Poughkeepsie… Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus addressed members of the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce today at the chamber’s monthly meeting at Terrapin Catering at Dinsmore Golf Course.
County Executive Steinhaus said, “It is always a pleasure to go out and engage in conversation with the business leaders of our community to both share with them the successes of the county as well as to listen to them about their ideas of how to make Dutchess an even better community. There are so many good things happening in Dutchess County.”
The County Executive talked about some of his green initiatives that he originally presented in his 2007 State of the County Address “Dutchess Goes Green.” The view from the Dinsmore Golf Course, looking out to the majestic Hudson River, provided the perfect backdrop to talk about his top priorities of open space preservation, smart growth centers and groundwater protection. He pointed to some of his green agenda accomplishments that have already been achieved such as the recent county assistance to purchase the development rights to preserve the Rhineson property in Rhinebeck which will now be a forever green community park. Steinhaus urged chamber members to “consider how our current behaviors influence the future. Now is the time to think green and behave green.”
The County Executive also spoke about business and economic development, noting that strong growth and low unemployment rates in Dutchess County over the past several years have led Forbes magazine to rank Dutchess County 17th out of 200 Metro Areas as “best places to get a job.”
County Executive Steinhaus highlighted tourism as an important business sector in Northern Dutchess that has been a key focus of Steinhaus administration policies. The Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency has received a $50,000 Agri-tourism grant and will be launching a new Farm Fresh Link shuttle, a pilot project with Metro North and the Dutchess County LOOP bus system. The Farm Fresh Link shuttle will meet Metro North trains and carry visitors to farms, farm markets, pick-your-own wineries and villages during the Food & Wine Weekends in July and August.
The County Executive closed his remarks to chamber members by saying “there is so much to County Government than what can be said in thirty minutes. I encourage all to log on https://www.dutchessny.gov/ to find out more about the services, support and information provided by Dutchess County Government.”