ALBANY — As the State’s 10 Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) get set to pitch their plans, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo has been appointed as a member of the panel that will review the proposals. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie named Lupardo as one of two Assembly members to the Strategic Implementation Assessment Team (SIAT). The group is responsible for reviewing the 2015 REDC progress reports, Round V proposals submitted by the 10 councils, and the seven eligible Upstate Revitalization Initiative plans.

“I’m honored to have been selected by the Speaker to represent the Assembly on this panel,” Assemblywoman Lupardo said. “With members from both houses, as well as department commissioners, and economic development experts, SIAT is well represented and has the ability to provide thoughtful input to the 2015 Regional Economic Development Council Awards. I’m excited to be a part of this process.”

Other legislators named to the panel are Assemblyman Herman ‘Denny’ Farrell and Senators Ken LaValle and James Seward; SIAT is chaired by Secretary of State Cesar Perales and is also represented by state economic development experts and state department commissioners. Over the next three days, SIAT will listen to proposals from each of the 10 REDCs. All 10 are eligible for a total of $750 million in funding through the Consolidated Funding Application process; seven Councils (excluding New York City, Long Island, and Western New York) will compete for $500 million as part of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.