Ritchie Applauds $184 Million in Regional Economic Development Council Awards to Help Cny, Nny Create Jobs

CNY, NNY Regions Named “Top Performers”

State Senator Patty Ritchie is applauding $184 million in funding awarded to Central and Northern New York to help create jobs and jump-start the economy through Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council program.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH SENATOR RITCHIE'S COMMENTS ON THE NEW JOB AWARDS.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF JOB-CREATING GRANTS IN OUR REGION, CLICK HERE.

Both Central and Northern New York were named “Top Performers;” taking home prizes of $93.8 million for 73 projects and $90.2 million for 82 projects respectively.  To view a full list of projects, click here.

The awards were announced at a special ceremony, held Wednesday morning in Albany, attended by Senator Ritchie.

“Once again, we are showing that Central and Northern New York communities are ready to grow,” said Senator Ritchie.” We have the good ideas, a trained and enthusiastic workforce and now, the needed investment and support of state government to continue to make our plans a reality and keep creating the jobs we need to revitalize our economy.”

“I have been proud to work with Governor Cuomo on ideas and initiatives that will help our state grow and create more—and better—jobs,” added Senator Ritchie.  “This is just one more example of how by working together we are creating a brighter future for New York and the people who live here.”

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said, "For the second year in a row, the Regional Councils have been on the forefront of rebuilding New York State's economy. For too many years, top-down economic development policies have failed communities across the state and not truly invested in the unique resources and strengths of each of New York's regions. Now a new, bottom-up approach is in place that brings local communities together to chart their own economic destiny. The second round of Regional Economic Development Council awards will deliver funding for critical projects and investments in communities across our state, helping put New Yorkers back to work and rebuilding our economy."

Full details on the funding awarded statewide can be viewed on the Governor's website by clicking here.

10 Regional Economic Development Councils—made up of local experts and stakeholders with backgrounds in business, academia and local government and non-governmental organizations—were created last year to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. 

In 2011, $785 million was up for grabs by 10 regions.  Central and Northern New York received more than $200 million in funding for presenting “best plans” for growth.  The funding awarded Wednesday will help both regions continue those plans.