Investing American Rescue Plan 

Funds in Our Community

2021

Invest in our 

Youth

Build Jobs & 

Infrastructure

Community 

Partnerships

Invest in our 

County Parks

Marcus J. Molinaro

Dutchess County Executive
Dutchess County, New York

2021 Recovery Plan

Table of Contents

General Overview

 Executive Summary..................................................................................1

 Uses of Funds...........................................................................................2

Public Health..........................................................................................2

 Negative Economic Impacts...................................................................2

 Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities..............................3

 Premium Pay.........................................................................................4

 Infrastructure.........................................................................................4

 Revenue Replacement..........................................................................4

 Administrative & Other.......................................................................... 5

Promoting Equitable Outcomes.................................................................5

 Community Engagement..........................................................................6

 Labor Practices........................................................................................8

 Use of Evidence.......................................................................................9

 Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category................................................9

 

Project Inventory

Investment in Youth.................................................................................9

 Youth Opportunity Center..................................................................9

 Youth Learn, Play, Create.................................................................10

 Youth Summer Employment...................................................................11

Investment in Our Economy....................................................................11

 Micro-Marketing Program......................................................................11

 Build Now-NY........................................................................................11

 Industry Skills Training Program................................................................12

 Skills Training Center..............................................................................12

 Broadband..........................................................................................12

Water Storage......................................................................................12

 Emergency Communications.................................................................13

Investment in Our Parks...........................................................................13

 Stadium Addition............................................................................13

 Stadium Land Purchase...................................................................14

 Other Park Projects................................................................................14

Investment in Our Community..................................................................15

 Agency Partner Grant Program.........................................................15

 Municipal Investment Grant Program.................................................15

 Homeless Housing and Case Management.............................................16

County Government / Provision of Services...............................................17
GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive SummaryThe American Rescue Plan represents an opportunity like no other to address critical issues 

brought to light by the pandemic. By investing in our Youth, not-for-profits, economy, community

and parks, Dutchess County will use ARP funding to provide transformative spaces and 

opportunities for residents to grow, recover and rise from the pandemic, stronger, safer, and on 

more equitable footing. We have a singular opportunity to address big challenges and make 

important investments in our community that will provide real return in the lives of our residents 

and in strengthening our economy.

Dutchess County prides itself on making careful, calculated decisions to spend dollars wisely to 

support our residents. The projects and priorities outlined for Dutchess Invests continues that 

careful approach – using a one-time funding opportunity to provide our community with a ‘shot 

in the arm’ of long-term investments that provide ongoing impact and benefit.

Key outcome goals include filling vacant County positions in a diverse way, utilizing our new Equal 

Employment Opportunity & Inclusion Officer ensuring we are recruiting candidates from 

underserved and disadvantaged areas of the County. Another goal is to use these one-time funds 

to invest and create facilities and infrastructure that will have a transformative impact on our 

community, residents, and create the ability for us to build back our economy stronger and on 

more equitable foundations. For too long, problems have seemed daunting and unsolvable. With 

these funds, Dutchess County is able to move forward with an agenda that confronts long-term 

problems faced by our disadvantaged and underserved populations and provides solutions that 

will be impactful and transformative. 

Many of these projects are underway, including the well-received Learn-Play-Create grant for 

youth programs, summer youth employment, micro-marketing program, high-speed internet 

access consultant and public survey, stadium land purchase and development and the Youth 

Opportunity Center development and outreach.

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Use of FundsPublic Health (EC 1)

• Emergency Communications System and Radio Replacement- $6,000,000

Dutchess County will use ARP funds for the development, installation, and deployment of 

a consolidated two-way radio system which will provide a coordinated platform to ensure 

all emergency services can uniformly and effectively communicate.

Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2)

• Youth- Learn, Play, Create Grant Program- $3,000,000

To address the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on 

youth-serving organizations, Dutchess County is investing in youth-serving organizations 

that promote learning, art enrichment, and sports activities. 

• Youth- Summer Employment $100,000

This funding will provide a variety of summer youth programming to help kids catch up 

and prepare for the coming school year. 

Public Health (EC1)

Negative Economic 

Impact (EC2)

Services to 

Disproportionately 

Impacted Communities 

(EC3)

Premium Pay (EC4)

Infrastructure (EC5)

Revenue Replacement (EC6)

Administrative & Other 

(EC7)

Expenditures by Category

2 
• Micro-Marketing Program- $375,000

Micro-Marketing Program Targeted to MWBE and Veteran Companies. This funding will 

provide direct assistance to forty-five small businesses, a majority of which are women or 

minority and veteran owned, through a micro marketing program.

• Build Now- NY- $350,000 

This funding will be directed to the Build Now-NY program’s shovel ready certification for 

the building development areas identified within the Hudson Valley Regional Airport 

Layout Plan. This investment will provide an attractive ready to move in opportunity for 

new businesses at our regional airport site creating jobs.

• Leisure and Hospitality Industry Skills Training Program- $150,000

This program will provide displaced workers and underserved communities with skills 

training based on local industry skills gaps for retention, recruitment, and promotion. This 

program will provide support to the businesses hardest hit by the pandemic.

