Dec. 6 – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced Friday that he has successfully moved to have Schoharie County added to Senate legislation reauthorizing the Northern Border Regional Commission.
According to a press release from Schumer’s office, the NBRC provides millions of dollars to eligible New York counties each year. Schumer said he is now launching his effort to pass the bill, which would unlock federal funding for Schoharie County.
“For years, the Northern Border Regional Commission has provided millions in economic opportunity for rural communities in Upstate New York, and after months of work, I’m pleased to share that Schoharie County is about to be added thanks to the reauthorization I’m leading.” , Schumer said. “This would be a huge step in the right direction for Schoharie, freeing up millions in federal funding opportunities to address child care and health care needs, fuel infrastructure projects, and support education. personnel, helping start and maintain businesses, and more.”
From 2010 to 2024, the NBRC has invested in more than 78 projects, totaling more than $48 million in federal funding for Upstate New York, the release said. Schumer said that in addition to reauthorizing the NBRC for another five years, the bill would also increase the annual borrowing cap from $33 million to $40 million.
Schumer also used his visit to talk about federal investments for Schoharie County, including:
* Nearly $12 million to replace the Bridge Street Bridge over Schoharie Creek from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act: “The bridge is a vital connection in Schoharie County, but after 100 years of use it is nearing the end of its life.”, the release said. The federal funding will help the county build a new bridge. New York State has placed a weight restriction on the bridge due to its condition, and the county is concerned that further decay could eventually limit its use by emergency vehicles. The nearest bridge is approximately 16 km away, adding 20 to 25 minutes of travel time.
* A $30 million package for high-speed internet improvements from the American Rescue Plan and the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act: The Broadband for Schoharie County project will build 478 miles of fiber to connect more than 4,000 locations, including virtually all unserved locations. locations across the county, the release said. The new infrastructure will bring high-speed internet to the most rural and hard-to-reach areas of the province.
* More than $180,000 for firefighters in Schoharie and Richmondville from the Assistance for Firefighters grant program: The funding “will ensure firefighters in Schoharie County have the federal support they need to purchase modern equipment and respond to emergencies,” the release said. release.
“As Senate Majority Leader, I have always made sure New York comes first,” Schumer said in the release. “It’s been a great year delivering critical federal resources to Schoharie, and adding Schoharie to the NBRC means we can get even more. I will continue to fight for more and believe the best is yet to come.”
