Gary Hughes, Chair, Schenectady County Legislature

“We thank Governor Hochul for providing a $1.5 million Restore New York grant that will help jump start redevelopment of the former St. Clare’s hospital.  Schenectady County’s economic development team worked hard to secure this grant as a key first step in charting a new course for this hospital which served our community so faithfully for so many years.”

Gary McCarthy, Mayor

“Governor Hochul’s announcement today that Schenectady has received the largest possible grant award of $1.5 million is great news.  We are focused on bringing new housing, new opportunity and new life to the campus as we honor the legacy of St. Clare’s many significant contributions to our shared history in Schenectady.”

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The Capital Region Land Bank will continue its work to combat blight in the cities of Schenectady and Amsterdam by issuing bids next week to demolish nine vacant and abandoned buildings. The bids are due back on June 4th with demolitions scheduled for this Summer.

“The Land Bank’s commitment to blight removal is about revitalizing our communities, turning obstacles into opportunities for our neighborhoods,” said Richard Ruzzo, Land Bank Chair and Deputy Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “We are pleased to move forward with nine more demolitions this summer in Schenectady and Amsterdam.”

The following properties will be included in the demolition bid:

• 28 Steuben Street in Schenectady
• 866 Albany Street in Schenectady
• 201 Duane Avenue in Schenectady
• 561 and 723 Congress Street in Schenectady
• 1 Third Avenue in Amsterdam
• 25 Henry Street in Amsterdam
• 52 Reid Street in Amsterdam
• 58 Milton Avenue in Amsterdam

Complete bid documents and instructions can be obtained by contacting the Land Bank office at 433 State Street, 4th Floor (rear), Schenectady, New York between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or via email at kpevans@schenectadymetroplex.org or (518) 377‐1109 x 7.

Last year, the Land Bank demolished 16 buildings in Schenectady’s Hamilton Hill, Little Italy, Eastern Avenue, and Mont Pleasant Neighborhoods. The cleared sites will enable the development of more than 200 new units of housing.  Four buildings were demolished in Amsterdam.

The Land Bank is administered by Metroplex as part of Schenectady County’s unified economic development team.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. –  The Metroplex Board of Directors met last evening and approved three projects that will continue Schenectady County’s economic development momentum.

At the County’s Airport Business Park in Glenville, a private investment of over $10 million will be used to construct two new buildings for a growing technology company.  P1 Industries will occupy a new 65,000 square foot manufacturing plant and a 25,000 square foot headquarters facility located next door.  Site work for the two buildings is underway as all required Town approvals are in place.  Construction will be completed in early 2026.

P1 Industries is a major supplier to original equipment manufacturers in the power generation, defense, aerospace and oil/gas industries.  The company needs more space as many of these sectors are in a growth mode with the power industry in particular experiencing a period of major investments which some are calling a power infrastructure super cycle.

The new buildings are being constructed by LSI Development Group, LLC, in conjunction with C2 Design Group. P1 Industries has signed a lease for both buildings. LSI Development Group recently completed a new office/warehouse building at the Airport Business Park for Mid-State Industries.

David Dussault, CEO of P1 Industries said, “Our growing company is grateful to its talented and dedicated workforce, and we are excited to continue our rapid growth in dynamic industry sectors by expanding to the Schenectady County Airport Business Park.  We thank the County, Metroplex and the Town of Glenville for their strong support.”

Metroplex is providing a $250,000 capital grant plus a PILOT that requires payment of full taxes on the existing tax parcel (vacant land) plus a payment of 50% of the taxes due on the new buildings increasing 5% each year for ten years.

P1 Industries expects to grow from 115 to 175+ employees over the next five years.

Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “The Airport Business Park continues to help us create new tax base and jobs at formerly tax-exempt airport property.  We thank Ryan Lucey, Michael Roman and the P1 Industries team led by David Dussault for making this $10 million investment in Schenectady County.”

“The Town of Glenville welcomes P1 Industries to the County Airport Business Park,” said Acting Town Supervisor Robert Kirkham. “We worked closely with Metroplex to secure this investment which adds jobs and tax base to our growing community.”

The Airport Business Park already hosts a number of businesses including DSM, SuperPower, C2 Design Group, Bruno Associates and Mid-State Industries in addition to the County’s recently expanded recreational facility/ice rink, a new Aviation facility built by the County for SUNY Schenectady, and a major Navy Operations Support Center.