• Dutchess Community College (DCC) / Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Skills 

Training Facility- $1,125,000 

Partner with DCC and WIB to develop 10,000 sq ft of space adjacent to the southern DCC

campus for regional skills training center to meet the needs of existing businesses as well 

as providing the workforce for new businesses migrating to Dutchess County.

• Agency Partner Grant- $3,000,000

This one-time funding will be used to fund our not-for-profit agencies in the community 

who are providing programs and services to residents who are most in need as a result 

of the pandemic. 

• Rehiring Public Sector Staff- $6,350,000

Ninety-six positions were held vacant in the 2021 Adopted County Budget as part of a 

separation incentive offered in the fourth quarter of 2020 when the County was uncertain 

if there would be Federal Aid approved. With the approval of ARP funds, the County has 

begun hiring back positions and plans to fill critical positions in the 2022 Budget using 

these Federal Funds. 

Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC 3)

• Parks Projects- $5,000,000

The pandemic and related economic shutdown closed gyms and other exercise programs 

and banned travel outside our region. Our underserved and disadvantaged communities 

are finding these free community amenities beneficial for exercise, cooling off, and 

decompressing from the stress of the day. This investment will expand the opportunities 

for use of these critical public amenities.

• Homeless Housing and Case Management- $6,070,000

The County will use ARP funds to develop and begin building a new clean and efficient 

facility with amenities to meet basic needs including food service for residents facing 

housing instability. This facility located within a qualified census tract (2209.01), will 

eliminate the stigma surrounding shelters and will be urban based to accommodate the 

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most underserved populations, as well as, those who have been disproportionately 

impacted by the pandemic. This new facility will be part of an expanded program to help

the homeless transition through to permanent affordable housing while at the same time 

receiving services to eliminate the issues impeding their long-term success in attaining 

permanent housing.

• Youth Opportunity Center- $10,000,000 

The County has committed $25 million ($10 million of ARP funds) to building a Youth 

Opportunity Center that can bring evidence based programs and services together in one 

space to address health disparities and the social determinants of health as well as 

educational disparities in the City of Poughkeepsie and throughout Dutchess County. This 

investment in a Youth Opportunity Center promotes healthy childhood environments and 

will build a strong neighborhood and community structure to support youth throughout

Dutchess County.

Premium Pay (EC 4)

• Premium Pay- $150,000

The County has allocated funds to offer Premium pay of up to $13/per hour for a 

maximum of $1,000 will be given to all employees of Dutchess County Government who 

were on the frontlines during the pandemic to be sure services were available to those in 

need. 

Water, Sewer, and Broadband infrastructure (EC 5)

• High Speed Internet / Broadband- $1,000,000

$350,000 will be used to engage a consultant to provide a highspeed internet access 

survey and gap analysis to determine how to make highspeed internet access available to 

all County residents. $650,000 is allocated to address the most critical needs identified by 

the survey. 

• Water Storage- $730,000

This funding will be directed toward a water storage facility for the Central Dutchess Water 

Transmission Line (CWDL), Dutchess County Airport Water Line, and HV Regional Airport. 

This will extend the availability of potable water to more communities within the County.

Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement (EC6)

• Stadium Land Purchase- $630,000

The County currently owns Dutchess Stadium, which the Hudson Valley Renegades lease 

from the County located on land owned by the Beacon City School District (BCSD). The 

County and the BCSD reached an agreement whereby the County will buy the land to 

replace the current long-term land lease.

• Stadium Addition- $11,600,000

American Rescue Plan funds will be used to build an addition to Dutchess Stadium, a 

County park. Dutchess Stadium is home to the Hudson Valley Renegades, a Minor 

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League Baseball (MiLB) team, and is an economic engine for our county, employing 

neighbors, attracting thousands of visitors from throughout the region which helps local 

businesses, restaurants, and hotels. This investment will secure the operation of Minor 

league baseball in Dutchess County providing jobs and bringing economic stimulus to 

the region.

Administrative and Other (EC 7)

• Municipal Investment Grant Program- $1,000,000

Dutchess County will use ARP funds to provide grants to our municipal partners to invest 

in one-time purchases or make one-time facility or parks improvements to benefit 

children and families throughout Dutchess County. 

• Administration- $500,000

The County has allocated funds to administer the ARP program and provide fiscal 

oversight as well as transparency and accountability.

Promoting Equitable OutcomesThe COVID-19 pandemic brought more than just a health concern. With the economic shutdown 

and fiscal uncertainty, Dutchess County had to lead our residents through the fear and uncertainty 

they faced while fiscally managing the crisis County Government faced. Our workers were on the 

frontlines working throughout the crisis and helped residents every step of the way, whether with 

food deliveries, quarantine information and guidance, rental assistance and direction, and 

information and feedback; the County Government was operational throughout the pandemic.

