“We’re near the finish line.””

Frank DeMayo, Liberty Town Supervisor

LIBERTY — U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro (NY-19) was in Sullivan County Monday to discuss $1,000,000 in federal funding he secured for upgrades to the Old Route 17 Corridor Infrastructure Project in Liberty.

The funding would be used to advance critical water upgrades to resolve existing water quality issues and for the extension and upgrade of the water distribution line, town water line and to connect it to the Commercial Industrial Zone. This funding was secured and advocated for in the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill.

“You send tens of millions of dollars to Washington, it’s nice that, every so often, we’re able to give it back,” said Molinaro.

It was explained that when they were given the opportunity to direct Federal aid back to municipalities, Molinaro made it a priority to focus on water and sewer-related projects.

“We have aging infrastructure in the Northeast,” described Molinaro. “I managed a water system for 12 years so I do know the challenges of I and I, traditional wastewater treatment. All of that is very expensive, complicated and aging.”

He went on to say that the average taxpayer and consumer can’t afford to shoulder rate increases.

“If you’re going to spur economic development, the most effective way to do that is to really get in and do the infrastructure with a developer or head of development,” explained Molinaro. “You can guide development where you want it, you can drive down the cost which streamlines the process and get the projects moving.”

Town of Liberty Supervisor Frank DeMayo described this development as “over 20 years in the making.”

DeMayo thought this was an ideal part for commercial development. In the span of many years and with lots of partners such as the Village of Liberty, Molinaro himself, and Delaware Engineering, a lot of hard work was said to have been done to get to this point.

“We’re near the finish line,” said DeMayo.

All of the environmentals were said to be done at 468 Harris Road. It is one of six priority sites along the corridor from Ferndale to Thompson.

DeMayo described the site as a “million-square foot facility” and that many businesses have expressed interest in the site.

Sullivan County Legislature Chairwoman Nadia Rajsz thanked Supervisor DeMayo for making the project possible, and to Marc Baez, President of the Sullivan County Economic Development, for getting these shovel-ready sites ready. She also thanked Congressman Molinaro for getting all the money redirected to the site.

“We really need more of it, thank you so much,” stated Rajsz.

“To deliver this kind of infrastructure helps the community served, but also [it’s important] because it will spur economic development.

“Ultimately, Sullivan County is a place where when you have the right partnerships and you have the resources, we can attract. We can attract residents, we can attract businesses, and you can do it in a way its sustainable, it fits in the the community,” Rajsz said. “For us to be able to move dollars back for that purpose, it means a lot.”