Update On Wayland And Urbana Projects

Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Director Jamie Johnson says the I.D.A. is getting a $16.9 award from the Empire State Development Power Up Program.  Johnson says the money will go towards upgrading the electrical infrastructure of the Wayland Business Park.  Also, the I.D.A. Director says that the Town of Urbana has signed a contract with a construction company to build a pier at the head of Keuka Lake.  Work on this will start on July 6.     

 

GOP: State Budget Is Not Done Yet And Has Some Problems

Why is the state budget still unfinished?  Republican State Senator Tom O’Mara says, it’s a case of the governor wanting to make certain changes to car insurance.  Another thing that might  possibly come out of the budget: immunity for state lawmakers, so they would not have to pay late fees on their personal utility bills.  That’s according to GOP Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey.

 

The Big Boy Train Will Stop In Hornell On June 11

Union Pacific is announcing today that the Big Boy Train will be coming through Hornell on June 11 at 2:00pm, for a whistle stop visit. Before the Big Boy train is in Hornell, it will be going to Letchworth State Park. The tour also includes a July 4 celebration in Philadelphia, Pennsyvlania. “This is the first time Big Boy has steamed across the Mississippi River,” Union Pacific said today. “Union Pacific could not be prouder to share this powerful piece of history and to be part of America’s birthday celebration,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. “This tour celebrates our company’s rich 164 year history, our nation’s amazing sotry and the people who have helped build our great country and railroad.” The Big Boy will stop for 15-30 minutes in Hornell. 

 

Hammondsport Freshman Class Visits The Bath VA

From Hammonsport Central:

Our 9th grade students recently had an incredible opportunity to visit the VA Center in Bath, NY for a day of career exploration!

Students participated in engaging presentations covering a wide range of fields, including nursing, law enforcement, social work, administration, pharmacy, physical therapy, and firefighting. They also enjoyed a guided tour of the VA Museum, led by its curator, where they learned about the rich history and impact of the facility.  Experiences like this are especially important in 9th grade, as they expose students to careers they may not have known existed, while helping them begin thinking about potential pathways, make informed decisions about future coursework, and explore post-secondary options.

Thank you to everyone at the VA Center for providing such a meaningful and informative experience for our students!

 

Steuben County Puts Out A Video About County Gov't

From County Spokesman Eddie VanStine:  Steuben County has released a new video and accompanying presentation designed to provide residents with an overview of county government operations, the services provided, and how taxpayer dollars are allocated.

Presented by County Manager Jack Wheeler, the video walks viewers through the structure of Steuben County government, including the roles of the County Legislature, elected officials, and departmental leadership. It also outlines the three primary categories of services delivered by the county: state and federally mandated programs, mandates with local control, and discretionary local services.

The presentation highlights the significant impact of mandated programs—particularly in areas such as social services, public safety, and public health—while also showcasing local investments in infrastructure, emergency response, and quality-of-life services like 911 dispatch and programs for seniors.

In addition, the video provides a breakdown of the county’s budget, explaining key revenue sources such as sales tax, state and federal aid, and property taxes, as well as the county’s ongoing efforts to maintain fiscal responsibility while delivering essential services.

“This presentation is intended to give our residents greater transparency and understanding of how county government works and how decisions are made,” said Wheeler. “We are proud of the services we provide and our commitment to responsible budgeting on behalf of our taxpayers.”

The video presentation will be available on the Steuben County website and will be featured on the homepage and on our social media platforms for easy public access.

Residents are encouraged to view the presentation and utilize the county website for additional information and resources. For those interested, it can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-TJNa5S9Mo