Due to the fiscal uncertainty during 2020, the County limited hiring to crisis response positions 

only and offered a separation incentive for people to leave employment, through either retirement 

or separation. Those positions were held at vacant for the remainder of the year remained vacant

in the 2021 Adopted County Budget. Although there was fiscal uncertainty, we knew there would 

come a time for recovery and made filling vacant positions in an equitable way a priority. In the 

midst of the crisis, while holding other positions vacant, the county created a new position: “Equal 

Employment Opportunity & Inclusion Officer”(EEOIO) to be sure that as the County moved 

forward into recovery and began filing positions, we would do so with the goal of a more diverse 

employee base.

At the same time, the County was also focused on a police reform initiative and one of the goals 

and recommendations of the reform effort was to recruit a more diverse candidate pool for the 

police forces county-wide in order to offer career opportunity for those traditionally underserved 

and disadvantaged populations. The qualifications to take the test for police officer were reduced

from a 60-college credit requirement to High School only with 60 college credits to be obtained 

within 5 years of employment. Our EEOIO held ten recruitment planning and outreach events in 

the community to increase the number of diverse candidates taking the police officer exam. The 

number of candidates increased by 57% compared to the last time the test was administered in 

2017. Additionally, of the candidates reporting demographic information, there was an increase 

in female applications by 98%, an increase in African American applications by 105%, an increase 

in Hispanic applications 203%, an increase in Asian applications 89%.

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Our EEOIO participates in several committees including the Dutchess County Diversity and 

Inclusion Subcommittee, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY / Think Jobs committee to promote County jobs 

to the disabled, the Tri-State Diversity Council, CO Action for Racial Equity Fellowship, and the 

Criminal Justice Council. She has held over ten professional development diversity trainings for 

employees and has attended five career fairs to promote the County Government career path to 

those in underserved and disadvantaged communities. This position is a priority for Dutchess in 

creating a more diverse County Government workforce that our community has been advocating 

to support.

Historically, there are people within Dutchess County that have been underserved and several of

our planned projects will increase services to these groups. Primarily the Youth Opportunity 

Center serving disconnected youth and the new Homeless Housing facility and programmatic

approach will provide lasting impacts on our residents served by these facilities. See the Project 

Inventory section for more details on how these projects address educational disparities, promote 

healthy childhood environments, reach disconnected youth, and aid with housing and food.

Community EngagementDutchess County has been engaged in ongoing dialogue with residents –through formal public 

meetings, our town hall conversations, one-on-one discussions, even connecting through social 

media – and they have made their priorities clear. We are very excited to have this opportunity to 

be able to invest in the projects and programs that people have made clear they want to see.

During the pandemic the County established the “Dutchess Business Notification Network” in 

partnership with The Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Think Dutchess, 

Dutchess Tourism, The Council of Industry, and the Workforce Investment Board. Two surveys 

were conducted with over 9,000 registrants, and links to the surveys were advertised on the 

social media platforms of our economic development apparatus. The surveys sought to 

understand the impact of the pandemic on businesses and the needs of the business 

community. Additionally, through numerous webinars and industry specific conference calls we 

learned how the pandemic was affecting our businesses and the workforce and what was 

necessary to help them rebound back once restrictions were lifted.

The County also works with numerous committees, advocacy groups, advisory boards, and holds 

formal hearings to receive feedback and listen to needs. The below is a listing of some of the 

organizations the County works with as well as other methods of engagement.

• Dutchess County Opioid Taskforce • Resiliency Council for Suicide Prevention

• Southern Dutchess Community Coalition • Community Health Improvement Plan Committee

• Northern Dutchess Community Coalitions • City of Poughkeepsie Comm Engagement Task Force

• College and University Wellness Consortium • Community Health Assessment

• Community Health Improvement Plan

• Mental Hygiene Advisory Board

• Hudson River Housing Case review (monthly)

• Sex Offender Management Team

• Long-Term Care Council

• MH Chemical Dependency Providers Meeting

• Hudson Valley Youth Bureau Assoc.

• Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet

• DC Adverse Childhood Experiences Taskforce

• Community Empowerment Drop-in Center

• Client led Mental Health Focus Groups

• DC Housing Consortium

• Elder Abuse Coalition

• Youth Board and Coordinating Council

• DC Youth Council

• Juvenile Justice Committee

• Path to Promise Steering Innovations Team

• Poughkeepsie Children’s Cabinet

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• Police Modernization- Stakeholders Comm

• Children’s Provider Meeting

• DOH Professional Advisory Committee (PAC)

• DC Human Trafficking Taskforce

• Families First Court Initiative 

• Integrated County Planning Group

• Women in the Criminal Justice System

• Eastern Dutchess Rural Health Network

• Poughkeepsie Healthy Latino Task Force

• Poughkeepsie Healthy Black Community 

Taskforce

• Re-Entry Taskforce

• DC Recovery & Resiliency Council

• Imagine Dutchess

• Women’s Leadership Alliance

• Think Jobs

• Public Health Emergency Preparedness 

Workgroup

• Sexual Abuse Response Team Steering 

Committee

• Universal Transportation Advisory committee

• CJC Special Populations Subcommittee

• ThinkDIFFERENTLY Planning Committee

• Youth Opportunity Center Advisory Comm.

