Senator Lea Webb Announces $2 Million in State Funding to Support Infrastructure Across Senate District 52

(Binghamton, NY)- Today, Senator Lea Webb (SD52) announced that Broome, Cortland, and Tompkins counties will all receive state funding through the County Infrastructure Grant Program funded through the State's FY 2025 and FY 2026 Enacted Budgets and administered by Empire State Development. This funding will support critical infrastructure projects throughout the district, which will increase housing supply, create new outdoor community spaces, and enhance water supply reliability. 

 Senator Lea Webb said, “Investing in infrastructure is one of the most effective ways we can support long-term growth and improve daily life for our residents. From building new workforce housing in Broome County, to expanding access to reliable water systems in Cortland, to unlocking a transformative mixed-use development in Tompkins, these investments will strengthen our local economies, enhance quality of life, and support sustainable growth across the region. This funding is about more than roads and pipes. It is about building strong, healthy, and connected communities for the future.” 

 Said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, “As we continue to see the demand for quality housing grow in Broome County, investments like this are critical to making new development possible. This project will support our workforce, strengthen neighborhoods, and keep Broome County moving in the right direction. Thank you to Senator Webb for securing this funding, helping the next phase of Homestead Village at the Glen move forward.” 

 “We are deeply grateful to Senator Webb for securing this critical funding for infrastructure in our region,” said Kevin Fitch, Chairman of the Cortland County Legislature. “This investment in Cortlandville’s water supply system is not only a win for public health and safety, but it also lays the groundwork for sustained economic development along the Route 13 Corridor. These improvements will help ensure our communities are prepared to support future growth in industry, commerce, and housing.” 

 Said Dan Klein, Chairman of the Tompkins County Legislature, “This grant will kick-start the development of a major new housing and economic development project a short walk from downtown Ithaca. This is a transformative project that will benefit the community in multiple ways.” 

 “The SouthWorks project, once completed, will transform the city and town of Ithaca,” said Shawna Black, Tompkins County Legislator District 11. “We are thankful to Senator Webb for securing the funds to build important infrastructure that is essential with a project of this magnitude. I’m especially excited about the workforce housing this project offers which will be added to county inventory.”  

Senate District 52 received the following funding through the State's FY 2025 and FY 2026 Enacted Budgets and administered by Empire State Development: 

• $500,000 for Broome County to support the second Homestead Village at the Glen, located in the Hamlet of Endwell, which is in its second phase of development and is set to add another 33 duplex units. Funding from this program will be used for the infrastructure expansions required to make this possible, including a water main, sewer main, electric mains, gas mains, and new roads.
• $500,000 for Cortland County to develop a new groundwater supply well at 3111 Byrne Hollow Crossing in Cortlandville, enhancing the current water supply system's reliability. These improvements will allow for future industrial, commercial, and residential growth along the Route 13 Corridor. Additional upgrades, including a new supply well, pump house, electrical service, piping for chlorine contact time, and pipe connection to the existing water main, are anticipated.
• $1,000,000 for Tompkins County to help repurpose a historic 95-acre industrial site on South Aurora Street in the City and Town of Ithaca into 915 residential units, 700,000 square feet of industrial and commercial space, and public outdoor space. Program funds will support the construction of public roads and a roundabout; sidewalks and curbs; a public water distribution system including fire hydrants and laterals; 24 sewer laterals; additions to the storm sewer collection system; stormwater quality/quantity mitigation; and erosion and sediment control. Infrastructure funded by this grant clears the path to the construction of at least 100 of the 450 planned residential housing units.

The County Infrastructure Grant Program is funded through the State's FY 2025 and FY 2026 Enacted Budgets and administered by Empire State Development. The program awards grants to support small- and medium-sized county-led infrastructure projects that will spur economic development, contribute to placemaking or encourage tourism, or support the creation of housing with ten or more units.

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