Residents, businesses worry about costs of taxes, health insurance, utilities

Photos by Tom Rivers: Kelli Nicholas Owens gave some of the highlights of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget during the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Luncheon last Friday at the Fair Haven Inn in Gaines. Owens is executive director of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Behind her are Lynne Johnson, the Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, and State Sen. Rob Ortt.

GAINES – Speakers at the annual legislative luncheon for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce said costs of living and doing business in the state – from utilities, health insurance, taxes, child care – are all straining peoples’ wallets making in difficult to get ahead.

Gov. Kathy Hochul presented a $260 billion executive budget that includes $4.5 billion for childcare and also eliminates taxes on tipped wages up to $25,000. The governor’s budget does not include a tax increase and makes “unprecedented funding” in law enforcement, said Kelli Nicholas Owens, executive director of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley said bringing down the costs to live and do business in the state should be a top priority for elected officials, especially for the governor and State Legislature. He said the state’s Medicaid program is a budget buster and some of the benefits should be reined in to reduce the costs. Medicaid provides health coverage to more than 7.5 million people in the state and costs about what Florida and Texas spend on the program combined, despite those states each having more people than New York, Hawley noted.

She provided some highlights of Hochul’s budget, including an additional $1.7 billion for prekindergarten and childcare, during the legislative luncheon last Friday that was attended by about 50 people.

 “I think we can all agree that something needs to be done about childcare, especially in the rural areas,” Owens said.

Universal childcare is also an economic development issue, helping more parents to be able to work at a time when there are shortages of employees around the state, Owens said.

Hochul also is targeting fraud to lower vehicle insurance rates for New Yorkers, and aims to reduce rising home insurance costs by increasing accountability and transparency for insurers. She wants expanded discounts for homeowners and housing providers who invest in damage mitigation measures for their homes or multifamily properties.

The governor also is demanding strict fiscal discipline from utilities for lower bills.

“The governor is really trying to get to those pocketbook issues that affect everyday Americans,” Owens said.

Some attendees of the luncheon said the high costs in the state are causing people to go elsewhere.

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt said the governor and State Legislature need to bring down the costs of living in the state, and resist bailing out Buffalo, New York City and other municipalities that get themselves into financial woes.

“The problem is everything is more damn expensive – cars, food, energy, insurance,” Ortt said.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, second from right, said Gov. Hochul and the State Legislature need to get serious about the affordability crisis in the state that is forcing many residents and businesses to flee to other states. Other speakers at the luncheon up front included, from left, Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, and Allison Barkowski, representing Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley said the state needs to cut back.

“We cannot continue to be all things to all people,” he said.

He said the election of Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, as New York City mayor has concerned many in the state’s largest city and some have said they will move out of NYC. Hawley said he hopes those people will find their new homes in upstate New York, rather than another state.

Ortt would like the governor to do more to bring down costs, but he acknowledged it is a difficult state to govern and build consensus. However, Ortt said Hochul knows the small towns like Holley and Kendall and needs to be thinking more of those places when she pushes policies statewide.

Owens, the state official representing Hochul, urged the rural areas to build a strong coalition to bring a louder voice to Albany. Owens used to work for New York Farm Bureau and she saw how that organization reached legislators in Albany through its Taste of NY Reception and Lobby Day. This year it will be Feb. 9-10.

Owens suggested the chambers of commerce in rural areas band together and be part of the Farm Bureau outreach effort.

Jack Welch, the county’s chief administrative officer, said Orleans has been able to consistently stay under the state-imposed tax cap that generally allows about a 2 percent tax increase. But Welch said the county budget continues to be dominated by state mandated expenses that are more than 100 percent of the tax levy.

The county has seen more than a million-dollar increase in one of those programs: Mental Health Law Expense 730.30, where people deemed unfit to stand trial are committed to a facility. That can cost $30,000 to $50,000 a month per person.

The “730” expense went from $57,000 in 2023 to $367,000 in 2024 (with $50,000 budgeted). This year the budget was increased to $550,000 but the county was at $1,267,000 in 2025 with December’s bill yet to arrive. The budgeted amount for 2026 is $1.5 million. The cost used to be a 50-50 split with the state, but the state made it a 100 percent county expense.