The Board also approved phase two of the Live-In Schenectady project which involves a group of private investors, business leaders and banks who came together to build 15 new townhomes on Barrett Street in Schenectady.  The investment group now plans to invest the proceeds from phase one into as many as 15 additional homes.

Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair said, “Live-In Schenectady is working and it is achieving the goal of providing new home ownership opportunities in Schenectady. We thank these investors for their innovative approach to home building.”

A grant of $50,000 was also approved for Discover Schenectady.  Metroplex and Discover Schenectady have partnered to bring special events and attractions to Schenectady including the Van Gogh exhibit which drew 130,000 to downtown Schenectady, the Mesmerica show at miSci with more than 10,000 visitors to date, the New York Phoenix, Schenectady’s new winning basketball team and others.  The new funding will allow Metroplex and Discover Schenectady to continue to pursue new special events and attractions.

Metroplex is the lead economic development agency in Schenectady County’s unified economic development team.  It invests a small portion of the County’s sales tax revenue in projects that create new sales tax and jobs while bringing about major new capital infrastructure investments in Schenectady County.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County today announced plans to build five new homes in Schenectady this year on Rankin Avenue and Landon Terrace on sites that were acquired by the Capital Region Land Bank and made ready for development.

“The Land Bank is excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity to make the dream of home ownership a reality for five families, while improving the value and quality of life for our neighbors.” said Richard Ruzzo, Chair of the Capital Region Land Bank and a member of the Schenectady County Legislature.

The five new homes will be built at sites where blighted buildings once stood. A long-vacant warehouse once occupied a prominent location in a neighborhood on Rankin Avenue. The City of Schenectady and the Land Bank entered into a licensing agreement that allowed the warehouse building to be torn down.

Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “The Rankin Avenue project is replacing a tax foreclosed, vacant, derelict building with three new homes. We are pleased to work with the Land Bank and Habitat to make this happen.”

Three new homes will be constructed at the Rankin Avenue site using modular construction.

Kathy Fernandez, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Schenectady County, said, “We are excited to add modular housing to our tool kit because it will allow us to more than double our typical output of homes in a year without increasing the size of our staff. The more homes we build the more families we can help gain the opportunity of homeownership.”

The modular homes are being built by Bill Lake Modular Homes in Sprakers, NY. Final construction will take place on Rankin Avenue to complete the three new homes.

On Landon Terrace, two new homes are planned for a site that once contained one of the worst zombie properties in Schenectady County (photo below).

“Blight removal is an important part of the Land Bank’s mission, but we know we can’t stop there,” said Ruzzo. “Seeing new homes being erected in places formerly plagued by blight really creates the full-circle moment that reminds us that our work is about restoring, revitalizing and strengthening our neighborhood communities.”

The Land Bank is providing $200,000 in funding to help support the construction of the new homes. Metroplex administers the Land Bank as part of Schenectady County’s unified economic development team.

Amid the nationwide shortage of FAA controllers and as the nation grapples with an increasing number of aviation incidents, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to include SUNY Schenectady’s Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program in its Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program. Schumer said this partnership will boost air traffic control education and training to support aspiring air traffic controllers in Upstate NY and make our skies safer, creating a pipeline of local students to enter this high paying career and address the nationwide shortage.

“As Americans across the country grapple with more and more aviation incidents, we need to take action to ensure the FAA has the resources it needs to keep our skies safe. SUNY Schenectady’s air traffic controller training program is uniquely qualified and ready to create a local pipeline of students to enter this high-paying career, it just needs the final approval from FAA.  I’m urging the FAA to work with SUNY Schenectady to make this happen ASAP and give America the talent it needs to address the national air traffic controller shortage,” said Senator Schumer. “SUNY Schenectady’s top-notch program is nationally recognized as a leader for aviation science. The FAA can help the next generation of air traffic controllers’ right here in the Capital Region, and I am fighting to get the final approval to make it happen.”

Dr. Steady Moono, SUNY Schenectady President, said, “SUNY Schenectady continues to be at the forefront of aviation training in the region. We have invested in the future, to provide our students with the largest and most comprehensive Air Traffic Control simulator at a community college east of the Mississippi. We are honored to stand with Senator Schumer in addressing the urgent need for skilled air traffic controllers across the nation. SUNY Schenectady is prepared and eager to be part of the solution through the FAA’s Collegiate Training Initiative. With our proven track record in aviation education and commitment to student success, we are ready to equip the next generation of air traffic professionals with the training, discipline, and excellence that this critical role demands.”

