Jobs, Economy & Trade
More on Jobs, Economy & Trade
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced hundreds of Western New Yorkers will benefit from action by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, provided through the American Rescue Plan, to protect the retirement savings of Central States Pension Fund wo
Today the House of Representatives passed legislation adopting the Tentative Agreement between railroad worker leadership and railroads from September plus providing railroad workers seven days of paid leave for the first time. The absence of new paid leave in the September agreement had prevented its ratification by four of the twelve unions included in the negotiations.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) hailed action by the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to approve $963.4 million in Special Financial Assistance to the New York State Teamsters Conference Plan. The move will cover 33,643 New York Teamster workers, including approximately 5,000 in Western New York, who saw their pension benefits cut by up to 29% percent going back to 2017.
Marking the one-year anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill being signed into law, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) highlighted some of the awards to date and the lasting impact the Law’s investments will have on Western New York.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced that WEDI received two federal grants totaling $375,000. A grant for $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement will continue support for refugee-owned microenterprises. Another $125,000 grant is allocated through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CFDI) fund.
Congressmembers Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) and Bill Huizenga (R-MI-2) along with fellow Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary group members Reps. Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01) are seeking to engage their Canadian counterparts to help solve underlying issues creating major delays in the NEXUS system.
Federal, State, and City leaders came together to announce plans for more than $95 million in investments in the streets and neighborhoods of East Buffalo. Projects, scheduled to take place over the next four years include major infrastructure improvements along Bailey Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Main Street, and Michigan Avenue.
Field & Fork Network, a statewide food and farming nonprofit was awarded over $245,000 to revitalize the Niagara Falls City Market. Field & Fork Network took over management of the farmers market this season with the goal of creating an accessible and equitable market; where food, culture and community can be celebrated.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz visited Stack Burger in Lackawanna, New York to highlight efforts to boost small businesses in Erie County through the Microenterprise Loan/Grant Program. The initiative provides small businesses with five employees or fewer with loan/grant funding of up to $35,000 thanks to resources made available through the federal CARES Act.
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) was joined by City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, Buffalo Sewer Authority General Manager O.J. McFoy, and Heart of the City Neighborhoods to announce a federal investment totaling $571,934 in the Buffalo Green Infrastructure Stewardship and Workforce Development Program. Funding for the initiative, secured by Congressman Higgins as part of the federal 2022 budget, will provide training for careers in green infrastructure maintenance.