Schumer: COVID deal good for northern N.Y.

PLATTSBURGH | In a web conference call with North Country business leaders Feb. 5, the new U.S. Senate Majority Leader said the proposed COVID-19 relief bill would be beneficial to residents here. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) spoke to North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas, saying funds in the relief bill would be beneficial in several areas. Schumer started by talking about what he felt the benefits of moving the national vaccine rollout into a federal program would be. "There will be $160 billion for the federal government to set up vaccination sites, including many places in the North Country where people will be able to line up and get the shot," Schumer said. "They believe by September most will be able to have the vaccine. I think they are low-balling it. I think it may occur even sooner, in June or July. I think we have gotten a handle on the vaccine distribution. The federal government will take over the vaccination process. There will be no intermediary. It will be done by FEMA as well as National Guard and 100,000 temporary health care workers." Schumer also said there will be local school funding which will be used to help schools reopen fully by September and additional funding going to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and specific business needs. "We got money for restaurants in the new bill," said Schumer. "Cumberland 12 in Plattsburgh, the Palace in Lake Placid, and more local theaters can apply for the Save our Stages Act funding. These are important for our communities as well." Schumer added his office would help anyone looking for relief act funding programs. "If you need help or if any businesses need help, call my office and we will make sure you are put in touch with these different groups and they get the money," he said. Addressing issuesDouglas thanked Schumer for doing his part to address the issues of North Country businesses and industry. "In the December bill, you addressed issues we had brought to you. In your new bill, our local businesses said that direct local aid was essential because they know the consequences will fall on the local municipalities," said Douglas, as the new COVID bill will send half of the federal aid directly to local municipalities. The BorderCalling it "understandable but regrettable," Douglas asked if Schumer had heard of progress with reopening the Canadian border to non-essential traffic. "This is a killer for states like New York where trade with Canada is so important," said Schumer. "I'm pushing them hard and this should not be on the back-burner." Schumer added he felt relations between the two countries would improve with the new administration. Transit manufacturing Douglas also brought up funding for public transit projects, including the creation of busses, electronic busses, and rail cars. "This is one of the great things that link the North Country to New York City," said Schumer. "The need for those busses and trains and the things that help transport people in the city. I think the ability of companies like NovaBus to improve their sales to New York City and other areas will increase significantly." Douglas asked if Schumer could arrange a tour of local transportation manufacturers with the incoming secretary of transportation Mike Buttigieg. "I will try, and I can tell you incoming deputy commissioner of transportation Polly Tottenburg was a member of my staff and the New York state transportation department (where she served as commissioner)," Schumer said. "She is going to be great for us."

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Schumer: COVID deal good for northern N.Y.

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