GOSHEN – Infrastructure and economic development were some of the issues addressed by Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus when he delivered his annual state of the county address Wednesday.
Neuhaus delivered the address at the county’s 911 center, and he wants to spend a $1 million to promote tourism, an additional $14 million for county parks, extend the Heritage Trail and develop the former Camp LaGuardia as a recreational space.
He said it is all about quality of life.
“When people want to stay here or come here for a job, they look at the schools, they look the area of recreation, do I want to be here. When I get my off time is there something for me to do,” he said. “That’s why we need to continue to build them together.”
Despite inflation, high gas prices, and a war in the Ukraine, Neuhaus is positive about the future and credits the Orange County Legislature’s bipartisanship for helping to accomplish many of his goals.
“I think we’re better and stronger than ever,” he said. “I think we should be role models for other organizations that can’t get anything done and get bogged down in partisan politics.”
New initiatives announced by Neuhaus include:
- Orange County Health and Emergency Services will be hosting free mobile CPR clinics.
- The County Executive introduced the Four Seasons Campaign, which will include a $1 million investment into Tourism during the spring, summer, fall, and winter.
- The new state-of-the-art, 18,175-square-foot Medical Examiner’s Office is set to be completed by the end of 2023. Amenities include dignified public entrance and waiting area, family viewing room, autopsy room and isolation autopsy room. At least $17 million of funding will come from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
- Economic Development will work even more closely with the business community, providing education and training opportunities about governmental approvals and permits.
- The County Executive’s Economic Summit will be held in the fall, bringing together key stakeholders, elected officials, community leaders and the business community to discuss issues such as tourism, the workforce and infrastructure and open space, trends, and the future of economic growth.
