From the sale of TechCity, to historic reinvestments in mental health, to administering tens of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines, 2021 has been a year to remember

KINGSTON, N.Y. – Nineteen months into the pandemic, Ulster County has continued to respond to the rapidly changing public health situation while also delivering on key priorities for residents. From the sale of TechCity, to historic reinvestments in mental health, to administering tens of thousands of vaccines, 2021 has been a year to remember. Here is our 2021 in review by the numbers:

$352,966,745 total budget appropriations laid out in the 2022 adopted budget. 

$200 MILLION is expected to be spent by National Resources over the next five to ten years at the former TechCity site. National Resources believe they will create up to 1,000 good-paying jobs for Ulster County residents.

$50 MILLION will be invested in the dormant former Schrade knife company in Wawarsing by Cresco Labs, a vertically integrated cannabis and medical marijuana company. The county and representatives from Cresco Labs have met with local and state officials to begin reviewing designs for the proposed facility, which would employ 300 to 400 hundred residents once fully operational.

$34,491,474 funds received through the American Rescue Plan. County Executive Pat Ryan has called for an Equitable Economic Recovery in utilizing these funds, with a focus on housing, mental health, and aiding small businesses to emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient.

$32 MILLION dedicated to roads and bridges in the 2022 budget. This includes, among many other key projects, $18.2 million to maintain and improve county roads and bridges, and $3.9 million to help spur and accelerate much-needed municipal water and sewer projects. Major bridge projects include the McKinstry Bridge in Gardiner, the Lyonsville Bridge in Marbletown, the Broadstreet Hollow Bridge in Shandaken, and more.

$7.9 MILLION will be awarded to Ulster County as part of a statewide settlement agreement between Johnson & Johnson, and other opioid companies. The settlement funds will be used as part of the county’s continued effort to combat the opioid crisis. Ulster County anticipates receiving its first payment in February of 2022 and will continue to receive payments over the course of the next 18-years.

139,638 COVID-19 VACCINES have been administered to 78.2% of all Ulster County residents making the county one of the most vaccinated in New York State.

33,000 RAPID AT-HOME TESTS were distributed directly to residents throughout the county at no cost to better allow schools and businesses to remain open safely while increasing equitable access to testing.

4,200 RESIDENTS applied to participate in Ulster County’s Basic Universal Income pilot program. 100 residents have been receiving $500 a month, all funded through the generosity of community donations. Through a partnership between Project Resilience, the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Guaranteed Income, Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, and Ulster Savings Bank, Ulster County is the first county in the country to undertake a large-scale universal basic income pilot program.

652 DAYS since the Ulster County’s first positive COVID-19 case.

145 ROOMS at the former Quality Inn on Route 28 in the Town of Ulster, will be converted into apartments with kitchen and other amenities to help address the critical need to provide housing to those most vulnerable. In addition, wrap-around services including health and mental health care, career counseling and job training, childcare, and support for finding permanent housing will be provided at the site. 

116 PRESS RELEASES put out by the Office of the Ulster County Executive.

102-YEAR- OLD WWII Army Veteran Bill Swetow starred in Ulster County’s vaccine PSA. A resident of Woodland Pond Senior Living Community in New Paltz, Swetow stated in the ad, “When our nation needed us and Uncle Sam came calling, we answered! We fought the Nazis and stormed the beaches of Normandy. And over 75 years later, we are at another moment where we need every American to do their part.” Swetow concluded the ad by saying that getting vaccinated is safe, accessible, and your duty.

91 YARDS of total offense is all Army could muster after the first 15 minutes of play in the 122nd edition of America’s Game. As a result of the Navy upset, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan had to provide Orange County Executive and Navy veteran Steve Neuhaus Fruition Chocolate, Keegan Ales’ beer, and a bottle of Hudson Whiskey as part of a wager on the game. 

54 LIVE COVID BRIEFINGS held by County Executive Ryan where he answered questions from the public while announcing updates and new initiatives related to COVID-19.

30 GOALS AND TARGETS over three focus areas make up Ulster County’s Green New Deal Plan. Ulster County is the first County in New York State and among the first in the nation to release such a comprehensive plan.

3 NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS appointed by County Executive Ryan: Ulster County Personnel, Ulster County Department of Emergency Services, and Ulster County Department of Public Works.  

1 DEPARTMENT of Mental Health re-established through the adoption of the 2022 Budget. The new department will help to elevate mental health services as a top priority. This will include a full-time Mental Health Commissioner and staff who can expand and improve mental health delivery, hold our team and partners accountable, and push for desperately needed reforms at the State and Federal levels. 

0% PERCENT tax increase in the 2022 Ulster County Budget. This marked the third year in a row under the Ryan Administration that taxes remained flat. Additionally, the budget included investments in mental health services, dedicating resources to build a more equitable economy, and addressing the urgent need for housing as Ulster County builds for future generations.

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