December 8, 2011
JOHNS ANNOUNCES FINGER LAKES REGION
AWARDED NEARLY $70 MILLION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT
Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s Plan Secures $68.8 million
Assemblyman Mark Johns (R,C-Webster) is pleased to announce that the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council (FLREDC) was awarded $68.8 million in New York State funding in the Governor’s ‘Open for Business’ statewide economic development competition. The investment will be targeted at educating the workforce and improving manufacturing opportunities.
“One of my top priorities is to bring jobs and opportunity to our region, and today’s announcement is a big step in ensuring that our community will continue to thrive,” said Johns. “I am pleased by the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s plan to utilize our talent and workforce to innovate our region’s economy. The $68.8 million state economic development grant will be wisely invested in research and development for manufacturing and the growing healthcare sector.”
Johns says that the key strengths of this region will be harnessed in the economic development plan, which integrates the area’s institutes of higher learning. Specifically, $5 million will be used to create a Health Sciences Center for Computational Innovation, which will be an expansion of the continued partnership between the University of Rochester and IBM.
Another $2.5 million will be used to construct a business incubator at High Technology Rochester. Johns noted that the region’s continued commitment to innovation and cutting-edge science and technology will help Rochester and the greater Finger Lakes area remain a standout in an increasingly competitive economy.
The Finger Lakes is also a popular tourist destination and New York’s largest wine-producing region, with more than 100 wineries and vineyards. The plan also contained ideas for boosting this sector of the region’s economy.
No Comments » 