Federal grants are available to promote economic development
From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens
WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today a new round of funding opportunities from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) to assist in the region’s development and economic recovery. Grants will be awarded to organizations seeking to enhance regional health care, renewable energy sources, tourism, job training, and basic infrastructure. To learn how to apply for a grant and receive technical assistance in the application process, potential New York grantees should contact Kyle Wilber at the New York Department of State, at 518-473-3355. “This will boost our efforts at job creation and help New York continue the path to economic recovery,” said Owens. “NBRC grants will create valuable development projects that grow jobs in the short-term, while attracting businesses to the region who will hire locally. The Northern Border Regional Commission continues to serve as an investment in the future of our region, helping New Yorkers to develop their skills and advance their careers in the process.” The NBRC was created by Congress to spur economic development in a 36 county region throughout New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. In New York, this region includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Cayuga, and Seneca counties. Each state will develop its own process for scoring and ranking eligible applications that meet the NBRC’s criteria. As the ranking is completed, Governors of the four states will certify to the NBRC their priorities, and projects will be chosen from that list. To date, the NBRC has awarded fifteen grants amounting to more than $2.5 million. Each dollar awarded is matched by approximately $7 of public or private funds. The maximum amount for a grant is $250,000, and eligible projects must:
· advance basic job training skills or employment related education;
· develop the region’s transportation, water, sewer, energy, or telecommunications infrastructure;
· provide basic health care or other public services for underdeveloped areas;
· promote resource conservation, tourism, recreation or preservation of open spaces to develop local economies, or;
· promote the development of renewable energy sources
For more information, guidance, or support, interested parties should contact the Congressman’s Watertown office at 315-782-3150.
Posted: March 20th, 2012 under Congressional News, General News.