• Court Involved Youth Committee

• Disproportionate Minority Rep Subcommittee

• Court Involved Youth Committee

• Criminal Justice Council (CJC)

• CJC- Victims Subcommittee

• Community Empowerment Sub Committee

• DC Health and Human Services Cabinet

• Community Development Forum

• Poughkeepsie Healthy Black and Latino Coalition

• No Wrong Door Implementation Team

• Long Term Care Council

• Mid-Hudson Regional Planning Consortium

• United Way- Bring Agencies Together Coalition

• Child Care Council

• Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative- Anti-Poverty 

Taskforce

• Domestic Violence Steering Committee

• Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Leadership Committee

• CAC Multi-Disciplinary Team

• Court Improvement Project

• Integrated County Planning Workgroup

• Court Improvement Project

• Consumer Advisory Board

• 100 Cups of Coffee Steering Committee

Along with these committees, the County also engages in the following activities and outreach 

events to get feedback from residents, clients, and community service providers:

• Quarterly and monthly agency provider meetings

• Recovery coach street outreach

• Office for the Aging Senior Picnic Outreach

• Annual Mental Health Forums

• Annual Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Forum

• Substance Use Annual Forum

• Community Empowerment Center Drop in Center

• Hudson River Housing Case Review

• Father’s Rights Forums

Throughout the pandemic County Executive Marcus Molinaro hosted 75 Facebook townhall 

meetings, as well as 22 telephone townhall meetings to provide a venue for residents to get 

information and share their feedback and ideas. Prior to the pandemic, the County Executive 

hosted over 118 townhalls and tele-townhalls since he took office, to ensure ongoing community 

feedback so we know what the community wants, expects, and desires from their County 

Government.

The County has also issued press releases and posted information on social media regarding the 

planned uses for ARP funds. Presentations have been made to the Legislature at one of their 

open meetings and the County website hosts the ARP plan. The County has used social media, 

press releases, and calls with local municipality Supervisors and Mayors to promote grant funding 

opportunities made possible because of the ARP funds. The County will continue to engage with 

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the public and provide outreach and get feedback through more tele-town hall meetings currently 

being scheduled.

Labor PracticesThe County has an EEOIO who is currently making sure that as the County hires new employees, 

it does so in a way that recruits a more diverse County workforce (see Promoting Equitable 

Outcomes section). 

All of the County’s construction projects utilize prevailing wage requirements and the below 

contracting terms.

Permits and Compliance:

“...You shall comply with all of the provisions of the laws of the State of New York and the United 

States which pertain to municipalities and municipal contracts including but not limited to: Federal 

Occupational Safety and Health Act and the American Disabilities Act, the Immigration and 

Naturalization laws and regulations, the General Municipal Law, the Worker’s Compensation 

Insurance Law, the Lien Law, the Personal Property Law, the State Unemployment Insurance Law and 

state and local health regulations.”

Non-Discrimination:

“During the term of the agreement, you agree that you shall not discriminate against any employee 

or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability or 

marital status, and you shall take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities 

without discrimination because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability, or marital 

status. No services to be rendered pursuant to, or in connection with, this Agreement may be refused 

to any person because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability, or marital status.”

Additionally, the County’s procurement policy has a provision which allows for preferential 

treatment with regard to local businesses:

LOCAL BUSINESS CONSIDERATION POLICY FOR QUOTATION

a. This consideration applies to formal written quotations, where the annual acquisition costs are 

estimated between $5,000 and $19,999. Formal written quotations are used pursuant to the 

Dutchess County Procurement Policies and Procedures.

b. When a formal written or automated quotation is used, and the lowest responsible and responsive 

bidder is not a local business, the lowest responsible and responsive local business bidder (if 

applicable or available), who is within 10% of the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, shall be 

provided with notice and an opportunity to reduce its bid to match that of the lowest responsible 

and responsive bidder. Notice shall be by telephone and either facsimile or electronic mail. The local 

business shall have three business days after the date of such notice to match the lowest bid in 

writing. Should the local business so match, it will be deemed the lowest responsible and responsive 

bidder and receive the award. Should the lowest responsible and responsive local business bidder 

decline to match, the next lowest responsible and responsive local bidder who is within 10% of the 

lowest responsible and responsive bidder will be given the same notice and opportunity to match 

the bid of the lowest responsible and responsive bidder as outlined above. This process shall 

continue as necessary until an award is made either to a responsible and responsive local business 

bidder whose original quotation is within 10% of the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, or 

the lowest responsible and responsive bidder itself.

8 
c. In instances where a local business and a non-local business submit equivalent lowest responsible 

and responsive bids, the Director of Central Services shall give preference to the local business.

d. In the event the only bidders are local, the quote will be awarded to the lowest responsible and 

responsive bidder.

e. In the event there are two or more local businesses within 10% of the lowest quote and whose 

quote is tied, the award shall be determined by a lottery.

f. The lowest responsible and responsive bidder shall meet the requirements as set forth in the formal 

quotation and as determined by the Director of Central Services.

