Seward Announces Cortland Area Senate Grants

At a press conference Tuesday at the City of Cortland Fire Department, State Senator James L. Seward announced a total of $ 295,000 in grants through the New York State Senate to area municipalities and organizations.

At the city fire department, Seward unveiled a $10,000 award to fund a new defibrillator to replace an old unit in poor condition. Seward also announced senate funding for other area fire departments, including $15,000 each for: Cortlandville Fire Department to improve its communications equipment; Marathon South Fire District for a hi-band repeater system; Virgil Fire Department for EMS and rescue equipment and $100,000 for the Cincinnatus Fire Department toward construction of its new firehouse. Seward visited the firehouse and met with department officials in April following the floods that damaged portions of Cincinnatus's downtown area.

"The senate funding will provide important lifesaving equipment that will help our first responders do their job in protecting our communities without further burdening local property taxes," Seward said. "In the case of rural departments, the money supplements local fundraising efforts. Our rural departments can raise limited dollars through raffles, dinners and sales. I am glad that the senate funding could provide a funding piece to their important work."

While in Cortland, Seward also announced the following senate grants:

*Cortland Co. Child Development Day Care ... $ 20,000
(OPTIONS scholarship funding)

*1890 House Museum ... 20,000
(Restoration project)

*Cortland Sports Complex ... 100,000
(Safety capital improvements, including pavement, lighting, ceiling netting, seating, bathrooms and locker rooms)

The senate funding was set aside in the 2005-2006 state