The county has expanded its work week from 35 to 40 hours a week for county employees to help make up for a worker shortage and also to lessen the need to buy more health insurance policies, which has been another big cost on the county budget, Welch said.

“We’re trying to get as much efficiency as we can with what we have,” he said.

Tony Cammarata, Kendall town supervisor, said there has been a gradual residential push from the Town of Greece going west into Hilton and Hamlin. He expects Kendall to see residential and business growth, especially with the expansion of public water and sewer in the town.

“We’re next in line,” he said about the western migration from Monroe County.

County Historian Catherine Cooper highlighted how the county this year will be observing the 250^thanniversary of the United States declaring its independence. This follows a very busy 2025 when the county celebrated its own bicentennial and also the 200^th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal.

Photos by Tom Rivers: A road is plowed in Mount Albion on Wednesday, where the historic cemetery remains popular for walkers despite the bitter cold temperatures.

It is going to be brutally cold this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch for Orleans County and Western New York from late Friday night (1 a.m. Saturday) until 10 a.m. on Sunday.

There will be dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero with the coldest wind chills late Friday night through Saturday, the Weather Service said. Those wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes.

Today is forecast for a high of 22 with an overnight low of 13, followed by a high of 27 on Friday. The temperature then drops to 0 on Friday night with a high near 8 on Saturday with the overnight low of 1 on Saturday night.

The highs will then be 13 on Sunday, 24 on Monday and 28 on Tuesday.

The graves at the companion veterans’ section are covered in snow at Mount Albion Cemetery on Wednesday.

‘Keep What You Have Earned’ legislative package includes largest Middle-Class tax cut in NY history

Press Release, NYS Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

Provided photo: State Sen. Rob Ortt speaks today at a news conference in Albany when the Republican Conference unveiled a plan for tax relief to all New Yorkers.

ALBANY – Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and other members of the Senate Republican Conference have proposed a “Keep What You Have Earned” legislative package that, if passed, would deliver real tax relief to all New Yorkers.

One of the key proposals, S.9110 introduced by Senator Steve Rhoads, would deliver $37 billion in state income tax relief to New Yorkers, the largest middle-class tax cut in New York State history.

Over a ten-year period, the proposal would eliminate state personal income tax on the first $50,000 of income for single filers and the first $100,000 for joint filers. New Yorkers that file jointly would see an estimated savings of up to $6,000 once fully phased in. This applies to all New Yorkers, not just those falling at or below a certain threshold.

“The average New York family is barely getting by, and that’s the main reason so many people have been fleeing this state,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “We lead the nation in outmigration and taxes, and that’s nothing to be proud of. Instead of ignoring these important issues and increasing taxes and state spending, the Senate Republican conference is offering a realistic approach to save New York and make life more affordable.”

Keep What You’ve Earned Legislative Package includes:

• S.9110 (Rhoads) – “The Taxpayer Rescue Plan” is aimed at providing much needed tax relief to hardworking New Yorkers. Eliminate state personal income tax on first $50,000 for single filers and $100,000 for married filing jointly. Lower the tax rate to 4% for single filers up to $250,000 and $500,000 for married filing jointly. This proposal would provide a personal income tax cut for all New Yorkers. Any single filer making $50,000 or less and couples making $100,000 or less would no longer pay any state income tax. The proposal provides $37 billion in tax relief to New York residents over its 10-year implementation without having to cut funding from vital state programs as its cost would be absorbed through natural growth of the economy.
• S.1296 (Borrello) – Establishes an annual spending growth cap on the State Budget that limits the growth of state operating funds spending.
• S.1308 (Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick) – Requires a two-thirds vote from each house of the State Legislature to impose or extend taxes a two-thirds vote from local legislative bodies to impose or extend local taxes, and a two-thirds vote from local legislative bodies requesting an imposition or extension of taxes by the state legislature.
• S.1487 (O’Mara) – Reduces the amount small businesses and farms must pay in taxes by increasing the corporate tax threshold from $390,000 to $500,000 and lowering the rate to 2.5%. Expands the small business exemption to all PIT businesses regardless of whether they have employees, increases the threshold to $500,000, increases the exemption to 15%, and increases the exemption to 20% for farmers.
• S.3914 (Martins) – No state income tax on overtime.
• S.5519 (Ashby) – Reduce the property tax burden on homeowners by providing for a ten-year state takeover of the local share of Medicaid for local governments subject to the two percent property tax cap.
• S.8489 (Weber) – Freezes real property taxes for three years to provide relief to New York homeowners.
• S.587 (Martins) – No state income tax on tips.

