Archive: News

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) today announced $7.3 million in federal stimulus funding for local transit agencies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the Recovery Bill). The funds will be disbursed directly to transit agencies that operate in the 24th Congressional District's three "urbanized areas," as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, with populations greater than 200,000.

"This bill is about jobs. I am glad to see federal economic recovery funds being used not only for jobs, but to immediately improve area transit, helping people get to the store and the doctor's office," Arcuri said. "Better transit is the first step to rebuilding our downtowns and creating jobs and economic opportunity. I am glad to see funding from the Recovery Bill coming directly to our communities in such a targeted and timely fashion."

 

Of the funding announced today by Arcuri, $2.65 million will go to CENTRO of Oneida, which operates in the "Utica, NY" urbanized area that includes all of Oneida and Herkimer counties. Additionally, BC Transit, which operates in the "Binghamton" urbanized area that includes all of Broome and Tioga counties, will receive $3.65 million and Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT), serving the "Ithaca" urbanized area that includes all of Tompkins County, will receive $1.1 million. Transit agencies may use the federal funds to purchases buses and equipment and to make other capital improvements.

 

The Recovery Bill includes funding for transit in non-urbanized areas. Funds for those areas are distributed by the Federal Transit Administration to New York State, and will be allocated at the discretion of the Governor. Under those provisions, New York State will receive $26,250,240 for transit assistance in non-urbanized areas, including Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Otsego and Seneca Counties.

Last week, Arcuri also announced $288,052 for the City of Auburn, $320,314 for the City of Rome and $779,615 for the City of Utica in Recovery Bill funding for community, housing and economic development projects through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. In addition, New York State will receive $12,878,999 to provide grants to small towns and villages across the state for community development projects.

 

The Recovery Bill includes funding for infrastructure improvements, aid to states and localities, tax cuts for the middle class and investments in education. To further help counties in the 24th Congressional District faced with severe budget shortfalls, the Recovery Bill includes direct assistance to individual counties through relief from Medicaid costs and to individual school districts to address unfunded mandates and begin stalled construction projects. Medicaid relief and education funding for the counties will alleviate budget pressures, freeing up resources at the county level for critical needs like water and sewer and local transportation projects.

 

----

v5i10