U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $289,000 in federal funding allocated through the Appalachian Regional Commission. This funding will be used to increase healthy and fresh foods accessibility for residents in the Northside of Binghamton and to strengthen Friendship Central School District’s STEM program, providing STEM and Skilled Trade education for middle and high schoolers.
“Access to fresh, affordable food and a quality education shouldn’t be a luxury for New Yorkers,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding for the Southern Tier will help promote healthy eating habits for residents of Northside and ensure early investment into the STEM and skill trade educations of students in the Town of Friendship, giving them the tools they need to succeed. I am proud to deliver this federal funding that gives equal opportunity to all New Yorkers.”
“Every New York community deserves access to affordable, healthy foods and an inclusive educational system,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will ensure Broome County is able to provide access to fresh and healthy foods to a vulnerable community, and will allow the Town of Friendship to integrate technology into the school curriculum and provide underserved students with a cutting-edge education system needed to be successful in today’s global economy. I will continue fighting for New Yorkers by demanding these resources are afforded to all rather than privileges afforded to some.”
The Broome County Council of Churches received $150,000 for construction of an affordable, healthy fresh food market in North Binghamton, a community that has been designated as a food desert. Additionally, the Friendship Central School (FCS) District was awarded $139,000 to strengthen the “FCS Grows STEMS” and Skilled Trade program, with an emphasis on female students, by purchasing upgraded STEM technology resources and securing student and community based learning spaces.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian region.