Ulster County has scored a $2 million grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to build a new, energy-efficient Emergency Communications Center. The facility will be built on Paradies Lane in New Paltz and will be the new home for the County’s Department of Emergency Services, which includes the Emergency-911 center, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and the Divisions of Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services. The EOC will be the coordination center for emergency response and recovery during natural disasters or other emergencies. It will house personnel from federal, state, and local agencies, utilities, first responders, and others.

The 15,650-square-foot building will be hardened against natural disasters and power outages to ensure the county's emergency functions are able to operate when needed most. The facility will be constructed with super-insulated walls, geothermal heating and cooling, and a solar power system with battery backup.

“The county’s current emergency facilities are outdated, under-sized and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as power outages during severe weather when those facilities are needed most,” Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger stated. “This new center will be a critical upgrade to our emergency response capabilities. I thank NYSERDA for their investment in this important project.”

The project passed environmental review in December, clearing the way for construction. The county has released bidding documents and anticipates construction will begin in late spring/early summer with an estimated 18 to 24-month completion timeline.

The project was funded through an $18 million capital reserve established in the 2024 executive budget, funded by the County's excess fund balance. This will save taxpayers over $1 million per year in borrowing costs.

The New Paltz site offers strategic advantages including reliable power, redundant fiber optic infrastructure, and easy access to major highways. The county’s Emergency-911 call center currently fields more than 130,000 emergency and non-emergency calls each year.