The Governor is traveling the state to assess the progress being made by each of the ten Regional Economic Development Councils. Both Governor Andrew Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy were in Plattsburgh Wednesday to assess the programs and progress of the North Country’s Council.
Governor Cuomo’s first stop on his assessment tour was at an assembly of local officials to hear presentations by five representative projects funded by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. The North Country received 103.2 million dollars last year, the second highest award in the state. Regional Council Co-Chair Clarkson University President Tony Collins.
Following the five sample project presentations and speeches, Governor Cuomo boarded a bus to tour two representative initiatives of the development council in Plattsburgh. The first stop is the Strand Theater. Built in 1924, the regional council has provided a 397-thousand dollar grant to support its renovation. Board President Leigh Mundy introduced the Governor to volunteers and workers involved in the restoration.
The Governor and regional dignitaries then proceeded to Bombardier Transportation. The facility, which manufactures subway cars, received two-and-a-half million dollars from the regional council to expand the facility. Following his tour, Governor Andrew Cuomo said he wants the councils to attain high levels of performance and job creation.
An afternoon session reviewed projects that the regional council would like to fund in next year’s round of competitive grants.
