OC Legislature's Education and Economic Development Committee 5/18/2026 @4pm

The Orange County New York Legislature's Education and Economic Development Committee met on May 18, 2026, to receive updates primarily on community development and affordable housing projects funded through federal, state, and local sources. Nicole Anderson, Director of Community Development, provided a detailed overview of the department's funding sources, including HUD grants such as HOME and CDBG, and highlighted ongoing and upcoming projects totaling millions in investments for affordable housing and public infrastructure. The discussion included challenges related to federal requirements like the Build America Buy America Act and Section 3, which impact project costs and developer participation. The committee also reviewed the annual enrollment of properties into Agricultural District Number One, with six of eight applications recommended for inclusion, emphasizing the benefits and limitations of agricultural district status versus agricultural exemptions. Several contracts and funding allocations for infrastructure and housing projects were noted, with plans to enter into agreements with municipalities for 2026 projects.