Brooklyn is getting an economic boost this year, thanks to the federal officials who helped secure $24 million in funding for the borough.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his New York State partner Kirsten Gillibrand, plus Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries hailed the influx of money slated for Brooklyn that will come as part of the recently-passed omnibus package to fund the government next year.
“From increasing economic opportunity, and expanding health care services, to delivering small business support and enhancing anti-violence programs, these local Brooklyn organizations are making a huge impact on our fellow Brooklynites and our communities,” Schumer said in a statement.
Gillibrand noted how the money will go toward paying for important educational and public safety programs, while also helping to improve health care for residents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These funds will not only bolster anti-violence programs like the ones offered by St. Nick’s Alliance and cybersecurity programs at St. Joseph’s College, but will also go toward upgrading the borough’s health care facilities to help provide affordable and accessible quality health care to Brooklyn residents.”
The money will be allocated toward various entities, including providers of affordable housing, anti-violence initiatives, and public hospitals to improve health outcomes for lower-income residents.
Of the newly allocated funds, CAMBA Inc. will receive $3.59 million to provide job opportunities to disaffected youth, One Brooklyn Health System will get $3 million to upgrade their infrastructure, and Kings County Hospital will get $2.2 million for a new ambulatory cancer center.
Other money allocations include a $1.5 million investment in nursing programs for St. Francis College, $1 million for the Hispanic Federation’s efforts to promote Latino small businesses, and $750,000 for Churches United for Fair Housing to provide housing services for low-income Brooklynites.
“The transformational money will help provide food for the hungry, assist veterans, fund overdue improvements to medical centers and schools, support organizations working to uplift our neighborhoods and deepen our cultural understanding, back those building a sustainable future and more,” said Jeffries.
The money comes at a time when Brooklyn’s political power in Washington D.C. is on the rise.
Schumer, a native Brooklynite, has served as the leader of the nation’s upper legislative chamber since the beginning of 2021, and Jeffries is now the leader of the Democratic party in the lower chamber, after he was selected to replace Nancy Pelosi earlier this month.
“The funding we passed is critical to the success of the Brooklyn community – from educating our youth, and providing after-school care, to improving the local environment and meeting the health care needs of our residents,” said northern Brooklyn rep. Nydia Velázquez.
