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Tioga County, NY - In an effort to help spur economic development in Tioga County, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that he has helped secure a $49,994 grant for the Tioga County Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP). Hinchey, who established the REAP Zone, secured language in appropriations legislation last year that led to Tioga's award of the economic development grant.
"These funds will help provide the community leaders of Tioga County with the information they need to help further spur economic growth in the area, which will lead to new jobs," Hinchey said. "Having Tioga County as part of a REAP Zone continues to pay dividends for residents and business owners, who have been the beneficiaries of federal funds and support. I will continue to fight for additional federal aid to help strengthen the local economy even more."
The federal grant will be used to develop a hands-on training program for local elected officials, business owners, and other key stakeholders in Tioga County. The training will provide an understanding of the essential building blocks of a rural economy, a cluster approach to community and economic development, as well as advice on how to build the collaboration needed to successfully compete in the global economy. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey had language inserted into a spending bill last year that encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to look favorably upon the Tioga request. Hinchey's request of USDA, along with the fact that Tioga is a REAP Zone, helped secure the grant.
Kathy Roush, President of the Tioga REAP Board said, "I know this funding was competitive and we appreciate Maurice Hinchey's help in winning this grant and his longstanding commitment to the Tioga REAP. We are excited about what this means for community development in Tioga County."
Hinchey developed the REAP Zone initiative as part of an effort to help spur economic development in struggling rural areas. REAP Zones are first cousins to the internationally recognized
Empowerment Zones & Enterprise Communities and are pilot projects of the USDA. In January 1999, Hinchey persuaded the USDA to establish this new program in his congressional district. The Tioga County REAP Zone covers all of Tioga County and the Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Zone covers all of Sullivan County as well as the Town of Wawarsing, including the Village of Ellenville, in Ulster County. The two REAP Zones in the State of New York, which were designated as such for 10 years, are only the third and fourth such areas in the entire nation.
The REAP Zone pilot project sets up a collaborative, citizen-led effort to enhance economic development. The two REAP Zones in New York are in critical parts of the state that have experienced economic dislocation and job loss as the state's rural economy has changed. The REAP Zone initiatives serve as an important model for coordinated efforts to revitalize and diversify distressed rural economies in other regions of the New York State and the country.
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