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“Reviving & Rebuilding Rockland One Grant At a Time” By Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Published

6 months ago

on

Here in County Government, we are always working to improve the lives of everyone who calls beautiful Rockland home. For this reason, the moment my administration received $63 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds we capitalized on the opportunity to help Rocklanders who struggled significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants we’ve distributed so far include:

Awarded over $1,3000,000 to small businesses.

Awarded $400,000.00 in non-profit rescue grants.

Awarded over $450,000.00 to restaurants.

Awarded $7,000,000.00 in Urban Green Space grants.

But that’s not all. We utilized the funding to a variety of beneficial community programs including the Youth Bureau TEEN Works program and the Spring Valley Youth Police Initiative, completed the Rockland Riverway Feasibility Study- 26-mile path from Palisades to Stony Point, and granted $1.5 million to acquire land for workforce housing.

But as I’ve said time and time again, we will make sure every single penny that we received will be utilized to help our families and as such I am proud to announce our newest grant program that will utilize $500,000 of ARPA funds to further support our nonprofits.

To combat the rates of food insecurity in Rockland County, which have dramatically increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the $500,000 of ARPA funds will be used to establish the Food Security Equipment Reimbursement Grant which aims to provide reimbursement funds to organizations for pantry related equipment expenses that encourage capacity building by increasing and improving the services pantries provide to their communities. This capacity building will ultimately cultivate a more resilient network of food pantries, which can improve their ability to weather future public health emergencies.

Individual reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to select organizations who meet the eligibility requirements for expenses including but not limited to:

Freezers

Refrigerators

Shelving

Insulated Storage Sheds

Lift-gates

Forklifts

Pallet Jacks

Hand Carts

Tents

Tables

Outdoor Heaters

Pantry-Related Software

Awarded organizations may be reimbursed for funds used for eligible equipment expenses incurred beginning January 1, 2024, and until the application submission period closes on May 31, 2024.

When our hardworking families endure a new level of strain these organizations always step up to help and we are honored to reciprocate that level of care and consideration to our heroic nonprofits.

We encourage nonprofits interested to contact our ARPA Department at [email protected] or 845-364-2027.

* This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day

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Government

Senator Bill Weber Announces Five Towns of Rockland Blood Drive Challenge Winners

Published

6 days ago

on

September 1, 2024

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The Tappan Zee Bridge was lit in red for five days to mark the competition. Clarkstown took both the prize for the most blood collected and the prize for the most newly registered Red Cross blood donors in Senator Bill Weber’s Five Towns of Rockland Blood Drive Challenge.
The Red Cross set a goal of collecting 100 units from the challenge and that goal was exceeded with 111 units of blood collected and 64 first time donors participated across the five towns.
Clarkstown – 30 units, 18 first time donors
Orangetown – 27 units, 16 first time donors
Stony Point – 21 units, 12 first time donors
Ramapo – 18 units, 11 first time donors
Haverstraw – 15 units, 7 first time donors
“Only three percent of the population regularly donates blood, so these 64 new donors are helping increase that number. Thank you to everyone who donated, thank you to the supervisors of the five towns for their help in promoting it, and thank you to Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny for personally donating blood. I am overwhelmed by the support we saw from the community and I look forward to making this Blood Drive Challenge an annual event.” said Senator Bill Weber.
“It’s a great honor to have the Town of Clarkstown lead the way in donating the highest number of units and having the most first-time donors participate. Donating blood is a selfless act of charity that truly saves lives and I couldn’t be more proud of our residents and town staff who made donations. Thank you everyone who gave and to Senator Weber for organizing this wonderful contest where everyone involved is a winner,” said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann.
Senator Weber’s Five Towns of Rockland Blood Drive Challenge was done in partnership with the American Red Cross. This will now be an annual event.

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Government

Over The Past Two Weeks RCDOH Has Seen A Sharp Increase With Approximately Half Of The Pools Submitted For Testing Came Back Positive for WNV

Published

7 days ago

on

September 1, 2024

By

This uptick can increase the risk to the public’s health for mosquito-borne diseases. No human cases have been reported in the county this season; the last reported human case in Rockland was in 2023. View West Nile Virus mosquito pool testing results on the West Nile Virus Webpage.

“This time of year is when we often see a rise in West Nile Virus activity, and these positive mosquito pools confirm that. While the Health Department mosquito control teams continue to visit known mosquito breeding sites and apply larvicides throughout the summer to control mosquito populations, it is important for residents to practice sensible mosquito control in their backyards to help reduce the risks of WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases,” said Amy Isenberg, Environmental Health Specialist, Mosquito Program Coordinator. “The best and most effective mosquito control begins in private yards.  Eliminating standing water is the first step in reducing mosquito breeding.”

Not everyone infected with West Nile Virus will become ill and although a person’s chances of getting sick are small, those aged 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems are at the highest risk for serious illness. Serious complications that can be caused by WNV include neurological diseases, milder flu-like illness, fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and occasionally a skin rash and swollen lymph glands. If you think you have symptoms of West Nile Virus, see your doctor right away.

If you have concerns about mosquito breeding or standing water in your neighborhood, contact 845-364-3173 or submit a complaint form.

Follow these simple mosquito control tips to protect you, your family, and your community:

  • Eliminate any stagnant water from property including birdbaths, unused flowerpots, discarded tires, bottle caps, etc.
  • Make sure roof gutters drain properly and remove leaf debris from yards/gardens.
  • Drain water off covers of unused pools or spas or treat the standing water with Mosquito Dunks®.

Dunks are available free of charge at the Health Department, Building D, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona, Monday – Friday by appointment only, while supplies last. Call 845-364-3173 or e-mail [email protected] to arrange a pickup.

To reduce your risk of being bitten:

  • Cover up when outdoors for long periods or when mosquitoes are more active with long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
  •  Use mosquito repellent. (Do not use repellent on babies younger than 2 months old. Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children younger than 3 years old.)
  •  Cover baby carriers with mosquito netting when outside.
  •  Close doors and ensure that all windows and doors have screens and that the screens do not have rips, tears, or holes.

Call the Rockland County Health Department at 845-364-3173 to learn more or visit the Mosquito Control webpage. For more information, visit the New York State Health Department West Nile Virus webpage.

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