TROY – In his first major speech since taking office as Rensselaer County executive, Steve McLaughlin called for infrastructure investment and cooperation countywide to attract business and expand the tax base.

McLaughlin delivered a State of the County address Wednesday morning to the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce that reviewed the county’s successful business projects during 2017, but focused quickly on what he envisions as important economic development projects for his 10-day-old administration. About 180 people packed the Hilton Garden Inn to hear his remarks.

Ranging from downtown Troy to Rensselaer’s Hudson River waterfront to the business corridors in suburban towns, McLaughlin promised to work with local officials and businesses. He cited opportunities on Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush, at the Fort Orange site in Castleton-on-Hudson, Route 7 in Brunswick, Routes 9 and 20 in Schodack, the Rensselaer port and along Troy’s riverfront.

The county must ensure that its environment is protected as it encourages economic development, McLaughlin said. He referenced the new county law he signed on Jan. 3 to protect residents around the Dewey Loeffel Landfill Superfund Site in Nassau and efforts to assist Hoosick, Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh residents coping with PFOA contamination of their local drinking water supplies.

Nassau Supervisor David Fleming commended McLaughlin for promising to deal with environmental concerns, Fleming said, “Providing clean and reliable water to impacted communities will mean renewed economic development and healing.”

Development and modernization of the county’s infrastructure – water, sewers and high tech – is a priority, the county executive said.

“Too many areas of our county are underdeveloped,” McLaughlin said.

The county invested $3 million in road improvements last year, he said. Hopefully, he said, the county will be able to take advantage of proposed federal infrastructure investment. He returned several times to supporting supplying water from the city of Troy’s Tomhannock Reservoir to the eastern county towns of Pittsfield, Hoosick and Petersburgh to spur development and save drinking water to residents who were adversely impacted by PFOA contamination.

The county will work with its towns, villages and cities, McLaughlin said. The county wants to partner with is municipalities to encourage development. He said the county also would work with local businesses.

“I was encouraged,” said East Greenbush Supervisor Jack Conway, who has had concerns with the county Industrial Development Agency handling of certain projects in the town. “We’re willing to be partners with anyone who wants to work with us.”

Kate Manley, chamber president, said she looked forward to cooperating with county economic development initiatives.

Richard Hendrick, general manager of the Port of Albany, said he was encouraged by McLaughlin’s desire to spur development in the city of Rensselaer portion of the Hudson River port. Hendricks said the port commission has worked closely with Rensselaer Mayor Daniel Dwyer on different projects.