Katko Pushes Relief For CNY Rural Communities

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) is pushing for relief for rural communities in Central New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Katko is working to strengthen and expand the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), in an effort to provide much-needed relief to rural and distressed communities in Central New York. The NRBC is an economic development partnership between the Federal Government and regional state and local governments that works to spur economic development  and encourage private-sector job creation throughout designated economically distressed counties of New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing increased economic uncertainty, limiting the availability of resources for local governments to contribute to public projects, and elevating demand for broadband services— rural and distressed communities have an unprecedented need for NBRC assistance. In a bipartisan request to Congressional Leaders, Rep. Katko and his colleagues called for increased emergency funding for the NBRC in future COVID-19 relief packages to ensure the Commission can help communities fund and complete existing projects, respond to new challenges, and rebuild their economies.

Additionally, with many local governments facing tightened budgets and unable to provide local funding matches, as required for NBRC projects, Rep. Katko joined a second bipartisan effort to request flexibility for matching requirements, ensuring existing projects are able to move forward during the current pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for rural and economically distressed communities throughout Central New York. Small businesses and working families are facing significant financial hardship, local governments are struggling to fund existing projects and services, and many residents are being forced to rely on internet services for work, school, and medical appointments,” said Rep. Katko. “As our region faces these challenges, the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) is supporting projects that are more important now than ever – business retention and expansion, access to high-speed broadband, critical infrastructure development, and job creation. That’s why, in Congress I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to urge Congressional Leaders to include increased funding for the NBRC and flexibility on NBRC local funding match requirements in future COVID-19 relief packages to ensure our most vulnerable communities have the support they need during this crisis.”

Rep. Katko has continuously advocated for increased funding to support economic development in rural counties. Due to his advocacy, Wayne County was added to a list of counties eligible for NBRC funding opportunities. In NY-24, Cayuga, Wayne, and Oswego Counties are eligible to receive NBRC funding.

Rep. Katko also serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, a committee that has jurisdiction over the NBRC.

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