Use of EvidenceMost of the projects are facilities projects, which although they do not have evidence based criteria 

in terms of building the building, it is the County’s intent to house evidence based programs 

within the facilities to meet the goals and intervention plans of the projects. If the programs that 

will be housed within the facilities are not evidenced based, the County will employ the use of 

logical models, and use rigorous program evaluations to build evidence for the new program 

models.

Table of Expenses by Expenditure CategoryAs of July 31, 2021, while funding has been authorized and projects have commenced only 

$50,269 of ARP funds have been spent.

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.14 Rehiring Public Sector Staff $50,269 $50,269

PROJECT INVENTORY

Investment in Youth- $13,100,000

1. Youth Opportunity Center- $10,000,000 

3: Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities

 3.9 Healthy Childhood Environments: Other

 Performance Measure: Number of children served by childcare and early learning (pre-school/pre-K/ages 3- 5)

In 2019, Dutchess County invested in a Government Youth Services Assessment, which 

documented available youth programming and made recommendations for serving underserved 

youth populations to produce healthy outcomes by enabling youth in the County to follow a “Path 

to Promise”. The Path to Promise initiative in Dutchess County employs strategic ways to ensure 

all youth in Dutchess Couny have the assets they need to achieve their full potential. The initiative 

aims to lower the County’s poverty level, increase graduation rates and reduce the number of 

youth who are involved in the criminal justice system.

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The County has committed $10 million of ARP funds ($25 million total commitment) to building 

a Youth Opportunity Center that can bring evidence based programs and services together in one 

space to address health disparities and the social determinants of health as well as educational 

disparities in the City of Poughkeepsie and throughout Dutchess County. This investment in a 

Youth Opportunity Center promotes healthy childhood environments and will build a strong 

neighborhood and community structure to support youth in Dutchess County.

The primary intended beneficiaries of the Youth Opportunity Center in the City of Poughkeepsie 

earn less than 60% of the median income in Dutchess County. 73% of students in the City of 

Poughkeepsie are economically disadvantaged and 18% of families are below the federal poverty 

line. The graduation rate from the Poughkeepsie City School District was 54% in 2019 and the 

dropout rate was 24%. The Youth Opportunity Center will provide a facility with the necessary 

evidence based services to impact these targeted youth at an early age. Early childhood education 

training, afterschool programming, mentorship opportunities and summer programming will all 

be utilized to help provide youth with the assets necessary to change their lives and provide a 

more equitable foundation.

The County is committed to promoting equitable outcomes in our community and therefore every 

construction contract with the County includes the following language:

Permits and Compliance:

“...You shall comply with all of the provisions of the laws of the State of New York and the United 

States which pertain to municipalities and municipal contracts including but not limited to: Federal 

Occupational Safety and Health Act and the American Disabilities Act, the Immigration and 

Naturalization laws and regulations, the General Municipal Law, the Worker’s Compensation 

Insurance Law, the Lien Law, the Personal Property Law, the State Unemployment Insurance Law and 

state and local health regulations.”

Non-Discrimination:

“During the term of the agreement, you agree that you shall not discriminate against any employee 

or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability or 

marital status, and you shall take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities 

without discrimination because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability, or marital 

status. No services to be rendered pursuant to, or in connection with, this Agreement may be refused 

to any person because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability, or marital status.”

2. Youth- Learn, Play, Create- $3,000,000

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.10-Aid to Nonprofit Organizations

 Performance Measure: Number of children served and number of organizations impacted

To address the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on youthserving organizations, Dutchess County is investing in youth-serving organizations that promote 

learning, art enrichment, and sports activities. This grant program enhances and provides

opportunities for children to learn, play, and create while filling an educational, financial, social, 

and emotional void resulting from the quarantine and stay at home policies implemented to deal 

with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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During the pandemic, organizations serving the youth in our community were shutdown, unable 

to operate at full capacity and programming, and were not able to or limited in their ability to 

raise funds to sustain ongoing programming. Libraries were closed, sports organizations were 

shut down, or forced to secure other venues for limited activities, often at a higher cost including 

travel. Dutchess County has allocated $3,000,000 for libraries, not-for-profit youth sports and arts 

organizations to provide one-time funding to sustain and build youth development programming 

and help families and youth grow and develop as they missed out on a year during the COVID19 pandemic.

3. Youth- Summer Employment $100,000

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.10-Aid to Nonprofit Organizations

 Performance Measure: Number of youth employed

This funding will provide a variety of summer youth programming to help kids catch up and 

prepare for the coming school year. Eight programs provide educational experiences to prevent 

summer learning loss as well as summer enrichment to provide creative recreation, physical and 

other activities that build academic skills. 

Investment in Our Economy- $9,730,000

4. Micro-Marketing Program- $375,000

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.9- Small Business Economic Assistance

 Performance Measure: Number of businesses impacted

Micro-Marketing Program targeted to Minority and Women owned Business Enterprises (MWBE)

and Veteran Companies. This funding will provide direct assistance to forty-five small businesses, 

a majority of which are women or minority and veteran owned, through a micro marketing 

program. It will also be used to establish a digital talent attraction campaign and website and a 

digital economic development strategy.