This package is part of the Senate Republican Conference’s broader 2026 legislative agenda entitled “Save New York,” a plan to improve affordability, enhance public safety, and build a stronger New York for today and future generations.

Josefino Paz not allowed at school after charged with 3 misdemeanors

Josefino Paz

ALBION – An English as a Second Language teacher at Albion Central School been charged with forcible touching, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual abuse in the third degree.

Josefino Paz, 58, of Brockport surrendered at the Orleans County Jail today following a criminal investigation conducted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.

The alleged incident involved a juvenile victim and occurred within the Town of Albion, the sheriff said.

“Due to the age of the victim, no identifying information will be released,” Bourke said.

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office coordinated this investigation with Albion School District officials, School Resource Deputy Ashliegh Stornelli, and Sheriff’s Investigators Kevin Colonna and Devon Pahuta.

Upon becoming aware of this incident, Albion School officials removed Paz from any access to the school district property.

Paz was processed at the Orleans County Jail and held pending CAP court arraignment for the charges, which are all misdemeanors. A temporary order of protection has been issued. Additional court proceedings are pending, Bourke said.

Anyone with additional information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at 585-589-5527.

In a message sent to parents of Albion students, District Superintendent Mickey Edwards said Paz was placed on administrative leave last week when the district was told he may have been involved in a criminal incident.

Edwards said the investigation from the Sheriff’s Deartment has not found any misconduct from Paz that occurred on the school campus. The district’s attorneys are also conducting an internal investigation, Edwards said.

“The safety of Albion CSD students is always and remains a top priority,” Edwards wrote in his message. “Discussions related to student safety can be difficult to navigate with children but are important to have. District counselors and social workers, as well as Orleans County mental health counselors, are available to students and families who would like additional support processing this or any other challenging safety issue.”

Photos courtesy of Kendall Fire Department: The Kendall Fire Hall hosted a pizza party for children who shoveled out a fire hydrant or a neighbor’s driveway during a snow day on Jan. 26.

Press Release, Kendall Fire Department

KENDALL – What started as a simple snow-day contest for kids last week quickly turned into something special for the Kendall Fire District and the entire Kendall community.

During the snow day, the Kendall Fire District posted a challenge on Facebook inviting children in the community to shovel out a fire hydrant or help clear a neighbor’s driveway. Any child who participated and shared a photo would have their name placed into a hat for a live Facebook drawing, with the winner earning a ride to school in a fire truck.

Kendall Deputy Fire Chief Mike Cole, back left, and Fire Chief Randy Davis greet kids who will get a ride to school on a fire truck.

“We honestly thought we might get four or five kids to take part,” said James Fox, Captain with the Kendall Fire District. “Instead, it turned into more than 40 kids stepping up to help others.”

The overwhelming response caught the attention of the district’s Public Relations and Community Outreach Team. Impressed by the number of young participants and their willingness to serve, the department decided they wanted to do more to show their appreciation. A pizza party was planned at the firehouse to recognize every child who gave their time to help the community, as well as the parents and guardians who ensured the activities were completed safely and shared photos with the department.

As soon as the pizza party was announced, local businesses began calling the firehouse asking how they could help. Community support poured in. Partyka Farms donated an ice cream cone for each contestant. J&M Auto Service paid for all of the pizza, while Hamlin Pizza Shack donated fried dough, soda and water, and provided free delivery of all the pizza.

The recognition continued at school as well. The Kendall School District honored every participant during its Student of the Month ceremony. District Chief Randy Davis and Deputy Chief Mike Cole attended the ceremony and presented certificates of appreciation to each child.

