O'Mara welcomes new round of state support for regional economic development

Albany, N.Y., December 11—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) welcomed today’s announcement that the Southern Tier region will be awarded $81.9 million and the Finger Lakes region $59.8 million under the third round of funding through the state’s Regional Economic Development Councils initiative.

O'Mara noted that the Southern Tier was recognized as a “Top Performer” in this year’s competition.  

A total of $715.9 million in economic development awards to support more than 800 specific regional projects statewide were announced today in Albany following a report from the Cuomo administration’s Strategic Plan Review Committee, which analyzed and ranked the strategic blueprints for each of the 10 regions statewide that competed for this latest round of state economic development aid.

O’Mara said, “The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions continue to stand out this year and my gratitude goes out to the many regional leaders across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes for their ongoing commitment and work over the past three years to assess our regional strengths and weaknesses, identify specific economic priorities, and put in place short- and long-term strategies to keep us moving toward a stronger and more secure economic future.  These regional public-private partnerships are providing the economic leadership we need in this tough economy and keep building on these new economic foundations so that our employers and our workers can compete with anyone, anywhere for the jobs of the future and across-the-board economic growth."

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 will compete for state assistance. The first round of funding was awarded last December.   

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

Read more on today’s specific regional project awards at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov and see copy of awards booklet attached below.