Ulster County Executive Outlines Progress in State of the County Address

Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger delivered her 2025 State of the County address on Thursday evening at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge, outlining progress on a range of initiatives including affordable housing, mental health services, climate resilience, transportation infrastructure, and support for local businesses and agriculture.

Metzger emphasized her administration’s commitment to addressing residents’ immediate needs while laying the groundwork for a sustainable and thriving future for Ulster County. Key initiatives highlighted in the address included:

* Affordable Housing: Metzger reported on the progress of several affordable housing projects, including the Golden Hill project in Kingston (164 units), the Quality Inn redevelopment in the Town of Ulster (83 units), and Silver Gardens in Highland (57 units). She also highlighted the County Housing Action Fund, which is supporting projects in New Paltz, Hurley, Saugerties, and Kingston that will add 119 affordable homes. Ulster County will gain nearly 500 affordable homes through county-supported housing.

* Mental Health and Substance Use: The County Executive announced the opening of a new crisis support center at the Ulster County Center for Well-Being in Kingston this spring, along with a new state-funded street outreach team for homeless individuals. She also highlighted the progress of the Sheriff’s Office ORACLE program in reducing overdoses and overdose fatalities. $250,000 from the opioid settlement will establish a shared drug- and alcohol-free residence.

* Transportation: Metzger reported that Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) broke a ridership record last year with half a million riders and announced her intention to keep UCAT service free. She also spoke about the upcoming release of the UCAT Route Optimization Plan, which will phase in service improvements over the next three years, beginning with more frequent service between New Paltz and Kingston later this year.

* Climate Action: The County Executive detailed several initiatives to address climate change, including electrifying the UCAT bus fleet, expanding EV charging infrastructure, and making improvements to County buildings to reduce energy consumption. She also announced the construction of a new, climate-smart Emergency Communications Center in New Paltz.

* Support for Agriculture: Metzger highlighted the importance of agriculture to Ulster County’s economy and food security. She announced the completion of the 2024 Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, the creation of a new $500,000 Revolving Loan Fund for agricultural projects, and ongoing efforts to assist farmers with soil health, energy efficiency, and climate resilience.

Metzger also addressed a range of other initiatives, including workforce development, small business support, redevelopment of derelict properties, and support for the arts and culture sector. She concluded by announcing the upcoming launch of a new, user-friendly County website.

Image Credit: Ulster County Government