By Forum Staff
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) on Tuesday announced that a federal grant totaling $3.8 million has been awarded to the Education and Cultural Trust Fund of the Electric City in Flushing.
Allocated by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, which Meng helped to fund in Congress, the grant will support building renovations as well as clean energy workforce development in the region.
This federal money will specifically support the construction of an onshore and offshore wind safety training facility, providing classroom space, utility upgrades, and more. This investment will be matched with $957,000 in local funds. It is expected to create 490 jobs and retain 2,870 more while generating $429 million in private investments, according to grantee estimates.
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Hudson Valley Regional Council. EDA funds HRVC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
The project is funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Meng helped pass the bill in the House.
“Creating good-paying jobs and supporting sustainable infrastructure is a critical part of a stronger economy and a healthier community in Queens,” Meng said. “This federal funding invests in our community by building a workforce that can help address the growing impacts of climate change right at home.
The House Appropriations Committee is responsible for funding the federal government’s programs, projects, and activities.
“Local 3 IBEW is grateful for our congresswoman, Grace Meng, and all of the elected officials in New York State who helped support the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund’s efforts in achieving this U.S. EDA grant that will fund offshore wind GWO safety training for our members,” said Christopher Erikson, business manager of Local 3 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the training and work opportunities created by this grant will have a meaningful and positive impact on our current and future members who will work on the offshore wind projects critical to achieving the climate goals of New York State and our nation. In conjunction with the Joint Industry Board’s Educational and Cultural Trust Fund and our signatory contractors in NECA New York, we will be able to construct a world class facility, in line with Local 3’s values of education, safety, and training. Thank you, Congresswoman Meng, the Biden-Harris administration, and all of our supportive friends in federal, state, and local government for helping this grant become a reality for Local 3’s members, who are eager to do their part in building offshore wind projects up and down our coastlines.”
