• 11.16.23
• General

CHAMBER WELCOMES FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NORTH COUNTRY BORDER CROSSINGS

The North Country Chamber of Commerce is welcoming the announcement of major federal funding allocations for North Country border crossings by Senator Charles Schumer.

"We have worked with Senator Schumer for two years on funding for major investments at the Rouses Point and Trout River crossings, as well as funding for needed work at Champlain, and these allocations represent a major step forward," says Garry Douglas, Chamber President. "The $8.5 million for Rouses Point represents a major step forward in creating an entirely new U.S. border crossing facility at an estimated total investment of $29 million. And the allocation of $9.1 million for Trout River is almost half of the planned total investment in major renovations and improvements of $19.7 million. And the $11.3 million for the Champlain Port of Entry will update roads and parking areas that are in need of attention to keep the crossing maintained and efficient."

Douglas identifies the new Rouses Point and renovated Trout River crossings as next steps in a more than twenty-year "Port of Excellence" vision the Chamber has pursued for the area's border gateways, building upon the $170 million in new facilities at Champlain. The Chamber is part of a stakeholders advisory group assisting the U.S. General Services Administration with current design processes for both Rouses Point and Trout River, and is also a recognized stakeholder organization in the current design process for $49 million in facility work planned by Canada at the Lacolle border crossing.

We thank Senator Schumer for being a continued champion of our North Country border crossings and we thank GSA for its collaboration with local stakeholders going forward," says Douglas.