Glen Cove, New York – Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi announced he has secured 8 local community initiatives as part of the federal budget. These projects, which will have real-life impacts on lives on New Yorkers, represents Suozzi’s commitment to delivering to the people of New York.
Funding for these projects come as the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Federal Budget which will help New York families and create jobs across the state.
“My biggest priority in Congress has been to fight for New York and ensure that my constituents on Long Island and in Queens receive their fair share,” said Suozzi. “The House-passed government funding legislation will provide real-life support to New Yorkers. From environmental protection and job creation, to helping seniors in their time of need, this funding will improve the lives of New Yorkers for generations to come.”
The first project Suozzi delivered, an issue he has been working on for years, is $2 million in funding for the Geriatric Center of Excellence located at Glen Cove Hospital.
The Geriatric Center of Excellence at Glen Cove Community Hospital will work with the local community, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and the Glen Cove Senior Center to serve as model for geriatric care for the region and the nation. The Geriatric Center for Excellence at Glen Cove Hospital provides some of the best care for seniors in the region and has helped revitalize the hospital. Supporting the hospital has always been a goal of Suozzi’s since he served as Mayor in 1994.
“We are extremely grateful to Congressman Suozzi for his steadfast commitment in establishing a Geriatric Center of Excellence at Glen Cove Hospital,” said Kerri Anne Scanlon, RN, Executive Director at Glen Cove Hospital. “As part of this vital initiative, Glen Cove opened its state-of-the art Caregiver Center in October, which provides a broad range of resources, both emotional and psychosocial support, and respite for caregivers who have a cherished friend or family member at the hospital or living in the community. Caring for elderly patients with complex medical issues is critical to our social commitment to provide unparalled integrated care for community members.”
Providing safe water to the residents Glen Cove is a major priority for Suozzi. Through his efforts, he was able to secure $1 million in funding for the rehabilitation of the Nancy Court Pump Station in Glen Cove.
This project will help the City of Glen Cove meet its growing water needs and bring it into compliance with a memorandum issued by the Nassau County Department of Health.
The City of Glen Cove is thrilled to be receiving this much needed $1,000,000 to be used for the upgrade of the Nancy Court Pump Station. Rehabilitation of this pump station is critical to meet the increasing water needs of our city. We are thankful to Congressman Suozzi for his continued efforts on behalf of the City of Glen Cove,” said Pam Panzenbeck, Mayor of Glen Cove.
As a life-long environmentalist and job creator, Suozzi has always worked to help build a new generation of jobs in green energy. Through his efforts in Congress, Suozzi announced that $800,000 in funding will be provided to entry-level training for high wage-earning jobs in the emerging regional offshore wind industry sector for New York State residents.
This funding will create jobs that include offshore vessel crews, offshore wind construction and installation crews (mechanics, high voltage electricians, and welders), and inspector and quality control crews. It is estimated that nearly 5,000 New York jobs would be created by 2035 through regional offshore wind deployment with SUNY Maritime College having the capacity to provide training and certify hundreds of workers yearly.
In addition to creating green energy jobs, Suozzi has fought tirelessly to protect Long Island and New York’s environment. Through his advocacy, Suozzi has delivered $1.9 million for water, environmental and shellfish improvement projects.
- $1,000,000 in funding for the transformative renovation of North Hempstead Beach Park, an 80-acre-site located on the western edge of Hempstead harbor.
“I want to thank Congressman Suozzi for securing this significant portion of funding for the first phase of the North Hempstead Beach Park renovation project. Phase one of the project is currently underway and it entails critical infrastructure work that will protect the esplanade and beachfront park from future flooding and erosion, while improving the quality of park experience through the creation of a living shoreline. I am so proud that after many years of public participation, planning, and design, the Town is making this investment for the future of the park, making sure that this will be a place where families will be able to continue to make memories for generations to come,” said Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena.
"I would like to sincerely thank Congressman Suozzi for helping to secure significant federal funding for this long-awaited project," said Town of North Hempstead Council Member Mariann Dalimonte. "Since I took office in 2020, we have been working diligently on the revitalization of North Hempstead Beach Park, and we are thrilled that our efforts have resulted in this $1 million appropriation."
- $300,000 for the seeding of approximately 10 million seed clams which will be placed in bays along the North Shore of Long Island, including Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Huntington Harbor.
“We are so appreciative of Congressman Suozzi’s efforts in obtaining the funds needed for the seeding project for north shore bays. This news comes at such a fortuitous time for Hempstead Harbor—just as we received a draft report on the condition of the harbor’s hard-clam population. The shellfish population survey conducted in late 2021 indicates that the seed clam population in Hempstead Harbor has declined dramatically since 2008. We need the critical funding from this legislation. Providing seed clams for Hempstead Harbor will help sustain this resource, which is such an important economic driver for the region,” said Carol DiPaolo on behalf of the Coalition to Save Hempstead Harbor.
- $600,000 in funding for Little Neck Bay stormwater management, which will be used for water quality improvement across Alley Pond Park, Linnaeus Park, and Udalls Cove.
“Congressman Tom Suozzi came to the Douglaston Civic Association last year to ask us what projects needed funding. He was adamant on ensuring we get what we need. It was an honor to bring the local environmental groups together to identify local environment priorities and shoveled ready projects to secure funding in collaboration with Congressman Suozzi’s office. On behalf of the local environmental groups, we are grateful for Congressman Suozzi’s support and commitment to better the water quality and wildlife in the Little Neck Bay,” said Cecilia Venosta-Wiygul, Douglaston Civic Association.
The Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center is dedicated to serving every aspect of community wellness, regardless of age or ability. As a pillar of the community that helps New Yorkers, Suozzi is proud to announce the center will receive $850,000 for a new roof.
This new roof will help ensure the center can provide a wide array of programs and services for thousands of community members. In addition to their Health + Wellness Center and Early Childhood Center, the JCC is home to numerous social service programs that thousands in their community rely on.
“Sid Jacobson JCC is overwhelmingly grateful for his work on this! These funds are considered critical and vital to provide a safe space for the thousands of people that we serve. Our gratitude goes to Congressman Suozzi, for his unwavering support,” said David Black, Executive Director, Sid Jacobson JCC.
The Queen’s County Farm is one of the longest continually farmed sites in New York State. The farm’s 47-acre historic site has produced food and fed New Yorkers for over three centuries. To help support the farm’s work, Suozzi announced the farm will receive $200,000 in funding.
This new funding will help the farm purchase of new farm equipment and general operating expenses such as insurance, agriculture supplies and staff for their workforce development program.
"I want to thank Congressman Tom Suozzi for the $200,000 appropriation for the Queens County Farm Museum's Agricultural Workforce Development Program," stated Jennifer Walden Weprin, Executive Director of the Queens County Farm Museum."As we celebrate 325 years of continuous farming in 2022, this funding will support the largest agricultural expansion at Queens Farm in over 50 years. Congressman Suozzi has been an unwavering champion of the Queens County Farm Museum, this important program and the community that we serve."
