Elmira Corning Regional Airport awarded 'major' state investment ~ O’Mara says airport investment critical to regional economy (UPDATED, September 22)

Elmira, N.Y., September 21—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today joined New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and other state and local officials to announce that the Elmira Corning Regional Airport will receive $40 million in state funding to undertake long-overdue enhancements and upgrades to ensure that the airport remains a long-term hub of the Southern Tier economy.

The announcement was made at the airport this morning. The Elmira Corning Regional Airport was one of two winners – and the top winner – out of 16 applicants in the first round of funding through the state’s “Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization” competition.  

“The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regional aviation industry, of which the Elmira Corning Regional Airport is a cornerstone, has an enormously positive impact across the local economy and local communities,” said O’Mara, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee. “This significant, $40 million state investment in the future of the Elmira Corning Regional Airport will create jobs, make the Southern Tier more competitive, and deliver economic growth and other critical opportunities to communities across the region.  Thank you to Governor Cuomo and his administration, and all of our state and local leaders, for securing this major investment in our local aviation infrastructure that will lead to so many vital short- and long-term benefits for the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.”

O’Mara said that today’s announcement follows additional recent actions aimed at strengthening the regional economy and local communities.  In July, O’Mara joined state and local leaders to announce that the city of Elmira would receive a $10- million “Downtown Revitalization Initiative” state grant.  In late August at the New York State Fair, O’Mara joined Cuomo and representatives of Watkins Glen International and INDYCAR Racing to announce a two-year extension of IndyCar Racing at The Glen.  INDYCAR returned to The Glen this September after a six-year absence.

O’Mara said, “All of these recent developments and investments represent important steps in our ongoing efforts to revitalize the region, strengthen neighborhoods, create jobs and encourage sustainable economic growth.  We’re moving in the right direction in important ways.  We’re trying to build foundations of greater optimism and promise throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes.  I look forward to continue working with my partners at the state, local and federal levels to keep achieving the goals we share for the future.” 

O’Mara again praised the state’s latest investment in the Elmira Corning Regional Airport.

“Over the past six years, New York State has made major investments in the Southern Tier to garner economic growth, encourage private businesses to invest, and create jobs. With this $40 million grant, we are taking our progress another step further. The Elmira Corning Regional Airport has been long overdue for an upgrade and this award will help transform its facade, technology and accessibility to ensure it remains a viable transportation hub for the Southern Tier for years to come. This plan is a symbol of the development happening in every corner of the region and I thank Governor Cuomo, my partners in government and the Southern Tier REDC for making this possible,” O’Mara said.​

[UPDATED, September 22: Read more in The Leader (also see attached above), "EC Airport expansion gets $40M state boost"; Star-Gazette, "AIRPORT OF TOMORROW: State gives $40M for expansion"; and Time Warner Cable News of the Southern Tier,  "Cuomo: World Class Coming to Elmira Corning Airport"]