In the OBSERVER’s coverage area, 25 projects have received over $5,000,000 total through the 2016 Regional Economic Development Council Awards.

The REDC initiative was established in 2011 by New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo. It created 10 regional councils across the state to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth in their regions.

On Thursday, Cuomo announced the awards presented to each region, and the Western New York REDC received $62 million for 105 projects across Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

“Through the Regional Economic Development Councils, we have replaced the ‘one size fits all’ approach to economic growth with a ‘ground-up’ strategy that focuses on cooperation and investing in regional assets to generate opportunity,” Cuomo said. “By bringing together ideas from local government and community leaders with state resources, we are giving these councils the tools to create jobs and drive economic activity in their communities for generations to come. I congratulate the Regional Councils on their awards, and look forward to continuing to work together to build a stronger New York for all.”

Local awards — in order of monetary amount — include:

¯ $1,480,000 to the city of Jamestown for Tracy Plaza Green renovations;

¯ $600,000 to the National Comedy Center for gap funding;

¯ $498,750 to the Gowanda Historic Hollywood Theatre, Ltd.;

¯ $325,494 to the village of Fredonia for its Barker Common enhancements project;

¯ $270,000 to the town of Portland for the Chautauqua County Regional Water project;

¯ $242,235 to the Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation for Brocton’s Main Street;

¯ $234,000 to the National Comedy Center for tourism capital;

¯ $217,000 to the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District for Silver Creek rehabilitation;

¯ $135,000 to the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association for the Grape Discovery Center Museum Culinary and Visitor Center’s expansion;

¯ $100,000 to TimberFish for its Westfield TimberFish technology demonstration project;

¯ $100,000 to the village of Silver Creek for a sanitary sewer evaluation study priority 3 project;

¯ $94,200 to the Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District for Chautauqua County highway erosion control;

¯ $75,000 to Chautauqua County Rural Ministry Inc. for Coburn Block development;

¯ $45,000 to the city of Dunkirk for a comprehensive plan update;

¯ $40,000 to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for a northern Chautauqua County economic development strategy;

¯ $36,000 to the town of Ripley for a Main Street revitalization plan’s development;

¯ $32,500 to the Arts Services Initiative of Western New York Inc. for administrative workforce expansion;

¯ $20,000 to the town of Evans’ Local Waterfront Revitalization Program update;

¯ $16,945 to the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development for marketing Chautauqua County’s Overland Trails.

“I want to applaud all those who spent countless hours submitting over 50 project applications,” said Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan. “This year, CFA awards will go a long way to help keep Chautauqua County on the move. Together with the $10 million Downtown Revitalization award for the city of Jamestown, Chautauqua County is truly benefiting from Gov. Cuomo’s regional economic development strategy. Special thanks go to the Western New York REDC for all its support for Chautauqua County projects.”

“The grants announced (Thursday) will provide jobs, greater economic opportunity and reduce the tax burden for residents. The projects that were awarded funding have received extensive local input and I applaud everyone for their efforts to put forward strong, viable proposals. Working together, with stakeholders and local and state officials, we can continue to invigorate our region’s economy and enhance people’s quality of life. Whether it be manufacturing, recreation and tourism, or cutting-edge technological development, the Southern Tier … (is) at the forefront of many industries and that’s a win for everyone,” said New York state Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean.

For more information about the awards or the Regional Economic Development Councils, visit http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov.