Washington, DC - Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that he has secured final approval from Congress for his request of $800,000 in federal funding to go for upgrades and replacements to the City of Middletown's water and sewer infrastructure.  The House approved the funds yesterday as part of a major funding bill, and the Senate is expected to easily pass the measure next week. 

"Upgrading Middletown's aging water and sewer infrastructure will create jobs, make the city a more attractive place for residents and businesses, and bolster ongoing economic revitalization efforts," Hinchey said.  "I was very pleased to secure this money from Congress, which will support significant improvements in the city's sewer and water systems.  These federal funds help relieve city residents of bearing the full cost of the much-needed work."

Middletown Mayor Marlinda Duncanson said, "The funding obtained by Congressman Hinchey is a significant boost to Middletown's continuing efforts to upgrade critical infrastructure throughout the city.  This grant is an important down payment towards the revitalization of our aging water and wastewater systems, which helps to offset some of the financial impact to our residents and businesses.  We are also aggressively seeking additional funding through the recently passed federal stimulus bill and thank Rep. Hinchey for helping to push both of these federal funding sources through Congress."

Several years ago, Hinchey obtained $450,000 in federal funds for the city's new water package plant, which is now incorporated into Middletown's larger water plant revitalization and reconstruction.  The new $800,000 grant that Hinchey secured will contribute funding towards pending city projects, including the upgrade of its sanitary sewer lines, replacement of drinking water transmission mains, and construction of a new wastewater facility to replace the current plant which is out of compliance with discharge regulations. 

"Investing in these necessary infrastructure updates and replacements is of course a very expensive proposition and one that is a significant economic burden to businesses and residents in Middletown, as it is in so many of our older communities throughout the Hudson Valley," Hinchey said. "These are exactly the types of projects that the federal government should support in order to create new employment and lay the groundwork for future economic development."