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Development, film industry, restaurant operations on the rise in Rockland
STATE OF THE COUNTY
It’s been a tough recovery from the pandemic and its economic fallout, but Rockland County remains strong and is regaining its sea legs, according to the county’s state executive Ed Day’s speech Tuesday at the County Legislative Building in New City.
“There is no question that our businesses have been hit hard by COVID, and I want to applaud every single business owner who has fought to keep their doors open during the pandemic,” Day said. “The economic health of our community is directly linked to companies like yours that continue to serve the people of Rockland. Thank you for staying with us.”
Rockland’s unemployment rate has fallen to 3.3 percent. “I’m happy to say it’s among the lowest in the Hudson Valley,” Day said.
The county received $63 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding in 2021 and established a department tasked with maximizing every single federal dollar spent helping the people of Rockland, Day said.
The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program provides financial relief to restaurants that have faced unexpected costs from COVID, such as: B. Outdoor dining renovations. Restaurants are eligible for reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 to cover their expenses.
The Department of Community Development Rockland County received $3.5 million in Federal Cares Act funding from HUD for the Community Development Block Program in 2021. The program awarded up to $45,000 in relief to small businesses and nonprofits to help them retain workers and stay open.
“This pandemic is now entering its third year and I have no doubt that this department is doing everything humanly possible to keep the numbers down and get Rockland back to normal,” Day said. Nearly 80 percent of residents five years and older have received at least one dose, and the county has only about 500 active COVID cases left.
Rockland’s unemployment rate has fallen to 3.3 percent. “I’m happy to say it’s among the lowest in the Hudson Valley,” Day said. A stark contrast to the unemployment rate of 13.3 percent at the peak of the pandemic two years ago.
Day noted that the county increased the total value of its taxable real estate by $7.4 billion in five years — an increase of 21 percent. “This growth ultimately brings good jobs to Rockland, stabilizes our tax base, and protects families from the double-digit tax increases of the past,” he said.
The county is taking action against cyberattacks by the Russian government and its supporters
For the past month, Rockland County has responded to Department of Homeland Security warnings to US organizations at all levels to be wary of cyberattacks by the Russian government and its supporters in retaliation for sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
“This county doesn’t take these types of threats lightly,” Day said. “Our information and technology services department regularly updated our IT infrastructure. I am confident that this department is doing everything possible to protect us from any data breach or cyber attack.”
The ITS department also installed a new nationwide telephone system and upgraded the entire network infrastructure to increase network speed. The public defender’s office is streamlining its filing system to have each of Rockland’s 22 magistrates’ courts paperless by the end of the year.
Day said the Department of Treasury is refinancing various serial capital bonds, saving taxpayers nearly half a million dollars a year over the life of those bonds.
Budget 2022 has no property tax increase
“Through their efforts, the work of all our departments and the county legislature, we have prepared a budget for 2022 with no property tax increases,” he said.
Rockland created a County Office of Buildings and Codes in response to an order from the New York State Department of State to assume the functions and responsibilities of the Spring Valley Building Department.
“Although it was a nearly impossible mission, we accomplished it and took a huge step forward to protect the people of Spring Valley,” Day said.
The Department of Consumer Protection is focused on taking action against unlicensed contractors. In 2021, the department investigated 406 complaints, resulting in 141 prosecutions and 507 violations, which Day said offset the department’s operating costs.
Emerging from the pandemic spurs economic activity
The Rockland County Industrial Development Agency received 17 applications for new projects last year — a record high, Day said. “Investment from all of these projects is estimated at nearly $1 billion and is expected to create 400 well-paying jobs as well as temporary construction jobs.
Day noted that the county planning department, which conducts the review of development applications, completed 25 percent more reviews in 2021 than the five-year average.
The county’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism also experienced a resurgence in economic activity, earning $958,000 in film revenue last year from 32 productions on county property alone. “Every dollar spent on filming gives an extra boost to local businesses and our county as a whole by enabling productions to use hotels, buy gas, and support local restaurants or caterers,” Day said.
Excluding the sales and local taxes generated by tourism, the average Rockland household would have to pay an additional $422 in taxes annually to maintain our current level of service.
The district awarded $205,000 to 22 organizations to promote upcoming events and help attract more visitors from outside of Rockland. These district dollars come with a set of performance expectations, and we are confident that the organizations receiving these funds meet these standards and attract visitors who keep coming back.
Last year, our Youth Office trained and employed more than 250 people aged 14 to 20 who have accumulated over 35,000 hours of work experience. Our Teen Employment Education Network celebrated 30 young graduates in their four-week pre-employment summer training program. And members of the Rockland Conservation and Service Corps have contributed over 8,000 hours to environmental and conservation services.
“Our improved financial position has given us the opportunity to make necessary infrastructure improvements, including the completion of our new highway garage this July,” Day said. Built on 24 acres, the facility will consist of seven buildings totaling 113,000 square feet and will be centrally located to reduce response times across the country. The facility includes a new maintenance building and indoor storage for the county fleet.
It also has a large vehicle wash that will increase the life expectancy of our vehicles by 20 percent and save about $190,000 a year, Day said, adding, “The best part – cities and towns will be able to access what.” the lifespan of their highway fleets.”
The garage will have the capacity to store 10,000 tons of salt, doubling the current capacity, and will be available for towns and villages to purchase as needed.
“Public transportation is another important component from which every community and economy thrives, which is why we’re constantly working to improve our transit system,” Day said.
Five new modified Dodge Grand Caravans were added to the TRIPS fleet last year, which transports residents with disabilities. The transportation department is buying nearly two dozen new TRIPS buses this year and 20 clean diesel TOR buses that will be in service by the end of this summer.
The department is identifying locations for new bus stops and launching a new solar lighting campaign for bus stops. As part of this campaign, solar lights will be installed at bus stops across the county to improve safety and night-time transportation for passengers.
In 2021, the Department of Environmental Resources established an agricultural and agricultural education center in the city of Ramapo. The 24-acre farm, acquired by the county in 2002 as part of the Open Space Acquisition Program, offers schools tours and educational programs in agriculture, ranching and beekeeping.
Rockland County received $10 million in funding for new land acquisitions this fiscal year through the Open Space Acquisition Program. After receiving 17 nominations for review, four properties will be considered for purchase.
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