Oneida County Awards $40,000 to Capitol Theatre

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that Oneida County has awarded $40,000 in funding to the Capitol Theatre in Rome to upgrade its heating, cooling and ventilation system on its newly-renovated facility.

“The Capitol Theatre has undergone an amazing transformation, restoring this beautiful facility to its original state,” Picente said. “Oneida County was happy to step up and help complete this ambitious project by funding the much-needed upgrade to its HVAC system. The Capitol Theatre plays an essential role in the quality of life of our residents and we are lucky to reap its rich cultural benefits.”

The Capitol Theatre underwent $2.5 million in renovations to its interior and exterior as part of a New York State Downtown Revitalization Grant. The work restored the interior to its 1939 state and the external façade to its original 1928 appearance with a replica of the original marquee and blade sign.

With that work completed in 2021, the theater required more funding to upgrade its HVAC system. Picente allocated money for that project from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“We are extremely grateful to County Executive Picente and the Board of Legislators for recognizing the Capitol Theatre as a very important part of the cultural and economic life of Central New York,” said Stephen Merren, President of Capitol Civic Center, Inc. “This generous funding will help us to finish restoring our theater and preserve it for the next 100 years.”