Senator John Defrancisco Announces 2013 Regional Economic Development Council Awards

State Senator John A. DeFrancisco, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, announced today (12/11/13) that $66.9 million has been awarded through Round Three of the Regional Economic Development Council Awards to help create and retain jobs in Central New York. For the second consecutive year, Senator DeFrancisco joined Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for the REDC awards ceremony in Albany.

“I was honored to once again represent the State Senate and Central New York at this very important economic development announcement,” said Senator DeFrancisco.              

“The funds awarded for these Central New York projects will help strengthen our local economy and grow key industries,” continued Senator DeFrancisco. “Our community leaders serving on the Regional Economic Development Council have worked hard to develop an economic development strategy that will take advantage of the tremendous resources, talent and skills of the area.  Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Duffy deserve to be recognized for this successful initiative that is spurring local and statewide economic growth.”   

Regional Councils were put in place in 2011 to create a community-based, performance-driven approach to economic development in New York State.  Each Regional Council works to identify regionally significant projects to guide public investment, and these public investments help to leverage additional private funds to revive local communities. 

“As a member of the Regional Council, I have been proud to work with various leaders in the business, education, government, and private sectors of the Central New York community to develop a list of job creation projects that will help keep our economy moving in the right direction.  Together, we are building a stronger New York,” concluded Senator DeFrancisco.

A total of $715.9 million was awarded for 824 economic development projects in every region of New York State through Round III of the Regional Economic Development Council Awards Program.

The following highlighted projects in Central New York will receive funding through Round Three of the Regional Economic Development Council Program:

· $2,800,000 in grants to convert the long vacant NYNEX building in Syracuse into a mixed use facility that will include apartments, office space and retail.
· $1,300,000 to continue development of the Syracuse Inner Harbor, including relocating the historic freight house and removing three abandoned storage buildings, and constructing a 170,000 square foot mixed-use commercial/residential space.
· $750,000 to continue infrastructure investments at the Central New York Raceway, including environmental studies, wetland mitigation, and access to I-81 in support of a major tourism destination complex for motorsports and other events.
· $500,000 to purchase and renovate the currently vacant Harriet Tubman Residential Center in Auburn to create an integrated healthcare, sports and wellness campus.  The state-of-the-art health and wellness and research facility will serve as an anchor to the integrated campus, and there will also be an indoor recreational, athletic and rehabilitation facility, plus several outdoor multipurpose sports fields, nature trails and picnic areas.

Below is the full list of projects in the 50^th State Senate District that will receive state funding through Round III of the Regional Economic Development Council Program:

COR Inner Harbor Company – Mixed Use Development - $1,343,000

Victory Sports Medicine Orthopedics - $500,000

Syracuse University – Corridor Façade Improvement Program - $200,000

Onondaga County Department of Water Environment Protection - $150,000

TRW Automotive in Cayuga County - $200,000

Town of DeWitt, Willis Carrier recreation Center - $247,500

LJG Stickley  - Expansion of Furniture Manufacturing - $500,000

City of Syracuse – Onondaga Lake Access Improvements - $720,000

Indian Springs, Co. – Operations and ISO Quality Management - $12,480

Central New York Regional and Planning Board  - $390,000

G. C. Hanford Manufacturing Company – Operations and Technical Skills Training - $97,919 total

Syracuse University Office of Arts - Arts Engage - $62,012

Cayuga Economic Development Agency – John Street Renovation - $150,000

Cayuga Economic Development Agency - 706 North Clinton Redevelopment Project - $500,000

Onondaga Community College Foundation – Summer Access Academy - $50,000

Village of Camillus Main Street Program - $200,000

CNY Arts Economic Development 2013 - $74,000

YMCA of Greater Syracuse – Construction of YMCA Facility - $985,000

Inland Freight Center in Onondaga County – 1,000,000

Hanford Pharmaceuticals– Facility Expansion  - $1.1 million in total

Village of Fayetteville - Fayetteville Green gateway - $557,100

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