The Peru Gazette

Transformational projects to be considered for the Regional Council’s Strategic Plan must complete Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) by October 31st deadline

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) strongly recommends that all proposals and suggestions being considered for the NCREDC’s Strategic Plan complete the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).  Economic development projects that have the potential to transform the North Country Region’s economy and who have already submitted their projects to the NCREDC must complete a CFA prior to the application deadline of October 31 in order to be eligible to access $1 billion in economic development funding from the State. This would include community based projects, as well as projects from private businesses.   Once the CFA is submitted by the applicant, it goes to the local Regional Economic Development Council to be reviewed and ranked as part of its strategic planning process. Application materials and a guidebook are available online at http://nyworks.ny.gov. 

“The North Country Regional Council and its working groups have thoughtfully applied the public input received to date into the strategic planning process and included in its priorities the economic opportunities that take advantage of the region’s strengths and assets, as well as address areas that will make us more competitive in attracting and retaining jobs in our communities,” said Anthony Collins, Co-Chair of the Regional Council and Clarkson University President.

 

“This CFA process is new to all of us and will involve a learning curve for everyone,” said Garry Douglas, Co-Chair of the Regional Council and President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “But it presents a remarkable opportunity for making almost all state grant programs more coordinated and more strongly supportive of economic development in each region.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s transformative plan to improve the state’s economic development model includes the New York State Consolidated Funding Application. The CFA was created to streamline and expedite the state-assistance application process. The CFA marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. Economic development projects will use the CFA as a support mechanism to access $1 billion in economic development funding from multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier and more productive.

In addition, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council is holding a second series of public forums to update residents on the council’s progress and the strategic planning process. The public forums are scheduled as follows:

Potsdam: Monday, October 17, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Clarkson University

Cheel Campus Center – Barben Rooms (Large Multi-Purpose Room)

8 Clarkson Avenue

Potsdam, NY 13699

 

Elizabethtown: Tuesday, October 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School

School Auditorium

7530 Court Street

Elizabethtown, NY 12932

 

Indian Lake: Wednesday, October 19, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Indian Lake Theatre

13 East Main Street

Indian Lake, NY 12842

 

Lowville: Wednesday, October. 26, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m..

Lowville Academy and Central School

Large Group Instructional Auditorium

7668 State Street

Lowville, NY 13367

Each of these public meetings will begin with an overview of the purpose of the regional council and the strategic planning process. There will be a brief question and answer period relating to the process before moving into an open forum for public comment, offering an opportunity for community members to provide ideas and suggestions on initiatives and projects, as well as the issues and opportunities facing the region.

To register for the forums, please visit www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com or email nys-northcountry@empire.state.ny.us. Please call 518-561-5642 or 315-785-7907 if unable to RSVP online. Seating may be limited so please register early.

In addition to these public forums, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council continues to encourage all residents from the region to submit suggestions and comments at http://www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com to maximize public input on this important initiative.  They can also visit the Council’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NCOpen4Business.

The next regular scheduled North Country Regional Economic Development Council will be October 21st at SUNY Potsdam.  The open session will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Created by Governor Cuomo, the Regional Economic Development Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state’s approach to economic development—from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes regions’ unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is one of 10 regional councils across New York that will serve as a single point of contact for economic activity in the region.  Through their strategic planning process, the councils will identify and expedite priority projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for job growth for the North Country, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.   As part of the initiative, up to $1 billion in state resources will be accessible to eligible economic development projects through existing program grants and tax credits.

Each regional council will draft a strategic plan for the development of their region, which will provide a regional vision for economic development, address critical issues and opportunities, and lay out an implementation roadmap for future growth. The state will work with the regional councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.

To learn more about each regional council and their economic development plans, visit www.nyworks.ny.gov.

 

###