Upstate Revitalization, Regional Economic Development Council awards announced ~ (UPDATEDx2: O'Mara applauds 'big wins' for Southern Tier, Finger Lakes regions ~ Read more)

Albany, N.Y., Dec. 10--At a ceremony in the Empire State Plaza this morning, New York State's 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) -- including the Southern Tier REDC, and the Finger Lakes REDC -- will be awarded state economic development aid as part of the next round of  REDC funding, and three regions will receive a  $500-million portion of a $1.5-billion Upstate Revitalization competitive grant program.

Watch the awards presentations live, beginning at 10:30, HERE.

UPDATED at 12:00 p.m.:

Albany, N.Y., December 10—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) applauded today’s announcement that the Southern Tier and the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) are two of the three winners in this year’s Upstate Revitalization Incentive (URI) economic development aid competition. 

Along with the Central New York REDC, each region will receive a $500-million portion of the $1.5-billion in URI grants being awarded for the first time this year.  The URI awards will be distributed over the next five years, $100 million per year.

The long-awaited announcement was made this morning in Albany. 

O’Mara, who attended today’s awards ceremony at the Empire State Plaza, said, “The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions have stood out as top performers throughout these competitions over the past several years, but this is a big, difference-making win for each region.  It’s a real tribute to the regional leaders across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes whose commitment and hard work have been unmatched.  They have continually assessed our regional strengths and weaknesses, identified specific economic priorities, and diligently put in place short- and long-term strategies to keep hope alive for a stronger and more secure economic future.  It’s been great work and they’ve earned today’s victories.  Now moving forward it’s going to be up to all of us in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions to put these incredible resources to good, effective use to revitalize our regional economies.  It’s time to change our pessimism to optimism.” 

Since 2011, the Southern Tier council has been awarded $303 million, and the Finger Lakes council $306 million in REDC economic development aid.  Each of the regions were among the five regions recognized as a “Top Performer” in last year’s competition. 

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature established New York's 10 regional economic development councils as part of the 2011-2012 state budget.  The councils are aimed at putting in place a more locally based approach for distributing state economic development aid and guide the development of local economic development strategies that have competed for state assistance.    

Read more on today’s specific regional project awards at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov.  It’s important to note that even those regions not winning a URI award today are still receiving more funding than the largest winner in last year’s REDC awards, so that every region of the state benefits from today’s funding awards.

O’Mara’s 58th Senate District includes Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and part of Tompkins County, all of which fall under the Southern Tier REDC, and Yates County, which is included in the Finger Lakes REDC.

UPDATED, December 11:

Read more in today's:

Elmira Star-Gazette, "Elmira-area officials celebrate 'Hunger Games' win"

The Leader, "Southern Tier gets $500M in Cuomo's 'Hunger Games'"

AM 1480 WLEA News, "Upstate Republicans React to the Governor's Economic Awards"

WETM-TV, "Southern Tier Wins $500M Revitalization Grant"