WASHINGTON – Last Thursday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Economic Development Administration to expedite approvals of an approximate $12,500,000 federal disaster funding package for three economic development projects in the Southern Tier that could sustain or create hundreds of jobs in Broome, Chenango and Delaware counties.

In his letter to the EDA, Schumer highlighted that the federal government must obligate the funds before the deadline at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. He also noted that each of these three projects promoted post-disaster economic recovery and job creation, a key criteria for disaster funding eligibility, and would bolster job creating initiatives that would boost local economies in the Southern Tier.