Federal Funds Flow to Fruit Belt

By James Fink
Business First of Buffalo
7/16/2007

Plans by Buffalo officials to develop the city's Fruit Belt neighborhood will be receiving federal assistance.

Congress has allocated $1.6 million for streetscape improvements, including infrastructure repairs to roads and sidewalks, in the Fruit Belt Redevelopment area located along the edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Buffalo is in the midst of a $30 million urban renewal effort in the Fruit Belt to play off the various economic development initiatives within the medical campus.

"This is a positive indication that our message of Buffalo's continuing revitalization is being heard in our nation's capital," Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said.

The U.S. Senate has also approved a $600,000 allocation for cameras and other security measures along streets identified by the Buffalo Police Department as trouble spots, and Congress has approved a $100,000 allocation for the Pathways Initiative that works with youth between the ages of 11 and 18 in a violence reduction program.

The allocations must be approved by President Bush. Brown expects little opposition to the funding packages.

"The actions of both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees have earmarked important funding for programs in Buffalo that will contribute to our ongoing efforts to improve the city's overall economy and quality of life," Brown said.

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