Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it, today, the Troy Record reported that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik secured $4.2 million in funding for Rensselaer County infrastructure projects. The appropriated funds will be used to upgrade sewer and water lines that communities rely on for their well-being.
Read the full article below:
The Troy Record: Stefanik touts $4.2M in funding for Rensselaer County infrastructure projects
By Erica Bouska
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. — As a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Rensselaer County will receive $2.5 million for sewer service and infrastructure expansion and nearly $1.7 million for a well water supply project in the Town of Poestenkill.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Saratoga Springs, secured the funding through work with local leaders like Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
“The taxpayers’ the ones paying the bills so when we can get Congressional representation that recognizes that as well and helps us help the people, that’s Elise’s goal, that’s my goal,” McLaughlin said. “Big thank you to Elise for helping us out.”
He said the $2.5 million is earmarked for a couple of projects, including the seven miles of extended water and sewer lines on Route 9 in Schodack and the Poestenkill project and will join the already designated American Rescue Act Funds from the county. Regardless of where it goes, McLaughlin said it will be well spent.
Stefanik said it was a multi-month process to secure the funding, having to move the Rensselaer County application through the committees and appropriations process, but it was an important win for the district. Stefanik said it was a “very localized” approach and they worked closely with McLaughlin and the county legislature.
“They’re significant investments when it comes to our local communities,” Stefanik said. “I work for the people of my district and we’ve been able to deliver, over time, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment into upstate New York and the North County.”
Stefanik said sewer infrastructure and expansion was a top priority that McLaughlin, town supervisors, and other local officials brought up. The projects will not only expand the pipes — by about 10 miles total for just Scodack and Poestenkill, McLaughlin said — but improve the system in general and help prevent any pipe failure or release of treated sewage into the surrounding environment, she said.
Infrastructure has been a large part of McLaughlin’s work as county executive and when speaking about this project, he compared it to the “Field of Dreams”: if you build it they will come. They have the borrowing power, he said, but why increase debt when you don’t have to?
When they put this money up front for infrastructure, he continued, they know they’ll get it all back through revenue growth and economic vitality. This fund is a huge plus for the county, he said, and called it “very impactful” and “pretty transformational.”
“This is a real win, this $2.5 million,” Stefanik said. “This has been a team effort and it’s an example of the results we’re able to deliver.”
