SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $150,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR BROOME COUNTY
Funding Will Be Used to Extend the Chugnut Trail, Connecting the Village of Endicott to the Town Of Union
The Trail Extension Will Connect Several Local Parks and Communities to Each Other and To Various Recreation Locations
Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $150,000 in federal funding for Broome County. The funding was allocated through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and will be used to extend and improve the Chugnut Trail along the Susquehanna River.
The trail project will consist of two phases. The first will construct a 0.35-mile paved, ADA-accessible trail that will stretch along the river west of Grippen Park. The second phase will construct a 0.3 mile-natural surface trail to connect Roundtop Park and Main Park. The extensions will also connect the Village of Endicott and the Town of Union. In addition, this project will include a series of riverfront improvements, such as a boat launch and a scenic overlook at Grippen County Park and at Roundtop Park. In total, 3,432 linear feet of trail will be constructed, which will provide 191 businesses with access to the new trail.
“This vital federal funding is great news for Broome County and for all those who use the Chugnut Trail. This funding will allow for critical improvements and the extension of the trail connecting the Village of Endicott and Town of Union, and in the process, will boost the regional economy, tourism, recreation, and accessibility,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to announce this federal funding, and will keep fighting to protect and preserve Upstate New York’s natural resources.”
“This federal funding will improve access to Broome County’s beautiful scenery along the Chugnut Trail,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Residents and tourists use the trail to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, and this project will help boost tourism and support businesses near the trail. I will always fight for funding that increases access to New York’s natural resources for residents to enjoy.”
The improvements and extensions to the Chugnut Trail will advance the priorities identified by the Southern Tier Upstate Revitalization Plan and the Endicott Innovation District Plan. The Village of Endicott and Town of Union have both experienced economic decline through hurricane damage and brownfield contamination, and Broome County has identified natural assets as a priority for development to help increase the tourism industry.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments that focuses on the development of 420 counties across the Appalachian region. More information can be found here.
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