The pizza party was held yesterday evening at the firehouse and was filled with food, laughter, and fun. Kevin Watson, the elementary school principal, was the guest of honor and pulled the winners’ names from a hat. The district then decided why stop at just one winner?

Instead of selecting a single child, the District chose to fill three large fire apparatus with winners. As a result, four children will now receive a full escort to school in a fire truck. The winners are Jeffery Lutes, Nora Rasmusson, and siblings Presley and Brantley Cole.

What began as a fun snow-day activity became a powerful reflection of what Kendall represents: One Family, One School, One Community. District Chiefs Davis and Cole say they are excited about future events involving the community and encourage residents to be on the lookout for more fun and meaningful ways to get involved.

Press Release, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and U.S. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), and Deborah Ross (D-NC-2) introduced legislation to help prevent deadly truck underride crashes.

An underride crash occurs when a car slides under a large truck, such as a semi-trailer, during an accident. When these crashes happen, a car’s safety features are rendered useless because most of the car slides under the trailer and the trailer undercarriage crashes straight through the windows and into the passengers. The passengers in the car often suffer severe head and neck injuries, including decapitation. These accidents are frequently fatal, even at low speeds.

Studies and pilot programs show that a simple barrier attached to the lower area of a truck, called an “underride guard,” would help prevent a car from sliding underneath a truck in an accident. Under current federal law, unlike the rear of a truck, underride guards are not required to be on the sides or front of trucks. The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 would expand on current restrictions by instructing rulemaking to require side underride guards on new trucks, improving data collection, and directing additional research on underride crashes.

“Truck underride guards are one of the best and easiest solutions for protecting passengers during collisions with large trucks,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is commonsense legislation that will protect passengers and make our roads safer. I look forward to working across the aisle to get this passed.”

Specifically, this bill would:

• Require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to finalize rulemaking requiring side underride guards on commercial trucks.
• Restart the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Advisory Committee on Underride Protection, to provide recommendations for how to reduce underride crashes and severe injuries and fatalities caused by underrides.
• Require the DOT to publish a website making underrides research accessible to researchers, industry, and advocates.
• Instruct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the prevalence of underride incidents, including those involving the fronts of large trucks.
• Instruct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study of the implementation of NHTSA’s 2022 rear underride rule and provide suggestions to better improve the rule.
• Instruct NHTSA to review its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and correct crashes in the database that should have been classified as an underride but were not.
• Instruct NHTSA to create free, on-demand web-based training for state and local law enforcement to better identify and document underride crashes.

In the Senate, the Stop Underrides Act 2.0 is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

This bill is supported by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, America Walks, AnnaLeah & Mary for Truck Safety, Cascade Bicycle Club, Casey Feldman Foundation, Center for Auto Safety, EndDistractedDriving.org, Families for Safe Streets, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, League of American Bicyclists, Institute for Safer Trucking, Kids and Car Safety, Ride Illinois, Ride of Silence, Road Safe America, Sylvia Bingham Fund, Safe Routes Partnership, Stop Underrides, and Truck Safety Coalition.

County revenues increase 9.3 percent or by $2.2 million

ALBION – Sales tax revenues for Orleans County jumped 9.3 percent in 2025 or nearly $2.2 million from $23.42 million in 2024 to $25.59 million in 2025.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has a report showing the sales tax revenues for the counties in 2025. Orleans had one of the strongest growths in the state.

The county has seen steady growth in sales tax in recent years. It has now gone up nearly $8 million from the $17.7 in 2019 to the $25.6 million last year.

Orleans County sales tax revenues

• $25.6 million in 2025
• $23.4 million in 2024
• $23.1 million in 2023
• $22.5 million in 2022
• $21.8 million in 2021
• $19.4 million in 2020
• $17.7 million in 2019

In Orleans County, nearly all of the local sales tax generated stays with the county government. The 10 towns and four villages collectively have remained at $1,366,671, the same amount they have received since 2001. The town and village share amounts to 5.3 percent of the $25.6 million total.

Among counties, sales tax revenue increased 4.0 percent in 2025, with 52 of 57 counties seeing an increase. Among the rural GLOW counties, Wyoming and Livingston both went down slightly.

