State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/I/C - Mount Hope) today said that $125,000 in State funding will be directed to communities and organizations along the Route 97 corridor. $65,000 will be disbursed to the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and $60,000 will be directed to the Upper Delaware Council. All of the funding will be used to support ongoing efforts to enhance the Route 97 corridor communities and promote tourism in the region.
"I have made supporting the communities along the Route 97 corridor a priority," stated Senator Bonacic. Individually, these communities have made great strides to ensure smart growth and continue to work hard to diversify economic development. I applaud those efforts and am committed to furthering this mission through continued State support."
In 2000, Senator Bonacic initiated an annual stream of funding through the Senate for improvements along the River corridor. Since that time, he has secured $235,000 directed to the Delaware Council and Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Inc. In addition, he has secured significant funding for for communities along the Upper Delaware for sidewalk improvements, beautification, park improvements, and downtown revitalization totalling over $1 million.
Some of the projects that were funded by Senator Bonacic over the years incude: refurbishment of the Cochecton Town Hall, restoration of Main Street Business District sidewalks in Callicoon, landscaping improvements and relocation of historic marker in Long Eddy, installation of a gazebo at the Tusten Veterans' Memorial Park in Narrowsburg, construction of a visitor's information center at Deerpark Town Hall, and the development of a Tourist Information Center kiosk in Barryville.
Larry Richardson, Chairperson of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, representing the Town of Cochecton, stated, "The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway communities are grateful for Senator Bonacic's support of our efforts to make improvements along New YOrk State Route 97 to benefit both the traveling public and the residents of the river valley region. The Senator's past and present efforts can be viewed as the building blocks of greater things to come."
Vice-chairperson of the Upper Delaware Council and representative from the Town of Tusten, Charles Weland said, "Senator Bonacic has been very good to the Upper Delaware Council and its eight New York State town members. The funding that he has secured since 2000 has enabled towns to accomplish worthwhile local projects that might not otherwise have been possible. Through their mini-grants, the towns have advanced public recreation through the enhancement of parks and river accesses, bolstered tourism with new kiosks and brochures, and made needed improvements to town-owned buildings and infrastructure, which we greatly appreciate."
Senator Bonacic said that the latest round of funding can be used for municipal improvements, recreational enhancements, or beautification.