5. Build Now- NY- $350,000 

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.12- Aid to other impacted industries

 Performance Measure: Number of residents impacted

This funding will be directed to the Build Now-NY program’s shovel ready certification for the 

building development areas identified within the Hudson Valley Regional Airport Layout Plan. The 

funding will pay for professional services to provide, zoning and / or site plan approval, 

topography studies, title work, environmental studies and permitting soils analysis, conceptual 

building design, conceptual utility and site design, and design of plan renderings for two aviation 

hangar building locations. This will foster job growth and job opportunities directed toward

Dutchess Community College (DCC) graduates and underserved and disadvantaged populations. 

It will also attract commercial operators to the Airport, all of which will promote and advance 

economic recovery following the COVID-19 public health emergency. 

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6. Leisure and Hospitality Industry Skills Training Program- $150,000

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.11- Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality

 Performance Measure: Number of workers trained

This program will provide displaced workers and underserved communities with skills training 

based on local industry skills gaps for retention, recruitment, and promotion. It will also focus on 

connecting unemployed and low-income workers with good jobs and careers.

7. DCC / Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Skills Training Facility- $1,125,000

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.12- Aid to Other Impacted Industries

 Performance Measure: Number of workers trained

Partner with DCC and the Dutchess County WIB to develop 10,000 sq ft of space adjacent to the 

southern DCC campus for a regional skills training center. The county has lost approximately 

10,000 individuals from its workforce because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our small and large 

manufacturers are struggling to maintain operations and not only need skills training for their 

existing workforce but to replace those lost and those needed for expansion. It will also focus on 

connecting unemployed and low-income workers with good jobs and careers. By providing this 

training, the County can develop a skilled workforce attractive to potential new businesses looking 

to make Dutchess County home which will provide further opportunity for our displaced workers.

8. High Speed Internet / Broadband- $1,000,000

5: Infrastructure

5.17- Broadband: Other Projects

$350,000 is being used to engage a consultant to provide a Broadband Access Survey and Gap 

Analysis. This effort will identify opportunity in Dutchess County to move toward high-speed 

services to serve businesses, schools, government, healthcare and the public in an effort to be 

sure the County is prepared in the event that remote work is once again necessary as well as the 

tele-medicine services that were and remain critical to serving those in need especially during the 

height of the pandemic. This analysis will help the department plan for future high-speed internet 

access or solutions that will enhance the quality of life for our businesses, residents, and visitors.

$650,000 will be allocated to address the most critical needs identified in the above gap analysis.

9. Water Storage- $730,000

5: Infrastructure

5.14- Drinking Water Storage

This funding will be directed toward a water storage facility for the Central Dutchess Water 

Transmission Line (CWDL), Dutchess County Airport Water Line, and HV Regional Airport. This 

project is based on recommendations of a 2021 Intermunicipal Water Storage Study, which 

assessed the storage volume needed, siting considerations, potential sites, and estimates of 

probable cost for selected options for a shared storage facility for the Dutchess County Water and 

Wastewater, the Town of Pleasant Valley and the Town of Poughkeepsie. The study recommends 

construction of a 5-million-gallon welded steel storage tank adjacent to the existing Town of 

Poughkeepsie Route 44 storage tank. 

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10. Emergency Communications- $6,000,000

1: Public Health

1.8- Other COVID-19 Public Health Expenses including communications

 Performance Measure: Number of residents impacted

Dutchess County will use ARP funds for the development, installation, and deployment of a 

consolidated two-way radio system. This system will incorporate all Police, Fire, and Emergency 

Medical Services in Dutchess County and provide the necessary communications during 

emergencies including public health emergencies. Coordinated communications is essential 

during community crisis and this funding will allow the County to provide a coordinated platform 

to ensure all emergency services can effectively communicate. A goal of this funding is to be sure 

that emergency services are available and able to respond immediately to our underserved and 

disadvantaged communities.

Investment in Our Parks- $17,230,000

11. Stadium- $11,600,000

6: Revenue Loss Replacement 

 6.1- Provision of Government Services

American Rescue Plan funds will be used to build an addition to Dutchess Stadium, a County 

park. Dutchess Stadium is home to the Hudson Valley Renegades, a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) 

team, and is an economic engine for our county, employing neighbors, attracting thousands of 

visitors from throughout the region which helps local businesses, restaurants, and hotels. The 

pandemic was an enormous blow to the entertainment and tourism industry, including the 

Renegades organization, as the economy was shut down and social distancing requirements were 

put in place.

The addition to the stadium provides the opportunity for the HV Renegades to secure a major 

league team affiliation as a High-A in the New York Yankees organization as well as expand 

community use opportunities in the park. Adding a clubhouse that meets MLB league standards 

as required by the Yankees, as well as creating an additional event venue will provide a sustainable 

revenue source for County government as the stadium landlord, even when the baseball season 

is not in session or impacted by the pandemic. The new addition will meet MLB standards, allow 

the Renegades to continue their relationship as a NY Yankee affiliate, and enhance the season as 

a High-A team plays nearly double the amount of games. These improvements were instrumental 

in securing a new 25-year lease agreement with the Renegades, ensuring the team will be playing 

at Dutchess Stadium through at least 2046, providing an economic benefit to the surrounding 

area for years to come.