GLOW counties

• Genesee – $55.81 million in 2024 to $59.91 million in 2025, 7.4 percent increase
• Livingston – $48.13 million in 2024 to $47.99 million in 2025, 0.3 percent decrease
• Orleans – $23.42 million in 2024 to $25.59 million in 2025, 9.3 percent increase
• Wyoming – $26.82 million in 2024 to $26.77 million in 2025, 0.2 percent decrease

Chenango County saw the biggest increase at 11.8 percent, followed by Yates (11 percent), Hamilton (10.9 percent) and Delaware (10.7 percent).

Sullivan County had the steepest decline at 5.2 percent, followed by Schoharie (3.9 percent) and St. Lawrence (3.0 percent).

State-wide sales tax growth was up 3.9 percent, up significantly from the 0.6 percent in 2024 and higher than the average pre-pandemic growth rate (3.0 percent),  the state comptroller’s office stated in its report.

New York City accounts for about half of the state-wide sales tax revenue. NYC saw a 5.0 percent increase in sales tax revenue, totaling $10.9 billion, which was up by $521 million.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Gerald Archibald

BROCKPORT – Oak Orchard Health, a leading healthcare provider in rural, upstate New York has announced Jerry Archibald as its Chief Administrative Officer.

Archibald spent 12 years at Arthur Anderson & Co. before joining The Bonadio Group in 1986. Jerry has more than 35 years of experience delivering high‑quality advisory, assurance, compliance, and consulting services to over 300 government-based, tax‑exempt, and healthcare organizations.

In his new role, Archibald will be responsible for overseeing aspects of the company’s finances and operational framework.

He is certified as a Fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association and is a Certified Managed Care Professional.

His expertise in the health and human service industries provides him with a unique perspective on all aspects of health and human service delivery systems. He has been involved extensively in health and human service client engagements, which involve the evaluation, assessment, and implementation of operating improvements.

“Jerry brings his exceptional pedigree that is unparalleled in the human services arena. Oak Orchard is lucky to have such a compassionate, intelligent executive join our organization,” said Marco Altieri, CEO.

John Slenker, chairman of the board, said, “With his extensive background and vision for the future, we are confident that he will help lead Oak Orchard to new heights and drive our mission.”

Michelle and Matthew Cryer await cleanup from Monday night crash

Photos courtesy of Michelle Cryer

CLARENDON – A tractor trailer hauling grain crashed in the front of Michelle and Matthew Cryer’s property on Holley-Byron Road on Monday at 9:10 p.m. The truck from Whitetale Trucking in Gasport was hauling grain.

The truck took down trees, a utility pole with a transformer and a fire hydrant, while dumping tons of grain. The driver was able to walk away from the accident.

The Cryers haven’t been able to leave their property since Monday night because wires and pieces of the truck remain in the driveway, along with all the grain.

The driveway and front of the Cryers’ property is filled with grain after the tractor-trailer collided with trees.

National Grid was able to reset a pole and remove its fallen wires on Monday night, but Michelle Cryer said Spectrum and Verizon haven’t taken care of their wires, delaying the removal of the grain and chunks of the truck and trailer.

“We’ve been on the phone with everybody,” Mrs. Cryer said this morning. “The cleanup can’t happen because the wires are in the way.”

This tractor-trailer took down trees and wires after an accident Monday night in Clarendon.

Mrs. Cryer has cancelled doctor’s appointments because she couldn’t leave her property. Her home is set back about 200 yards from Holley-Byron Road (Route 237).

She and her husband felt the house shake with the crash, even though they are set back a distance from the road.

The accident happened on the curve of Holley-Byron Road, between Brown Schoolhouse Road and Glidden Road. Cryer said this is the seventh accident in the past 5 to 6 years.

“Consistently people are crashing on the front of our property,” she said.

The tractor-trailer on Monday was headed north and went off the road at the curve.

Since then the Cryers have been stuck home. They wanted to go out on Tuesday for Mr. Cryer’s birthday.

“We had to stay home but I told him his birthday came in with a bang,” she said.

UPDATE at 11:01 a.m.: Verizon was on site and left just before 11 a.m. after lifting its wires and also for Spectrum to allow for a cleanup of the front of the property.

