Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced $13.6 million in Community Renewal Funds for 44 projects in regions around the State that will improve public facilities, create jobs and help businesses expand and succeed. The projects are being funded through five of Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils: Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, Western New York, Mid-Hudson, and the North Country.
This funding, announced by the Regional Economic Development Councils as part of the 2013 award announcement, will allow these regions to offer additional local assistance for infrastructure, housing rehabilitation, and other economic development activities, benefitting New Yorkers of low and moderate-incomes. In total, these projects will create approximately 270 jobs and create and preserve 170 affordable housing units.
“This funding will create jobs, improve housing and enhance infrastructure in communities across the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “We’ve made ground-up community investments a central part of our approach to growing the economy, and it’s been delivering results for all New Yorkers. Today we’re continuing that progress through the Regional Economic Development Councils, and I look forward to seeing these investments build stronger communities across the State.”
The funding was made available through the federally-funded Community Development Block Grant Program, which is administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
In the Southern Tier, nine projects awarded a total of $3.369 million.
In Broome County, $750,000 in Community Development Block funds was awarded for Broome County to partner with the Broome County Land Bank Corporation to establish the Broome County Home Ownership & Housing Initiative. This initiative will address blight through the rehabilitation and resale of foreclosed, vacant properties and turn them into affordable homes and is expected to provide repair assistance to 10 low and moderate-income households.
In Tompkins County, $400,000 in Community Development Block funds was awarded for the Town of Groton to rehabilitate 12 homes.
In Tioga County, $400,000 in Community Development Block funds was awarded to the Village of Owego to rehabilitate 16 homes.
In Tompkins County, $400,000 in Community Development Block funds was awarded for Tompkins County to rehabilitate 23 homes, as well as $194,000 in Community Development Block funds for the Village of Groton to address deficiencies with the Village’s storm water infrastructure.
Darryl C. Towns, Commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal said, “When Governor Cuomo established the Regional Economic Development Councils, he built an effective mechanism for investing resources strategically in projects that make a difference in communities. The awards announced today will create jobs, improve public facilities, and help businesses grow and succeed in New York State.”
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations.
The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. After three rounds of the REDC process, more than $2 billion have been awarded to job creation and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans, supporting the creation or retention of more than 100,000 jobs.
For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