“We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his continued support of SUNY Schenectady and his commitment to addressing the national shortage of air traffic controllers,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.  “SUNY Schenectady’s Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control Program provides students with practical, skills-focused training that supports our regional workforce and responds to the needs of today’s economy. A partnership with the FAA would expand opportunities for students while also helping to strengthen aviation safety nationwide.”

Air traffic controllers across the country have been warning about low staffing levels for years. As of September 2023, according to CNN, only about 70% of FAA staffing targets were filled by fully certified controllers, with some major airports at less than 60%. Schumer said boosting SUNY Schenectady’s Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program is key to supporting aspiring air traffic controllers and keeping our skies safe.

SUNY Schenectady runs a successful curriculum for its Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program to train air traffic controllers, including a state-of-the-art simulator that only exists in one other place. The program, which is run at the Schenectady County airport and SUNY Schenectady’s main campus, recently completed a new Center for Aviation Sciences building and is a leader for aviation safety education. SUNY Schenectady has been working with the FAA for over a year to be admitted into the Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative Program, which provides new training at eligible colleges to deliver new air traffic controllers to the workforce faster and address the national shortages. SUNY Schenectady is at one of the final steps for FAA’s requirements and are about to host FAA for a site visit.

Schumer’s letter to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau can be found below:

Dear Administrator Rocheleau:

I am writing to express my strong support for the inclusion of SUNY Schenectady County Community College (SUNY Schenectady) into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program.

As the nation grapples with an increasing number of near-misses and tragic aviation incidents, the urgency of investing in the next generation of highly trained, competent air traffic controllers has never been greater. The aviation system is already under unprecedented stress — from soaring flight volumes to a wave of retirements within the controller workforce. These challenges demand not only swift action but also a broader and more expansive approach to air traffic control education and training. 

SUNY Schenectady has its Aviation Science and Air Traffic Control degree program that is recognized across the SUNY System, New York state and our nation. This program carries an excellent reputation for training the next generation of pilots and air traffic controllers. This well-established program is based at SUNY Schenectady’s main campus and the Schenectady County airport, which is also home to the 109^th Air National Guard unit that flies LC-130 ski birds to polar regions in support of missions led by both the Department of Defense and National Science Foundation.  

SUNY Schenectady has recently completed a new $5 million Center for Aviation Sciences building and earlier this year installed new state-of-the-art simulators to enhance its already robust air traffic controller program.  In February of 2024, SUNY Schenectady was named, among only nine other community colleges in the country, a Leader College by Achieving The Dream (ATD), a national non-profit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and economic mobility in their communities.

The recent air tragedies have underscored how important it is to increase ATC training and hiring, and SUNY Schenectady is well-positioned to help meet this urgent national need. More trained controllers make for safer skies, more efficient airports, and higher confidence by the flying public. I applaud SUNY Schenectady’s foresight in submitting this application and sincerely hope it is met with your approval. Please do not hesitate to contact my Washington DC office at (202) 224-6542. Thank you for your consideration.

Schenectady, N.Y. — Live-In Schenectady, a group of private investors committed to investing in new housing in Schenectady, today announced that its first 15 homes have been completed and sold.  The innovative housing partnership plans to begin construction of 14 more homes this summer.

“We just sold the model home so all 15 homes we built are now completed and sold,” said John Roth, one of the Live-In Schenectady partners and CEO of Highbridge Development, a commercial builder and development company. “We will now take the proceeds from Phase I and get started on building more homes.”

The first 15 homes were built on vacant lots on Barrett Street that the consortium purchased from the City of Schenectady.

“On behalf of all of the Live-In team, we are proud of these new homes and the investment we have made as a group to promote home ownership in Schenectady,” said David Buicko, a Live-In investor and CEO of the Galesi Group.

“Our Live-In Schenectady investment group is proud to have transformed vacant lots into new homes and we plan to keep moving forward,” said Jim Connolly, an investor in Live-In Schenectady and former CEO at Ellis Hospital.

Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “We thank Live-In Schenectady investors for this innovative approach to building more housing that we hope is a model that other communities can follow.”

