Funding Is Part Of Over $770 Million for Rural Infrastructure Projects Across The Country Announced By The Biden Administration Earlier This Week
Senators Say This Major Funding Will Make Key Upgrades And Provide Critical Support In Grants & Loans To Modernize Water Infrastructure In Rural Communities From The North Country To The Finger Lakes
Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$$ Are Flowing To Rural Communities Across Upstate NY To Upgrade Our Aging Water Infrastructure!
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today revealed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a historic investment of $82,141,000 to Upstate New York to bring clean water, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and economic growth to rural communities. The senators explained Upstate New York is receiving $58,159,000 in loans and $23,982,000 in grants, a massive boon for New York’s water systems, to provide rural families, business owners, and agricultural producers with clean drinking water and sanitary wastewater systems.
“From Greene to Massena, this funding is flowing to rural communities across Upstate New York to support critical upgrades to water infrastructure, ensuring all New Yorkers have access to clean water and drinking water systems. By putting federal resources toward modern water infrastructure, these federal dollars are giving our rural families, businesses, and farmers the contaminant-free water they deserve and need to thrive,” said Senator Schumer. “Investments like these are a roadmap for how we not only give our rural communities the critical resources needed to ensure their water is safe, but are how we make federal investments needed to bring rural communities into the 21st century, all while creating a steady stream of jobs, jobs, jobs. I am proud to deliver this investment which will continue the fight to turn the tide on our state’s aging water infrastructure and keep our communities safe and healthy.”
“All New Yorkers deserve to have access to safe, reliable water systems,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This investment will help bring key water infrastructure upgrades to Upstate New York and ensure families, business owners, and farmers have the clean water they need. I am proud to deliver this funding and will continue to fight so all New Yorkers have access to safe and reliable water.”
“We credit Senator Schumer with making it possible for the Town of Pomfret to extend municipal water service to residents in the Town who are currently served by marginal water wells. His efforts secured funding for the Town to make this important infrastructure upgrade possible. This funding will help improve the quality of life for a number of Pomfret residents. His efforts will benefit our residents for years to come – he has my sincere thanks!” said Pomfret Town Supervisor Dan Pacos.
The nine selectees in Upstate New York and project descriptions can be found below:
| Region | Recipient | Loan | Grant | Project |
| Southern Tier | Village of Greene | $11,000,000 | $8,955,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to improve the water system in the village of Greene, Chenango County, New York. The project will replace water mains, the majority of which are more 100 years old. It also will replace fire hydrants and update water meters and meter-reading equipment. The project will provide safe and reliable water service to the village’s residents, businesses, and visitors. The applicant is contributing $145,000 to the project. |
| Finger Lakes | Town of Lima | $20,000,000 | $11,140,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to secure an adequate water source for the Water District #5 in the town of Lima, which is located in Livingston county, New York. The project will benefit town residents by providing adequate water and will improve the health, welfare, and safety of the residents. Total project costs are $31,140,000 with $20,000,000 in Rural Development direct loan funds and $11,140,000 in Rural Development grant funds. No other funding sources have been identified for this project. |
| Central NY | Village of Weedsport | $14,000,000 | $2,000,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to improve a water district in the village of Weedsport, which is located in Cayuga county, New York. This project will benefit the village residents by providing safe and reliable water service. |
| Central NY | Town of Herkimer | $1,595,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to construct a new water district in the town of Herkimer, which is located in Herkimer county, New York. This project will benefit the 7 businesses and a trailer park by connecting residents to the sewer district. Total project costs are $2,535,000 with $500,000 in Northern Boarders grant funding, $440,000 in Empire State Development grant funding and $1,595,000 in Rural Development direct loan funding. No other funding sources have been identified for this project. | |
| Central NY | Village of Mexico | $1,500,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to provide additional funds to the water-distribution improvements project for the village of Mexico, Oswego County, New York. The applicant is contributing $7,000 to the project. | |
| Western NY | Town of Pomfret | $3,400,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to construct the North End Water District Phase 2 in the town of Pomfret, Chautauqua County, New York. The project will provide public water service that improves the health and safety of the district’s residents, businesses, and visitors. The applicant is contributing $6,000 to the project. | |
| North Country | Town of Massena | $3,000,000 | $1,500,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to construct a new water district in the town of Massena, which is located in St. Lawrence county, New York. This project will benefit town residents by providing access to public water and will improve the health, welfare, and safety of the residents. |
| North Country | Town of Adams | $101,000 | $387,000 | This Rural Development investment will be used to provide additional funds for construction of the Water District Number 3 water distribution system in the town of Adams, Jefferson County, New York. The project will help improve the health, welfare, and safety of residents. |
| Hudson Valley | Village of Woodridge | $3,563,000 | This Rural Development (RD) investment will be used to finance upgrades and repairs to the waste water treatment plant for the village of Woodridge, which is located in Sullivan county, New York. The village needs to expand the waste water treatment plant in order to meet current flow demands and account for future growth. The project will benefit the residents in the village and town of Fallsburg. Total project costs are $8,000,000 with $500 in applicant contribution, $3,563,000 in Rural Development direct loan funds and $4,436,500 in Rural Development grant funds. No other funding sources have been identified for this project. |
Nationwide, the USDA is funding 216 projects to bring high-speed internet, clean water, state-of-the-art infrastructure and economic growth to rural communities. The new projects, totaling $772.6 million in investments, will benefit more than 1 million people living in remote areas of the country.