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Congressman Paul Tonko has secured $14,093,000 in federal funding for 15 community development and improvement projects across New York's 20th Congressional District, providing a significant boost to infrastructure, education, and public services in the Capital Region.
"For two years, my team and I have pushed hard to ensure these worthy projects were included in the federal spending package. Now, after a long and arduous process, I'm delighted to announce that that determined effort has been successful," Tonko said in a statement.
The funds, secured as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 government appropriations packages, will support a diverse range of projects throughout the district, which includes Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and surrounding communities.
Among the notable allocations, $250,000 will go toward installing ADA accessible sidewalks in Ballston Spa, particularly important for the area's high senior population and proximity to several schools. The Village of Scotia will receive $500,000 for community park improvements at Collins, Quinlan, and Schonowee Trailhead Parks, enhancing safety and public access.
Hudson Valley Community College has been awarded $850,000 for the construction of a high-tech, energy-efficient 3,700 square foot Autonomous and Electric Vehicle Lab as part of its Applied Technology Education Center Project. This facility will help prepare individuals for careers in high-demand industries such as renewable energy and transportation technologies.
Other significant projects include $1 million for the Crossroads Center for Children in Schenectady to renovate their newly purchased facility and construct a new wing, serving 120 children annually, most with autism. The University at Albany will receive $1,521,000 for new lab equipment to enhance microchip fabrication and testing capabilities at their labs located at NY Creates’ Albany NanoTech Complex.
Infrastructure improvements feature prominently in the funding package, with $1,092,000 allocated to the Town of Stillwater for water main replacements, $1,092,000 to the Village of Altamont for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and $300,000 to Voorheesville for sewage infrastructure improvements.
According to NEWS10, the funding will also support the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center's "Community Campus" project with $1,015,000, creating a cornerstone of support networks for the greater Mechanicville area.
As a reminder for constituents, Congressman Tonko will be holding a Town Hall meeting Wednesday (February 18) at 6 p.m. at Ballston Spa High School. A limited number of tickets for the event are still available online.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly reported that the Albany NanoTech Complex is led by the University of Albany rather than NY Creates. We apologize for the confusion.