Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to release the promised funds for the Owego Main Street Rehabilitation project. The funding has been tied up waiting for approval from the Division of Budget to request it from the Comptroller’s Office through Empire State Development.

“I am asking for the governor to release the promised funds to pay for the Owego Main Street Rehabilitation Project. Our community moved forward faithfully in renewing properties in the Owego historic district, but the delay in payment is causing problems for our community,” said Friend. “This spending was planned well ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic and should be honored by our state. New York must be a state that follows through in its financial obligations. I encourage the governor to direct the Division of Budget to authorize the payments now.”

Currently, two payments totaling $613,880 are being held up in the approval process. These funds are due and are placing the construction companies and developers in a difficult position by having to take out loans to cover the costs of the project.