Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
04.21.22
In First Omnibus As Majority Leader, Schumer Delivers BIG For Warren and Washington Counties; Funding Will Support Key Community-Led Projects
Senator Secures Funding To Accelerate Adirondack Region’s Economic Recovery; Fed $$ Will Boost Regional Tourism Attractions, Support Job Growth, And Make Critical Infrastructure Upgrades
Standing outside Glens Falls City Hall, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Adirondack Region will receive over $2 million for essential local projects through the bipartisan omnibus spending package for Fiscal Year 2022. Schumer explained that these projects include making desperately needed critical repairs to Glens Falls’ historic City Hall, the home to not only the city’s municipal operations, but also a key fixture of the areas historic district, funding major water upgrades to the Canalside Energy Park in Fort Edward, rehabilitating Fort Ticonderoga, and boosting Warren County’s childcare programs. Schumer said that these projects will not only renovate the landmarks which help draw tourism into the region, but also help build the region’s future by strengthening the region’s economic growth by investing in infrastructure and job creation.
“These community led projects are the embodiment of the needs for the Adirondack region, from preserving our history through Fort Ticonderoga and Glens Falls historic buildings, to addressing the need for more child care programs and modern infrastructure to help Warren and Washington Counties grow like never before,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to deliver over $2 million that I secured in the bipartisan spending package to keep essential services running, accelerate our areas economic recovery, and finally make progress on these long-desired, critical community projects.”
At the event, Schumer said that this over $2 million investment in the Adirondack region includes:
$439,000 For City Of Glens Falls To Restore Its Historic City Hall
Schumer explained that the over $439,000 he secured for Glens Falls will make substantial structural renovations and energy upgrades to the historic Glens Falls City Hall building. Glens Falls City Hall was built in 1900 and has served as the headquarters of the city’s civic affairs since Glens Falls was incorporated as a city in 1908. The building is a part of the Three Squares Historic District which is on the National Registry of Historic Places for the areas prevalence of unique and influential architecture. The City Hall building still houses the offices of city government, and also the Glens Falls Police Department in the basement, and the City Court system on the third floor. Now, thanks to the funding secured by Schumer, the aging structure will finally be able to receive funding for critical repairs for a new roof, and additional upgrades such as replacing the gas-fired boiler heating system with a high-efficiency heat pump and Heat Recovery System, to make the building “Net-Zero” and more ecofriendly. The senators said this will preserve the longevity of this culturally significant building, making sure this downtown anchor can continue to provide essential services and serve as a bright beacon of Glens Falls history.
$950,000 To Upgrade The Former General Electric De-Watering Facility In Fort Edward Into The Canalside Energy Park
The funding will be used by the Warren/Washington Counties Industrial Development Agency to develop the former GE De-Watering?Facility in Fort Edward into the Canalside Energy Park. Funding will be used to replace the temporary bridge at the entrance to the park; complete wastewater construction; upgrade the existing potable water infrastructure; install a natural gas line to the park; improve the current primitive internal road structure, including stormwater conveyance; and upgrading the electrical supply within the Park. This will assist the IDA with attracting new businesses to Washington County and create jobs in an area that has been devastated by the loss of manufacturing over the past 10 years.
$205,000 for Warren County Employment & Training Administration
The funding will be used to recruit, train, and open more childcare provider businesses. The funding covers the training and state licensing, as well as the start-up costs for the childcare business. Child Care continues to be one of the biggest barriers to employment and has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Child Care subsidies do not fully address this issue since there is a shortage of childcare openings for children. This investment will benefit families, job seekers, childcare professionals, businesses, and communities while being a model that can be replicated nationwide.
The Adirondack region will benefit from this project because parents will be able to utilize and support a home-based childcare business in their own community and that keeps the revenue and long-term investment at the local level. The private-public partnership of this project in the local community becomes stronger, more cohesive, and collaborative by working together to address an issue that impacts families, communities, businesses, and overall child development. Local residents will be able to obtain the credentials to open their own childcare business and have the ongoing local training, mentoring, and financial literacy support to sustain their business.
$500,000 to Restore Fort Ticonderoga’s iconic and historic walls
Following years of advocacy for preserving Fort Ticonderoga, Schumer secured $500,000 for the restoration and rehabilitation of the Fort. The senator explained that over the nearly 250 year history of the Fort, much of the exterior walls have become damaged due to age and weather, and that this funding will prevent the loss or further degradation of this iconic historical site. Schumer visited Fort Ticonderoga in August 2017, and promised then to fight to deliver funding to repair the site’s aging structure, and in his first omnibus as majority leader, he delivered on his promise. Schumer said that Fort Ticonderoga is a significant national historical site, is a vital community anchor in Essex County and driver of the North Country’s tourism economy, and that this preservation funding will ensure that students, families, and other visitors from around the world can continue to visit and learn about the site firsthand.
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