RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. — In a recent address, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin outlined a year filled with significant achievements, including infrastructure improvements and new business openings, while also setting the stage for ambitious plans in the upcoming year. His remarks came shortly after he secured re-election in November 2023.
One of McLaughlin’s key achievements was the successful completion of a long-term project to repave 330 miles of the county’s road network, a goal he set at the beginning of his tenure. “What the county was doing for a number of years was just throwing an inch of pavement down,” he noted, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable approach. “We just set our minds to it that we were going to have a goal by the end of my second term; we would have every mile done.”
To reach this ambitious target, the county increased its paving output from a typical 12 to 20 miles annually to a goal of 40 to 45 miles. McLaughlin attributed the success of the repaving initiative to significant investments in new highway equipment and infrastructure. He stated, “The equipment our highway workers were operating was awful… Stuff was beat up, it wasn’t maintained, it was falling apart.”
The improvements in the county’s road infrastructure have reportedly attracted new businesses. In just the past month, four new establishments opened in Rensselaer County, including Central Rock Gym in Troy, and HOTWORX, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Turnkey Workplace Services in North Greenbush. McLaughlin expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m thrilled when new businesses open; it’s just more sales tax, more jobs.”
Beyond economic growth, McLaughlin proudly highlighted the county’s fiscal management, noting the unanimous approval of a budget that marked the eighth consecutive year of property tax reductions for residents. The current tax rate has decreased to $3.23 per thousand from $5.85 when he first took office.
A major ongoing project is the $112 million renovation of the Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Care facility. McLaughlin shared his appreciation for state support, which will reimburse 85% of the renovation costs. While he welcomed the funding, he urged state officials to reassess the reimbursement formula that currently favors hospitals over nursing homes. “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.
Looking ahead to 2026, McLaughlin has outlined several prospective projects, including updates to the sewer line on Route 4 and the construction of a major athletic complex aimed at benefiting local 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, adding that such a facility could serve as a significant economic driver for the area.
As the county prepares for the new year, McLaughlin emphasized the importance of enhancing residents’ quality of life, stating, “I appreciate everyone’s support… We’ve been working hard to improve our community.” Moving forward, he aims to continue these efforts while fostering economic growth and infrastructure development in Rensselaer County.
