued work to support our local governments and drive down taxes for those in Orange County,” said Town of Highlands Supervisor Bob Livsey. “Highlands is uniquely impacted by existing federal and state property tax exemptions, and this legislation would ensure our business community thrives while key municipal services are supported.”

Skoufis has long advocated for closing property tax loopholes as a way to benefit our local community. In 2021, he secured a permanent provision requiring the state to pay property taxes on Goosepond Mountain State Park, accounting for roughly $100,000 in new annual revenue for the towns of Chester and Blooming Grove. Previously, the tax bill for every park under the jurisdiction of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission–except for Goosepond– had been paid by the state.

WEBER APPOINTED TO ANTISEMITISM WORKING GROUP

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Working Group Will Travel around the State to Address Rise in Antisemitic Incidents

Albany, NY – New York State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt announced the creation of an Anti-Semitism Working Group that will hold roundtables throughout the state to hear from stakeholders and make recommendations on ways to best address the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents in New York State.

Senator Jack Martins will serve as Chair of the working group. Senator Patricia CanzoneriFitzpatrick, Senator Joseph Griffo, Senator Peter Oberacker, and Senator Bill Weber will serve as additional members.

“We continue to see an alarming rise in anti-semitic hate crimes here in New York. These types of violence have no place in our state and nation – no innocent, law-abiding New Yorker should ever feel threatened, especially on the basis of their faith. The Senate Republican Conference is committed to restoring public safety, and protecting our Jewish brothers and sisters from hateful acts of violence. This working group will gather information and formulate solutions on how the Legislature can best reverse this rising trend, and I look forward to their report,” said Leader Ortt.

“I want to thank Leader Ortt for asking me to join the important antisemitism working group to help ensure we do everything possible to end hate in New York. Our conference will continue to stand against antisemitism, known as the world’s oldest hatred,” said Senator Bill Weber.

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