New York’s U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer are seeking $10 million from the Northern Border Regional Commission to improve wastewater systems, transportation infrastructure, and broadband access in the North Country.

The Northern Border Commission plays a special role in spurring economic development and creating jobs in the North Country, and it is critical we invest in the NBRC so it can continue executing its mission,” said Sen. Schumer.

“This $10 million investment will allow the NBRC to help improve aging infrastructure, create jobs and spur growth throughout the regional economy for years to come.”

The Northern Border region of New York State includes 14 counties: St. Lawrence, Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Fulton, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego, and Seneca.

The senators are requesting $10 million in federal funding for FY 2017 for NBRC’s programming that helps support counties throughout the region in building basic water and wastewater systems and transportation infrastructure, enhancing broadband access, and increasing workforce and economic development initiatives.

The NBRC is a joint federal-state economic development effort that includes some of the most economically distressed counties of central and northern New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

“Investments like this one help boost the local economy, revitalize our communities, attract new businesses, and create new jobs,” said Sen. Gillibrand.

“I will continue to work hard to fight for this funding in the Fiscal Year 2017 appropriations bill to help our local communities make the necessary investments in infrastructure, training, and other critical resources to support local businesses and entrepreneurs in creating and growing thriving businesses in the North Country and Central New York.”

The Senators in their letter stated economic opportunities cut across state lines and that it is essential for our regions to address obstacles to economic recovery in a meaningful and targeted way.

By using local and regional development plans, the commission will be able to infuse federal funds into projects with a broad economic benefit across the region.

The NBRC is a regional economic development partnership between federal, state, and local government. The Commission is composed of the governors of the four Northern Border states and a federal co-chair to provide financial and technical assistance to communities in the region to promote economic development, and facilitate federal-state-local partnerships.