Foley Announces $2.6 Million in Economic Development Funding for Patchogue Village, East Patchogue

Project Will Create More than 1,000 Permanent Jobs

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, along with Congressman Tim Bishop, State Senator Brian Foley, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, and Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, announced that an accord has been reached among the officials that will secure $2.6 million in federal stimulus water and sewer funding for the Wastewater Treatment Facility in Patchogue. The agreement has been signed off on by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) President Matt Millea. Schumer and the officials today said the agreement will ensure that the critical sewer upgrade and expansion project, key to the economic future of Village of Patchogue and East Patchogue, receives the funding it needs to complete its vital expansion.

"This agreement is a smartly-crafted win-win for both Patchogue and Brookhaven that green lights not one, but two, important Long Island water-sewer projects. This is  exactly what the federal stimulus should be used for: jobs and smart development in our aging infrastructure. It is great news for the residents and businesses of Patchogue and shows what can be achieved when all levels of government work together. This project needs and deserves this critical federal funding to ensure Patchogue’s economy can thrive and grow,” said Senator Schumer.  

The agreement, forged in collaboration between Sen. Schumer, Congressman Bishop, State Senator Foley, as well as local officials Lesko and Pontieri, comes in the form of a formal joint request from Pontieri and Lesko to the state of New York asking the EFC to reallocate $2.6 million to the Village of Patchogue so that this wastewater treatment plant can service East Patchogue.  Schumer, Bishop, and Foley brought the idea to the State’s EFC President Matt Millea late last week for his review.

“This is a great example of leaders putting aside parochial interests and putting regional economic interests first,” Congressman Bishop said.  “This agreement effectively leverages federal funds to allow two economic development priorities to move forward, which will create over 1,000 jobs.  In particular, Supervisor Lesko should be applauded for ensuring the project in the Empire Zone moves forward and that funds are available to bring sewage capacity to revitalize East Patchogue.”

“I am extremely pleased to work with my colleagues in various levels of government to arrange an agreement that will bring this major infusion of funding for sewer expansion in Patchogue Village,” said Sen. Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point). “This $2.6 million grant will help revitalize the Downtown area by helping businesses expand and create much needed jobs. Our success in delivering this critical project for the businesses and residents of Patchogue Village and East Patchogue demonstrates our commitment to creating real jobs for Long Islanders and turning around our local economy.”

As part of New York State’s allocation of water and sewer funding approved as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state awarded $10.4 million for the construction of a water treatment plant in Sewer District #2 in the Town of Brookhaven, with $5.2 million in the form of grant funding and the remainder coming in the form of low-interest loans.

"This agreement is about three things - jobs, jobs, jobs,” Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko said.  “Specifically, it allows the Town of Brookhaven to leverage receipt of stimulus funds to not only provide much-needed assistance to Brookhaven Sewer District #2 in Shirley but also to revitalize the downturn area of East Patchogue."

Under the new agreement announced today, $2.6 million of the grant funding would be reallocated to funding the wastewater treatment facility in the Village of Patchogue enabling the system to be expanded to include East Patchogue. This agreement ensures both the treatment plant in Brookhaven and the wastewater facility have the resources they need to move forward.

Currently, Patchogue owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 500,000 gpd. The new improvement project will expand the facility to 800,000gpd, providing expanded capacity for the inclusion of East Patchogue into the sewer district. The economic growth of Patchogue and the entire Brookhaven area hinges on extending sewer lines beyond the Village of Patchogue. Spearheaded by Mayor Pontieri, Patchogue is undergoing revitalization with high density development because of it has a wastewater treatment facility. This project will expand the revitalization efforts in to East Patchogue.

Schumer specifically pointed out that the expansion project is shovel ready and qualifies for federal recovery act funding. The project will employ 30 to 35 workers for two years and an additional 30 to 35 working during peak construction. Overall, the project is expected to generate more than 1,000 permanent jobs thanks to the commercial and residential growth enabled by expanding the wastewater treatment facilities.

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