LYNDONVILLE – A food distribution scheduled for Friday in Lyndonville has been cancelled. The Lyndonville Presbyterian Church hosts the Foodlink Pop-up distribution.

The next one in Lyndonville will be on March 6.

There will be a Foodlink distribution in Albion at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, at the parking lot at 165 South Platt St., next to Dubby’s Tailgate.

Counties don’t want to be hit by federal cuts and cost shifts, especially with SNAP

Press Release, NYS Association of Counties

ALBANY – County leaders and officials from across New York State convened at the State Capitol on Tuesday for the New York State Association of Counties’ annual County Advocacy Day, meeting with state legislative leaders to advance shared priorities impacting counties and the communities they serve.

County officials held meetings with the Senate and Assembly leadership, including the Chairs of the Assembly and Senate Committees on Local Government, as well as numerous state legislators representing NYSAC member counties. Discussions focused on counties’ legislative concerns and NYSAC’s 2026 Legislative Program priorities and county-specific concerns affecting residents statewide.

“Counties are where state policy meets real life,” said NYSAC President and Oswego County Administrator Phil Church. “Counties are in Albany to ensure that our partners at the state level understand what we need to continue providing the essential services New Yorkers rely on while also protecting local taxpayers.”

During the meetings, county leaders emphasized the importance of infrastructure investment, government modernization and efficiency, workforce expansion, and systems reforms to keep New York affordable while maintaining essential services.

A central focus of this year’s advocacy was the need to hold counties harmless from the impact of federal funding cuts and cost shifts, particularly proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that could significantly increase local administrative costs and compliance burdens.

“When federal actions shift costs or impose new requirements, counties are often left to manage the consequences,” said NYSAC President Phil Church. “We’re urging the state to work with counties to protect local taxpayers and preserve the vital services that keep our communities strong.”

NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario underscored the bipartisan and statewide nature of the advocacy effort.

“County leaders from around the state came to Albany speaking with one unified voice,” Acquario said. “Strong state–county partnerships are essential to maintaining the services and programs that residents rely on every day, from public safety and infrastructure to health and human services.”

County Advocacy Day highlighted the role counties play as the primary implementers of state and federal policy, often with limited flexibility and significant fiscal exposure. NYSAC leaders stressed that proactive collaboration with counties can help the state achieve policy goals more effectively while keeping communities affordable and resilient.

NYSAC will continue working with state leaders throughout the legislative session to advance solutions that strengthen counties, protect taxpayers, and ensure local governments have the tools they need to succeed.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has been honored with the esteemed 90+ cashVest Award for 2025, an award presented to multiple public-sector entities in recognition of exemplary leadership in public finance liquidity management.

The honor is awarded by three+one, a national financial-technology firm that specializes in evaluating cash-management practices within the public sector. This recognition underscores the organization’s commitment to utilizing data-driven insights to maximize every taxpayer dollar, delivering enhanced benefits to communities nationwide.

Garrett Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer of three+one and a GCC alumnus, commented on the award: “Collectively generating hundreds of millions in additional revenue in 2025 alone that would otherwise have to be raised in taxes or additional tuition is an amazing accomplishment. As each of these entities continues to navigate an ever-changing economic landscape, they have gone above and beyond to set a national standard in cash management and to certify they are doing everything they can to maximize their liquid cash resources.”

By maintaining a cashVest score of 90 or above for four consecutive quarters, Genesee Community College has demonstrated its commitment to effective cash management, improving financial stability, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources.

Dr. Craig Lamb, President of Genesee Community College, stated, “At GCC, we are deeply committed to being responsible stewards of public funds as we collectively seek to enrich our surrounding community, using every resource efficiently and strategically. I want to extend my gratitude to GCC’s Finance and Operations department for their efforts in ensuring we operate at the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. In addition, being presented with this award by GCC alumnus Garrett Macdonald, for whom we are so proud, makes this honor even more special.”

‘Job Corps is one of the best bang-for-your-buck programs we have to boost our local economies’

Press Release, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer

Photo by Tom Rivers: This sign on Route 63 in Shelby notes the Iroquois Job Corps. This center has space for up to 225 students who are served by 104 full-time equivalent employees.

