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A Message from Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger
Providing opportunities for meaningful, family-sustaining jobs is an important priority of ours, and this week's newsletter highlights the County's recent workforce summit and our efforts to create a new Workforce Innovation Center at iPark 87, the site of the former IBM complex, in the Town of Ulster. This and other news and events, below!
All my best,
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Recent News & Events
Fourth Annual Ulster County Workforce Summit
“The Future of Ulster County’s Workforce” was the theme of the County’s fourth Ulster County Workforce Summit, held on January 18 at SUNY Ulster’s Kingston Campus. The series of summits brings together community, business, and educational partners to discuss the workforce development landscape of Ulster County, assess needs, and brainstorm solutions to obstacles facing employers and job seekers. This fourth summit focused on typically underemployed or overlooked populations, such as veterans, new Americans, people with disabilities, and young adults.
The summit culminated with a presentation by County Executive Metzger on economic and job opportunities in the shift to a green economy and plans underway for Ulster County’s Workforce Innovation Center at iPark. The Center will bring together, under one roof, the County's workforce and economic development departments, SUNY Ulster, SUNY New Paltz, Ulster BOCES, employers, and community-based organizations--creating an entirely new model of workforce education and training. Working together with employers, the Center will provide educational programs, industry-recognized certifications, and hands-on learning opportunities that lead directly to family-sustaining jobs. In recent related news, we are excited to report that Ulster BOCES is planning to house a new Career and Technical Center directly adjacent to the County’s Workforce Innovation Center.
You can watch a video of the County Executive’s remarks at the Workforce Summit here.
Officials Call on State Regulators to Replace Hudson Valley Water Company with New Owner/Operator
The County Executive is urging the Public Service Commission to replace Hudson Valley Water Company with a new owner and operator after Boiceville customers went 25 days without drinking water service and spent their holidays carting potable water from a tanker. This was the latest in what has been years of complaints about service disruptions, water quality issues, and poor customer service by residential customers in Boiceville, Mount Marion, High Falls Park, Pine Lane-Hurley, and West Hurley.
The request by the County Executive was sent to the Commission on January 9 and was co-signed by the Ulster County Commissioner of Health, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha, and the Town Supervisors and County Legislators representing the affected communities.
You can read more about the issue here, and we will keep you updated on the Commission’s response!
Mental Health Department Moves to 368 Broadway in Kingston
Mental Health Department Moves to 368 Broadway in Kingston
On January 16, the Department of Mental Health moved to 368 Broadway in Kingston, the location of the new Ulster County Center for Well-Being, which will serve as a hub for mental health and wellness services. The County’s non-profit partners are already offering services like urgent mental health care and substance use disorder counseling, and later this year, the County will open a crisis stabilization center on the ground floor with services for youth and adults 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Welcome District Attorney Manny Nneji!
Welcome Manny Nneji, Ulster County’s new District Attorney! The County Executive had the honor of administering his oath of office at his alma mater, SUNY New Paltz. District Attorney Nneji has served in the DA’s office for 32 years, and his dedication to justice and commitment to the people of Ulster County are commendable. We wish him great success in his new position!
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RUPCO to Open Section 8 Voucher Waitlist for People Experiencing Homelessness
At the end of this month, RUPCO will open the Ulster County Housing Choice Voucher Program wait list exclusively for individuals experiencing homelessness. Starting on January 30, applications will be available for download at rupco.org or for pick up at RUPCO’s office, located at 289 Fair Street in Kingston. You may submit your completed applications by mail or drop them off at their Kingston office through February 13 at 4 pm.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebrations Across Ulster County
County Executive Metzger and Chief Diversity Officer Lewis honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during celebrations across the County.
On January 13, they gathered with Ulster Corps for the 15th Annual MLK Day Celebration of Service at the Rosendale Recreation Center, where the County Executive gave words of appreciation to volunteers from across the county. The following day, the community assembled with the Minister’s Alliance at Pointe of Praise Church in Kingston to honor Dr. King and his legacy. The service gave special recognition to Rabbi Yael Romer, spiritual leader of Congregation Emanuel in Kingston, for her work in furtherance of Dr. King’s teachings. Executive Metzger was joined at the event by Sheriff Juan Figueroa, Senator Michelle Hinchey, and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.
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Congratulations to the Kerhonkson Fire Department on their 100th Anniversary!
Thank you for your tireless efforts in keeping our community safe. Cheers to 100 more years!
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Employment Services at the Restorative Justice Center
Take our community survey to help the County Office of Employment and Training plan a calendar of events and workshops for the Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center throughout 2024.
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“The Hate U Give” YMCA Film Screening with Panel Discussion
The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County invites you to attend a free film screening based on the acclaimed novel “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas on January 27, 2024, from 11 AM to 2 PM.
📅 Saturday, January 27
🕕 11 AM - 2 PM
📍 YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County, 507 Broadway, Kingston, NY
The panel following the film screening will feature Calief Housen of Career in Touch, Anthony Dandridge of SUNY New Paltz, Darren Dawson of the Kingston Police Department, Ulster County District Attorney Manny Nneji, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, and will be moderated by SUNY New Paltz Graduate Student Heaven Torres and Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer Esi Lewis.
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day
The United Nations has designated January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day, we remember the many millions of innocent lives lost during one of the darkest chapters in our history, and we honor those who survived to share their stories.
We invite you to watch this special concert performance honoring Ulster County resident and holocaust survivor, Tibor Spitz, from the PBS documentary “We Remember: Songs of Survivors.”
Let us unite in our commitment to building a future rooted in tolerance, understanding, and unity.
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Resources to Help You Start Your Business
Is it your New Year's Resolution to start your own business? There are free and low-cost resources to help! Visit the Empire State Development Division Of Small Business to see available technical assistance and financial grant and loan opportunities, or reach out to the Ulster County Department of Economic Development for help navigating available resources at (845) 340-3556 or oed@co.ulster.ny.us.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
Small Business Funding from New York State
Some small businesses may still be struggling to get back on their feet after the impacts of COVID. The New York State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) has more than $500 million in federal funding available to support the resurgence of small businesses across New York State.
Find out which SSBCI Programs can help you here, or reach out to the Ulster County Department of Economic Development for help navigating available resources at (845) 340-3556 or oed@co.ulster.ny.us.
This information is being provided for the benefit of Ulster Residents, these programs are not operated or controlled by the County of Ulster.
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Job Openings in Ulster County
Consider a career in public service and earn a living by making a difference.
Visit the civil service portal and apply today to join our team.
The Ulster County Government strictly adheres to the principles of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and Americans with Disability Act.
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