Diverse Local Economic Development Projects Receive State Funding

ALBANY, 12/13/17 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref-Oneonta) today announced that $324 million was awarded to the four regions of the state he represents through the seventh round of Regional Economic Development Council awards.

“The Regional Economic Development Council approach, now in its seventh year, is one I have supported since its inception because it ensures projects with local backing will receive the extra boost they need to succeed,” said Senator Seward.  “The award winning projects in the 51^st Senate District are extremely diverse and will pay long-term dividends when it comes to job creation, quality of life, and new opportunities for growth.” 

REDC grant award winners in Senator Seward’s district include:  nearly $2 million for water and sewer improvements in Sharon Springs; $525,00 for an expansion at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown; $600,000 for capital improvements at Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown; $680,000 for construction at JBF Stainless in Frankfort; $862,000 to build the Gutchess Athletic Complex in Cortlandville; $280,000 for Cayuga County Soil and Water to construct streambank protection structures in the towns of Locke and Moravia; $1.75 million for the Neighborhood Center in Herkimer County to construct a treatment center to help those suffering from heroin and opioid addiction.

“I was extremely pleased to offer my support throughout the grant application process and congratulate the many award winners from the 51^st Senate District.  The number and quality of winning projects demonstrates the hard work and attention that local leaders in business, education, economic development, and government have poured into the process,” Senator Seward added.

A total of $755 million is being awarded for economic development projects in ten different regions of New York State.  Senator Seward represents portions of the Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, and Southern Tier regions.   Central New York, Mid-Hudson, and Mohawk Valley were named REDC “top performers” and received higher awards.   

“Programs like the Regional Economic Development Council grants have helped transform how we deliver state funding and generate economic growth.  It is a winning approach that is starting to pay dividends and will continue to reshape our state’s economic future moving forward,” Senator Seward concluded.

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A complete list of grant awardees can be found at https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/2017AwardsREDCRound7Bookletdjunys.pdf