SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND DELIVER MORE THAN $10.8 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LONG ISLAND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Federal $$$ Senators Secured Will Support Downtown Renewal & Development, Establish a Community Center, Drive Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and More

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $10,859,000 in federal funding for critical projects across Long Island in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding package that was signed into law yesterday. The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending items.

"I'm proud to deliver more than $10 million in federal funds for these critical projects across Long Island," said Senator Schumer. "From neurodegenerative disease research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, to supporting downtown development in North Hempstead, these funds are boosting projects that will make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers."

"These federal dollars will power real growth across Long Island," said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "From financing critical workforce development programs at United Way of Long Island to supporting the expansion of the YMCA in Patchogue, this money will make a real difference for New Yorkers. I'm proud to have fought to secure these funds, and I'll keep working to bring more federal dollars home to support growth on Long Island."

A full list of funded projects across Long Island is below:

$3 million for Renovation of the YMCA of Long Island's Patchogue Facility

This funding will facilitate the expansion, reimaging, and renovation of the YMCA's Patchogue branch, maximizing square footage to incorporate a social wellness space for older adults, community education space for chronic disease prevention, and additional child care classrooms.

$2 million for Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Research

CSHL will use this funding to recruit researchers for a pioneering effort aimed at harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to revolutionize neurodegenerative disease research, treatment, and prognosis. This funding will also be used to purchase specialized equipment to start-up their research labs.

$2 million for the Village of Hempstead Mirschel Park Community Center

In collaboration with Congresswoman Laura Gillen, these funds were secured to completely rehabilitate and revitalize Mirschel Park and establish a new community center in the economically distressed Village of Hempstead. The center will provide specialized programs for adults, teens, and children, fostering community engagement and support.

$1 million for the Town of Babylon Copiague Downtown Renewal

This funding will support the reinvigoration of Copiague's downtown area. The Town will mitigate external economic factors such as high building costs and rising interest rates to restore economic prosperity to the area.

$1 million for the Town of North Hempstead Dock Revitalization Project

This funding will be used to activate the 117,000 sq. ft. Town Dock and adjacent Sunset Park, to enhance public access to the waterfront and support ongoing downtown development, including a public plaza with green infrastructure improvements.

$750,000 for United Way of Long Island's Construction Training Academy

Since 2010, more than 1,000 graduates of United Way Long Island have gained hands-on construction skills while rehabilitating homes for previously unhoused families and veterans in their community. This funding will support a new Construction Training Academy developed in collaboration with Opportunities Long Island, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, local unions, and employers to serve as a pipeline to high-quality careers in the construction and utility industries. This partnership ensures that students receive industry-aligned training and direct pathways to apprenticeships and employment with unionized contractors and other employers.

$459,000 for Hofstra University Long Island Studies Institute

This funding will be used to digitize the Long Island Studies Institute's historical documents.

$400,000 for the Viscardi Center for Creation of a Community Program Hub

The Viscardi Center is a leading nonprofit organization providing education and support services to individuals with disabilities on Long Island. This award will be used to renovate an existing house to serve as a Community Program Hub - an independent teaching lab to prepare students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be more self-sufficient, live independently, and become work ready.

$150,000 for Asian American Institute for Research and Engagement (AAIRE) Community Health Services

This funding will be used to increase capacity for AAIRE's mental health clinic program which connects Asian communities with culturally-competent providers for trauma-informed care.

$100,000 for Citizens Campaign Fund for the Environment

This funding will be used to support the established and successful Long Island Sound High School Summit, a project that engages schools and students in the protection and restoration of the Sound.

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