For More Information:

William R. Steinhaus
Dutchess County Executive
(845) 486-2000 countyexec@co.dutchess.ny.us

For Immediate Release

August 5, 1999

STEINHAUS TO NEW YORK STATE: DUTCHESS COUNTY IS POSITIONED FOR
NEWLY CREATED "PIPELINE FOR JOBS" $$$

In a letter to Governor George Pataki also copied to John Cahill, Commissioner, New York State Environmental Conservation and Charles Gargano, Empire State Development, Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus outlined how the county's proposed Dutchess Central Utility Corridor project is perfectly suited for consideration under New York State's new "Pipeline for Jobs" program. "Pipeline for Jobs" is anew $51.5 Million fund created in the State's budget adopted Wednesday as part of the larger Jobs 2000 Bill, which creates and supports various workforce investment programs.

The Dutchess Central Utility Corridor feasibility study is an outgrowth of County Executive Steinhaus' April 1998 initiative that brought together representatives of county government, the county Water and Wastewater Authority, Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, local municipalities, and interested private uses to review the feasibility of developing a pipeline along the county-owned former rail corridor running from Poughkeepsie to East Fishkill. The utility corridor would deliver excess capacity Hudson River water from the Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie taps to municipalities, homes, and businesses along the corridor as well as to the Economic Development Zone area in East Fishkill including the Hudson Valley Research Park.

Steinhaus said in his letter, "This major regional water supply (could) contribute to the creation of thousands of new jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector economic development investment, and at the same time provide a more environmentally desirable water system."

"This, important project has regional, as well as local benefits, for economic development and jobs growth with the added benefit of environmental advantages. We look forward to the opportunity to establish another successful county, state and local public/private partnership. My purpose in contacting the Governor now is to see if we can get Dutchess County on the early list of possible projects across New York State," concluded County Executive Steinhaus.

Steinhaus will also be enlisting the support of the local county elected state delegation including Senators Saland and Leibell, and Assemblymen Manning, Miller, Kirwan and Stephens.