Governor Paterson Announces $11 Million in Stimulus Funding for Infrastructure Projects Across the State
Essential Investment Will Help Create 435 New Jobs
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of over $11 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding for projects that will help to modernize New York's infrastructure. The economic recovery funds for these projects will be administered by the New York State Community Development Block Grant (NYS CDBG) program and were approved by the State's Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). The grants will allow 17 projects to move forward, creating 435 new jobs across the State.
"Critical economic development projects like the ones we are announcing today will not only create good-paying jobs and help put New York back to work, but also lay the groundwork for future prosperity by updating our State's aging infrastructure," said Governor Paterson. "I want to thank President Obama and New York's Congressional Delegation for delivering these essential funds that will help spur economic development."
Governor Paterson and the New York Congressional Delegation fought hard to ensure that the federal stimulus package included these critical resources, which will help with the State's economic recovery.
DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said "Governor Paterson directed DHCR to identify important projects that were shovel-ready and which would provide continuous and sustainable economic benefits. The projects selected not only meet those criteria, they will also help protect the environment and the public health by replacing and improving deteriorating water and sewer systems."
The NYS CDBG awards include:
Capital Region
Town of Bethlehem (Albany County) - South Albany Sewer District Improvements. Using $467,383 the Town of Bethlehem will replace sand filters in the South Albany Sewer District which serves 59 residents, 69.5 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income. Jobs: 18
City of Cohoes (Albany County) - Vliet Street Waterline Replacement. The City of Cohoes will use $715,929 to replace aged water main along Vliet Street and lateral connections that will benefit 153 residents 92.3 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 27
City of Rensselaer (Rensselaer County) - Broadway Infrastructure Improvements. The City of Rensselaer will use $627,224 to replace sewer lines along Broadway. The City's population of 7,666 persons will directly benefit from the project and 56.9 percent of the population qualifies as low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 23
Rensselaer County - Handicapped Accessibility Improvements. Using $467,383, Rensselaer County will make handicapped accessibility improvements to the Rensselaer County Office Building and the Troy Area Senior Service Center. Jobs: 18
Town of Willsboro (Essex County) - Smith House Family Health Care Center. Using $404,660 the Town of Willsboro will renovate the Smith Housing Family Health Clinic which is located in a medically underserved area. Annually, 3,991 patients are seen at the clinic, 63.09 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 15
Central New York and Finger Lakes
Village of Parish (Oswego County) - Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements. Using $601,932 the Village of Parish will replace 20 grinder pumps for the Village wastewater treatment facility. 528 persons of whom 52.8 percent are low- and moderate-income will benefit from this project. Jobs: 23
Town of Batavia (Genesee County) - Wastewater System Improvements. The Town of Batavia will use $962,788 to replace pump stations, asbestos-lined concrete sewer lines and install a new sewer main. The district serves 700 persons, 66.5 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income. Jobs: 36
Village of Corfu (Genesee County) - Storm Sewer Improvement Program. The Village of Corfu will use $1,035,405 to replace parts of its deteriorated storm sewer which is currently undersized and collapsing. A total of 308 residents, 53.6 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income will benefit from the project. Jobs: 39
Village of Naples (Ontario County) - Public Water Supply System Improvements. The Village of Naples will use $1,545,980 for a water filtration system to address ground water influence. The Village's population of 661, 52.7 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income will benefit from this project. Jobs: 58
Village of Lyons (Wayne County) - Waterline Replacement Project. Using $430,386 the Village of Lyons will replace water mains and fire hydrants in an area that suffers from serious infrastructure deterioration, groundwater infiltration, and reduced firefighting capacity. The 143 residents, 88.1 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income will benefit from this project. Jobs: 16
Town of Java (Wyoming County) - North Java Water District Improvements. The Town of Java's $433,331 project involves upgrades to the North Java Water District, which includes replacing the existing water source and the storage reservoir. The replacement is necessary in order to ensure a sufficient supply of water for its 78 users, 56 percent of whom are low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 16
Village of Penn Yan (Yates County) - Brown Street Water Main Improvements. Using $420,726, the Village of Penn Yan will replace waterlines and fire hydrants along Brown Street. The neighborhood's 105 residents of whom 59 percent are low- and moderate-income will benefit from this activity. Jobs: 16
Mid-Hudson Region
Town of Wawarsing (Ulster County) - Kerhonkson Water Main Replacement Project. For a total project cost of $613,111, the Town of Wawarsing will upgrade the aged Kerhonkson Water District including the installation of deteriorated pipes and fire hydrants. The system serves 467 persons of whom 73 percent are low- and moderate-income and are unable to bear the cost of these improvements. Jobs: 23
Town of Fallsburg (Sullivan County) - Water Main & Hydrant Replacement. For a total project cost of $558,735, the Town of Fallsburg will replace aged cast iron water lines and deteriorated fire hydrants. The project will benefit 259 persons in the target area, of whom 81 percent are low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 21
