Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
President Obama Supports EU Economic Plan

Photo source: The White House
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
$1 Billion in Funding From Agency Programs Now Available

Under the new process, the ten Regional Councils will be able to apply for state funding to support projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy using a new Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), making the projects eligible for grant money and tax credits from dozens of existing programs. The combined pool of funding accessible through the CFA totals up to $1 billion.
"Today's action unlocks $1 billion in economic development and job creation in every region of the state," said Cuomo.
In the past, funding has been supported by several different agencies and sources across state government, without any mechanism to coordinate allocations. The CFA will now be accepted as a threshold application for multiple state funding sources.
Nine state agencies and authorities have made funding available through the CFA process, including: Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; New York State Energy Research and Development Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; and Department of Transportation.
State agencies participating in the councils have identified $1 billion in resources that can be used to support regional growth strategies.
To access these resources, the Regional Councils will use the CFA, which will be accepted as a threshold application for multiple State funding sources. Through this process, Councils can fill out one application per project to access the multiple funding sources associated with the CFA.
Once a project is referred through the CFA process, a dedicated project team within the relevant agencies will review and determine applicable funding sources, and if necessary help the applicant provide supplemental, project specific information. The application will then be expedited through a streamlined internal review process, which will ensure that projects are approved and funded as quickly as possible.
Cuomo also introduced the blueprint for his Regional Economic Development Councils, which will redesign the relationship between the state government and businesses to stimulate regional economic development and create jobs statewide.
The governor released a guidebook that details a fundamental shift in the state's approach to economic development. The Regional Councils will change 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 and are supported by several disparate funding sources. 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.
The councils will develop a plan for the development of their region. The state will work with the 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.
Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy said, "By incentivizing regional collaboration and coordination of economic development strategies, the Regional Councils will optimize the state's limited funds, maximize job creation, and promote sustainable community development throughout New York. I look forward to working with the Regional Councils to ensure Governor Cuomo's vision for economic development is achieved all across our state."
"Governor Cuomo's economic development agenda presents an opportunity for New York State to revitalize its economy and put people back to work. It is only with a region-by-region, competitive approach that we will be able to optimize the state's resources and maximize our potential to create new jobs that will deliver on the promise of sustainable economic growth throughout the state, " stated Empire State Development CEO and President Kenneth Adams.
Governor Cuomo will create the Regional Councils through Executive Order. Regional Councils will be established in the Capital District, Central New York, Finger Lakes Region, Long Island, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, New York City, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York.
To download a Regional Council Guidebook please visit www.governor.ny.gov/regional-
Friday, June 10, 2011
West Wing Week: 06/10/11 or "Way to Get Our Money Back"
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
S. 782 – Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
S. 782 – Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011
(Sen. Boxer, D-California, and 4 cosponsors)
The Administration supports Senate passage of S. 782. The bill provides the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) with important tools to help America’s communities meet the challenges of innovation-led economic growth. However, the bill would authorize spending levels higher than those requested by the President’s Budget, and the Administration believes that the need for smart investments that help America win the future must be balanced with the need to control spending and reduce the deficit. The Administration looks forward to working with the Congress to enact legislation that helps EDA enhance its mission of assisting America’s distressed communities in forging partnerships with the private sector to create jobs.
Image courtesy of http://www.gnurf.net/v3/clip-