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The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council has been awarded $67 million in funding by the state which Assemblyman Robert Castelli (R, C Goldens Bridge) says will help generate jobs and improve the countys infrastructure.
The concept of creating regional councils throughout the state was announced this past summer and represents a fundamental shift in the states approach to economic development. It now focuses more on a community-based, performance-driven approach that empowers individual areas to develop comprehensive plans that invest in regional solutions to create jobs and economic growth. As part of the Regional Council process, a Strategic Plan Review Committee analyzed and ranked the strategic plans for each region competing for specially targeted economic development funding
The Mid-Hudson Regional Council's plan tapped into our regions assets, its scenic beauty, highly educated workforce, and close proximity to New York City, which makes it the integral link between upstate and downstate," Castelli said. This plan will generate high tech jobs, revitalize our infrastructure, like the Tappan Zee Bridge, and continue Westchester and the regions role as the economic engine of New York State.
.The plans are the result of months of consideration by the Regional Councils and input from the public in each region. The process included holding over 100 public meetings, forums and community workshops across the State. Thousands of New Yorkers contributed to the development of the plans through these events.
Regional collaborations and planning is a roadmap to get New Yorkers back to work, Governor Cuomo said. The plans submitted by all 10 regions were truly extraordinary. For the first time, we are putting the power of the state government behind the innovation of our people, giving them the tools to rebuild our economy.
In addition to the strategic planning grants made available through the Regional Council initiative, a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) was created to give businesses and other entities streamlined and expedited access to economic development funding from nine state agencies and 29 existing programs.
A breakdown of some of the awards to the Mid-Hudson region follows:
Strategy for Investment in Region Resources and Emerging Bio-Tech Sector
The Mid-Hudson strategic plan was designed to take advantage of the region's location and resources. The Mid-Hudson Region contains a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, a full spectrum of businesses, local colleges and universities; a highly diversified and educated workforce; and proximity to New York City.
Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research at New York Medical College
$4 million will develop the New York Medical Colleges Biotech Incubator Center for Advanced Research in Westchester County. This project, that Assemblyman Castelli worked on along with Assemblyman Steve Katz (R, I Mohegan Lake), is part of a public-private effort to enhance job growth in the biotech sector and to enhance preparedness against chemical and biologic threats. This project will stimulate partnerships among scores of biotech companies not only in the Mid-Hudson Region, but also in Rochester, the Capital District and the SUNY academic centers.
Affordable Housing
More than $30 million will go toward the development of affordable housing and to community revitalization throughout the region, including $400,000 for construction of 10 single-family townhouses at Cockren Commons in the Hamlet of Armonk within the town of North Castle.
Industrial Development
More than $8 million will be invested in local manufacturing firms, including $5 million for San-Mar Manufacturing to upgrade its facility to develop the regulatory infrastructure requirements set by the FDA. An additional $950,000 will go to Silarx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to expand a manufacturing facility for quality generic liquid pharmaceutical products.
Infrastructure Investments Over $3 million will go toward critical infrastructure investments for local municipalities.
For a full appendix of these projects, go to: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/CFAAWARDSBooklet.pdf
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