Mayor Walsh Statement on Pandemic Relief Spending on Jobs and Community Festivals

Statement by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh regarding Common Council approval of American Rescue Plan Act funding for a trades and technology training lab and community festivals:

“American Rescue Plan Act spending authorized today by the Common Council demonstrates how we can use pandemic relief to both recover and surge forward. The planned investment of $1.7 million in the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center Applied Trades and Advanced Manufacturing Training Lab, which is contingent on matching funds from the State University of New York, will position a major Syracuse Surge jobs program to move forward. The Lab will provide training in construction and technology to meet the growing local demand for workers in these fields.

I also welcome the Council’s approval of ARPA funding for arts and cultural festivals and events. Performers, artists, and craftspeople have been hit hard by pandemic restrictions and lost revenue opportunities.  These programs attract thousands of visitors and patrons from around the city, the Central New York region, and beyond, contributing to the city’s economy, especially the arts, entertainment, food service, retail and hospitality related sectors. I thank the Council for supporting these investments in recovery and growth.”