Statement from Senator Patty Ritchie on Regional Economic Development Council Awards

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Those who live in Central and Northern New York know that we have tremendous potential for growth. Today, that potential was recognized when these two regions were awarded more than $151 million through the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) program.  This support will help revitalize our local economies, bring job growth and create more opportunities for the hardworking people who choose to live, work and raise their families in our region.

This year, the Central New York region—which includes Oswego County—was named a top performer and awarded $86.4 million. In Oswego County, funds will help towns and villages restore historic buildings, create commercial space, new apartments and more. Investments into companies, such as Fulton Group NA, Inc., and Brockway Bedding, Inc., will help pave the way for expansions and create new jobs.

In addition, farms, including North Ridge Dairy and Hudsons’ Dairy, will receive funding to make key upgrades to their facilities that will help them to improve efficiency, remain competitive and continue to contribute to our state’s leading industry.

In the North Country region—which includes St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties—$64.9 million was awarded to help move forward a number of important projects. 

Jefferson County is slated to receive key economic development funds, some of which will help to ready the Watertown International Airport’s Business Complex for future development, as well as support that will help a company—Current Applications—bring operations currently outsourced to China, back to New York State.  

Funding awarded to St. Lawrence County will help move forward important infrastructure projects, including major improvements to water infrastructure in the City of Ogdensburg and Town of Gouverneur. These investments will help improve the quality of life for residents and ready the region for increased economic growth.

Since 2011, the REDC awards have helped to advance critically important projects across the regions I represent. The awards made today will help set into motion new efforts to create economic growth, much-needed jobs and exciting opportunities for people who live here—and I am excited to see how they change Central and Northern New York for the better.