Massapequas to Receive $25 Million for Storm Reconstruction

The Massapequas will receive more than $25 million in federal and state money to rebuild in the aftermath of Sandy and Irene, Governor Cuomo announces Thursday.

The governor was joined by Shaun Donovan, the U.S> Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in announcing  the New York Rising Community Construction program.

The program will distribute more than $750 million to 102 communities. Of that money, Massapequa will receive $14.3 million, East Massapequa will get $8.7 million and Massapequa Park will get $ 3 million.

The program wil assist the communities in developing rebuilding plans which will be developed by regional planning committees of community leaders, experts, and officials.

"This program recognizes that New York’s effort to build back better must be a two pronged approach with the state not only leading critical infrastructure and broad investment strategies but also providing localities the resources they need to invest in their own future," Cuomo said. " When we are done, we will have risen to the challenge of making our great state not only more resistant to future storms, but stronger, more prosperous, and more prepared for years to come.”

Donovan sid the program "will empower communities to develop bold plans that will help make New York stronger, more economically competitive and better able to withstand future storms. "

Cuomo also announced the appointment of James Rubin to direct the program.  Rubin is an advisor to Donovan at HUD and a former partner with One Equity Partners, JP Morgan’s private equity fund.

North Hempstead Town Supervisor John Kaiman was tapped  to be a a special advisor to Long Island Storm Recovery and will serve as a liaison to the governor's office.

" I look forward to working closely with local officials and residents of communities that were hit by the storm to rebuild and strengthen our towns and villages for the future," he said.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano was one of many officials who attended a conference on storm recovery with the governor calling it, "an important step forward."

" While there is little telling of where or when the next major storm will hit, we can apply the lesson learned today and from our past experiences to build communities that are more equipped to protect residents and businesses, and build a better New York State overall. I commend Governor Cuomo for organizing today’s conference to tackle the issue head-on.”