Charles E. Schumer

06/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2026 11:44

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $13+ MILLION IN FED FUNDING FOR PROJECTS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK THROUGH NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION

Communities Throughout Upstate NY - From North Country To Finger Lakes To Central New York To Capital Region - Win Critical Fed $$ For Community Projects That Will Upgrade Water Infrastructure, Replace Aging Bridges, Build New Childcare Facilities, Boost Workforce Development Programs & More

Schumer And Gillibrand Fought To Reauthorize And Expand Funding For NBRC In 2024, And Successfully Protected It From Trump's Proposed Elimination Last Year

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Is Headed To Upstate NY To Boost Infrastructure & Create Jobs Thanks To NBRC

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $13,193,762.22 in federal funding for 17 projects across Upstate New York through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), which the senators fought to reauthorize and expand in 2024 and successfully protected from Trump's proposed elimination last year. The funding comes through NBRC's Catalyst, Forest Economy Program, and Timber for Transit programs. Schumer and Gillibrand said these projects will help address critical needs across the region, including upgrading water infrastructure, replacing aging bridges, building new childcare facilities, boosting workforce development programs, and more to improve the quality of life and spur economic development in the region.

"From replacing a Central New York to upgrading water infrastructure in communities from the Finger Lakes to the North Country, this $13+ million in federal funding through the Northern Border Regional Commission will support major infrastructure upgrades and increase access to vital services across Upstate New York," said Senator Schumer. "I've long fought to preserve and expand funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission so these projects can strengthen our infrastructure while creating new, good-paying jobs. I'm proud to deliver more federal funding to boost quality of life and help communities invest in a better future."

"These federal investments will support essential upgrades to aging infrastructure, expand childcare access, create jobs, and drive economic growth across Upstate New York," said Senator Gillibrand. "NBRC's investment will empower communities to improve their quality of life while encouraging economic development across our state. I am proud to have worked alongside Senator Schumer to secure this funding, and I will continue advocating for improvements that make Upstate communities healthier and safer."

Recipient

Region(s)

County

Amount

Description

Cayuga County

Central New York

Cayuga

$3,146,642.98

Cayuga County will replace the uncertified bridge to Deauville Island at Emerson Park, ensuring safe access for construction vehicles and visitors to the county's most-visited destination. The new engineered bridge-using steel and timber-will unlock planned investments, including a public amphitheater and destination playground, improve accessibility, and support underserved communities.

Village of Oakfield

Rochester-Finger Lakes

Genesee

$1,000,000.00

The Village of Oakfield will replace failing clay sewer mains, century-old waterlines, and reconstruct streets. The project's objectives include increasing system capacity, improving fire protection, and unlocking 470 developable acres to accommodate workforce housing and local business growth. With $1.8 million in local match secured, the investment directly supports a regional job pipeline.

Town of Varick

Rochester-Finger Lakes

Seneca

$1,000,000.00

The Town of Varick will create Sanitary Sewer District No. 4 along Cayuga Lake, replacing aging septic systems suspected of leaching into the lake and burdening residents with inspection costs. The project installs an all-pressure collection system with 172 grinder pumps and 21,930 feet of force main, conveying flows through Fayette to the Seneca Falls WWTP.

Town of Sennett

Central New York

Cayuga

$1,000,000.00

The Town of Sennett will install 29,000 feet of 8- and 12-inch water mains, valves, hydrants, and appurtenances across several roads, including an emergency interconnection to the Town of Skaneateles.

Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency

Mohawk Valley

Herkimer

$1,000,000.00

Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency will install a 500,000-gallon, 210-foot elevated water storage tank-with transmission piping, valves, hydrants, and connections-at the Schuyler Business Park. The project ensures adequate pressure, service reliability, and fire suppression capacity to support expanding distribution and manufacturing tenants, including the Fountainhead Group, PepsiCo, and planned facilities.

Town of Herkimer

Mohawk Valley

Herkimer

$1,000,000.00

The Town of Herkimer will construct 9,800 feet of municipal sewer line connecting East Herkimer entities-including a major manufacturing campus, community center, BOCES, and health services facilities-to the Village of Herkimer's treatment plant.

Village of Clayton

North Country

Jefferson

$1,000,000.00

The Village of Clayton will design and build water and wastewater extensions needed to enable new homes for middle-income essential workers. The infrastructure removes barriers to workforce housing production, stabilizes local employers, and supports expanded participation in the regional economy.

TDC Northern NY

North Country

Clinton

$1,000,000.00

TDC NNY will construct a 10,000-square-foot New York State-licensed childcare facility in Plattsburgh that creates 150+ slots, enabling working caregivers to participate in the regional economy.

