Schumer Announces Federal Dollars Coming To YMCA In Oneonta

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a $50,000 grant was awarded to the Oneonta Family YMCA in Otsego County to install a new heating system in the recreational facility. The funds are being awarded through the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Community Facility Grant.

"This is great news for families in Otsego County," Schumer said. "Improvements to the YMCA facility will allow more families in the surrounding communities to enjoy this facility and use it as a resource. It is essential that each community has a safe an accessible place for families and their children to plan and take part in local activities."

Federal funds will be used by the Oneonta Family YMCA to help purchase and install a new energy efficient heating system as well as remove old steam boilers. An energy audit was done, which presented new options to control high energy costs and inconsistent heating problems. This facility, which serves over 1600 members and reaches out to surrounding counties where service is unavailable, offers the community a safe and affordable place for families and individuals to take part in a number of activities.

Community Programs, a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs, is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area. Community Programs administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.