Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano is encouraging constituents to contact their House Representative and both U.S. Senators to let them know how any reinstatement of freezing federal assistance could impact local families.
“The recent directive from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to pause federal financial assistance would be a major jolt to our Yonkers families,” said Mayor Spano. “Without this funding, certain essential benefits won’t be supplied to residents and local businesses who need it most. Infrastructure projects funded by the federal government will remain stagnant and halt economic activity and private sector interests. These funds are imperative to the future of Yonkers.”
Federal funds provide support for initiatives with Law Enforcement and Public Safety programs, Engineering, the Department of Public Works, Office for the Aging and Community Development including critical infrastructure projects.
“Yonkers is an economic engine. The trickle-down effect could have a crippling impact on jobs in the private sector such as construction or engineering firms. It would also severely minimize supply chain investments tasked with vibrant development that exists in our City,” Spano said.
Just last year, $3.5 million in federal funding was secured to create the Yonkers Greenway and South Broadway Infrastructure Project which would connect neighborhoods, improve a vital business and residential district, and create more green space and bike lanes.
The City currently manages nearly $100 million in federal active grants that support Yonkers Public Schools, the City of Yonkers, and the Yonkers Workforce Investment Board.
Of the $38 million currently allocated for the Yonkers Public Schools, $13 million in federal assistance supports School Nutrition Programs including free breakfast and lunch and free summer lunch, and another $9 million supports special education.
“I hope our federal partners reevaluate what this could mean to our local communities and do everything they can to ease the uncertainty of Americans whose livelihood depends on some of these crucial lifelines. I am calling on our constituents to make their voices heard and contact our federal leaders to bring forward other strategies and not freeze important federal funds that support our community,” Mayor Spano said.