Town of Colton

North Country

St. Lawrence

$731,520.00

The Town of Colton will upgrade its wastewater treatment plant by dividing an 88,000-gallon holding tank and installing automated headworks for continuous screening.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County

North Country

Essex

$499,918.74

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Essex County will support the Adirondack Cuisine Trails through platform migration and a diverse promotional campaign. The initiative deploys digital storytelling, signage, and stakeholder partnerships to elevate culinary tourism and local food systems in a region visited by roughly 12 million people annually.

City of Rensselaer

Capital Region

Rensselaer

$487,174.00

The City of Rensselaer will design and construct a timber bridge over Quackenderry Creek, providing safe, permanent access into the City-owned property known as The Hollow. The span will link existing trails to underutilized natural assets, improving connectivity for residents, visitors, and nearby businesses while expanding recreation opportunities.

County of Lewis

North Country

Lewis

$476,287.00

Lewis County will design and permit the Moose River Road Extension Bridge Replacement in Lyonsdale. A failing steel truss bridge with a three-ton load limit restricts access for logging and recreation to the extensive forests across the river, and is nearing closure.

Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services

North Country, Capital Region

Essex, Warren, Washington, Hamilton

$292,808.00

WSWHE BOCES will integrate advanced simulators, virtual and augmented reality training, and AI-enabled tools into K-12 Career & Technical Education and Employment Training for Adults programs at a new regional CTE campus in Wilton, NY.

Village of Saranac Lake

North Country

Essex, Franklin

$249,411.50

The Village of Saranac Lake will upgrade Mt. Pisgah Recreation Area infrastructure by installing a larger snow-making pump and constructing a new pumphouse with electrical service and a transformer. Improvements increase reliability and capacity for winter operations while supporting year-round recreation through enhanced lighting and heating.

Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce

North Country

Essex, Franklin, Hamilton

$120,000.00

Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce (ROOST) will launch a regional digital marketplace that expands year-round revenue for Adirondack artisans and small creative businesses. The project will onboard at least 50 businesses, provide e-commerce training, integrate with ROOST's established digital channels, and target approximately $150,000 in first-year gross online sales.

Town of Long Lake

North Country

Hamilton

$100,000.00

The Town of Long Lake will conduct a feasibility and conceptual design study evaluating whether to rebuild the storm-damaged Jennings Pond dam or develop nature-based recreation.

Capital District Regional Planning Commission

Capital Region

Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer

$90,000.00

Capital District Regional Planning Commission will launch a tri-county Timber Bridge Feasibility Initiative to inventory timber-feasible short-span bridges, complete concept-level engineering for 15-20 priority structures, produce two grant-ready demonstration packages, and deliver a guidebook and outreach to municipal owners.

After years of advocacy, Schumer and Gillibrand announced in 2024 that they had successfully reauthorized the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) for another 5 years, increasing funding and expanding the critical Catalyst grant program that has delivered tens of millions of dollars for the North Country and Upstate NY. From 2010-2024, the NBRC invested in over 78 projects, totaling more than $48 million in federal funding for Upstate New York. Schumer introduced the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Reauthorization Act of 2023, which paved the way for these key changes.

In addition to reauthorizing the NBRC for an additional 5 years, the bill that passed into law at the end of 2024 also increased the funding authorization level for the program from $33 million to $40 million. The bill made critical enhancements to the range of projects the NBRC is able to support to foster growth in the region, including a new program focused on addressing childcare and healthcare needs, increasing support for addiction treatment, and new support for capacity building for business retention, job training, and job creation. The NBRC reauthorization was included as part of the Economic Development Administration reauthorization in the bipartisan, bicameral Water Resources Development Act of 2024. In addition, despite Trump's proposal to eliminate the NBRC in the FY2026 budget, Schumer and Gillibrand successfully fought to ensure the NBRC remains funded so it can continue providing critical investment to Upstate NY.

Schumer and Gillibrand have a long history of championing the Northern Border Regional Commission and its positive economic impacts on Upstate New York. In 2021, the senators successfully secured $150 million for the NBRC, over triple its funding from previous years, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Law.

Established in 2008, the NBRC is a federal-state partnership focused on the economic revitalization of communities across the Northern Border region, which includes New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Commission is composed of the governors of the four Northern Border states and a federal co-chair and provides financial and technical assistance to communities in the region to support entrepreneurs, improve water, broadband, and transportation infrastructure, and promote other initiatives to improve the region's economy. The northern border region of New York State currently includes 30 counties: Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates.

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Charles E. Schumer published this content on June 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 12, 2026 at 17:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]