Regional Economic Development Council Awards Inject Over $6 Million into Local Economy

For Release: Immediate, December 11, 2014

Sen. Young applauds WNY Regional Economic Development Council for efforts to promote economic revitalization

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I - Olean) applauded today’s announcement from the Regional Economic Development Council that more than $6 million will be injected into economic development projects across Livingston, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. Highlights from today’s announcement include $500,000 for the Livingston County Development Corporation to assist with renovation of mixed-use buildings across the county, $100,000 for Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development (ACCORD) for sustainable employment training, $400,000 for Olean Business Institute, and $1,500,000 for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown.

“I strongly support all the important projects that received funding today because each will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on our area’s economy and the quality of life in our communities,” said Sen. Young.

The funding comes as part of the statewide announcement from the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC). The REDC awards are designed to encourage economic growth and job creation across the state.

“Our region will see a direct benefit from the myriad projects that received funding as part of this latest round of REDC funding. The obvious focus on the importance of vibrant and active downtowns, the influx of job training initiatives, and the support for local governments in an effort to prevent local tax increases is especially positive. Today’s announcements will have a lasting impact on our communities and help build a brighter economic future across the region,” continued Sen. Young.

Additional projects receive funding today included: $240,156 for improvements to the Moore Memorial Pool and grounds in the Town of Bolivar; $82,491 to assist with the acquisition of 20 acres of land for the proposed Caneadea Town Park; $30,000 for the Village of Wellsville’s wastewater treatment plant engineering study; $99,998 for Jamestown Community College’s machinist training program; $854,000 for the City of Olean’s ongoing improvements to North Union Street; $30,000 for the Town and Village of Allegany’s sanitary sewer planning study; $1,000,000 for construction of a two-million gallon water storage tank and pump station to serve the Village of Fredonia and the City of Dunkirk; $338,886 for the Appleyard Greenway Recreation Project; $11,800 for equipment purchases by the Fredonia Opera House; $250,000 for renovation to the former M&T Bank Building in Jamestown; $30,000 for the Town of Ripley’s public sewer engineering report; $20,000 for the Village of Brocton; $600,000 for the Village of Sinclairville’s water tank replacement project; $47,000 for the Livonia Gateway Road project; $545,000 for the Livingston County Development Corporation; $30,000 for the Springwater Sewer District’s engineering study; and $45,000 for the Town of Mount Morris’ comprehensive plan and zoning updates.

REDC awards specifically take into account and place a high value on the performance and results of ongoing and planned projects when considering what initiatives should receive funding. The awards process also empowers local communities with greater input in decision making when it comes to economic development goals and strategies.

“I would like to thank our local leaders who supported these projects and worked tirelessly to ensure we received the critical funding we deserve. I would also like to thank the members of the Western New York and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Councils who put together a long-term strategy that takes advantage of the tremendous resources, skills, and programs already existing in our communities. The bipartisan work which goes into today’s announcements will help deliver our ultimate goal: a more vibrant and prosperous western New York,” concluded Sen.Young.

Read more on each regional project award recipient at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

###