Mayor Gary McCarthy said, “Schenectady is growing, and we need new housing. Live-In Schenectady is meeting the need for new owner-occupied housing, and we are pleased that they will keep building new homes going forward.”

To obtain more information about Live-In Schenectady new homes contact Mary D’Alessandro-Gilmore at (518) 334-3687 or Joseph Farry at (518) 669-4788.  Both are realtors with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake Realtors.

Schenectady County ranked as the 4^th fastest growing county in New York State last year and its gross domestic product, a key economic indicator, grew at the fastest rate of any county in New York State.

To meet the demand for new housing, Metroplex, the county’s lead economic development agency, has supported the construction of new housing working with partners including Live-In Schenectady, Better Community Neighborhoods Inc. and many private developers.

In a few months, new housing will become available at Elmer Gardens, the former Elmer Avenue School, which is being converted to senior housing, and at the Mosaic development which is bringing new residential development to Mont Pleasant. In addition, 41 new townhomes are under construction on Summit Avenue in Hamilton Hill. This summer, 54 new senior apartments will come on-line at Rivers Ledge Phase 2 in Niskayuna.

In recent years, Metroplex has been supportive of the construction of more than 3,000 new housing units in Schenectady County.

A list of Live-In Schenectady investors follows:
Advanced Ventures, LLC – Competitive Advantage Group
Barrett Street Village LLC – Neil and Jane Golub
Capital Region Gaming, LLC – Rivers Casino & Resort
Civco Live-In Schenectady, LLC – Transfinder
Curtis Lumber Co. Inc. – Jay S. Curtis
The Daily Gazette Co.
DRL Schenectady Housing, LLC – BBL Construction Services
Friend of the Community, LLC – Jim Connolly
Galesi Management Corporation
HB Housing Group, LLC – Highbridge Development Group
Jackson Demolition Service, Inc. – Sandy Jackson
James T. Pollard Architect, P.C./DBA: Re4orm Architecture
LeChase Construction Service, Inc.
NBT Bancorp, Inc.
Northeastern Fine Jewelry – Raymond A. Bleser
Precision Industrial Maintenance, Inc. – Todd Kilburn
Saratoga National Bank
Schenectady Hardware and Electric – Christopher Spraragen

A list of participating banks follows:
Ballston Spa National Bank
Berkshire Bank
Capital Bank
Kinderhook Bank
NBT Bank
Pioneer Bank
Saratoga National Bank

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Insomnia Cookies, the beloved, cult cookie brand known for serving warm cookies all day and late into the night, announced its grand opening events for this week at its new location in downtown Schenectady. The new bakery will be located at 118 Jay Street across from City Hall.

Here to the rescue when that craving for something sweet hits (even at 3 a.m.!), Insomnia Cookies offers in-store, pickup, and delivery options for customers to experience the company’s signature warm, delicious cookies. From the Classic Chocolate Chunk cookie to favorites like Snickerdoodle and Confetti Deluxe, decadent brookies, brownies, and blondies, a full slate of vegan options, and a frequently-rotating limited-edition menu, the brand’s offerings satisfy every sweet tooth – warm or cold.

“The Schenectady community has been nothing but welcoming, which is why we’re so eager to officially open our doors this week” said Sophia Hutchens, District Manager, Insomnia Cookies. “Bringing our freshly baked and warm cookies to downtown is an exciting opportunity to connect with both locals and visitors here in the Capital Region.”

The Ribbon Cutting will take place on Thursday, April 17 at 11:00 AM, in partnership with Metroplex, the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) and Discover Schenectady, to officially welcome Insomnia Cookies into the Schenectady community. The Grand Opening will take place on Saturday, April 19, from noon until 3am.

“Jay Street really is the ideal destination in the Capital Region for Insomnia Cookies,” said Todd Garofano, Executive Director of Discover Schenectady.  “It’s fun branding combined with a quality product and that is a perfect fit for our growing downtown.”

On Saturday, April 19, Insomniacs who visit the new Schenectady store and sign-up for Insomnia Rewards* will receive 1 FREE Classic cookie (no purchase required) in-store. For more information on Insomnia Cookies, please visit www.insomniacookies.com.

*For new Insomnia Rewards members – Customers can sign up online or in the app. Customers will need to enter their mobile number, first and last name and email address to create an account. Inside Insomnia Rewards, customers will be able to easily track their points status, redeem available rewards, access their surprise offers and easily reorder their favorite menu items.

About Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies is a rapidly expanding late-night bakery concept headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Founded at the University of Pennsylvania by then-student Seth Berkowitz, Insomnia Cookies has been feeding the insatiable hunger of loyal Insomniacs since 2003. Today, with more than 300 locations nationwide, Insomnia Cookies offers a wide variety of delicious cookies, ice cream, and other sweet treats in-store, for local delivery, and nationwide shipping. Details about Insomnia’s menu, delivery, and nationwide shipping options can be found here (late-night delivery until 1 a.m. or later). To place an order or learn more about Insomnia Cookies, visit www.InsomniaCookies.com. Keep up-to-date on the latest cookie news and grand opening deals by following Insomnia Cookies on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Media Contact:
Lisa Karmin
Hudson Blue PR
lisa@hudsonbluepr.com

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Schenectady County officials and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara today released an engineering report on the status of the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) building in Schenectady. The report was prepared by C2 Design Group in collaboration with Terracon, Ryan Biggs/Clark Davis Engineering, M/E Engineering, Engineering Ventures, and TW&A Construction Management. Metroplex, Schenectady County’s lead economic development agency, provided $77,930 in funding for the study.

Previous museum leadership expressed concerns that heavy rains had caused pressure to build up under the museum’s basement, threatening its collections. It was also suggested that the high-water table in the area might make the current structure unsuitable for museum use. In April 2024, Schenectady County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engineering firms for a comprehensive review of the miSci building, to determine the most cost-effective ways to improve the structure, enhance the museum experience, and protect miSci’s extensive collections and archives.

“The County put together a great team of experts to review the miSci building and develop a plan for its future,” said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “I’m confident that with a solid plan in place and working closely with miSci’s new leadership team, including Acting President Chris Hunter and Board Chair William Faubion, we are well-positioned to make the necessary repairs and upgrades to offer an enriched experience for the community while preserving miSci’s collections.”

The engineering study concluded that the building, constructed in 1969, is structurally sound. It also identified that a one-time water leak in the basement was caused by improper grading of the museum’s patio, which directed water toward the building instead of away from it—not the water table. The report recommends essential maintenance and system upgrades for the 56-year-old building, such as a new roof, updated HVAC systems, and interior improvements.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara secured $10 million in funding for miSci in the 2024-25 New York State budget to address critical infrastructure needs and support revitalization initiatives planned for the museum.

“miSci is more than a museum—it’s a gateway to science, innovation, and discovery for families, students, and visitors from across the region,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “With this

$10 million investment, we’re not just making critical upgrades to the building—we’re strengthening the foundation for miSci’s continued growth and long-term success. This funding will help preserve one of our community’s most valuable educational resources, support expanded programming, and ensure that future generations have access to hands-on learning experiences in science and technology. As a STEM-focused museum, miSci plays a key role in inspiring young minds and fueling curiosity, and I’m proud to support its revitalization for the benefit of our entire region.”

The report provides cost estimates for needed repairs totaling $8.5 million. The balance of the funding can be applied toward an expansion of the first floor of the museum to accommodate more exhibits and items in miSci’s extensive collections.

“This study, along with the funding provided by Assemblyman Santabarbara, will ensure that this cherished museum remains a vital part of Schenectady County for years to come,” said Hughes.

Renovations can proceed once the museum board approves the report’s findings.

Planetarium and Mesmerica
Last year, Metroplex provided nearly $100,000 in funding to miSci for planetarium upgrades, including a new projector, sound system, and updated seating, all aimed at increasing visitation. This investment has enabled James Hood’s Mesmerica 360 immersive experience to be featured at miSci, with over 10,000 tickets sold since its opening in August 2024. New programming is currently being reviewed by miSci staff with additional programming announcements expected in the near future.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The Board of Directors of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority met this evening and approved six projects.

The first project involves the relocation of a company to Schenectady County. Gorman Construction, an All States Materials Group company, will lease space at 1473 Erie Boulevard across from Mohawk Harbor. A leading supplier of roadway construction materials with operations throughout the northeastern United States and Canada, the company will move 15 jobs to Schenectady with plans to add staff in the coming years.

Metroplex is providing a $45,000 grant to help with renovations to the office space.