After Schumer stood at Job Corps centers across Upstate NY to lead the fight to protect one of the nation’s largest and most effective workforce training programs from Trump’s effort to eliminate it, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today announced he has successfully preserved funding for Job Corps and helping students across America, including thousands in New York, get the skills they need to enter in-demand careers.

“Job Corps is one of the best bang-for-your-buck programs we have to boost our local economies, which is why I fought hard to protect it from Trump’s proposed cuts,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to announce that, following my advocacy, we have preserved funding for Job Corps, ensuring the continuation of one of America’s largest and most effective workforce training programs.”

The just-passed Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill rejects Trump’s call to eliminate Job Corps and instead provides $1.76 billion in federal funding to keep them open. Schumer also secured language that blocks the closure of Job Corps Centers unless such closures meet specific requirements.

Anand Vimalassery, National Job Corps Association Interim President & CEO said, “Job Corps faced unprecedented disruption and uncertainty over the last year. Through it all, Senator Schumer stood by our students and staff in Calicoon, Cassadaga, Glenmont, Medina, New York City, and Oneonta. His leadership is helping ensure young adults in New York continue to have a pathway into the skilled workforce through Job Corps and we’re grateful for his support.”

In May 2025, Trump paused operations at Job Corps centers nationwide. Afterward, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump from shutting down Job Corps centers, and another federal judge said operations must resume until the previous case is resolved. Schumer explained that the Trump administration not only attempted to shut down Job Corps centers, but in his budget request, Trump said he wanted to totally zero out funding for the program, effectively killing the program without needing the approval of federal courts.

After hearing about Trump’s proposed cuts, Schumer last year traveled to Job Corps centers across Upstate New York, from the Iroquois Job Corps center in Orleans County to the Cassadaga Job Corps center in Chautauqua County and the Otsego Job Corps Center, to stand with students, staff, and small business owners and demand we protect this vital pipeline for skilled workers to fill jobs.

In addition to fighting back on Trump’s proposed elimination of funds for Jobs Corps in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, Schumer led efforts in the Senate to oppose the Trump administration’s destructive and potentially illegal actions like pausing existing funds for the Job Corps centers.

Schumer called on U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to protect Job Corps and demanded answers on these destructive efforts. Thanks to Schumer’s leadership, the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill rejects Trump’s call to eliminate Job Corps and instead provides $1.76 billion in federal funding – which is consistent with the previous year – to keep them open and includes language to protect against Trump’s efforts to illegally shut down specific centers.

 “The Iroquois Job Corps Center has been a cornerstone of opportunity in Orleans County for more than sixty years, helping young people gain the skills and credentials they need to succeed while strengthening our local economy,” said Lynne Johnson, Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. “Preserving funding for Job Corps is critical for our students, our workforce, and our community. Thanks to Senator Schumer, the Iroquois Job Corps Center can continue delivering real pathways to good-paying careers and supporting the next generation of skilled workers.”

Schumer said Job Corps centers have helped millions of young people ages 16 to 24 finish high school, learn technical skills, and get jobs in in-demand fields such as healthcare and construction. Low-income and at-risk young people have received stable housing and healthcare while developing the skills they need to get good-paying jobs after graduation. Across Upstate NY, centers in Albany, Sullivan, Orleans, Otsego, and Chautauqua Counties serve thousands of young New Yorkers and employ over 500 staff.

Genesee would receive $285 million in revenue over 30 years, plus an estimated $18 million in sales tax annually to be split by county and state

Photos by Tom Rivers: Stream U.S. Data Centers held an open house at the Alabama Fire Hall on Monday evening for people to meet members of the development team for the data center. Many of the attendees are concerned about the environmental impacts on the community, including the nearby wildlife refuge and Tonawanda Indian Nation.

ALABAMA – A massive data center proposed for the STAMP site in Alabama, just a few miles south of Orleans County, would bring a major influx of revenue for Genesee County, said officials at the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

Stream U.S. Data Centers would pay $285 million over 30 years to Genesee County, the Town of Alabama and Oakfield-Alabama Center School. (The project also would receive $744 million in tax incentives. The GCEDC board is expected to accept an application from Stream during its board meeting on Thursday. There will be public hearings about the incentives and the site plan for the data center.)

