Legislation calls for economic aid for Oneida, Herkimer counties

Legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri, D-Utica, could bring added federal economic development resources to four Upstate New York counties, including Oneida and Herkimer.

Arcuri and local economic development officials attended a news conference this morning in the Rome office of Mohawk Valley EDGE, an economic development agency for Oneida and Herkimer counties, to discuss the potential impact of the legislation, H.R. 3246.

The legislation, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, calls for creating a Northern Border Regional Commission that would oversee the investment of $40 million annually in federal funds for economic development in economically-distressed areas in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.

The funding would complement other economic develop efforts at the local and state level, said Steven J. DiMeo, president of Mohawk Valley EDGE.

"The thing that I can't stress enough is how important the regional approach is," Arcuri said.

If the legislation is approved, the funding would be awarded through a competitive bidding process for projects related to transportation infrastructure, broadband development, agricultural development, health-care facilities and other local needs.

The legislation has been referred to the Senate.