Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $160,000 for Infrastructure Upgrades for the Southern Tier

Apr 28, 2009

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $162,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to take on a broad range of civil works projects for the Southern Tier.  The federal dollars will help support job creation, rebuild and strengthen critical infrastructure, and enhance security for the Southern tier. The investments are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Senators Schumer and Gillibrand helped pass earlier this year.

“Investing in the Southern Tier’s infrastructure is wise in the short and long run,” said Schumer. “These funds will repair our aging infrastructure and create jobs to stimulate the local economy. This is a great use for the economic recovery funds and will improve the quality of life for residents and lay the foundation for future economic growth in sectors such as renewable energy and construction.”

“This is great news for the Southern Tier,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “These federal dollars will go a long way to upgrade and restore infrastructure across the Southern Tier. This will create jobs across the region and promote long-term economic growth. During these tough economic times, I will continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share of federal dollars.”

The funding will support job creation the following public works projects at White Point Lake:

  • $50,000 to pave roads and ease access to maintain the dam and appurtenant structures;
  • $45,000 to replace equipment to maintain roads and dam embankment;
  • $40,000 to construct a road and improve access to the site;
  • $20,000 to improve energy efficiency at the intake control tower;
  • $7,000 to replace fuel-storage equipment – ensuring operation of food control gates during a power outage.

The funding will also provide $61,000 will for equipment to maintain project roads, grounds and dam embankment at East Sidney Lake. 

The funding for the Southern Tier projects is part of a $4.6 billion investment for the Corps of Engineers to improve infrastructure and safety across America – an investment expected to create 57,400 construction jobs directly and an additional 64,000 indirect jobs to supply and support construction projects.

Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are strong supporters of President Obama’s economic plan. The investment will help create or save more than 200,000 jobs in New York, while laying the foundation of future economic growth with critical investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, health care technology and education.