Central New York Regional Economic Development Council Submits Proposals for State Funding

The council, one of 10 in the state, was put together by Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the purpose of creating economic development strategies across the state. This council is made up of members from five counties: Cayuga, Onondaga, Oswego, Madison and Cortland. Each council developed a five-year economic development plan to compete for five $40 million prizes — four of them will be selected to receive $40 million each in state funding, while the other six will split another $40 million among them.

Lt. Governor Robert Duffy chairs all 10 councils, while the Central New York Economic Development Council has two co-chairs — Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor and CenterState CEO Rob Simpson. Andrew Fish, executive director of the county Chamber of Commerce, Margaret Morin, president of Auburn manufacturer 4M Precision Industries, Cayuga County Legislative Chairman Peter Tortorici and Auburn Mayor Michael Quill are the four Cayuga County members of the regional council.

Thirty priority projects, including four in Cayuga County, were part of the five-year strategic plan submitted by the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council in mid- November. The council focused on three priorities: strengthening targeted industry concentrations, including clean energy, health services and tourism; improving competitiveness and connections in the global, national and regional economies; and revitalizing central New York’s urban and main streets.

For Cayuga County, if the Central New York is one of the four winning councils, four projects will receive funding: A plant expansion project at Currier Plastics would receive $1.75 million in funding and tax credits; the Abbott House in Aurora would receive a $250,000 capital grant; Cayuga Ingredients would get $1.5 million in capital grants and $2.5 million in tax credits for a milk processing plant in Aurelius; and the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival would receive a capital grant of $751,450.

The plan also suggests “transformational initiatives,” including expanding broadband service for rural residents of the region and innovation clusters. The strategic plan also calls for the expansion of “Say Yes Summer Academies,” building off of the Say Yes program in Syracuse and an “Innovate Upstate Fund” to provide risk capital to encourage the formation and growth of startup businesses.

The four priority projects won’t be the only targets for funding, Fish said. Projects that submitted consolidated funding applications could receive funding from other state agencies. The work to create jobs in Central New York doesn’t stop here for Fish. “It’s not the end, but it’s a nice beginning. I am looking forward to seeing what we can do moving forward,” he said. Award announcements from the state should come in mid-December or early January.

- Citizen online producer Robert Harding

To view the Executive Summary click here