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Washington, D.C. - As part of his continuing efforts to help revitalize the City of Newburgh, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that he has secured Congress' final approval of $750,000 in new funding for the city. The money will be used to construct a Newburgh campus for Orange County Community College (OCCC) as well as to complete the construction of the city's Hudson River Waterfront Park. Hinchey used his position on the House Appropriations Committee to insert the funds into the Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, The Judiciary, and District of Columbia Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2006.
"These funds are critical to our coordinated efforts to boost Newburgh's ongoing revitalization efforts," Hinchey said. "Big, positive changes are happening in Newburgh and I'm very excited for the city's future. Between a new college campus and a new waterfront walkway, Newburgh residents, business owners, and visitors will surely see the rebirth of this great city. There are many great opportunities for new and expanding businesses in Newburgh and I am delighted to do my part to make this all possible."
OCCC will use the $400,000 in new federal funds to help construct a new building to house its Newburgh campus in the downtown area as well as an Early Childhood Education Center. In addition to addressing the need for new space to accommodate an unprecedented 11 percent enrollment growth since 2001, the new campus will help spur economic development in Newburgh. Additionally, it will provide local high school graduates with a college campus they can attend in their neighborhood.
On a separate front, $350,000 was allocated to Newburgh for the completion of the Hudson River Waterfront Park, including a pedestrian walkway and a public fishing pier. The project will serve as a landing point and a connector to the recently opened Newburgh-Beacon ferry site, which Hinchey initiated and helped make possible through federal funding. Additionally, the project will support and enhance recent and substantial private sector investments on the waterfront. The development of the fishing pier will provide access for recreation to city resident and visitors.
"In addition to revitalizing Newburgh, these new federal funds will spare local taxpayers from this portion of the cost of these projects," Hinchey said. "I look forward to working closely with Mayor Valentine to find even more ways in which the federal government can create economic and recreational opportunities for this great city."
Earlier this year, Hinchey secured $1,490,800 in new federal funds for the rehabilitation of historic downtown Newburgh. That money is being used for various street upgrades in the city.
The Senate is expected to approve the Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, The Judiciary, and District of Columbia Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2006 in the near future. The measure, which is one of ten spending bill Congress is required to pass annually, will then move to the White House where the president is expected to sign it into law.
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