Assemblymember Brindisi Announces $60 Million for Mohawk Valley Economic Development and Job Creation

December 9, 2011

Assemblymember Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) announced the awarding of $60 million for economic development and job creation in the Mohawk Valley. The grant, distributed through Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative, will fund 59 projects aimed at investing in job creation, technology industry and the revitalization of the Utica-Rome area.

“This strategic plan put forth by the Mohawk Valley REDC is a good start for the Mohawk Valley, and marks the first step in a long process to create jobs and attract businesses to our area,” Assemblymember Brindisi said.

The grant outlines $15 million for the construction of the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (CCCC) at the Marcy Technology Complex at SUNY IT, which will create jobs in both the construction sector and the technology sector. It also includes $2.7 million to expand commercial aircraft service to Griffiss International Airport. When completed, this project will bring high-paying technical jobs to the Mohawk Valley.

“The SUNY IT project has made leaps and bounds in the past few months, and this new funding will help speed up the process and create more good-paying jobs in our area,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “This investment and funding for Griffiss Airport are both steps in the right direction as we make the Mohawk Valley a premier destination for technology industry and jobs.”

The grant money also funds job-training programs like the Environment Technician Program at the Mohawk Valley Community College to help put people back to work in the manufacturing and green jobs sectors.

“Our economy is changing and we need to train our workers to compete in a 21st century global economy,” Assemblymember Brindisi said. “These job-training initiatives will help Mohawk Valley workers stay ahead of the curve and make them more attractive to employers seeking well-trained employees.”

The grant also provides $200,000 for the city of Utica to prepare a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, and $783,550 for the city of Rome to redevelop an underused area on its Erie Canal waterfront. This project will build a new seawall and expand the canal to provide physical connection to the Canalway trail and other infrastructure.

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