AACA News

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, the Albany County Arts and Culture Advisory Council and the Advance Albany County Alliance presented 28 local art organizations and individuals with $729,161.84 in arts-focused grant funding, during an honorary reception on Friday morning at the Albany Institute of History and Art. The award winners announced Friday include local theater companies, art galleries, public organizations, individual artists, historic preservation groups and more (see list below). This round of funding follows more than $500,000 awarded…

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, alongside Advance Albany County Alliance CEO Kevin O’Connor, presented Eckert Mechanical, LLC with a $300,000 ceremonial check today. This funding, provided through the county-backed Al Tech Loan Fund, supports the company’s relocation to a new three-acre facility at 49 Sicker Road in Latham and its plans to expand union employment. The event took place at the company’s new headquarters, highlighting the company’s growth and commitment to the local workforce. The expansion is expected to…

The Albany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is pleased to announce the organization’s new chairman of the Board of Directors, Michael Paparian, and vice chair Dennis Feeney. “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Michael Paparian and Dennis Feeney on their appointments as Chair and Vice Chair of the Albany County Industrial Development Agency,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “Their leadership comes at a pivotal time for our region, as we are on the cusp of…

The Advance Albany County Alliance, its partner agencies and Albany County government officials today presented Ecovative with a ceremonial $1,681,000 check, commemorating the County’s largest investment to date in sustainable research and manufacturing. The check presentation was held next to Ecovative’s newest packaging line for MyBacon: an award-winning plant-based bacon from MyForest Foods, a spinout company of Ecovative, which is farmed, prepared and packaged at Ecovative’s 180,000-square-foot facilities in Green Island. The expanded packaging line is a direct result of…

On March 13, 2025, the Albany Pine Hills Land Authority (ACPHLA), backed by Albany County, officially completed the $35 million acquisition of the former College of Saint Rose campus. This 27-acre property, encompassing 71 buildings totaling approximately 950,000 square feet, is now poised for a transformative redevelopment aimed at revitalizing the Pine Hills neighborhood and serving the broader Albany community. The closure of the College of Saint Rose in 2024, due to financial challenges and declining enrollment, left a significant…

The Advance Albany County Alliance announced today that its Board of Directors has voted to enter contract negotiations for the demolition of the long-abandoned Central Warehouse, and has invited Gramercy Group, Inc. of Wantagh, New York, and LiRo-Hill to those negotiations. The Central Warehouse, a 97-year-old decommissioned cold storage facility in North Albany, has largely been abandoned and deteriorating since the early 1990’s. The cost of the demolition is now estimated at more than $14 million, higher than the $13…

Faith Creative Names, a local promotional products company, has taken a major step in its rapid growth by purchasing its own facility at 257 Central Avenue in Albany. This milestone was made possible by a $135,000 disbursement from the Advance Albany County Alliance’s Al Tech Loan Fund. The woman-owned, Black-owned business specializes in charter school uniforms, custom apparel and is beginning to grow in “ad specialty” areas such as monogrammed mugs, pens and other personalized merchandise. Acquiring the building from…

The Advance Albany County Alliance (AACA) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the former South End Grocery Store, a key property in the heart of Albany’s South End. The acquisition of 106 S. Pearl Street marks an exciting step forward in revitalizing the area and ensuring that the space is developed to meet the community’s needs. The AACA is committed to working closely with local stakeholders, residents and community groups to create a vibrant and sustainable development that addresses…

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, County Legislature Chairwoman Joanne Cunningham and the Advance Albany County Alliance (AACA) announced the award of $502,650 in grant funding through the AACA Cultural and Arts Grant Program. This initative aims to support Albany County’s economic growth, cultural development, and community engagement by fostering initiatives that enhance the county’s vibrant arts and cultural landscape. This is the first round of funding, out of a total $1.25 million that has been dedicated to this effort…

Proposed offshore wind manufacturing facilities at the Capital Region’s major marine ports will bring an influx of jobs by the thousands while adding billions to the local economy, according to an economic impact assessment released today by the Port of Albany and the Port of Coeymans. The assessment was developed by Karp Strategies in partnership with the Center for Economic Growth, Advance Albany County Alliance, Port of Albany and Carver Companies, which owns and operates the Port of Coeymans, and…