House set to vote on funding package that includes over $8.1 million requested by Higgins for WNY projects

The Riverline, Roswell Park, Buffalo Naval Park, Albright-Knox, workforce & small business initiatives stand to benefit

Congressman Brian Higgins announced details of a legislative funding package the House of Representatives will vote on this week that includes several projects requested by Higgins that would benefit Western New York.

“Our work in Washington, D.C., is focused on fighting for Western New York,” Higgins said. “This package delivers on several local priorities, creating jobs, supporting small business opportunity, helping struggling families, and making Western New York a healthier and more vibrant community.”

The House will consider H.R. 4502, an appropriation package that includes funding for federal programs, services and priorities. The following funding, requested by Higgins, is included in the legislation:

√ $490,000 for the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to help with needed repairs for the USS The Sullivans, a national historic landmark.

√ $900,000 to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority for The Riverline project. The design for the unique rails to trails project was announced by the Western New York Land Conservancy last week.

√ $950,000 to Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) toward the new, expanded West Side Bazaar, a culturally diverse small business incubator.

√ $1,495,583 for Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center toward the purchase of a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner for lung cancer screening. According to the National Cancer Institute, between 2010-15 only 6% of all adults for whom screening is recommended underwent this procedure.

√ $1,000,000 to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority toward Riverwalk improvements adjacent to the NFTA’s DL&W station connecting Canalside to the Buffalo River.

√ $1,000,000 toward Albright-Knox Art Gallery to support expanded public green space around the AKG Museum site and connections to the Frederick Law Olmsted designed park system.

√ $750,000 for the SUNY Buffalo State Small Business Development Center to assist minority, women and disadvantaged small business owners in Western New York grow an online presence and e-commerce opportunities.

√ $571,934 to the Buffalo Sewer Authority for the Buffalo Green Infrastructure Stewardship and Workforce Development Program. The project supports a workforce development pipeline within underserved communities in Buffalo to meet the growing need for clean and green infrastructure jobs.

√ $1,000,000 for the Erie County Department of Health to expand Erie County’s peer recovery program that embeds peer mentors to support mental health and opioid abuse services.

These projects put forth by Higgins specifically benefiting people and projects locally total $8,157,517.

The House vote is scheduled for this week. The package would then go to the Senate for further consideration and action.