6.21.21 BNP Advocacy Alert – Poloncarz Announces ARP Spending Plan
Blog Categories
June 21, 2021
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced today his plan to invest the county’s share of local aid from the latest COVID-19 relief package.
The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus plan signed by President Biden in March, provided $178 million to Erie County.
Poloncarz said the county’s “RENEW Plan” will invest $123.7 million in:
- Infrastructure
- ErieNET, a 360-mile high-speed fiberoptic network across Erie County
- $33 million in sewer and water upgrades
- $5 million for construction of a new DPW barn on Harlem Road
- $10 million for upgrades to the county building at 50 Delaware Avenue and the replacement of roof tiles at SUNY Erie’s downtown campus
- $5 million in DPW pay-as-you-go road funding
- Regional Attractions
- $14.3 million in the Erie County Parks system
- Largest single-year investment since the 1930s WPA program
- Restoration of the Wendt Mansion and Stables
- $400,000 in upgrades to the South Park casino and Martin Luther King Park grow-houses
- Significant investment in Chestnut Ridge Park – Parking Lot, Casino Improvements, Roadway Improvements, Comfort Station upgrades
- Other upgrades to Ellicott Creek Park, Como Lake Park, Emery Park, Grover Cleveland Park, Seneca Bluffs Park.
- $5 million for the Botanical Gardens Expansion Project
- $4.5 million for facade renovations to the Convention Center
- $14.3 million in the Erie County Parks system
- County Personnel
- Replacement of previous COVID-related budget cuts
- 107 of 287 cut county positions restored
- Premium pay for essential county workers who worked during first wave of pandemic – up to $5/hour bonus
- 35 new jobs in the parks department, EMS services, district attorney’s office, purchasing, cancer services, and a newly-created Office of Health Equity
- Replacement of previous COVID-related budget cuts
- Other Investments
- $2.8 million for small business promotion programs
- $1.6 million to fully fund Health Professionals Opportunity Grant Program to train health workforce
- $15 million in other “Strategic Community Group Capital Investments”
The RENEW Plan is being presented to the Erie County Legislature this week. Poloncarz expects the remaining tranche of ARP funds to arrive in May 2022.
Related Posts
10.15.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS Dept. of Labor Releases New Adult Use Cannabis & the Workplace Guidance
The New York State Department of Labor (DOL) released a guide to help employers answer questions related to the new Marijuana Regulations and Taxation Act (MRTA). Earlier this year, the MRTA officially designated cannabis as both a legally consumable product and a lawful recreational activity for adults.
10.13.21 Advocacy Alert: Canadian Border to Open in November
Late last night, U.S. officials announced plans to reopen the U.S. border to vaccinated, non-essential travelers from Canada and Mexico beginning in early November.
The administration told reporters last night that it does not plan to require vaccinated travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test, a notable difference from Canada’s policy for American travelers.
BNP Advocacy Insider – October 2021
The October 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
10.6.21 Advocacy Alert: Comptroller’s Report Warns of UI Rate Increases
Unless the state swiftly acts, New York employers may soon face significant unemployment insurance rate increases.
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli recently released a report detailing the dire financial status of the state’s UI system, confirming concerns that the BNP raised this summer.