SCHUMER: EXPAND CHEMUNG COUNTY AIRPORT CORPORATE PARK TO ATTRACT NEW COMPANIES AND NEW JOBS BACKS COUNTYS APPLICATION FOR NEW FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer backed Chemung County's application to the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration for funding through the FY2011 Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and GCCMIF Programs, to expand the Airport Corporate Park in Big Flats. This 220 acre site is immediately adjacent to Interchange 50 on Interstate 86 and would be ideal for industrial and business development to attract new companies and new jobs to the region. However, the site lacks the infrastructure necessary for such development. Chemung County officials consider this a top priority project for economic development in the region, and aim to receive a $750,000 grant from the Department of Commerce, to reach the total project cost of $1.5 million. In a personal letter to U.S. Dept. of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Schumer urges the Department of Commerce to support Chemung County in the completion of this promising local project, which will provide a substantial spur in economic development in the region.

"When it comes to expanding Chemung Airport Corporate Park, if we build it, new companies and new jobs can come. Investment is key to the Southern Tier's economic recovery and these federal funds will help make that possible, including leveraging more private sector investment," Schumer said. "Chemung County's plan to establish critical infrastructure at the Airport Corporate Park will spur industrial and business development at this prime location, and I urge the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration to accept Chemung's application. This funding will assist businesses in coming to the Southern Tier and will lay the groundwork and infrastructure for the kind of broad based economic growth that creates goodpaying, familysustaining jobs."

Schumer emphasizes that a top priority for economic development in Chemung County is the expansion of the Airport Corporate Park. Currently, the project is in its early stages, with plans to bring water and sewage systems to the site. At that point, the Airport Corporate Park will be "shovel ready" for further infrastructure to be put in place. Numerous industries and businesses have expressed interest in the location given its close proximity to I86 but the lack of infrastructure has impeded expansion. The project cost is $1.5 million, and the county plans to put up $750,000 and is seeking matching funding from the U.S Economic Development Administration.

Airport Corporate Park South, is a 220 acre site located immediately across I86 from the ElmiraCorning Regional Airport, and the highly successful Airport Corporate Park. Chemung County, in partnership with Southern Tier Economic Growth, Inc. has invested over $800,000 acquiring the property and securing "Shovel Ready Certification" from the New York Empire State Development Corporation. Chemung County's goal is to replicate the successful Airport Corporate Park by investing $1.5 million in infrastructure such as water, sewer, storm sewer, road, electric, gas, and telecommunications to support new and expanding businesses and to sustain and enhance economic growth in this region. Schumer urges Secretary Gary Locke to accept Chemung County's application, and to bring this valuable local project to fruition.

Chemung County seeks funding through the Economic Development Administration's FY 2011 Public Works, Economic Adjustment, and GCCMIF Programs. The EDA was created by Congress pursuant to the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide financial assistance to both rural and urban communities. EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA fulfills its mission by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity through investments in infrastructure development, capacity building and business development in order to attract private capital investments and higherskill, higher wage jobs to Regions experiencing substantial and persistent economic distress. EDA works in partnership with regions to address problems associated with longterm economic distress as well as to assist those regions experiencing sudden and severe economic dislocations, such as those resulting from natural disasters, conversions of military installations, changing trade patterns and the depletion of natural resources. 

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke appears below:

June 16, 2011

The Honorable Gary F. Locke

Secretary

U.S. Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary:

            I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by the County of Chemung for funding from the  U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. Such funding will enable the County of Chemung to extend critical infrastructure to a 220 acre site immediately adjacent to Interchange 50 on Interstate 86 in Big Flats, New York.

            The 220 acre site, known locally as Airport Corporate Park South, is located immediately across I86 from the ElmiraCorning Regional Airport, and the highly successful Airport Corporate Park. Chemung County, in partnership with Southern Tier Economic Growth, Inc. has invested over $800,000 acquiring the property and securing "Shovel Ready Certification" from the New York Empire State Development Corporation.

            Chemung County's goal is to replicate the successful Airport Corporate Park by investing $1.5 million in water, sewer, storm sewer, road, electric, gas, and telecommunications to support new and expanding businesses to sustain and enhance economic growth in this region. The Chemung County legislature has demonstrated its commitment to this project by authorizing $750,000 to match the current grant proposal request, and it is now time for the Federal government to play its part and help this promising local project. I applaud Chemung County for its foresight, and I sincerely hope its application meets with your approval.

            Thank you for your consideration. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Grants Director, Grant Kerr, in my Washington office at  202.224.6542.

     Sincerely,

 Charles E. Schumer