Recent News & Events
UCEDA Signs Letter of Intent with Ronnybrook Farm to Anchor Agribusiness Center on Former IBM Campus
Last week, the Ulster County Economic Development Alliance (UCEDA) voted to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, a multigenerational New York dairy producer, to establish operations at the future Ulster Agribusiness Center located on UCEDA‑owned property on the former IBM complex in the Town of Ulster.
In her State of the County address, County Executive Metzger announced that she was working with UCEDA on a proposal to partner with a local food and beverage company to site a production facility on the site as well as to manage a cold/freezer storage facility that would lease space to local farms and value-added businesses. Access to cold storage is a priority-need identified in Ulster County's 2025 Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan to enable agricultural enterprises to grow their sales and markets. The future Agribusiness Center would expand value-added production, diversify food and beverage manufacturing, and support shared services that strengthen the region’s farm economy.
Ronnybrook is an ideal partner as a values-driven business and respected New York State dairy producer with deep roots in the Hudson Valley dating back more than 80 years as a family farm.
County Executive Metzger Proposes Local Law to Establish Common-Sense Identification Standards for Law Enforcement
 This week County Executive Metzger proposed a local law that would establish a clear, consistent identifiability standard for all law enforcement operating in Ulster County — federal, state, and local. Officers and agents would be required to display a name and badge number, and would be prohibited from concealing their faces unless it serves a clear operational need, like tactical or emergency situations, environmental or medical hazards, and undercover work.
We are taking this action under our Home Rule authority to protect public safety and well-being. This law establishes a common‑sense standard that will protect the public and officers alike by reducing confusion, preventing impersonation, and strengthening transparency and accountability. The proposed law is supported by County Sheriff Juan Figueroa, and is co-sponsored by Legislature Chair Peter Criswell and Legislators Debra Clinton and Eric Stewart, who chair the Public Safety and Health, Human Services and Human Rights Committees, respectively. Thank you all for your support.
Local, County & State Officials Send Message to Albany: Delaying Climate Action is Unaffordable
 County Executive Metzger organized a press conference at UCAT to highlight solutions to the twin challenges of climate change and affordability, and the importance of New York’s continued leadership to reduce fossil fuel dependence amidst skyrocketing oil and gas prices. She was joined by State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assembly Member Sarahana Shrestha, New Paltz Town Supervisor Tim Rogers, and community leaders and advocates, who spoke to the high costs of the state's over-reliance on fossil fuels and the benefits to affordability, health, and job creation that will be gained by meeting the goals of New York's Climate Act.
Ulster County’s public transit system is a great example of a climate solution that saves our residents money, providing a free, low-emissions way for residents to get around at a time when they’re getting hit hard at the pump.
County taxpayers are also seeing significant savings as UCAT goes electric: Last year, the County’s five electric buses saved about $185,000 on operating and maintenance costs, compared to the diesel buses they replaced. The buses use the power of the sun for charging, thanks to a 204-kW solar array on UCAT’s roof. We’re especially thankful to have these buses in our fleet as the price of diesel tops $5.70 a gallon!
Construction Underway for the New Emergency Communications Center
 Construction is well underway on the County's new Emergency Communications Center on Paradies Lane in New Paltz! The state-of-the-art facility is designed to operate during natural disasters, power outages, and other types of emergencies, greatly enhancing the County’s emergency response capabilities. Geothermal heating and cooling, combined with solar and battery back-up, will achieve net-zero energy use while providing operational cost savings and resiliency benefits.
The ECC will house the Department of Emergency Services, including the Emergency-911 center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and the Divisions of Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services. This will be a huge upgrade for our Emergency Services team and for the County!
Celebrating the Women Leaders of Ulster County
 During Women’s History Month in March, we celebrated the historic number of women leading Ulster County today in Countywide elected offices, in the County Legislature, and at the helm of many County Departments!
