I'm Fighting to Fund These Transformative Local Projects for Our Community! June 11, 2022 Dear Friends,Over the past few weeks, I traveled across our Capital Region to visit some of the municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and community groups working to deliver critical services and help our communities continue to grow and prosper.I was particularly eager to visit the sites of projects that I’m working hard to fund directly through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Last month, I submitted a slate of 15 shovel-ready, shovel-worthy projects from across our district to be reviewed by the House Committee on Appropriations as part of my effort to bring federal dollars directly to our region through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process.These tours help me gain a deeper understanding of the operations, potential impact, and spirit of service driving these projects forward, and were fundamental in my success funding all of last year’s projects, which delivered well over $14 million in critical investments to our region! This year, I’ll continue to fight to bring your tax dollars back home by ensuring our slate of local projects is as competitive as possible, giving us our best chance to secure federal funds that will invest in critical services, spark new growth and development, and help continue our region’s economic recovery.Here are the projects I’ve submitted this year, sorted by county:Albany CountyMatton Shipyard Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Initiative in Cohoes: This project will restore this historic site, part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, by renovating historic buildings, bolstering flood protection, and building an active and accessible community waterfront.Transitional Housing and Services for LGBT and Gender Non-Conforming Youth in Albany: A project from local nonprofit In Our Own Voices to provide safe, supportive spaces for our LGBT youth as well as transitional housing, mental health services, and referrals to community resources.Hoffman Park Community Center Improvements in Albany: The City of Albany is proposing a project to redesign and upgrade the Hoffman Community Center, an essential gathering place and resource center for the historically underserved population of Albany’s South End.Educating Nurses for Underserved Communities at Siena College in Loudonville: With nursing schools across the country struggling to expand capacity to meet the rising demand for qualified health care workers, funding for this project will allow Siena to purchase state-of-the-art educational and lab equipment that will help the college expand its program and train the next generation of nurses in our region.Reimagining Nursing Virtual Reality Hub at Maria College in Albany: This innovative project will utilize VR technologies to provide nursing students with more opportunities to practice essential skills outside of clinical rotations.Montgomery CountyBusiness Incubator at Amsterdam Free Library: A new effort to provide free and accessible workforce training, educational services, and other important programs to develop a prepared workforce and keep graduates in our communities.Esperanza Verde Park in Amsterdam: The City of Amsterdam’s effort to transform a vacant lot on the city’s East End into a vibrant community gathering space including a playground and community gardens where residents can grow their own food.Fultonville Water Project in Fultonville: This project would update the Village’s aging drinking water system, ensuring the residents of Fultonville have clean, safe water for generations to come.Rensselaer CountyEmployment Services Facility Improvement Project in Troy: Unity House of Troy’s project to upgrade an existing facility to improve employment readiness training for low-income individuals in Troy and the surrounding region.Little Italy’s Neighborhood Placemaking for Economic Development in Troy: A project to transform a vacant asphalt lot at the site of Little Italy’s historic open-air market into a community piazza and park for neighborhood programming, festivals, events, and community gathering.Saratoga CountyHOMEBASE – Combatting Social Isolation & Stigma in the Mental Health Community in Saratoga Springs: RISE Housing and Support Services is proposing a significant expansion to accommodate its growing staff and clientele by creating a social center where vulnerable residents can socialize, participate in programs, and receive critical services.Expanding STEM and Healthcare Workforce Development Education at HVCC North in Malta: A program to increase enrollment capacity at HVCC North for high-demand health science, STEM, and skilled trades programs by 10-20% beginning next year.Charlton Community Center Renovation in Charlton: The Town of Charlton’s project to renovate and restore the historic Community Center that has provided meeting space for volunteer groups and community organizations for decades.Schenectady CountySchenectady Community Virtual Power Plant in Schenectady: A project proposed by the City of Schenectady to retrofit low and moderate-income (LMI) residences to enable Schenectady to continue its smart city and clean energy agenda.Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP) Campus Project in Schenectady: This project will address systemic economic challenges with comprehensive support for low-income residents across Schenectady County.Each of these projects—along with dozens more that my team and I considered—will provide great benefits to countless individuals and families across our region and beyond. It was inspiring to witness the hard work and dedication of the folks supporting and advancing these projects, and I return to Washington filled with resolve to secure full funding for each one. Stay tuned as I continue to push to get these projects, and our communities, the investment they deserve!As always, thank you for reading. Your friend, DID YOU KNOW?My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:This week, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepare to consider whether to authorize and recommend the first COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, the Biden Administration announced an operational plan that will ensure that vaccines – if authorized by FDA and recommended by CDC – are readily available for our youngest children.As the FDA and CDC conduct their independent review processes, the Biden Administration is preparing for all scenarios, including for the first vaccinations to start as early as the week of June 20th – with the program ramping up over time as more vaccines become available.The Administration’s plan includes:Securing vaccine supply for our nation’s children. The Administration has already secured 10 million doses that will be available immediately, with millions more available in the coming weeks.Making vaccines available in convenient places parents and families know and trust. The Administration is working to make vaccines available at convenient locations like pediatricians’ offices, community health centers, rural health clinics, local pharmacies, and other community-based organizations.Advancing equity. The Administration will leverage federal programs like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, the Head Start Program, and Medicaid to provide vaccines, information, and other resources to underserved communities.Building trust among parents and families. As part of this vaccine rollout, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will launch a national public education campaign that reaches parents, guardians, and families with the facts and information they need to make informed choices for their children.
