Congresswoman Works With Town Officials and Local Business Leaders to Secure Federal Assistance for Streetscape Improvements
 
 
POUGHKEEPSIE, March 3, 2006 – U.S. Representative Sue Kelly, Town of Poughkeepsie Supervisor Patricia Myers, Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce President Charlie North, and other Town officials and local business leaders have announced that federal funding is headed to the Arlington Business District for streetscape improvements.
 
Kelly sought and obtained $100,000 for the Town of Poughkeepsie in a federal budget bill that has been passed by Congress and signed into law.

 

The federal assistance obtained by Kelly can be used for sidewalk and lighting improvements or in other ways to enhance the Arlington Business District as determined by the Town.
 
“Safe and convenient pedestrian access around the Arlington Business District is vital to Poughkeepsie residents and small businesses alike,” said Kelly, who also is a senior member of the House Small Business Committee. “This funding is a very good example of federal and local government working together to ensure that serving Town residents and supporting local small businesses are top priorities.”

 

Kelly added, “Working together with Supervisor Myers and business leaders like Charlie North, we can identify areas where we can bring federal assistance from Washington to Poughkeepsie. Bringing these federal funds back to our area minimizes the cost to local taxpayers for these quality-of-life and economic development improvements in the Arlington Business District.”
 
Myers said, “Anytime federal monies can be returned to the local community, everybody wins. The enhancements this funding will provide to the Arlington Business District will benefit both the businesses and the residents. I want to thank Congresswoman Kelly for her assistance in obtaining this money and look forward to working with her in the future.”
 
North said, “On behalf of the Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce, I strongly believe in investing in the beautification of the Arlington business community. It is an investment, that I believe will not only benefit business owners, but also improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
 
To obtain the federal money for Poughkeepsie, Kelly successfully wrote a funding provision into the FY2006 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act that was approved by Congress and signed into law at the end of last year. The funds are appropriated through HUD’s Economic Development Initiative.

 

---

PHOTOS: At a meeting of Arlington Business District leaders at the Vassar Collage Alumni House (above), Sue Kelly announces $100,000 in Federal Assistance for the Town of Poughkeepsie. ... (below) Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce President Charles North (left) introduces Sue Kelly (center) and Poughkeepsie Town Supervisor Patricia Myers (right) for the announcement.

---