Western New York
Village of Delevan (Cattaraugus County) - Water System Improvement Project. Using $1,252,339, the Village of Delevan will construct a filtration system, replace collectors, and eliminate all above ground lines for its water system. The project will benefit a total of 981 persons, 54 percent of whom are low-and moderate-income. Jobs: 47
Village of Sinclairville (Chautauqua County) - Senior Center Rehabilitation. The Village of Sinclairville will use $310,297 to rehabilitate the existing senior center and bring the facility up to compliance with NYS Building Code. The 177 individuals currently receiving services at the facility including services provided by the County Office for the Aging will benefit from the project, 100 percent of the beneficiaries are considered low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 12
Village of Barker (Niagara County) - Barker Water System Improvements. The Village of Barker will use $743,491 to replace waterlines throughout the Village which will benefit 306 persons of whom 51.9 percent are low- and moderate-income persons. Jobs: 27
The following quotes were provided in support of the Community Block Grant Development awards:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: "Improving and maintaining New York's infrastructure is critical to the growth and economic development of the entire State, and a great way to create jobs. I am thrilled that I was able to help secure this funding for CDBG through the Economic Recovery Package so that we can make progress on these critical projects."
U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand said: "This is the right investment for New York's economy. These federal dollars will help create new good-paying jobs, upgrade infrastructure and help rebuild our economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer and the entire Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government."
Congressman Brian Higgins said: "Block Grant funding works to improve communities and build stronger neighborhoods. Chautauqua County this Recovery Act grant will provide needed enhancements to the facility providing services and activities for seniors in Sinclairville, Charlotte, Gerry and surrounding areas."
Congressman Eric Massa said: "I'm proud to help announce 121 new jobs right here in New York's 29th Congressional District. I voted for the Recovery Act because it was projected to create and protect 7,500 jobs in our district and today we are seeing this process moving forward. This program is all about taking steps to improve our local economy while strengthening our infrastructure."
Congressman Scott Murphy said: "This investment in Rensselaer County's infrastructure will put people back to work and provide a fundamental service in the community. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Paterson to implement more recovery funds to create jobs, strengthen our economy, and make New York a better place to live and do business."
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter said: "I am very pleased to have helped support the Village of Barker in securing this needed funding. This water system and its ratepayers would have been hard pressed to conduct this project without federal support. The economic recovery bill has provided additional funds so that we can accomplish more needed projects while putting more people to work."
Congressman Paul Tonko said: "I supported the Recovery Act in part because of the opportunity it would give our cash strapped communities to replace decades old sewer and water systems that are beginning to fail. With these funds, we will get this critical work done and create and retain jobs in a difficult economy. I want to thank Governor Paterson for approving these projects and putting Recovery Act funds to work for New Yorkers."
Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said: "This is an important project that the village of Parish could not afford without this stimulus funding. Not only will this funding be used to support around two dozen jobs, but it will also give the village the means to address environmental concerns and decrease the costs passed on to users of the sewer system. I want to thank the Governor and Congressman John McHugh for making the village of Parish a priority."
Senator Neil Breslin said: "Both of these projects are critically important to many people in Albany County. They will not only provide good jobs for people right now, but will help drive our local economy going forward."
Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari said: "The installation of a new water main for Vliet Street will benefit residents and relieve the financial burden replacing it would have put on the city of Cohoes. This type of critical infrastructure project is at the core of the federal stimulus plan; to make needed improvements, while easing the fiscal strain so many municipalities are experiencing. I thank Governor Paterson and the New York Congressional Delegation for their hard work in securing funds for this project."
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said: "The modernization of our water infrastructure is essential to protecting the environment and public health. However, it is a very costly proposition that is prohibitive for many communities. This stimulus money will create much needed jobs in the area while ensuring that the residents of Kerhonkson do not shoulder the full burden of this necessary project."
Assemblyman Tim Gordon said: "The South Albany Sewer District is in need of critical improvements which this funding will make a reality for Bethlehem residents who reside within this area of town. In addition to the benefits of improving our infrastructure in the Capital region, projects such as this will create jobs and continue to build on our economic recovery efforts."
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said: "I am so pleased that Fallsburg is a recipient of this much needed stimulus funding. The Governor and I recognize the importance of this project to the people of Fallsburg."
Last Updated: 07/02/09