RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. — Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin reflected on a year filled with significant achievements while outlining ambitious plans for the future following his re-election in November 2023. Central to his accomplishments was the completion of a long-term initiative to repave 330 miles of the county’s road network, a project that spanned eight years.
McLaughlin emphasized that previous efforts to maintain road quality were inadequate. “What the county was doing for a number of years was just throwing an inch of pavement down,” he stated. “I knew that wasn’t ever going to be a solid plan to go forward.” By setting a clear goal to repave every mile by the end of his second term, he aimed to improve the overall infrastructure significantly.
To achieve this objective, the county invested heavily in new highway equipment, addressing long-standing deficiencies. “When we got here, our equipment that our highway men and women were operating with was awful,” McLaughlin explained. He noted that outdated machinery hindered effective road maintenance, an issue he prioritized correcting.
As a result of these infrastructure improvements, McLaughlin reported a notable increase in new businesses entering the county. In just the past month, four new establishments opened, including Central Rock Gym in Troy and HOTWORX, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Turnkey Workplace Services in North Greenbush. “I think it’s largely because not only are we as business-friendly as we can be, but as we’ve laid out that infrastructure,” he said, highlighting the correlation between road quality and economic growth.
The county’s financial management also received attention this year, with McLaughlin celebrating a unanimously passed budget that marked the eighth consecutive reduction in property taxes for residents. “We cut the tax rate now down to $3.23 per thousand versus $5.85 per thousand when I arrived,” he noted proudly.
Looking ahead, one of McLaughlin’s key projects is the $112 million renovation of the Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Care facility. The state is expected to reimburse 85% of the costs associated with this project. McLaughlin expressed gratitude for the state’s support but urged a review of its reimbursement policies, pointing out that hospitals receive a 100% reimbursement rate while nursing homes do not. “If we were a hospital, we would get 100% reimbursed. Why are we not taking care of our seniors to the same degree?” he questioned.
In addition to the Manor renovation, McLaughlin has plans for upcoming projects in 2026. He aims to update the sewer line on Route 4 in North Greenbush and construct a new athletic complex for county youth. “The big thing on my wish list is to get a major athletic complex built for the kids and families of Rensselaer County,” he said. He believes such facilities could also serve as economic drivers, drawing families and generating local business.
As he prepares for another year in office, McLaughlin expressed optimism about the future. “I appreciate everyone’s support,” he concluded. “I certainly appreciate them recognizing the hard work that we’ve been doing.”
This proactive approach demonstrates McLaughlin’s commitment to enhancing both the infrastructure and the quality of life for residents in Rensselaer County.
