Ortt Secures State Funding for Niagara Falls Water Line Project

NIAGARA FALLS – Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) today announced he has secured $250,000 in state funds to help offset costs for the water line project in the City of Niagara Falls. Senator Ortt has been fighting for financial assistance after learning that dozens of residents in the LaSalle neighborhood were without running water for several weeks over the past two winters due to frozen water lines. The funding will cover a portion of the water main work recently done along 72^nd Street and adjacent streets.    

“Essential services like water are a basic taxpayer expectation and one of government's primary obligations,” said Senator Ortt. “This funding will ease the burden on the City of Niagara Falls by helping to rebuild their water infrastructure. More importantly, it will relieve the burden of Niagara Falls residents who - through no fault of their own - have been bearing the brunt of this unacceptable collapse in services. For these reasons, I will continue to prioritize infrastructure spending to help rebuild our communities.”

The $250,000 in capital funds may be used for the payment of capital costs of construction, demolition, replacement, renovation, or planning and design, including engineering and other services, field surveys and related sub-surface investigations. The grant cannot cover more than 70 percent of the total costs of the project being funded.   

Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, “The 72nd street project is an example of the water and sewer infrastructure needs facing almost every municipality. These state funds will help offset the cost to the city for this vital project; I thank Senator Ortt for his advocacy on our behalf. This grant is an example of what we can achieve when elected officials at different levels of government work together.”

Niagara Falls City Council Member Kenny Tompkins said, “With this grant, taxpayers won’t have to shoulder as much of the cost of the project. I commend Senator Ortt for helping to provide some relief to the hardworking taxpayers of this great city.” 

Niagara Falls Water Board Chairman Ted Janese III said, “The NFWB has been working with the city and the Senator to find a solution to the issue that’s caused a lot of hardship to our neighbors. We applaud Senator Ortt for providing some assistance to the city, and look forward to continuing a collaboration with stakeholders.” 

This latest effort by Senator Ortt represents his ongoing commitment to support upstate water infrastructure improvements. Last year, Ortt supported the outlay of $200 million to replace and repair aging water infrastructure in eligible municipalities. Ortt has pledged to continue to fight for additional funding in this year’s adopted state budget.