Expansion of Transit Service in Brooklyn and Queens: The Interborough Express
Expansion of Transit Service in Brooklyn and Queens: The Interborough Express
Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to move forward with the Interborough Express. Governor Hochul is directing the MTA to immediately begin the environmental review process for this transformative project, the first step in building this major infrastructure investment that would connect communities in Brooklyn and Queens to as many as 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road.
Governor Hochul will direct the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to begin the environmental review process for the Interborough Express. This historic project would use the existing right of way of the Bay Ridge Branch, which is a freight rail line that runs through Brooklyn and Queens, connecting the ethnically and economically diverse neighborhoods of: Sunset Park, Borough Park, Kensington, Midwood, Flatbush, Flatlands, New Lots, Brownsville, East New York, Bushwick, Ridgewood, Middle Village, Maspeth, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights with several new stations in communities not currently served by rail transit.
If adopted, this new service would improve transit and job access to underserved communities along this corridor that is currently home to about 900,000 residents and 260,000 jobs, and with growth expected by at least 41,000 people and 15,000 jobs in the next 25 years. For many residents along this corridor, crossing from neighborhood to neighborhood is slow and tedious because existing subway lines are oriented towards Manhattan, even as many new work opportunities, schools, and services are located in the outer boroughs. The project would provide critical mobility, creating better links for travel to and from Manhattan as well as key connections among neighborhoods, across boroughs, and opening up new opportunities for reverse commuting into Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Billion Dollar Rescue Plan for Small Businesses
Billion Dollar Rescue Plan for Small Businesses
Small businesses, accounting for 98 percent of all businesses statewide, are the backbone of New York's economy and under the Governor's plan, the state will be supporting these entities through a variety of initiatives focusing on growing the businesses of the future, helping new businesses struggling to establish themselves and providing tax relief. Additionally, to support New York's restaurant industry, a sector that has especially been hit hard by COVID-19, the Governor will introduce legislation to permanently allow the sale of to-go drinks for bars and restaurants statewide.
To help small businesses at this critical moment, Governor Hochul's Billion Dollar Rescue Plan will include targeted programs strategically designed to respond to small business needs, and to ensure that disadvantaged, minority-owned, and women-owned small businesses prosper throughout the State.
The Billion Dollar Rescue Plan includes:
- Funding for Small Businesses of the Future
- The Small Business COVID Capital Investment Tax Credit
- Seed Funding for Small Businesses
- Small Business Lending Initiative
- The Excelsior Contracting Opportunities Initiative
- Permanently Legalize the Sale of To-Go Drinks for Bars and Restaurants
$1 Billion 'ConnectALL' Initiative
$1 Billion 'ConnectALL' Initiative
Governor Hochul's $1 billion ConnectALL initiative is the largest ever investment in New York's 21st century infrastructure. This plan which will deliver affordable broadband to millions of New Yorkers and transform the state's digital infrastructure through new investments. Under the new ConnectALL initiative, New York State will use over $1 billion in public and private investments to connect New Yorkers in rural and urban areas statewide to broadband.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed how inaccessible and unreliable a broadband connection was for many New Yorkers, who suddenly were forced to live their lives through the internet. It is essential that all New Yorkers have equitable access to the internet, as marginalized communities are most affected by this lack of broadband access.
Closing this remaining digital divide is critical, because having universal access to high-speed broadband in our digital economy is as essential as having heat, water, and electricity. Connectivity helps New Yorkers go to school, work remotely, find a job, start a business, access healthcare, and communicate with loved ones. Further investment in this vital public infrastructure will not only strengthen the progress of our State's initial investment, it will boost economic growth and local innovation far into the future.
Driven by a new ConnectALL Office, this initiative includes:
- Broadband Assessment Program and Interactive Map
- Grant Programs
- $30-a-month Affordability Subsidy
- Affordable Housing Connectivity Program
- Digital Equity Program
- Removing Fees, Outdated Regulatory Hurdles and Leveraging State Assets