Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara today joined Speaker Carl Heastie in announcing $2 million in state funding secured to help complete the Electric City Community Grocery (ECCG), a community-owned grocery store under construction in downtown Schenectady.

The funding was announced during Speaker Heastie’s visit to Schenectady, where Assemblyman Santabarbara hosted the Speaker for a tour of the future grocery store and highlighted the project’s importance to expanding access to fresh, healthy food while supporting continued investment in downtown Schenectady.

“This project has the power to make a lasting difference for our community,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “I was proud to work with Speaker Heastie to secure this $2 million investment, which will help close the remaining funding gap and bring this long-awaited project to completion. This is an investment in healthier neighborhoods, local jobs and the future of downtown Schenectady.”

Speaker Carl Heastie announced the funding following the tour, recognizing the importance of supporting community-driven projects that improve access to nutritious food and strengthen neighborhoods.

Assemblyman Santabarbara led the tour through the future grocery store, where Speaker Heastie met with project leaders and learned more about the cooperative’s mission, construction progress and plans to serve downtown residents. The new funding is expected to provide the final major investment needed to complete the project and move it toward opening.

“This investment brings us one step closer to opening the doors of a community-owned grocery store that will serve residents for generations,” Santabarbara said. “I appreciate Speaker Heastie’s partnership and his commitment to supporting projects that make a real difference in people’s everyday lives.”

 The Electric City Community Grocery will provide downtown residents with greater access to fresh, affordable food while creating permanent jobs and strengthening the local economy through its community-owned cooperative model.