Letter to Assistant Secretary Erskine
Letter
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to expedite approvals of an approximate $12,500,000 federal disaster funding package for three economic development projects in the Southern Tier that could sustain or create hundreds of jobs in Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties. In his letter to the EDA, Schumer highlighted that the federal government must obligate the funds before the deadline at the end of the fiscal year on September 31st. He also noted that each of these three projects promoted post-disaster economic recovery and job creation, a key criteria for disaster funding eligibility, and would bolster job creating initiatives that would boost local economies in the Southern Tier.
Specifically, Schumer called for $4,700,000 for the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) to restore the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad (NYS&W) from Chenango Forks to Sherburne after a historic flood damaged the tracks. Schumer also renewed his call for the EDA to support the Broome County Industrial Development Agency (BCIDA) $4 million application to create the first-ever high-tech incubator in the Southern Tier, which would create and support 328 jobs in the region. Finally, Schumer urged the EDA to fast-track a $3,800,000 application for the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency (DCIDA) to provide a new plant for Amphenol, the largest private employer in the Southern Tier.
"The Southern Tier stands at the ready to execute numerous flood-recovery projects that are critical to local employment in Chenango, Broome and Delaware County," said Schumer. "Before a looming deadline stops them in their tracks, the EDA needs to swiftly approve $12,500,000 for these three vital regional development projects. I am calling on the federal government to aid the Southern Tier's local economic development agencies to improve transportation, create jobs at a new high-tech hub, and save hundreds of jobs at the region's largest employer before time runs out. Over a year after disaster struck, there is no time to waste in getting the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad in Chenango, the first high-tech incubator in Broome, and a new Amphenol plant in Delaware County up and running and ready to recharge the Southern Tier economy.
Schumer has emphasized to the EDA that the Chenango County IDA is waiting on $4,700,000 in federal disaster aid in order to restore the NYS&W Railroad that was damaged during a historic 100-year flood. Schumer called on the EDA to swiftly appropriate these funds, which are contingent on a local and state commitment to cover $320,000 towards the project. Local stakeholders rely on this disaster funding to improve rail transportation for local economic development projects that could benefit from the reopened NYS&W tracks. With the deadline fast approaching as the Fiscal Year 2012 ends on September 31st, local businesses are relying on the EDA to cut through bureaucratic red tape and obligate the funds that could facilitate the transportation of industrial materials throughout the Southern Tier.
Schumer has recently pushed the EDA to award $4 million in federal disaster funding to the Broome County IDA, in order to develop a shovel ready construction site for a 40,000 square foot high-tech business and technology incubator in downtown Binghamton. Last month, the BCIDA submitted a funding application for the project to the EDA federal disaster fund to support long-term economic recovery and job creation in New York's flood ravaged Southern Tier. This application was developed in response to the passage of a critical $200 million federal economic recovery package tied to storm disasters in 2011. Earlier this year, Schumer connected local Broome County officials with EDA representatives to begin a dialogue about this effort.
Schumer also renewed his petition for the EDA to award $3.8 million in federal disaster funding to the Delaware County IDA to assist with the preparation and construction of a new site for Amphenol, the largest private employer in Delaware County. Amphenol's current facility in Sidney was severely flooded last year during Tropical Storm Lee -- for the second time in five years. This investment would represent 80% of the costs to purchase a new shovel-ready site to build Amphenol's new manufacturing facility in a nearby flood-proof area. Work on the new site would include new storm water and filtration systems, sewer and water extensions, and an upgrade to the electrical system. Schumer highlighted that Delaware County needs this federal support to round out local and state efforts to build a new facility for Amphenol and preserve its presence in the Southern Tier for years to come.
Following Tropical Storm Lee, Schumer helped author provisions in the Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriations "mini-bus" legislation that designated $200 million in disaster relief to flood-hit areas, such as Binghamton and the Southern Tier. The funding was specifically designated to provide financial resources and technical assistance to help rebuild local economies, and provide grants to build new infrastructure, like basic utilities, research facilities, and businesses that foster economic development.
A copy of Schumer's letter to the EDA appears below:
Dear Assistant Secretary Erskine,
I write to urge you to fast-track an important economic development disaster recovery package for a flood-ravaged region of New York State. The Southern Tier region needs expedited approvals of an approximate $12,500,000 federal disaster funding package for three economic development projects in the Southern Tier that could sustain or create hundreds of jobs in the region if the federal government obligates the funds before the deadline at the end of the fiscal year on September 31. I am confident each of these three projects promotes post-disaster economic recovery and job creation, a key criteria for disaster funding eligibility, and would bolster job creating initiatives that would boost local economies in the Southern Tier.
Specifically, I ask that you expedite review of $4,700,000 for the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) to restore the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad (NYS&W) from Chenango Forks to Sherburne after a historic flood damaged the tracks, a $4 million Broome County IDA application to create the first-ever high-tech incubator in the Southern Tier, which would create and support 328 jobs in the region, and a $3,800,000 application for the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency (DCIDA) to provide a new plant for the Amphenol corporation, the largest private employer in the Southern Tier.
I appreciate your attention to this important matter. Please call my Washington D.C. office with any questions.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
U.S. Senator
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