Pictured left to right are many of our women elected officials and County department heads:
- Ashley Torres, Board of Elections Commissioner
- Dina Suggs, Chief Diversity Officer
- Liz Corrado, Public Defender
- Eve Walter, Director of Public Health
- Valerie Naccarato, Director of Probation
- Debra Clinton, Legislator for District 16
- Dawn Spader, Director of Personnel
- Amanda LaValle, Deputy County Executive
- Lisa Berger, Director of Tourism
- Kathy Nolan, Legislator for District 22
- Jen Metzger, County Executive
- Amy Dooley, Legislator for District 9
- Amberly Jane Campbell, Assistant Deputy County Executive
- March Gallagher, County Comptroller
- Michelle Sullivan, Security Officer, County Sheriff's Department
- Jamie Capuano, Deputy County Executive
- Sharon Williams, Director of the Office for Employment & Training
Other women County leaders not pictured:
- Toni Roser, Director of UCAT
- Susan Koppenhaver, Director of the Office For the Aging
- Tara McDonald, Director of Mental Health
- Ann Peters, Legislator for District 2
- Laura Donovan, Legislator for District 11
- Megan Sperry, Legislator for District 17
- Lindsey Grossman, Legislator for District 19
Consul General of Mexico in New York Visits Kingston
 On Friday, March 20, County Executive Metzger and Chief Diversity Officer Dina Suggs attended a special luncheon with the Consul General of Mexico in New York, Marcos Augusto Bucio Mújica, and his team — the first such visit to Kingston in the 200+ years of U.S.-Mexico diplomatic relations! They brought mobile consulate services to Ulster County to over 400 residents this past week alone.
Immigrants have always played a vital role in shaping our county, and this remains true today. We have a sizable Mexican community in Ulster County, enriching our culture, strengthening our neighborhoods, and powering key sectors of our local economy, from agriculture to construction to small business entrepreneurship. We are so pleased that the Consul General made this special trip to Kingston, and we are grateful to the Consulate for the mobile services his office provides to our community!
A special thanks to RUPCO (and especially to Maru Gonzalez), David Sosa and Rev. Dr. Joy MacVance of Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church. And a big thank you to Frank Guido’s for hosting the luncheon!
And Consul General Bucio was very pleased to receive the Ulster County cap he’s wearing and a Sojourner Truth tote featuring a design by Kingston’s own Aleshanee Emanuel!
Congratulations to Our New IGNITE Graduates in the County Jail
 On Monday, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and the Corrections Division held a moving ceremony for the graduates of IGNITE — educational programs for incarcerated men and women that build confidence, knowledge, and skills, and expand opportunities after their release. It was incredibly moving during the ceremony to hear the graduates share what these programs meant to them.
Everyone deserves a second chance, and everyone should have access to the resources they need to realize their full potential. This is what IGNITE is all about, and we thank Sheriff Juan Figueroa and his team, including Superintendent of Corrections Anthon Maggio, Sgt. Megan Ferry, Lt. Chad Storey, Director of Community Incarcerated Services Juanita Hotchkiss, and all involved for leading the state with this inspiring model program.
Congratulations to the IGNITE graduates!!
Kingston Wire Features Misha Kuznetsov from Ulster County Dept. of the Environment
 Ulster County's own Misha Kuznetsov is interviewed in the Kingston Wire's most recent "Real Lives of Kingston" by Jesse Smith! Misha, who started as an Ulster County Climate Corps intern, now works full-time in our Department of the Environment as an Environmental Research Technician and Stormwater Coordinator. It's so nice to see him featured in this column! You can read the article here.
Getting Our Little Ones Excited About Agriculture!
 For Ag Literacy Week in March, County Executive Metzger visited Ms. Pagliaro’s first grade class at Ostrander Elementary School in the Village of Wallkill to read "Seasons on the Farm," written by Chelsea Tornetto and illustrated by Karen Bunting. The kids were so excited to share their own stories about local farms, animals, and their favorite fruits and vegetables to grow and eat!
Thank you to Ulster County Cornell Cooperative Extension for organizing Ag Literacy Week in the schools, and a big thanks to Ms. Pagliaro and Principal Hoyt for hosting us!
Ellenville NAACP Honors Women Leaders in the Community
 The NAACP Ellenville celebrated Women's History Month at the Ellenville Public Library with a powerful program of song, poetry, and words by women civic and faith leaders, including Reverend Evelyn Clarke, NAACP President Maude Bruce, and members of the NAACP leadership team.
We want to give a special congratulations to the Community Service Award recipients at the celebration: Esi Lewis (Executive Director of the Margaret Wade-Lewis Center and former Ulster County Chief Diversity Officer); Harriet Kora, (Registered Nurse and SUNY Ulster and SUNY Sullivan Professor); and Julianah Abimbola Ogundimu (Team Lead and Ulster County Opioid Use Disorder System Specialist for ORACLE and the SAFE unit in the Ulster County Sheriff's Office). Thank you all for your service and contributions to our community!
CSEA Food Drive Supports Our Programs and Residents
 The Ulster County CSEA recently held a food drive to support our Adult Services Unit and our Senior Hub. This food helps provide our seniors with snacks and coffee during events, and keeps our most vulnerable adult population well-fed. Thank you to the CSEA and everyone who donated!
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