Schumer, Clinton Announce Key Senate Panel Approves $600,000 For Capital Region Projects

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the full Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (TTHUD) FY08 Appropriations Bill, which includes $200,000 to build a new YMCA in Schenectady; $200,000 for the Civic Center of Moreau, Inc. to build a new Community Center; and $200,000 to improve WiFi service in the City of Albany.   The bill will now proceed to the Senate Floor as the next step in the appropriations process.  Schumer and Clinton worked closely with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year's spending bill.

"This is great news for the Capital Region," Schumer said.   "This money will fund important programs that serve the community and support our youth and families.   The new YMCA and the new community center in Moreau will provide programs to encourage youth development and strengthen family life.   The WiFi project will provide essential and affordable internet access to some of the most underserved areas of the community."  

"This is great news for Schenectady, Moreau, and Albany. These funds for the YMCA's efforts to develop a local Schenectady branch will not only be a boost to the City's infrastructure but will a place for residents of all ages to enjoy. These funds are a welcome boost for the new Regional Community Center at Moreau, which will allow families and those in need to benefit from a whole range of local educational, recreational, and community service facilities," Senator Clinton said. "I am very pleased that the funds for Albany's WiFi Service project has been approved by the Appropriations Committee. It will provide much needed access to technology for underserved areas at a free or reduced cost."

The Capital District YMCA will receive $200,000 to construct a new YMCA branch in Schenectady.   The new location is the current site of a brownfield, and is encircled by a 200,000 sf, $20 million dollar office park.   The construction of the new branch is a community revitalization project, focusing on key needs specific to the Schenectady community, including those of atrisk youth, teens, and families.   The YMCA promotes strengthened family life, community development, the instilment of core leadership qualities in young people, as well as the advancement of fitness and healthy lifestyles.   The New YMCA will contain a preschool aged childcare center, dedicated spaces for youth, teen, and senior citizen programming, community rooms, a stateoftheart fitness and wellness center, an aerobics studio, and indoor running/walking track, a double gymnasium, a warm water pool, a sixlane pool, steam room, sauna and whirlpool.   It is a facility designed to meet the health, wellness and recreational needs of the greater Schenectady community, for residents of all ages.

The Campaign to Establish the New Regional Community Center at Moreau will receive $200,000 of federal funds, to construct a new Regional Community Center/Sports Complex.   The Center will provide dramatically improved educational, recreational, and community service facilities as well as substantial economic development.   The new Regional Center will serve youth, families, and seniors of Southern Warren, Northern & Central Saratoga, and Washington Counties.   The community center provides services to lowincome individuals, seniors, and families.   Programs for seniors include lowcost or free meals, free health screenings, income tax assistance, and assistance with applying for the federallyfunded lowincome home energy assistance program and the New York Staterun prescription drug program.   Youth can participate in the Head Start education program and Teen Vie, an educational program that encourages healthy attitudes and behavior.   Youth can also go to the community center for free school supplies and clothing in order to be fully prepared for the school year.   The Center has an emergency food pantry and offers lowcost meals through a community food buying club.   Staff at the Center assists individuals with the federallyrun food stamp programs.   The Center runs a thrift store, a WIC program, and free health clinics.

The City of Albany's WiFi Service project will receive $200,000 of federal funds to provide free or greatly reduced WiFi/internet access to community centers, public facilities, and faithbased shelters or centers.   The City of Albany has identified underserved areas within the community for technology.  

Now that the bill has been approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee, it will be sent to the Senate floor. Following approval by the Senate, the bill will move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.