FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 24, 2023

County of Albany
Office of the Executive
Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building
112 State Street, Room 1200
Albany, New York 12207-2021
(518) 447-7040 Fax (518) 447-5589
Daniel P. McCoy
County Executive

County Executive McCoy, County Legislature and Comptroller Rizzo Officially Launch ARPA Funding Application Process

First Round of Funding Available for, Workforce Development, Property Revitalization, Arts, Tourism, Small Business Support and More

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, the Albany County Legislature and Albany County Comptroller Susan Rizzo today officially launched the application process for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds secured by Albany County. The announcement was made with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board and the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region. The first $5.25 million round of grants will focus on economic recovery development. Funds are available for small business support, workforce development and job training, industrial and commercial property revitalization, and arts and tourism organizations. .

 “I’m proud to say that this first round of Albany County’s ARPA grants represents the single largest investment the county has ever made in small business support, workforce development, arts, tourism and more. We developed this spending plan and application process through two surveys, multiple public meetings and community stakeholder input that helped us identify those hardest hit by the COVID pandemic,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “This $5.25 million is another step in our continued economic recovery from the pandemic and I look forward to releasing a second round of grants for community development projects and non-profits later this summer.”

The $5.25 million in ARPA economic recovery funding includes $1 million for small business grants through a partnership with the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, and another $1.5 million for workforce development grants that will support programs providing unemployed and underemployed county residents with the skills needed to succeed in today’s economy. Additionally, $1 million is available to encourage businesses to train new and existing employees through a collaboration with the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. Funding is also available for the redevelopment of vacant, abandoned or blighted commercial and industrial properties, as well as for the recovery and promotion of the arts, culture and tourism sector in the County..

“From the beginning, Albany County’s ARPA process has been executed thoughtfully and with a focus on encouraging the public engagement necessary to create real, lasting change across the whole County and a multitude of sectors,” said Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce. The economic development applications being released today cover everything from neighborhood revitalization to workforce development and tourism, and will no doubt bring about significant investments into our local economy and improve the quality of life for all residents.”

Interested applicants should visit the Albany County ARPA web portal at AlbanyCountyARPA.org for additional information and to apply. Economic growth and recovery grant applications are due on June 30, 2023, unless otherwise noted. Physical copies need to be signed and submitted to the Office of the Albany County Executive, 112 State Street, Albany, NY 12207.

“As Democratic Majority Leader, I am proud of the hard work the Executive Committee and the Subcommittees have put in to ensure the best use of ARPA funds in Albany County. I am thankful for the strong partnership the Legislature has with County Executive McCoy, and we look forward to reviewing applications for the distribution of these monies for the betterment of Albany County,” said Albany County Legislature Majority Leader Dennis Feeney.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the County’s ARPA process.  The release of these economic development applications opens the first doors of opportunity for our communities by providing a real path to reshape and reimagine what we all want our County to look like moving forward.  As a member of the ARPA Executive Committee, working with the County Executive and the team assembled here, I am proud of our work to date and am very excited for the community’s priorities, ideas and proposals to come to life through this application process,” said Albany County Comptroller Susan Rizzo.

“The release of the first round of ARPA applications marks a significant step towards fostering economic growth and recovery. By providing financial support to various sectors and communities, ARPA aims to stimulate job creation, infrastructure development, and address critical needs. These applications will play a vital role in allocating resources where they are most needed, ultimately revitalizing local economies and paving the way for a robust and inclusive recovery,” said Albany County Legislative Black Caucus Chairman William Clay.

Grant awardees for the first round of economic development applications will be announced later this summer. They will be immediately followed by a request for applications focused on Community Development and Public Health projects. This second application will include grants supporting behavioral health, substance abuse and telehealth; affordable housing and housing support; youth and senior services; food access; and more.

In total Albany County will invest more than $15 million in ARPA funds directly into the community this year. That will be combined with another $12 million that we will be invested into County projects that will improve the delivery of Albany County programs and services and the quality of life of residents.

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.

Pic- CE McCoy with Comptroller Rizzo, Chairman Joyce, Minority Leader Frank Mauriello, Legislators Bob Beston, Paul Burgdorf and Carolyn McLaughlin, Deputy County Executive Daniel Lynch, Management and Budget Commissioner David Reilly, County Economic Development Coordinator Lucas Rogers, Brian Williams from Capital Region Workforce Development Board and Walt Brady from Community Loan Fund.