KINGSTON – More than $400 million in federal funding will be coming to the 19th Congressional District from the American Rescue Plan.
“It means every single locality, respective of population size, will get direct federal relief,” said Representative Antonio Delgado, of the 19th Congressional District, during a news conference Monday at SUNY Ulster’s campus behind the Kingston High School.
About $130 billion nationwide in direct payments will be flowing to local municipal governments, and $68 million will be distributed to Ulster County communities – with $17 million coming to the City of Kingston.
“Republicans, Democrats, Independents, everyone I have talked to across this district, wanted this relief to come through,” said Delgado, a Democrat from Rhinebeck.
Ulster County is getting $34.5 million, and Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan know what he would like to spend it.
He wants to accelerate the county’s economic recovery, infrastructure, revive the former IBM facility in the Town of Ulster, and help with direct relief to businesses. Ryan said he also wants to make investments in mental health and addiction recovery with the funding. “We also need to make sure our whole community gets lifted up equitably,” he said.
Ryan said public hearings within the next few weeks will be conducted regarding this funding. Ryan said he wants to speak to the Ulster County Legislature in about two weeks with a detailed plan.
