Rep. Ryan announces funding for community projects

Congressman Pat Ryan (D-18) announced last week that millions in federal funding will go toward community projects and organizations across his district after the House of Representatives passed its appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024.

“All of these organizations are hugely impactful in their service to Hudson Valley families – they go above and beyond every day to help our communities thrive. It’s my honor to deliver critically needed support to those serving and strengthening the Hudson Valley,” Ryan said.

Some of the more local projects that won funding include:

The Village of Kiryas Joel: $2,000,000

This project will help address the Seven Springs Road Drinking Water Treatment Facility. According to Ryan, this project aims to ensure that the municipality can complete this major element of the broader capital program to tap into the New York City aqueduct, helping to relieve strain on local groundwater resources, bolster the economic base, and provide environmental sustainability. This project will ensure that the town can improve water quality in compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The Village of Warwick: $959,752

The proposed project will improve the drinking water supply in the village of Warwick.

In response to the news, Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard said, “The Village of Warwick is grateful and excited for the support of an important water infrastructure project. Well number three is a critical link in our drinking water system. The upgrades will allow for essential back up during drought and a redundancy for system repairs. The well has been offline for a number of years and we are pleased that we can move forward on this project. It allows for water security for years to come. On behalf of the village trustees, our team, staff and consultants, and the residents of the Village of Warwick, I want to express our thanks and appreciation to Congressman Ryan for his support.”

Chester Farmworker Housing: $1,000,000

The Farmer and Farmworkers Affordable Housing project is being sponsored by the Chester Agricultural Center (CAC), a nonprofit organization that aims to help grow an equitable and inclusive regional food system. The project will include affordable housing units to be occupied by aspiring farmers and farmworkers. The units will be located on land currently owned by the CAC, which is upland to the Black Dirt farms in the area. The project will also include a multi-purpose community center that will be used by the farmers and project residents, as well as the greater Chester community, to support both community events and agritourism.

“Chester Agricultural Center’s affordable housing project provides much needed housing for both farmers and farmworkers who are producing on the adjacent Black Dirt agricultural area,” said Chester Agricultural Center Executive Director Sara Katz. “This innovative model includes approximately 23 units of affordable housing, a farm stand, an education/event space, and a commercial kitchen. The project aims to serve as a leading model of environmentally friendly, sustainable mixed-use development by operating with an ownership entity that provides affordable housing and equity-building opportunities, promoting financial stability and strengthening households across various income levels and socioeconomic backgrounds, incorporating environmentally conscious building designs, functions, and facility placements and educating future generations of farmers and agritourists on a replicable sustainable farming model.”