The state's new budget includes $300 million in funding for a new health care facility for the Mohawk Valley.

Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi say officials at Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center will work together to design a system that will save money and provide the best state-of-the art facilities in one central location.

Officials with Mohawk Valley Health System say building a new hospital is estimated at $460 to $500 million.

They say the $300 million would help lay the foundation for funding, but MVHS would still need additional financial support from federal and state governments, lending institutions and support from the community.

The new hospital would replace the inpatient care currently provided at the St. Luke's Campus of Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare and at St.Elizabeth Medical Center.

The project would take four to six years to complete.

The budget also increases funding for regional transit services, as well as vital economic development projects for the state.

Brindisi and Senator Joseph Griffo pointed to several items in the new budget they say will move the region’s economy forward:

  • $1.5 Billion for the Upstate Revitalization Fund, a new competitive grant program that will provide funding for regional economic development projects.
  • $500 Million to improve Broadband service to rural areas, such as the North Country.
  • The budget includes $25 Million more for upstate transit services -- $15 million to fund capital projects, and $10 million for operations.  It includes an additional $25,000 requested by CENTRO.
  • $3 Million in the new budget will fund economic development projects at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park, and at other former military facilities.
  • $1 Million will help support the NUAIR Alliance’s Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test site at the Griffiss International Airport in Rome.

The lawmakers say the new budget clearly provides resources the Mohawk valley needs to continue its economic growth.

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