FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 17, 2022
County Executive McCoy, the Albany County Legislature and Comptroller Rizzo Release
ARPA Funding Survey
County Leaders Seeking Public Input on COVID Recovery Projects & Spending
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and the Albany County Legislature today released the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Public Engagement Survey, seeking community input on how to utilize the second tranche of federal funding secured for the county. Albany County residents are encouraged to participate by completing the survey and returning it electronically, by mail or in person.
A range of questions will give members of the public the opportunity to voice their opinion on how the ARPA funds should be prioritized to continue the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown. Categories for investments include community health and wellness, economic recovery and growth, quality of life, homelessness and housing, and public safety, among others.
“The ARPA funding secured by President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Schumer and our New York Congressional Delegation has been indispensable for Albany County. While the first tranche of federal dollars was critical to addressing sales tax revenue shortfalls to ensure county government could properly respond to the pandemic, we must now look ahead to the types of projects that will allow us to continue moving forward, stronger than before,” said County Executive McCoy.
“Whether it’s our seniors and those with underlying health conditions, families with school-aged children, small business owners, minority communities, frontline workers or others, we know that COVID has had a disproportional impact on some compared to others. With this survey, we want to get input from our residents to help ensure that our recovery is equitable, effective, and forward-thinking,” he continued.
“The opportunities that the American Rescue Plan Act funding affords Albany County are significant as it provides a comprehensive approach to implementing real solutions to outstanding, ongoing issues in our neighborhoods. Through robust public input we will be able to identify and fund projects that can reach across a multitude of sectors, from infrastructure and housing, to public safety and health. Community members know what is best for their communities and what is needed to help strengthen our County so we encourage every resident to take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Only then can we ensure that we are investing the people’s money responsibly,” said Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce.
“In a joint effort with the County Executive and the County Legislature, we are excited to release this survey that will allow us to hear from county residents about their priorities and how the COVID 19 pandemic impacted their families, businesses and lives. It is essential that the funds are used within the legal parameters set by the federal government and in the most efficient and fiscally prudent way, while meeting the needs of the communities that were most disproportionately affected by the pandemic,” said Albany County Comptroller Susan Rizzo.
“It is important that everyone fills out this survey as it will give us guidance on how we should utilize the ARPA funds for projects that residents are interested in,” said Legislative Black Caucus Chairman William Clay. “Hearing from those impacted the most by the pandemic means a more targeted response and importantly, more resources going toward finding a solution.”
“Through the American Rescue Plan, Albany County has been given a historic opportunity to make important investments in our towns and communities, ranging from public investment in broadband services to enhanced economic development opportunities. It’s critical that the public weigh in to make their priorities known to us so that we can make sure this funding is used in ways that will best serve the County. I encourage everyone to take the survey and believe this process can only move forward with strong public input,” said Minority Leader Frank Mauriello.
Those wishing to complete the survey are asked to respond by visiting the following website at the link here, by mail or by dropping it off in person by Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
A hard copy of the survey is attached to this press release and can also be picked up at the Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building at 112 State Street in Albany or at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County at 24 Martin Roar in Voorheesville. The online survey is available in multiple languages to encourage widespread participation.
Once a physical copy of the survey is filled out by an Albany County resident, surveys can be dropped off in person at either of the two locations listed above or sent by mail to the Office of the Albany County Executive at 112 State St, Room 1200, Albany, NY 12207.
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