Specific details on how funding for the APA, DEC and ORDA will be allocated are still scarce, as the governor’s full budget proposal has not yet been released. Also, Cuomo essentially presented two possible budgets: one with lots of federal aid and one with less.

Though the state faces the COVID-19 pandemic, a struggling economy and the largest deficit in history, the proposed budget would not reduce spending for many departments. Instead, Cuomo is relying on aid from the federal government to carry the state. In his speech he said New York usually pays more into the federal government that it gets back, but he hopes that will change this year.

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ORDA

ORDA would get $105 million of capital funding in this budget, including $92.5 million for winter sports facility upgrades in anticipation of the 2023 World University Games, which will be based in Lake Placid. The budget says this is a “coveted” position for the village.

ORDA board member and recently retired state Sen. Betty Little said this may not all be new money. She said it is possible some of the ORDA funding is money that was never spent last year and carried over into this year. But she also said it could all be new money.

The funding will go toward existing improvement projects on these sites in the Lake Placid area, which include the Olympic Center rinks, the ski jumping complex, the Mount Van Hoevenberg cross-country ski and biathlon center, and Whiteface Mountain Ski Center. There are also improvement projects ongoing at ORDA’s Gore and Belleayre ski centers in North Creek and the Catskills, respectively.

The only improvement mentioned specifically is the new Mid-station Lodge at Whiteface Mountain, which is open but not finished, after the old one burned down in 2019.

ORDA also still plans to upgrade Whiteface, including its lifts.

A new lodge at Mount Van Hoevenberg is nearly complete, and its indoor bobsled push track is not quite done. The ski jumps got new refrigerated frost rails and are slated for regrading landing hills.

“The 11-day competition draws over 2,400 student-athletes together to compete in various disciplines including alpine, freestyle and cross-country skiing, biathlon, speed skating, curling, figure skating, hockey, short track speed skating and snowboarding,” the budget book states. “These events will attract thousands of visitors and contribute to Lake Placid’s reputation as a world class destination.”

The book describes these improvements as “investments,” hoping after the University Games the venues will continue to attract tourists and other sports events, “ultimately driving year-round business and economic sustainability for the area.”

It also includes $10 million for “critical maintenance and energy efficiency upgrades,” and $2.5 million appropriated from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation budget as part of the New York Works initiative.

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DEC

The 2022 budget increases spending for the DEC by $168 million — or 11% — bringing the department’s budget from $1.5 billion last year to $1.7 billion in the coming year.

Much of this spending increase is allocated for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act.

The budget plans for $75 million to be spent on DEC capital projects to address a variety of improvements. These include increasing access to state lands, rehabilitating campgrounds, and upgrading recreational facilities. Funding will also go toward infrastructure work on dams, wetland restoration, state lands and fish hatcheries.

The briefing book praised the work of staff during the pandemic, including emergency management staff, forest rangers and environmental conservation officers.

“To date, more than 1,000 staff have volunteered to help combat the pandemic,” the book states. “DEC staff stood up and operated testing sites, delivered food, PPE, and test kits, supported Department of Health and Labor call centers, and are now standing up vaccination sites across the state.”

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APA

The budget shows a $1 million — 20% — increase in spending for the Adirondack Park Agency, bringing its annual budget from $5 million last year to $6 million in 2021-22.

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Downtown revitalization

The Executive Budget includes another round of Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, providing $100 million for 10 communities through a competitive Regional Economic Development Council-run process. There are also $750 million in REDC economic development grants.