U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the North Country will receive over $4.6 million in funding from the omnibus end-of-year spending package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to help bolster economic development in downtown Canton, boost affordable housing, and expand desperately needed affordable childcare services in Ogdensburg.
“From helping directly address childcare desserts in Ogdensburg to breathing new life into our Main Streets in downtown Canton, these projects get to the heart of issues facing the North Country today,” said Senator Schumer. “This over $4.6 million in funding means good-paying jobs, affordable housing, attracting new businesses and giving North Country families the support they need. I am proud to have secured these significant investments to build up the future of the region and I will always fight to bring home federal dollars to the North Country.”
“This is a critical investment that will help revitalize the North Country,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today, we are committing to putting millions toward building affordable housing, supporting local businesses, strengthening the healthcare infrastructure, and helping parents afford child care. I’m proud to have fought to secure this funding and I’ll work tirelessly to make sure North Country families, workers, and businesses have what they need to thrive.”
The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending requests, descriptions for the projects can be found below:
- $ 2,641,000 to the Canton College Foundation for their Canton Midtown Plaza Redevelopment Project.
This project will take an underutilized and derelict shopping center in the heart of downtown Canton and transform it into three floors of much-needed commercial and residential space, including 44 residential units and the anchor of the project, the SUNY Canton Entrepreneurship Center. This project addresses three pressing needs in the North Country, increased economic development, commercial revitalization of city’s downtown, and access to quality downtown housing.
- $2,100,000 to the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority for their Childcare Center Project.
This project will help ensure parents have access to affordable, high-quality childcare in Ogdensburg, as currently there aren’t any providers in town. This will also ensure that businesses are able to attract and retain talent and the region can attract investments from new businesses, aiding the local economy.