Governor Kathy Hochul's recently announced $9 million investment to strengthen water system cybersecurity will deliver $670,000 to communities across the Adirondacks and North Country. New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman joined local officials in Saranac Lake to highlight projects that will help local governments identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities, strengthen defenses against cyber threats, and protect the essential water services that New Yorkers rely on every day.

"Strong, secure water infrastructure is essential to healthy communities and a strong economy,” EFC President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman said. "Governor Hochul is ensuring communities have the resources they need to protect critical water systems from emerging cyber threats while continuing our historic investments in clean water infrastructure across New York."

The awards are part of Governor Hochul's August 4 announcement through the inaugural round of the Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancements (SECURE) grant program, which is supporting 153 projects statewide. The initiative establishes a national model for helping local governments defend critical drinking water and wastewater systems against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats while ensuring New Yorkers continue to receive safe, reliable water services. SECURE grants, coupled with no-cost technical assistance from EFC, help local governments assess their systems and implement New York State's minimum cybersecurity standards for drinking water and wastewater systems.

Governor Hochul has made supporting small and rural communities a priority of New York's water infrastructure strategy. In addition to making historic statewide investments in clean water infrastructure, the Governor has established enhanced grants that provide greater financial assistance for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities undertaking critical wastewater projects. Those enhanced grants have already helped municipalities move forward with essential sewer projects that otherwise would have been difficult to finance, reducing costs for local ratepayers while protecting public health and the environment.

The cybersecurity awards build on that commitment by helping communities not only modernize their water infrastructure but also protect it from emerging cyber threats. As drinking water and wastewater systems increasingly rely on digital technologies and internet-connected equipment, cybersecurity has become a critical component of maintaining reliable utility operations.

The grants are in addition to Governor Hochul's landmark $3.75 billion clean water investment included in the FY 2027 Enacted Budget. Together with EFC's financing programs, these investments continue New York's nation-leading commitment to helping communities modernize infrastructure, improve affordability, and strengthen resilience against future challenges.

North Country SECURE Grant Awards

• Village of Carthage, Water Pollution Control Facility Cybersecurity Assessment, $50,000
• Town of Chazy, Cybersecurity Assessment, $20,000
• Village of Clayton, Cybersecurity Assessment, $50,000
• Town of Henderson, Water Treatment Plant SCADA & Instrument Control Upgrades Assessment, $50,000
• Town of Hermon, Wastewater Collection & Treatment System Improvements Project Assessment, $50,000
• Town of Indian Lake, Cybersecurity Evaluation, $10,000
• Village of Lake Placid, Cybersecurity Assessment, $30,000
• Village of Malone, Wastewater Treatment Plant Cybersecurity Assessment, $50,000
• Town of Moriah, Wastewater Cybersecurity Assessment, $15,900
• Town of Newcomb, Cybersecurity Analysis, $20,000
• City of Ogdensburg, City of Ogdensburg Water & Wastewater Cybersecurity Assessment, $50,000
• Town of Peru, Wastewater Cybersecurity Assessment, $20,000
• City of Plattsburgh, Water Filtration Plant Cybersecurity Assessment, $50,000
• City of Plattsburgh, Water Resource Recovery Facility Cybersecurity Assessment, $60,000
• Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Cybersecurity Assessment Plan, $50,000
• Village of Saranac Lake, Village of Saranac Lake Cybersecurity Assessment, $30,000
• Town of Ticonderoga, Wastewater Treatment System Cybersecurity Assessment, $47,969

The complete list of SECURE grant recipients, cybersecurity guidance, training resources, and technical assistance opportunities is available through EFC's Cybersecurity Hub.

Village of Saranac Lake Mayor Kelly Brunette said, "Cybersecurity is now an essential part of operating a modern water utility. This funding will help us to better understand our vulnerabilities, plan for future improvements, and continue providing safe, reliable service to our community without placing additional financial burdens on local ratepayers."

Nation-Leading Investments in Water Infrastructure

New York State continues to increase its historic investments in water infrastructure. The 2027 budget announced by Governor Hochul sets the national standard with a transformational $3.75 billion water infrastructure investment plan, which brings total clean water investments to $10 billion since 2017. New Yorkers can track projects benefiting from EFC’s investments using the interactive project impact dashboard.