Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Minority Leader Charles Schumer announced that they secured $104 million for critical local projects in New York State in the FY2026 Agriculture-Rural Development and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs funding bills. The senators personally delivered funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending items.
“I am proud to have secured more than $100 million in funding for essential projects across New York State,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These critical improvements – from strengthening rural hospitals and upgrading facilities at Fort Drum to modernizing and expanding arts and culture hubs in rural communities – will directly impact the lives of New Yorkers. Every community deserves the tools to thrive, and I will continue to work tirelessly to make sure families, workers, artists, and businesses in New York State have what they need to succeed.“
“From building a new facility at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, to making much-needed upgrades at Upstate NY’s rural hospitals and fire departments, I am proud to deliver this $104 million federal boost for community-driven projects across New York,” said Senator Schumer. “I will always fight to bring home federal dollars to give New York communities the support they deserve.”
“The Tri-County YMCA of New York extends its sincere appreciation to Senator Gillibrand and Senator Schumer for their leadership and advocacy in securing this significant federal investment for our community,” said Kristoph Kocan, Chief Executive Officer of the Tri-County YMCA of New York. “The $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for the David A. Gray Discovery Center will make possible a transformative project for Hornell—significantly expanding access to high-quality childcare, establishing a dedicated senior center in partnership with the Steuben County Office for the Aging, and creating new STEM and maker learning spaces for local students. This state-of-the-art facility will meet critical needs in our region and serve as a cornerstone in the continued revitalization of downtown Hornell.”
“We are deeply grateful for Senator Gillibrand and her staff’s advocacy on our behalf and for this federal investment, which will help us create a safer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient environment for the patients and families we serve through our health center in Sidney,” said Cecil Miller, President and CEO of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital. “These improvements strengthen our ability to provide high-quality primary, pediatric, and specialty care as well as diagnostic imaging and laboratory services close to home for residents of Sidney and the surrounding communities.”
“Oneida Health is deeply grateful to Senator Gillibrand, as well as Senator Schumer and Representative Mannion, for their steadfast support of Congressionally Directed Spending requests that strengthen New York’s communities, including funding for critical upgrades to our hospital’s electrical infrastructure,” said Felissa Koernig, President and CEO of Oneida Health System. “This funding will significantly improve the reliability and efficiency of hospital operations, ensuring that patients from Oneida and Madison Counties receive uninterrupted, high-quality care in a safe healthcare environment.”
“We are deeply grateful to Senator Gillibrand and her team for securing this critical funding,” said James Lemons, Executive Director of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. “This $1 million appropriation will have a tremendous impact on our renovated facility—creating a fully accessible and environmentally sustainable artistic home for residents and visitors across the Adirondack North Country. Each year, we’ll welcome more than 35,000 adults and 25,000 young people for performances, education, and creative experiences. Senator Gillibrand’s leadership underscores the essential role that arts and culture play in strengthening communities—fostering expression, learning, and support for artists and organizations alike.”
“We very much appreciate Senator Gillibrand’s support for Adirondack Health and understanding of the importance of investing in dialysis care in the North County,” said Aaron Kramer, Adirondack Medical Center President and CEO. “As we work to promote organizational sustainability and regional access to care, this critical funding makes a real difference.”
“We’re deeply grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her steadfast support and advocacy for the arts and culture of the Hudson Valley,” said Art Omi Pavilions in Chatham Founder and Co-Executive Director Francis Greenburger. “This federal investment in Art Omi Pavilions will help us bring world-class art, architecture, and landscape experiences to our local community and visitors from across New York and beyond—while fueling the region’s continued economic growth and creative vitality.”
Full List of Funded Projects by Region
Western New York:
- $16.11 million for Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station to construct a Combined Operations Airfield Facility (COAF), which will streamline and modernize flight operations.
Southern Tier:
- $2 million for the Tri-County YMCA of New York to support the development of the David A. Gray Discovery Center, a community facility featuring a 110 slot day care center, a senior center, and a maker space.
- $811,000 for Owego Apalachin Central School District to renovate a building to serve as a BOCES satellite campus and adult education facility.
- $667,000 for Chenango Memorial Hospital to replace its existing roof, windows, and exterior doors, reducing energy costs and improving safety and security.
Central New York:
- $1 million for the City of Oswego to construct a new joint police station, emergency operations center, and community center facility.
- $358,000 for Oneida Health to support essential improvements to aging electrical infrastructure, including an additional electrical feed and modernized backup generators.
North Country:
- $9.5 million for the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition at Fort Drum to support new aircraft maintenance bays for the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
- $8.3 million for Fort Drum to develop a new training barracks that will support the installation’s status as a Regional Collective Training Center.
- $1 million for the Lake Placid Center for the Arts to modernize and expand its 50-year-old annex facility to create a new arts and early childhood education complex.
- $1 million for renovation and expansion of the dialysis treatment center at Adirondack Medical Center.
- $466,000 for a new outdoor exhibit to increase visitor access to native animal species at the Wild Center.
Capital Region:
- $29 million for the construction of a new electrical switching station at Watervliet Arsenal.
- $1 million for Art Omi Pavilions in Chatham to construct an arts and education center that will drive economic development in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.
Finger Lakes:
- $1.75 million for Orleans County for improvements to their public safety facilities.
New York City:
- $31 million for construction of a child development center at Fort Hamilton that will provide service members with expanded access to child care.
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