John Cawthern, Area Manager for Gorman said, “We are excited about moving to Schenectady with an office that is located close to many downtown amenities including Mohawk Harbor.” The company has signed a long-term lease on the new regional office space.

“The office market is very competitive,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair. “We landed four new office tenants for downtown last year and we are pleased to welcome Gorman Construction to Schenectady County.”

The Board also approved the purchase of two parcels needed for the ALCO Heritage Trail Extension DRI Project. This project will help to complete a 4.4 mile River Loop Trail that connects both sides of the Mohawk River from the Western Gateway Bridge to Freemans Bridge. To complete this trail section, Metroplex will purchase 203 Front Street from Floyd Simone for $32,000 and 201 Front Street from the City of Schenectady for $10,000.

In another infrastructure project, Metroplex approved funding of $95,758 for improvements made to the “Five Corners” intersection in Rotterdam. Metroplex recruited ALDI to a site at the intersection that was vacant and blighted due to a fire at a former sporting goods store and a closed CVS. DOT mandated that improvements be made to the intersection before approvals could be granted. The improvements included a new westbound lane, new sidewalks, new pedestrian signals and crosswalks. This ALDI location provides a grocery option to the western portion of the Town of Rotterdam and the Broadway corridor and Bellevue neighborhoods in Schenectady.

Next, the Metroplex Board approved a $195,000 grant to Armory Studios NY to enable the facility to host sporting events as well as major exhibits and film/television productions. The historic building located in downtown Schenectady just off of I-890 has successfully hosted  HBO, Showtime and Amazon productions and is the region’s largest state certified sound stage. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and other recent exhibits have attracted over 130,000 visitors.

Now, Armory Studios NY is being equipped with new seating and flooring, scoreboards and other upgrades to host a wide range of sporting and entertainment events. The New York Phoenix play home games at the renovated facility attracting thousands of basketball fans to downtown.

“We thank Ray and Jeff Legere and the New York Phoenix for working with Metroplex and Discover Schenectady to outfit this great venue to host sports and special events which will bring more people to downtown and the lower State Street area,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair.

In another positive development for lower State Street, Metroplex will provide $125,000 to help transform 9,300 square feet of ground-floor space in the Frog Alley Brewing complex into “Simone’s Central.” This new facility will house a central kitchen and administrative hub to support Simone’s locations in Schenectady, Stuyvesant Plaza, Coxsackie, and other sites as the brand continues to grow. Once operational, Simone’s also plans to launch a new retail concept in the complex, offering Mediterranean-inspired tapas-style dining.

Bashir Chedrawee, co-owner of Simone’s Kitchen said, “There’s nowhere we’re more enthusiastic about anchoring our brand and operations. Our flagship location on Jay Street gave us the footing to grow – and our partnership with Metroplex gave us the confidence to keep building here. We’re thrilled to continue contributing to a community we love, and to a place we believe has the potential to be the economic leader of the Capital Region. As we expand across the region, Simone’s Central will grow with us – creating more jobs, nurturing local talent, and helping fuel the fresh energy of lower State Street.”

Metroplex also approved $45,000 in funding for two new stores on Jay Street next to Simone’s Kitchen – one is Connie’s Creative Collective, a maker’s space. An adjoining space called Connie’s Confectionary will offer ice cream and specialty baked goods. The two stores will be operated by the owners of Simone’s Kitchen.

“The team at Simone’s Kitchen has created one of the most dynamic new brands in the Capital Region and we are pleased to assist them with expanding their growing footprint in downtown Schenectady,” said Ray Gillen, Metroplex Chair.

Metroplex is the lead agency in Schenectady County’s unified economic development team. The Authority invests sales tax revenue it receives from the County in capital projects that benefit the community creating jobs, property tax and more sales tax that in turn is invested by Metroplex to continue economic development momentum in Schenectady County.

Governor Hochul today announced that the former St. George’s Masonic Temple located at 302 State Street in downtown Schenectady will be added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

Schenectady County Legislature Chair Gary Hughes said, “This iconic building located at the corner of Erie Boulevard and State Street literally sits at the crossroads of Schenectady County. We want to thank Governor Hochul for ensuring that this historic landmark is preserved and restored and remains a critical part of Schenectady’s revitalized downtown.”

Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy thanked the New York State Historic Preservation Office,  “The tax credits made possible by this designation will help us renovate the Masonic Building  preserving a landmark while adding to the revitalization of Schenectady.”