June 11, 2022
Dear Friends, Over the past few weeks, I traveled across our Capital Region to visit some of the municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and community groups working to deliver critical services and help our communities continue to grow and prosper. I was particularly eager to visit the sites of projects that I’m working hard to fund directly through the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Last month, I submitted a slate of 15 shovel-ready, shovel-worthy projects from across our district to be reviewed by the House Committee on Appropriations as part of my effort to bring federal dollars directly to our region through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process. These tours help me gain a deeper understanding of the operations, potential impact, and spirit of service driving these projects forward, and were fundamental in my success funding all of last year’s projects, which delivered well over $14 million in critical investments to our region! This year, I’ll continue to fight to bring your tax dollars back home by ensuring our slate of local projects is as competitive as possible, giving us our best chance to secure federal funds that will invest in critical services, spark new growth and development, and help continue our region’s economic recovery. Here are the projects I’ve submitted this year, sorted by county: Albany County - Matton Shipyard Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Initiative in Cohoes: This project will restore this historic site, part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, by renovating historic buildings, bolstering flood protection, and building an active and accessible community waterfront.
- Transitional Housing and Services for LGBT and Gender Non-Conforming Youth in Albany: A project from local nonprofit In Our Own Voices to provide safe, supportive spaces for our LGBT youth as well as transitional housing, mental health services, and referrals to community resources.
- Hoffman Park Community Center Improvements in Albany: The City of Albany is proposing a project to redesign and upgrade the Hoffman Community Center, an essential gathering place and resource center for the historically underserved population of Albany’s South End.
- Educating Nurses for Underserved Communities at Siena College in Loudonville: With nursing schools across the country struggling to expand capacity to meet the rising demand for qualified health care workers, funding for this project will allow Siena to purchase state-of-the-art educational and lab equipment that will help the college expand its program and train the next generation of nurses in our region.
- Reimagining Nursing Virtual Reality Hub at Maria College in Albany: This innovative project will utilize VR technologies to provide nursing students with more opportunities to practice essential skills outside of clinical rotations.
Montgomery County - Business Incubator at Amsterdam Free Library: A new effort to provide free and accessible workforce training, educational services, and other important programs to develop a prepared workforce and keep graduates in our communities.
- Esperanza Verde Park in Amsterdam: The City of Amsterdam’s effort to transform a vacant lot on the city’s East End into a vibrant community gathering space including a playground and community gardens where residents can grow their own food.
- Fultonville Water Project in Fultonville: This project would update the Village’s aging drinking water system, ensuring the residents of Fultonville have clean, safe water for generations to come.
Rensselaer County Saratoga County Schenectady County Each of these projects—along with dozens more that my team and I considered—will provide great benefits to countless individuals and families across our region and beyond. It was inspiring to witness the hard work and dedication of the folks supporting and advancing these projects, and I return to Washington filled with resolve to secure full funding for each one. Stay tuned as I continue to push to get these projects, and our communities, the investment they deserve! As always, thank you for reading. Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW? My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you: - This week, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prepare to consider whether to authorize and recommend the first COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5, the Biden Administration announced an operational plan that will ensure that vaccines – if authorized by FDA and recommended by CDC – are readily available for our youngest children.
- As the FDA and CDC conduct their independent review processes, the Biden Administration is preparing for all scenarios, including for the first vaccinations to start as early as the week of June 20th – with the program ramping up over time as more vaccines become available.
- The Administration’s plan includes:
- Securing vaccine supply for our nation’s children. The Administration has already secured 10 million doses that will be available immediately, with millions more available in the coming weeks.
- Making vaccines available in convenient places parents and families know and trust. The Administration is working to make vaccines available at convenient locations like pediatricians’ offices, community health centers, rural health clinics, local pharmacies, and other community-based organizations.
- Advancing equity. The Administration will leverage federal programs like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, the Head Start Program, and Medicaid to provide vaccines, information, and other resources to underserved communities.
- Building trust among parents and families. As part of this vaccine rollout, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will launch a national public education campaign that reaches parents, guardians, and families with the facts and information they need to make informed choices for their children.
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