Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 2006

McHugh, Clinton, Schumer Announce $737K In Federal Funds To Support Growth At Fort Drum

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A $737,579 federal grant from the Department of Defense (DOD) has been awarded to the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC), Rep. John M. McHugh (R-NY), Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton(D-NY), and Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) announced today. The funds,from DOD's Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), provide community adjustment assistance in response to the significant growth at Fort Drum.

"This is a particularly positive and important development given the profound growth of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum," Rep. McHugh said. "I have repeatedly urged DOD to recognize the impact of this expansion, and am pleased that they have responded with this award today. I know that officials at both DANC and the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization (FDRLO) are thrilled with this announcement, and the funds will go a long way to ensure that our region plans effectively and efficiently to accommodate the surge of new soldiers and civilians alike."

"The increase in personnel coming to Fort Drum presents an incredible potential economic boost for the entire region but we must make sure that service members and their families have somewhere to live that works for them and for the local communities," Senator Clinton said. "My colleagues and I are working with the U.S. military and the community and we are committed to developing an effective housing plan for the region. This funding will certainly help our collaborative efforts to find a solution that works for everyone."

"This is great news for Ft. Drum, the local community, businesses, and soldiers. This money could not have come at a more critical time. The mission growth at Ft. Drum will energize the local economy, but we need to support the region as it goes through its growing pains. This is the first step in what will be a long term efforts to ensure the Ft. Drum community has the tools and resources it needs to grow," said Senator Schumer.

The grant will support the DANC-FDRLO Growth Management Program, which includes the following:

* Development of a Comprehensive Community Growth Management Strategy;

* Assistance to carry out FDRLO-DANC housing initiatives;

* Expenses related to the housing forum held earlier this year; and

* An analysis of economic development activities that could result from the growth.

In May 2004, prior to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, a third brigade was stationed at Fort Drum. Decisions made during the BRAC process last year permanently assigned the brigade, and continuedstaffing toward its end strength took place this March. Overall, the addition of the third brigade will increase the military and civilian population by more than 12,000 by the spring of 2007.

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