Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $501,311 in federal funding for boating infrastructure projects in Ogdensburg. These federal dollars will be used to add a new fueling station, as well as berthing for 32-45 transient recreational boats on the St. Lawrence River. The funding is allocated through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program.
“This is a great investment for Ogdensburg,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These federal dollars will have an enormous impact on the city’s waterfront and boating infrastructure. The BIG project will make the Ogdensburg Marina a destination for families and recreational boaters, as well as bring in much needed jobs and economic development.”
“Much of Ogdensburg’s three-mile shoreline sits vacant due to contamination from the City’s industrial heritage,” said Arthur J. Sciorra, Ogdensburg City Manager. “However, the City is focused on returning Brownfields to productive economic and social use through an area-wide redevelopment strategy, part of which includes attracting visitors and tourists to Ogdensburg’s waterfront. The Boating Infrastructure Grant will allow the City to double its 71-slip full service marina and add a marine fueling station. The expansion of facilities at the Ogdensburg Marina will further support our efforts to rejuvenate the City’s waterfront by making the City a water-bound destination. The Ogdensburg Marina already provides food concessions, public restrooms, shower and laundry facilities and a video phone for customs check-in adjacent to a City park system that includes a children’s playground, tennis courts, skate park, swimming pool, and 5-miles of walking trails.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s BIG program is funded through the Sport Fishing and Boat Trust Fund. The program provides federal dollars to construct, renovate, and maintain boats used by transient boats, as well as produce and distribute materials about the BIG program and recreational boating.