West Hudson Valley News

Secures largest federal grant in history of Kingston through partnership with Mayor Steve Noble, Senator Chuck Schumer 

WASHINGTON, DC –  On June 22, 2023, Congressman Pat Ryan, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that the City of Kingston will receive $21.7M from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. The RAISE grant, the largest federal grant in the history of Kingston, will construct much-needed transportation infrastructure, including vital pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle connections for residents and tourists, which will further promote a vibrant and sustainable waterfront area. In addition, elevating key portions of the roadway will improve the City’s resiliency for future flood events. Ryan has fought for this project since his service as County Executive and throughout his time in Congress, including direct engagement and advocacy with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

“Both as County Executive and now in Congress, I’ve fought to deliver for Hudson Valley families, working to secure the infrastructure investments we need to revitalize our local economy and create good-paying jobs.  This is an absolute game-changer for the city of Kingston and the region as a whole,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “This transformational investment will provide sustainable transportation options, good-paying jobs, and cement our waterfront as a landmark destination for Hudson Valley residents for decades to come. Thank you to Senator Schumer and Mayor Noble for their close partnership throughout this process – I cannot wait to see our vision for Kingston’s waterfront come to fruition.”

“We are honored and humbled to win this momentous award, and wholeheartedly thank Congressman Pat Ryan and Senator Schumer for their tireless advocacy on behalf of the City of Kingston,” said Kingston Mayor Steve Noble.” Congressman Ryan has been a continuous booster of our community, and I cannot thank him enough for his ongoing support. This grant, the largest in Kingston’s history, will make an entire neighborhood safer, beautify the area, and will bring sustainable growth to the waterfront. Thank you, Congressman Ryan for believing in this vision for what Kingston’s waterfront can become!”

Background Info: 

The U.S. Department of Transportation will be releasing $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2023. In the IIJA, there was $15B in grant funding for RAISE grants. In 2022, there were only five RAISE grants distributed in NY. 

RAISE discretionary grants help project sponsors at the State and local levels, including municipalities, Tribal governments, counties, and others complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that are harder to support through other U.S. DOT grant programs. 

RAISE projects are rigorously reviewed and evaluated on statutory criteria of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation.  

City of Kingston; RAISE Grant: 

The Kingston Weaving the Waterfront Transportation Project aims to provide vital pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle connections for residents and tourists through the City’s historic waterfront district. It will enable residents and visitors to travel throughout the City without the need for cars and the use of carbon-free vehicles. In addition, the grant will elevate key portions of the roadway to ensure that the city is more resilient and to ensure residents are able to navigate the area during flooding events. 

Original source can be found here.