$2.7 Million in State Economic Development Grants Rewarded to Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle for Job-Creating Projects

Projects in the cities of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle received a total of $3.9 million in grants and incentives from the Regional Economic Development Council awards on Monday, December 17th. Senator Stewart-Cousins co-represents the three cities.

“The key to rebuilding our regional and statewide economies is long term planning and investing in our future. The Regional Economic Development Council Awards will provide resources to businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators who invest in our local communities and provide the foundation for our state’s long term prosperity,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “Working with the Mid-Hudson Council, I have seen first-hand the benefits provided through this innovative approach to economic growth. I commend Governor Cuomo for his continued investment in New York State's economic security and I look forward to working with him as we continue to turn the state’s economy around and put New Yorkers back to work.”

Projects receiving funding in the Cities of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle include:

• $1,076,977 to the City of Yonkers for Phase 3 of the Saw Mill River Daylighting Project;
• $160,244 to Groundwork Hudson Valley to construct a 2 mile, multi-use rail trail which will connect downtown Yonkers to the 242nd street subway in Riverdale;
• $99,809 to the Greyston Foundation for a job training program for the long term unemployed in the medical and culinary arts;
• $99,500 to the Yonkers YWCA for a job training program for the long term unemployed in the commercial driving and HVAC industries $1,000,000 to the City of White Plains for a Multi Modal Transportation Hub in downtown White Plains;
• $1,215,000 to Pace University Law School in White Plains to create a Land Use Law Center which will provide resources to local governments on developing “Climate Smart Communities”; and
• $198,000 to the City of New Rochelle to update their Comprehensive Plan for economic development $79,200 to the City of New Rochelle to update their Local Waterfront Redevelopment program.
   

Since 2011, the Mid Hudson Valley REDC has won more than $200 million in funding from the State and $66 million of these awards have supported key projects in Westchester County. Senator Stewart-Cousins, Senator Latimer and the Democratic Conference have been strong supporters of the Regional Economic Development Council program since it was first approved by the Legislature in 2011.

The ten Regional Economic Development Councils throughout the State create strategies to grow jobs based on the unique competitive advantages and challenges of their specific region of New York. Each council brings leaders in education, labor, business, nonprofit and government together to identify viable projects to include in their plans. The plans are judged on a competitive basis and awarded State funding based on their strength.