New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Local Governments, today announced that the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) has designated 7 priority projects in the 1^st Assembly District for funding under the State’s Regional Economic Development Initiative.

After Round 8 of the REDC process, more than $300 million in state funds have been awarded to 791 projects producing a total investment of over $3.6 billion. This effort is projected to create or save more than 33,000 jobs. There were 41 priority projects recommended in Round 9 for REDC funding across Long Island.

The priority projects for the 1^st Assembly District include:

• Amagansett Food Institute (East End Food Hub) $300,000
• Town of Southampton (Shinnecock Commercial Dock Rehab) $315,719
• Town of Riverhead (Riverhead Downtown Revitalization) $2,750,000
• Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (Expanded Space for Arts Academy) $500,000
• Long Island Science Center (Riverhead Facility Expansion) $776,000
• Peconic Land Trust (East Moriches Aquaculture) $219,516
• Montauk Historical Society (Montauk Lighthouse Historic Restoration) $125,400

Separately, the LIREDC has recommended undisclosed funding for 6 feasibility studies, including the Mastic Beach Neighborhood Road Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Study in the Town of Brookhaven.

Grant award winners will be announced in Albany by the Governor in early December.