SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $5.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY & ONEIDA COUNTY’S COVID RESPONSE

Local Governments And Higher Education Institutions Heroically Responded To COVID Outbreak, Ripping Holes In Their Budgets To Obtain PPE, Cleaning/Disinfecting Facilities, Testing, Tracing, And More 

Senators Say FEMA Funding – At A 100% Federal Cost Share – Will Reimburse Syracuse University & Oneida County For Costs Related to Pandemic Response

Schumer, Gillibrand: Federal Funding Will Help Keep Up The Fight Against COVID-19

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $4,414,376 for Syracuse University and $1,377,409 for Oneida County from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to cover costs associated with the University and County’s COVID responses. The funds reimburse each for expenses related to the purchase and distribution of medical supplies and materials including PPEs, enhanced cleaning/disinfecting facilities, dissemination of information to the public and guidance regarding COVID-19, HVAC systems, and other components of combatting the spread of COVID-19. This funding is provided at a 100% federal cost share, which Schumer fought hard to include for NY since the pandemic began.

“Oneida County, Syracuse University, and so many other entities throughout New York heroically stepped up to fight the pandemic on the front lines, resulting in increased spending, while experiencing significant revenue losses, so I am proud to deliver this funding that will help Central NY prevent tax hikes, keep essential services running, and rebuild the local economy,” said Senator Schumer.  “Pandemic recovery begins by tackling the tremendous costs local government and our higher education institutions have incurred managing the crisis and keeping students and residents safe throughout the pandemic.”

“Universities and local governments grappled with unprecedented challenges during the early days of the pandemic,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The investments Syracuse University and Oneida County made in PPE and other safety measures undoubtedly slowed the spread of the virus and helped save lives. This federal funding will reimburse those expenses and help these institutions to recover from the financial toll of COVID-19. I’ll keep fighting for resources to help New York bounce back from the pandemic.”

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