Executive Fiala Attends Governor Spitzer's Historic State of Upstate Address

BINGHAMTON, NY – Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala traveled to Buffalo State University to attend the first ever “State of Upstate Address” given by Governor Eliot Spitzer. In his speech, the Governor committed $1 Billion to revitalization projects across upstate NY, including the Southern Tier. This investment integrated a diverse field of development efforts such as: a “Regional Blueprint Fund” for new industry, agribusiness funds, park expansions, international marketing efforts, housing and community development, broadband internet access, and new education facilities.

“Governor Spitzer has made a strong commitment to Upstate New York,” said Executive Fiala. “Today, he proposed a $350 million investment for vital infrastructure to attract new industry by offering small businesses access to venture capital and transforming industrial sites into shovel-ready, developable land. We have been aggressively working to remediate several old industrial sites in the county and the Governor's Regional Blueprint will give us access to the funding needed to get the job done. I applaud the Governor's vision and fortitude for developing upstate communities.”

Under Executive Fiala's leadership, the county has been committed to re-developing Brownfield sites, such as the Brandywine corridor, and former Anitec site both located in Binghamton, NY and the Endicott Forging site in Endicott, NY. County officials are eager for the Governor's proposed Brownfield program reforms, aimed at improving the effectiveness and the returns from remediation of old industrial sites.

Darcy Fauci, Broome County Director of Economic Development stated, “The Governor has provided additional ingredients to support new innovation in Broome County. We plan to promote and utilize these opportunities to build new business relationships.”

County officials have continued to partner with Binghamton University to generate industry and are working to expand opportunities in the near future with the help of Governor Spitzer's initiatives. Officials are also looking forward to the construction of broadband in rural areas that have been left behind without access to high speed internet. The county will focus in rural communities to improve local high tech infrastructure as well as assisting in the continued development of agri-businesses.

For a full transcript of the Governor's “State of Upstate Address” please go to: http://www.ny.gov/governor/sos/

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Published Date: 01-16-2008