OGDENSBURG -- The Northern Border Regional Development Commission will grant the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority $100,000 for a high-speed telecommunications fiber optic system at the commerce park.

The OBPA will partner with the Development Authority of the North Country to install the “last mile” of fiber optic communications lines needed to connect the park to the existing lines.

OBPA Executive Director Wade A. Davis said the upgrade will allow the park to be more competitive and could be a draw for businesses.

Davis says that in modern business high speed telecommunications is as important as roads and electricity.

“Not having fiber would be the equivalent of having a building in the middle of a field without any roads,” he said.

Davis said the deal is also a positive in that it is a joint effort involving the OBPA and DANC.

In a new release, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Bill Owens claimed the project will create 100 new jobs, but Davis said that while the jobs will likely be created as a result of the project, at this point the number represents the potential rather than actual jobs.

“We’re very appreciative of the efforts of our elected officials in support of this key project for the industrial park,” said Wade Davis, Executive Director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority. “We’d like to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Owens for their support.”