New York expects to recieve an estimated $26.7 billion in federal economic stimulus over the next two years. This article outlines the funding and opportunities the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide New Yorkers.
How the Federal Economic Stimulus Will Be Allocated in New York State
The federal Recovery Act will invest an estimated $26.7 billion in various sectors throughout New York including education, transportation, energy, water, and housing.
Education
Nationally, $40 billion in State Stabilization Funds are being targeted to help avert elementary, secondary and higher education reductions, and fund expected increases. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that New York will receive approximately $2.5 billion of these funds. School systems have discretion to use some of this money for school modernization.
An additional $8.8 billion in State Stabilization Funds are available for other state services including education. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that New York will receive approximately $550 million of these funds. School modernization is an eligible use of this funding.
Nationally, funds are also being distributed for early childhood, elementary, secondary, higher education, and public libraries. New York's share of this funding is yet to be determined.
Transportation
New York will receive $1.12 billion in Recovery Act funds for highways and bridges to be used for projects eligible under the existing Surface Transportation Program (STP), passenger and freight rail, and port infrastructure.
New York will also receive $1.01 billion for public transportation to be used for capital investments in bus and rail related activities such as replacement of buses and rail cars, preventative maintenance, overhaul of buses, rebuilding of buses, crime prevention and security equipment, and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities and stations in large urban areas and rural areas.
Additionally, the Recovery Act provides New York with an estimated $212 million for fixed guideway modernization.
Energy & Conservation
Recovery Act money will provide New York with $123.11 million in to support the State Energy Program and $175.12 million for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Program.
Funding will also be directed for weatherization assistance, the Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate and Energy Star Programs, alternative fueled vehicles pilot grants, diesel emission reduction grants, transportation electrification, and other research programs.
The $1.7 million for the Diesel Emission Reduction Act and Leaking Underground Storage Tank funds are the only environmentally-related stimulus funds which flow to New York under a formula. All other environmentally-related stimulus funds are discretionary or will be spent directly by federal agencies.
Water
New York State will receive $435 million in economic recovery funds that will go directly to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, the agency that administers all funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
A conservative estimate of repairing, replacing, and updating New York’s municipal wastewater infrastructure is $36.2 billion over the next 20 years. New York State currently has $700 million worth of projects in the pipeline for this fiscal year.
Additionally, New York State is expected to receive close to $87 million in economic recovery funds for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The state has $2 billion worth of projects that are ready to go. Furthermore, the cost estimate of repairing, replacing, and updating New York's drinking water infrastructure is $38.7 billion over the next 20 years.
Housing
The federal Recovery Act funds will direct $252.6 million to the HOME Investment Partnership, which provides grant gap financing to address funding gaps in current pipeline and new affordable housing deals.
An additional $92.4 million will be allocated for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
New York will also compete for a share of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to purchase foreclosed or abandoned homes and to rehabilitate, resell, or redevelop these homes in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stem the decline of house values of neighboring homes.
Health & Human Services and Seniors
The Recovery Act will provide New York with approximately $1.29 billion in funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly the Food Stamp program).
Another $7.7 million will be used to provide community service employment and training opportunities to eligible individuals 55 years of age or older; along with an additional $6.2 million for senior nutrition provided in congregate settings and delivered to senior's homes.
Also slated is a one-time emergency payment to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and other compensation or pension benefit recipients.
Recovery Act Funding Opportunities in New York
Funding from the federal Recovery Act creates opportunities for state contracts, jobs, and grants. Each of these categories is linked to New York State Economic Recovery pages where you can receive information, apply for funding, or submit proposals.
Infrastructure |
Education Public Safety |
Health & Human Services |
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