County executive touts housing projects, broadband planning, microenterprise grants and tourism revival

In his State of the County address the County Executive emphasized housing, small-business supports, tourism promotion and broadband planning as key elements of county strategy to broaden opportunity.

Housing: the executive noted the recent grand opening of Dutch Hollow, a 40-unit active-adult community in the town of Amsterdam, and said construction is underway on the EcoFlats at Log City, described as a net-zero apartment complex intended to offer energy-efficient housing for working professionals and young families.

Small-business support and tourism: the County Executive said the county assisted 12 local microenterprise businesses through targeted grant funding to help them launch and stabilize operations and said the county plans another round of funding. He also announced that the county is bringing back a local tourism grant program to support downtown activation, citing recent visitor growth tied to the Erie Canal bike tour and a Kayakathon that drew nearly 250 participants in 2025.

Broadband planning and public participation: the County Executive said the county’s broadband planning effort, supported by New York State’s Connect All office, began in August 2025 and will wrap up in 2026; the next public workshop is scheduled for February 25. "Reliable broadband is essential for education, health care, business growth, and daily life," the County Executive said, and the planning process will generate options and cost estimates to guide future investments.

Community services and legal services facility: the County Executive said renovations and a $1,100,000 grant from the office of indigent legal services funded the relocation of the public defender’s office to the historic County Courthouse in Fonda. He also described expanded outreach via pop-up events in western communities and exploratory talks with the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to expand food access.