Bradley Wells, site selection and development manager for Stream U.S. Data Centers, speaks to reporters at Monday’s meeting. He said the project uses a relatively small footprint of the STAMP site and won’t generate much traffic after construction. The data center would have 125 employees working different shifts. There would be about 1,000 people working on construction of the data center’s three buildings, each over 700,000 square feet.

The company also will have to pay sales tax on its electricity usage and that is expected to be about $18 million a year to be split by Genesee County and the state.

Stream U.S. Data Centers is proposing to invest over $11 billion in the data center at STAMP. GCEDC gets a fee when it facilitates a project, usually 1.25 percent of the development costs.

With the data center, the fee would be 0.75 percent or about $83 million. That money would help build out public water in Genesee County and with infrastructure at other GCEDC business parks, said Mark Masse, GCEDC president and CEO. Five of the eight GCEDC parks are currently fully occupied but there is space at STAMP, Le Roy and in the Pembroke parks.

“This whole program is generational revenue for Genesee County,” Masse said during an interview on Monday during an informational meeting by Stream at the Alabama fire hall.

The project is outside Orleans County, but Masse and GCEDC officials expect Orleans would see significant benefit for employment and other services for the data center, as well as people looking to move into the community.

The project has faced resistance from Orleans County, including Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson who doesn’t want any wastewater from STAMP to go into the Oak Orchard Creek, which is a major tourism draw for fishing in the county.

STAMP will be using the Village of Oakfield sewer plant for treatment, and Masse said the plant will be upgraded to treat phosphorus.

The Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation have been vocal in opposition of the data center, saying it uses enormous amounts of electricity – 500 megawatts – that could impact electricity rates for other customers.

The Allies passed out flyers listing concerns with noise, impacts to wildlife, water usage and pollution, air pollution, e-waste, and other environmental impacts.

Arthur Barnes of Shelby was among the attendees at Monday’s meeting. He wore a “Stop STAMP” button. Barnes would have preferred to hear a presentation from the developer to the group, but instead Stream had people meet one on one or in small groups. Barnes said the presentation was “too slick” and didn’t consider the impacts of the project on the community.

Bradley Wells, site selection and development manager for Stream, said the meeting format was a chance to “have one on one time with developer.”

The new data center would be “unique and premium in the market,” he told reporters at the meeting.

The data center helps meet a need with the “growth of internet, growth of interconnectivity, subscription streaming and artificial intelligence,” he said.

The STAMP site is attractive for Stream because it offers all of the existing infrastructure –with electricity, water and waste water. Wells said the facility would use “very minimal water” and would operate on a closed loop air cooling system.

There are very restrictive noise requirements, and Wells said the site would operate at 65 decibels at day and 45 decibels at night from the Stream property lines. The noise would be quieter farther away from the site. Wells said 65 decibels is similar to the sound when talking in a room and 45 decibels is the sound of a quiet office environment.

Stream U.S. Data Centers showed renderings of how a vacant field at STAMP could be turned into a large data center.

The company, based in Dallas, Texas, will need to get through an environmental review with the GCEDC the lead agency. The Allies of the Seneca Nation, Orleans County and others wanted the state Department of Environmental Conservation to lead that review. Barnes said the GCEDC role “is like the fox guarding the hen house.”

Wells said Stream strives to build a long-lasting partnership with the community. The company is hopeful construction could start in 2026 with the facility to begin operations in 2027, although a full buildout is expected to take until 2030.

He foresees “1,000 continuous trade jobs” during the construction. Once that is complete, the traffic impact from the data center would be “extremely low,” Wells said, with 125 employees working different shifts, many of them software specialists and engineering technicians.

Other manufacturing at STAMP could see many more employees and deliveries, with a much bigger impact on traffic in the community, he said.

Stream would operate on 90 acres out the 1,250 acres at STAMP.

“We think it’s one of the most dense, best uses of the park right now,” Wells said.