Assemblyman Andy Goodell, R-Jamestown, announced that Chautauqua County libraries will receive $562,695 in capital funds for library construction projects in the 2019 State Budget.

The state money provides up to 75 percent of approved costs of broadband installation and the acquisition, construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of public libraries or public library system headquarters. Any public library or public library system chartered by the Regents of the State of New York or established by an act of the New York State Legislature is eligible to apply for State Aid for Library Construction.

Of the $562,695 awarded to libraries in Chautauqua County, Anderson-Lee Library in Silver Creek will receive $5,127, Bemus Point Public Library will receive $57,593, Clymer-French Creek Free Library will receive $21,255, Dunkirk Public Library will receive $29,151, Hazeltine Public Library in Busti will receive $35,100, James Prendergast Free Library in Jamestown will receive $183,969, and Ripley Public Library will receive $230,500.

“Local libraries struggle with reduced funding and increased costs, creating challenges to their budgets and ability to provide the services relied on by their communities,” Goodell said. “It is extremely difficult to raise funds for construction in addition to funding routine operating budgets. This construction aid is a valuable resource for libraries to keep their facilities current, viable, safe, and compliant.”

The application deadline for the next round of awards is Oct. 2. For more information, visit www.nysl.nysed.gov and click on Library Development.