Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched his North Country Regional Economic Development Council, which will redesign the relationship between the state government and businesses to stimulate regional economic development and create jobs statewide, at a gathering at SUNY Potsdam on Thursday, July 28.
The Governor was joined by local officials, business leaders, and community members in making the announcement.
The North Country Regional Council will be led by Anthony “Tony” Collins, President of Clarkson University, and Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, who will both serve as Regional Co-Chairs.
The Regional Council will coordinate the economic development of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
“For too long, Albany has relied on one-size-fits-all economic development plans that do not take into account the unique assets and challenges of each region,” Governor Cuomo said.
“Today, we are taking a new approach. With the Regional Councils, we will empower individual areas like the North Country to undertake a regionally specific plan for job creation and growth. This announcement sends a clear message that New York is open for business.”
The Regional 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.
Currently, New York State’s economic development efforts are managed through dozens of separate state and local agencies.
The Regional Councils will now bring together stakeholders in every region of the state to serve as a coordinated point of contact for economic development.
Each Regional Council will develop a plan for the development of their region.
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.
Governor Cuomo has already made historic changes to the state’s economic development grant application process to support the Regional Councils.
Through a new Consolidated Funding Application that combines resources from dozens of existing programs, the Regional Councils can now apply for $1 billion in state funding for projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy.
“Governor Cuomo’s Regional Councils create a more efficient business model that empowers individual regions to determine what is best for their own communities and incentivizes thoughtful economic policies through competition.
“I am excited to work with every region to maximize their potential and bring investment and jobs to New York State,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams.
The ten Regional Councils cover the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York.
To learn more about the Regional Councils, visit www.nyopenforbusiness.com.
