Following Additional Flooding Last Week, Schumer Tours Amphenol Facility And Meets With Local Leaders To Discuss Recovery Needs

Following Additional Flooding Last Week, Schumer Tours Amphenol Facility And Meets With Local Leaders To Discuss Recovery Needs

Following last week's additional flooding in the Southern Tier, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today toured the Amphenol Military and Aerospace Industrial Operations in Sidney to survey flood damage and discuss with local officials and business leaders what kind of federal aid is needed for recovery and long-term mitigation. Schumer has facilitated discussions with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to explore long term projects to prevent future damage. He successfully urged FEMA to provide several types of individual and public assistance and for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to award several disaster loans to local businesses after this summer's floods. Amphenol's Sidney plant, which employs over 1,500 people, suffered $21 million in losses to their facility, machinery, and equipment following the floods in June 2006 which left four feet of standing water inside the plant. Amphenol is the world's largest manufacturer of aerospace equipment. Schumer today gathered input and concerns from these officials to address the means by which the federal government might assist these businesses and communities to prevent repeat devastation.

"The fate of thousands of Delaware County jobs and homes is inextricably linked to the ability of communities and business to anticipate and efficiently respond to natural disasters such as the June floods as well as those sustained by the area in the past week. Amphenol Corp. and local communities such as the Villages of Walton and Sidney have proven their ability to stand strong and rebuild, now we need to work together to develop strategies for prevention. I look forward to a continuing dialogue with Amphenol and local officials to ensure workers and residents of Delaware and Broome Counties are properly prepared for future flooding and are offered every resource and solution available to speedily repair damages previously sustained."

Amphenol Corp. is the world's largest manufacturer of aerospace equipment. Amphenol Military and Aerospace Industrial Operations in Sidney, NY specializes in producing connectors for the military/aerospace industry. The Sidney plant employs approximately 1,500 employees. In late June, the Sidney plant sustained record damages as the Susquehanna River flooded the facility. The flooding filled the 700,000 square-ft. plant with 4 ft. of water and led to a 3 week shutdown. $21 million in damages were reported as the plant experienced losses to its facility, machinery, and equipment. Dedicated employees worked 12-hour shifts to bring the facility back to operating status. As a direct result of the 3-week shutdown, Amphenol Corp. experienced $15 million losses in the 2nd quarter and an additional $6 million in losses in the 3rd quarter.

"Amphenol Corp. suffered a tremendous blow from this summer's disastrous flooding, but without hesitation the team here worked tirelessly to reopen the facility. Additional flooding that pounded the region last Thursday only highlights the need for substantial and effective flood mitigation," Schumer said.

To date, FEMA has awarded Delaware County nearly $30 million to repair infrastructure and facilities damaged from the summer floods. The individual Villages of Walton and Sidney suffered unrivaled damages to their infrastructure and water and wastewater treatment plants.

Directly following the June floods, Schumer urged Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director R. David Paulison, Governor Pataki, and President Bush to rush funds and assistance to storm ravaged areas. Schumer also urged Director Paulison to work swiftly to provide displaces individuals and families of Delaware and surrounding counties with trailers as they worked to repair their homes. Schumer has facilitated discussions with FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to explore long term projects to prevent future damage. In response to the latest November floods, Schumer urged Director Paulison and President Bush to expedite federal assistance for Broome and Delaware Counties.

Schumer was joined today by Gary Anderson, Senior Vice President and Corporate Officer for Aerospace and Industrial Business, Jim Warren, Mayor of the Village of Sidney, Edward Snow, Mayor of the Village of Walton, Randy Birdsall, Vice President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1529, as well as additional representatives from Local 1529 and Amphenol Corp.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/record.cfm?id=266133&&year=2006&