Sullivan launches 2022 Plans & Progress program and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region February 24 to March 2

Posted 2/22/22

What's new in the Upper Delaware region February 24 to March 2

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Sullivan launches 2022 Plans & Progress program and more

What's new in the Upper Delaware region February 24 to March 2

Posted

Sullivan launches 2022 Plans & Progress program

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County has made $100,000 available for municipalities, nonprofits, and community organizations through the renewal of the Plans & Progress Community Development incentive program.

The Plans & Progress Program provides grants of up to $10,000 to assist local municipalities, community groups and nonprofit organizations throughout Sullivan County with projects related to tourism, community and economic development, image enhancement, trails development, health improvement, agricultural and farmland protection and other community goals.

“This program has proven vital to a number of worthwhile initiatives, and I’m pleased that we have been able to allocate funding to enable it to return,” District 8 legislator Ira Steingart, chair of the legislature’s planning committee, said. “I invite anyone to email or call our planning team to find out whether they’re eligible and how they can obtain one of these truly transformative grants.” For more information, email Planning@sullivanny.us or call 845/807-0527.

Delgado releases bipartisan infrastructure law guidebook for upstate governments

RHINEBECK, NY — U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) released a guidebook to the infrastructure investment and jobs act, to ensure that local upstate governments can unlock the benefits from the investments in the nation’s infrastructure. The guidebook is a one-stop-shop with information on the programs and resources available to local New York governments, and can be found at https://bit.ly/delgado-guidebook.

More than $80 billion has been allocated to states for competitive programs in roads and highways, bridges, ports, airports and water systems. Additional programs are being rolled out to deploy high speed internet, electric vehicle chargers, energy grid upgrades and clean energy demonstration projects. As the law continues to be implemented, the investments will, for example, strengthen the nation’s resilience to climate change, a Delgado spokesperson said, and invest in rural areas and the disability community.

Gov. Hochul announces program for clean energy jobs retraining

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on February 17 a $25 million statewide federal grant proposal taking a multifaceted approach to reskill and train New Yorkers, including displaced workers in the fossil fuel sector and members of disadvantaged communities, for new clean-energy job opportunities. Additionally, the proposal will support community colleges with industry-driven curriculum development and microcredentialing and provide wraparound services to assist individuals with their careers.

The New York Community Colleges Energy Equity Consortium (NYCCEE), a consortium of 24 SUNY/CUNY community colleges, employers, community-based organizations, unions, faith leaders and state and local government, will focus existing resources and explore opportunities to leverage state, federal and private funding to develop new training and career preparation in building electrification, offshore wind, solar, and advanced manufacturing facilities.

Murder indictment in connection with death of ‘Billy’ Steinberg

MONTICELLO, NY — DA Meagan Galligan announced that a Sullivan County grand jury reported an indictment on February 16, accusing Mohammed Islam, 33, of New York City, of felony murder in connection with the death of Town of Forestburgh Fire Department assistant chief William “Billy” Steinberg. The grand jury additionally accused Islam of arson in the fourth degree, alleging that he illegally set fires on January 10, January 13, and January 15 of this year.

In the course of fighting the January 15 fire, Steinberg died of a heart attack. The indictment accuses Islam of bearing criminal responsibility for the death, alleging he intentionally set a fire that recklessly damaged a building at 65 Rock Ridge Dr. in the Town of Thompson, and set in motion the events that led to Steinberg’s heart attack.

Islam is currently held at the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash/$150,000 bond in connection with the January 15 fire. The case will be scheduled for arraignment. Islam is represented by Sullivan County Legal Aid.

Center for Discovery gets safety funds

HARRIS, NY — The Center for Discovery (TCFD), in partnership with Sullivan County, has received a $2 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to improve safety for all residents and staff in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, issued by New York State to Sullivan County, is considered a pass-through grant. “It will be going to The Center for Discovery to support air quality improvements campus-wide to further prevent, prepare for and respond to the coronavirus pandemic,” Sullivan County Deputy Commissioner of Planning Jill Weyer said.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for safety upgrades in the center’s nearly 50 residential homes and dozens of other school and supporting buildings, particularly in the area of air filtration. The grant will outfit each structure with state-of-the-art hospital-grade air filtration units and specialized filters.

Similac, Alimentum and EleCare recalled

NATIONAL — On Wednesday, February 17, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is investigating consumer complaints of Cronobacter sakazakii and salmonella Newport infections. All of the cases are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula produced in Abbot Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. All four cases related to these complaints were hospitalized, and Cronobacter may have contributed to a death in one case.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the FDA is alerting consumers to avoid purchasing or using certain powdered infant formula products produced at this facility. This is an ongoing investigation, and the firm is working with the FDA to initiate a voluntary recall of the potentially affected product. The FDA is advising consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum or EleCare powdered infant formulas if the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37; the code on the container contains the letters/numbers K8, SH, or Z2; and the expiration date is April 1, 2022 or later.

Sullivan County, Plans and Progress Program, community development, Rep. Antonio Delgado, guidebook, public spending, infrastructure, Gov. Kathy Hochul, renewable energy, job retraining, Billy Steinberg, Town of Forestberg Fire Department, arson, The Center for Discovery, Community Development Block Grant, air quality, air filtration, pandemic, Similac, Alimentum, EleCare, Abbot Nutrition, recall, baby formula

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