House Passes Federal Funding Package with Rep. Delgado-Led Initiatives to Deliver Broadband, Improve Child Care, Bolster Lyme Disease Research, and Support Farmers

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4502, a package of seven appropriations bills funding various federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2022. U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) led his colleagues in securing robust funding for critical programs, including agriculture investments, workforce development, addiction treatment, and Lyme disease research. The Congressman also secured investments for seven locally-based projects to support broadband expansion, increase capacity for maternal healthcare, address first responder needs, and more.

"At every step of the appropriations process, I have fought to secure investment for upstate families, farmers, small businesses, and veterans. From rural business development grants to Lyme disease research to agricultural workforce development programs, our nation's budget will strengthen New York's 19th Congressional District," said Rep. Delgado. "I have also worked with local organizations and governments to fund critical projects, like delivering broadband to the Catskills, transforming a maternal hospital ward in Dutchess, and upgrading Fire Department equipment in Philmont."

Rep. Delgado-Led Community Project Funding Requests:

Columbia County Broadband

Amount: $829,594

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will allow more than 300 rural upstate homes and businesses in the Towns of Ghent, Canaan, New Lebanon, and Austerlitz to be connected to high-speed broadband.

Village of Philmont Fire Department

Amount: $82,000

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will purchase 12 new air packs for the Village of Philmont Fire Department and replace the currently broken 81-year-old fire siren.

Delaware County Child Care

Amount: $100,000

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will provide quality, safe, and affordable child care to the Central Catskill region. The MARK Project will use this assistance to renovate an existing building, creating a child care center for 20-30 children with room for expansion.

Northern Dutchess Hospital

Amount: $300,000

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will replace 18 maternity beds and purchase state-of-the-art patient safety and monitoring equipment.

Hartwick College

Amount: $300,000

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will help create a Grain Innovation Center at Hartwick College. This center will include a testing laboratory and provide support for grain producers, millers, and bakers in the Northeast.

Sullivan County O&W Rail Trail

Amount: $1,100,000

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will expand the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail to connect five upstate hamlet and village centers. This project will increase recreational opportunities and drive economic/tourism growth.

Cobleskill Community Center

Amount: $75,000

Rep. Delgado-secured funding will create a feasibility study and preliminary design report to create the "Greater Cobleskill Community Center at Iorio Park." This location will expand community services, like youth after school programs and health care clinics.

Rep. Delgado-Led Appropriations Amendments:

Lyme Disease Research:

Redirects $3 million from CDC-Wide Activities and Program Support to CDC's Emerging Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases account for Lyme disease research and surveillance.
Decreases and then increases funding for the HHS Office of the Secretary by $5 million to express the intent that HHS use the $5 million for their recently announced LymeX Innovation Accelerator.

Protecting Dairy Farmers:

Increases and decreases funding for FDA Salaries and Expenses by $1 million for the purpose of completing and issuing pending FDA guidance on Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and consistently enforcing against any violations of the existing dairy standards of identity.

Supporting the 9/11 Memorial:

Decreases and increases funds by $3M, supporting the 9/11 Memorial Act Grant Program.

Additional Rep. Delgado-led requests:

Agriculture

$10 million for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network which funds stress assistance to farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and other agriculture-related professions;
$5 million in additional funding for the new Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach (FOTO) program, created by the 2018 Farm Bill to support beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers; and
$60 million to address farmland ownership issues and heirs' property disputes; and
Funding for data collection on farmland ownership, tenure, generational transitions, and barriers to entry for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
$14 million for the Value-Added Producer Grant which helps producers grow their income and expand market opportunities.
Environmental & Water Treatment

$131 million for the EPA's Brownfields Program to accelerate the cleanup of toxic chemicals at brownfield sites, allowing communities to revitalize their economies and improve the quality of the surrounding environment. There are over 450,000 brownfield sites across the country, and this funding is needed to bring the affected area back to productive use;
$23.7 million for programs supporting small, community water systems; and
$13 million to provide publicly owned treatment works serving fewer than 10,000 individuals with technical assistance to ensure wastewater systems are working properly.
Opioids

$34 million for the Mental and Substance Abuse Disorder Workforce Training Demonstration Program to establish academic programs that provide the necessary training to physicians and other clinicians needed on the frontlines to treat Americans suffering with addiction and mental health.
Rural Economic Development

$37 million for Rural Business Development Grants to support small, rural businesses. Grants can be used for training, technical assistance, acquisition or development of land, and more.
$50 million for Rural Economic Development Direct Loans and Grants for business incubators, rural business technical assistance and community development assistance.
$8 million for Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program to assist rural microentrepreneurs with working capital, debt refinancing and equipment purchases.
$28.6 million for Rural Cooperative Development Grants to help rural areas start or expand rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses.

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