Finger Lakes Today

Schumer, Gillibrand Deliver Over $8.5 Million for Southern Tier Infrastructure & Community Development Projects

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $8.5 million for essential infrastructure and long-desired community development projects across the Southern Tier. This federal funding was secured by the senators as congressionally directed spending in the end-of-year budget for Fiscal Year 2023. Schumer and Gillibrand said the projects include vital infrastructure upgrades across Southern Tier communities, including major water infrastructure improvements, critical flood mitigation measures, and helping to establish a groundbreaking nonprofit service hub in Tioga County. 

“From cleaner drinking water in rural Allegany County to boosting flood protections in Ithaca and creating a first-of-its-kind nonprofit hub in Tioga County, these long-desired community-driven infrastructure projects stretch to every corner of the Southern Tier,” said Senator Schumer. “This funding means good-paying jobs, more resilient infrastructure, improved services for families and so much more. I am proud to have secured over $8.5 million in federal investment with Senator Gillibrand that will help lay the foundation for an improved quality of life in the Southern Tier.”  

“This funding will be transformative for the Southern Tier,” said Senator Gillibrand. “It will upgrade our aging infrastructure, protect our communities from flooding, and help non-profits provide critically needed services to individuals with disabilities, families facing poverty, and veterans. I’m proud to have fought to secure this funding and I will keep fighting to bring federal dollars home to New York.”

$1,300,000 for Flood Mitigation and Resilience Efforts in Ithaca

The City of Ithaca will use this funding to support the design and construction of flood mitigation measures, including flood barriers and storm water system improvements. These measures have the potential to reduce or eliminate 100-year flood risks affecting residential and commercial properties. This project will increase the City of Ithaca’s resilience and enhance its ability to withstand the effects of climate change.

“We're grateful for the leadership of Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand in delivering this funding which will allow the city to start an extensive design process for this important flood mitigation project,” said Mayor Laura Lewis, City of Ithaca. “The funds will be used in conjunction with FEMA grant funding, if awarded, to construct improvements that will reduce or eliminate flood risk in many parts of the city.”

Original source can be found here.