Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) encouraged the public, communities, and small businesses to get involved with the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council as they begin devising a five-year plan.

Barclay attended today’s meeting of the newly-formed council at Onondaga Community College.

“I encourage you to let your thoughts be heard as the council devises a five-year plan for our Central New York region. I—like many of you—work here, live here and am raising a family here. For the sake of all of our futures, I hope the group can create jobs and help private sector business grow. The task ahead of them is not an easy one, but our area can capitalize on its strengths, such as our energy-generation facilities and manufacturing,” said Barclay. “I’m pleased to see state and community leaders taking an organized approach toward creating jobs and growing our economy. It is, however, essential that communities and individuals make their voices heard.”

The public will have an opportunity to address the council next week. On Tuesday, Aug. 23, the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council will host a public forum at the Grewen Auditorium at LeMoyne College from 6 to 8 p.m. The council will present its draft vision statement at this open forum. The college is located at 1419 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY 13214.

The public also may submit comments to the council’s website at nyworks.ny.gov/content/central-new-york.

Ten regional councils were recently formed by the Governor to work directly with the Empire State Development Council. The Central New York Regional Economic Development Council is comprised of Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, Cortland and Madison counties.

Each of the state’s 10 councils will apply for state funding to support projects they determine to be essential to grow the local economy. The state has combined its multi-agency funding and made it accessible through a new Consolidated Funding Application. About $1 billion is available to support economic development projects throughout the state.

Public comments are invited on the working drafts of the vision statement which will be available at the session. To read more about the Regional Development Councils, visit www.governor.ny.gov/regional-council-guidebook.pdf.