Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is pleased to announce that today the North Country and Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Councils were named Top Performers at the Regional Economic Development Awards in Albany. Blankenbush announced that nearly $164 million will be invested throughout the region.

“Investing and planning for economic resurgence in upstate New York is paying off for the people of my district. This is the second year in a row that the North Country Regional Economic Development Council has been named a Top Performer, and I am pleased to see the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council has also earned this distinction,” said Blankenbush. “The nearly $164 million invested upstate will give the region more access to technology and education to succeed in our technologically-based economy. I look forward to seeing the results of this hard work.”

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council was awarded $81.3 million. To expand access to broadband throughout the North Country, $6 million is set aside to build high-speed Internet infrastructure. Additionally, $2.1 million will be used to redevelop Mercy Hospital for commercial, business and residential purposes.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council was awarded $82.4 million. A significant $3.3 million investment is being made in the Marcy Nanocenter project. Blankenbush is particularly pleased about the establishment of a Center for 21st Century Workforce Education & Investment, a $3.1 million investment; and the Mohawk Valley Community Investment Fund, a grant and revolving loan program, a $2.3 million investment.

This is the third year that Regional Economic Development Awards have been distributed. In 2013, $715.9 million will be invested statewide.