Sen. Schumer says the Rural Outdoor Investment (ROI) Act will allocate $50 million for infrastructure, planning, and business assistance to rural New York State communities that need it most, in order to increase their quality of life and bolster economic development.
Specifically, Schumer said the ROI Act provides:
- $30 million for public works through the NYS Economic Development Administration (EDA). This will fund necessary infrastructure improvements including signage, boat ramps, and new trails.
- $12.5 million for Recreation Economy for Rural Communities grants for Main Street revitalization through outdoor recreation.
- $5 million for planning grants through the EDA for communities to create recreation-economy plans that optimize their natural opportunities, including marketing, branding, business development, fundraising, and tourism management.
- $2.5 million in university partnerships to promote place-based research, education, and technical assistance to local stakeholders and businesses for this high-growth sector.