This construction project will be bid and awarded to construction companies that have labor 

forces earning NYS prevailing wage rates. Dutchess County also includes specific language in 

each construction contract to ensure equity and non-discrimination. The below three clauses are 

included in all construction contracts and the last section- Non-Discrimination and Contractor 

Diversity will also be included in the construction contract for the Dutchess Stadium addition:

Permits and Compliance:

“...You shall comply with all of the provisions of the laws of the State of New York and the United 

States which pertain to municipalities and municipal contracts including but not limited to: Federal 

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Occupational Safety and Health Act and the American Disabilities Act, the Immigration and 

Naturalization laws and regulations, the General Municipal Law, the Worker’s Compensation 

Insurance Law, the Lien Law, the Personal Property Law, the State Unemployment Insurance Law and 

state and local health regulations.”

Non-Discrimination:

“During the term of the agreement, you agree that you shall not discriminate against any employee 

or applicant for employment because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability or 

marital status, and you shall take affirmative action to ensure equal employment opportunities 

without discrimination because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability, or marital 

status. No services to be rendered pursuant to, or in connection with, this Agreement may be refused 

to any person because of age, race, creed, sex, color, national origin, disability, or marital status.”

Non-Discrimination and Contractor Diversity:

“The contractor for this project shall be required to use “Good Faith Efforts”, pursuant to 5 NYCRR 

142.8, to achieve an overall Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (“MWBE”) participation 

goal of 30% ($450,000). The overall MWBE participation goals shall consist of a Minority-owned

Business Enterprise (“MBE”) participation goal of 15% ($225,000) and Women-owned business 

enterprise (“WBE”) participation goal of 15% ($225,000) related to the total value of ESD funding and 

to solicit and utilize MWBE’s for any contractual opportunities generated in connection with the 

project. MBE participation may not be substituted for WBE participation or the reverse.”

The recipient is encouraged to use “Good Faith Efforts” pursuant to 9 NYCRR 252.2(m), to utilize 

NYS- certified Service-Disabled-Veteran-owned Business Enterprises (“SDVOBs”) in the execution 

of the grant. ESD’s current agency-wide goal is 6%. Any utilization of SDVOBs would be in 

addition to goals established pursuant to Article 15-A of the Executive Law with respect to MWBEs.

12. Stadium Land Purchase- $630,000

6: Revenue Replacement

6.1- Provision of Government Services

The County currently owns Dutchess Stadium, which the Hudson Valley Renegades lease from the 

County located on land owned by the Beacon City School District (BCSD). The County and the 

BCSD reached an agreement whereby the County will buy the land to replace the current longterm land lease.

13. Parks Projects- $5,000,000

3: Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities

 3.9- Healthy Childhood Environments: Other

 Performance Measure: Number of residents served

The pandemic and related economic shutdown, closed gyms and other exercise programs, and 

banned travel outside our region. Residents were forced to find other ways to exercise and find 

down time to relax and spend time with family and friends in a safer outdoor setting. More than 

ever before, our residents used our community parks and discovered the exercise opportunities, 

and high-quality outdoor opportunities present at our County parks. Additionally, our 

underserved and disadvantaged communities are finding these free community amenities 

beneficial for exercise, cooling off, and decompressing from the stress of the day. Our splash 

pads, playgrounds, and walking and biking trails present free opportunities to keep our 

community residents health and active at no cost and we are using ARP funds to increase the 

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amenities, provide safety, and make our parks more ADA compliant so that residents of all abilities 

can enjoy the full benefit of these recreational opportunities.

This funding will provide a wheelchair accessible fully paved loop around the Lake Walton 

Preserve. This lake provides a free opportunity for residents to experience nature up close and let 

go of their stresses and external impacts of their day to day lives as well as the fear and stress the 

pandemic has caused. Other added amenities include a campground office and canteen with an 

ADA accessible bathroom and shower for campers of all abilities to use at our Wilcox Memorial 

Park. Also, at Wilcox will be a new splash pad for kids to cool off, an ADA accessible music / 

sensory playground and a fishing pier on the lower lake. At our popular Bowdoin park, 

renovations include a sand play feature, an outdoor archery range and storage shed, the 

replacement of a playground piece at one of our pavilions, and the addition of a new ADA 

accessible playground located at the lower left area of the park. These ADA enhancements strive 

to provide equity and serve those with special needs in our community which have been 

underserved in the past.

Investment in Our Community- $10,070,000

14. Agency Partner Grant- $3,000,000

2: Negative Economic Impact

 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations 

 Performance Measure: Number of organizations and residents served by those organizations

 

This one-time funding will be used to further support our not-for-profit agencies in the 

community who are providing programs and services to residents who are most in need as a result 

of the pandemic. Our partner organizations provide services County-wide to those in need 

primarily to those in disadvantaged communities.

As a result of the pandemic, these agencies missed opportunities to hold fundraisers and revenue 

generating events that sustain their work and programs throughout the year. Without these 

opportunities, our not-for profit agencies serving disadvantaged communities are finding it hard 

to sustain their administration and facilities. Some programming had to be put on hold while the 

services were reimagined and delivered in a way that met mandated social distancing and COVID19 protocol requirements. Dutchess County will use ARP funds to offer a one-time shot to the 

arm for our not-for-profit providers to invest in their facilities so that they can rebuild, continue 

to provide long-term programming to our disadvantaged communities and thrive going forward.

This funding will also help our not-for-profit and grass roots agencies remain as providers. 

Without the fundraising effort ability in 2020, and without facility funding from other levels of 

government, our partners are in danger of not being able to provide the services and programs 

they have in the past. By using this funding to award grants to the organizations to sustain their 

facilities and administration, we ensure they continue providing programs and services to our 

most underserved and disadvantaged populations. 

15. Municipal Investment Grant Program- $1,000,000

7: Administrative and Other

 7.3- Transfers to Other Units of Government

 Performance Measure: Number of municipalities impacted

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Dutchess County will use revenue replacement funds to provide grants to our municipal partners 

to invest in one-time purchases or make one-time facility or parks improvements. Dutchess

County participates in sales tax revenue sharing with our municipalities on a growth basis. Due 

to the sales tax hit Dutchess County took in 2020 due to the economic shut down, the 

municipalities received less revenue from the County and were not able to make necessary 

investments in their parks or purchase necessary equipment and supplies. This one-time funding 

will allow municipalities to make investments in their infrastructure and parks that were most used 

during the pandemic. 

16. Homeless Housing and Case Management- $6,070,000

3: Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities

 3.11- Housing Support: Services for Unhoused Persons

 Performance Measure: Number of residents served

At the beginning of the pandemic, Dutchess County was able to quickly mobilize to provide an 

overnight shelter alternative to what the community currently had in place to provide more room 

to socially distance clients to minimize the COVID-19 impact on the homeless community. We 

were able to have services at the shelter “under one roof” good model but not long This temporary 

solution does not provide a long-term answer as the temporary shelter is currently on the 

footprint of a new jail in which construction is underway. Additionally, although the overnight 

shelter meets our clients immediate needs, it does not help achieve the goal of moving people 

from overnight temporary housing, to transitional housing with permanency goals in an 

affordable sustainable location. In researching different models the County understands different 

levels of housing are necessary to allow individuals to progress through their stay to eventually 

be able to adapt to change, and move out to more stable longer lasting housing solutions.

To implement a progressive model that incrementally changes, the County also needs 

contemplated space for the wrap around services which address the underlying issues and reasons 

for their homelessness. As the clients commit to making the necessary changes, their access to 

housing levels will increase which will help stabilize their life and allow them to become more 

productive members of society. The County will also provide wrap around services including 

mental health and substance abuse services, life skills, education, and job training and 

employment services, which will allow individuals to move and maintain permanent housing and 

independent living. In order to implement this model, the County must have a facility conducive 

to the level up and wrap around service approach and it must effectively interface with the urban 

community where it able to provide the best access to those in need.

The county will use ARP funds to develop and build a new clean and efficient facility with amenities 

to meet basic needs including food service. This facility located within a qualified census tract 

(2209.01) will eliminate the stigma surrounding shelters and will be urban based to accommodate 

the most underserved populations as well as those who have been disproportionately impacted 

by the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed us to address the current homeless facility 

and we now continue to address the issue by finding a long-term solution that will meet our goal 

of reducing and addressing persistent homelessness. This facility solution, along with the 

programming provided by the County, will be evaluated to meet evidence-based programming 

standards with the goal of reducing the overall homeless population in Dutchess County.

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County Government / Provision of Services- $7,000,000

17. Administration- $500,000

7: Administrative and Other

 7.1- Administrative Expenses

These funds will be used to administer the program and are just an estimate.

18. Premium Pay- $150,000

4: Premium Pay

 4.1- Public Sector Employees

 Performance Measure: Number of employees

Premium pay of up to $13/per hour for a maximum of $1,000 will be given to all employees in

Dutchess County Government. The same amount will be given to all employees regardless of 

salary level. County government employees have put themselves at-risk throughout 2020 by 

coming into the office to be sure that government services and programs were available to the 

public at a time when they needed it most. Their dedication to providing critical services to those 

in need in Dutchess County warrants the one-time premium pay to acknowledge the risk and 

dedication of these front-line workers. 

19. Rehiring Public Sector Staff- $6,350,000

2: Negative Economic Impacts

 2.14- Rehiring Public Sector Staff

 Performance Measure: Number of Public Positions Lost vs. Refilled

Ninety-six positions were held vacant in the 2021 Adopted County Budget as part of a separation 

incentive offered in the fourth quarter of 2020 when the County was uncertain if there would be 

Federal Aid approved. With the approval of ARP funds, the County has begun filling some of the 

held positions and plans to continue to fill critical positions in the 2022 Budget using these Federal 

Funds. The County anticipates that economically sensitive revenues will rebound in out years and 

will be used to pay for these positions moving forward.

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