STANDING TOGETHER FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IN MY OWN WORDS: A Column from Rep. John M. McHugh
Washington,
Aug 10, 2007 -
Last week economic development efforts for Northern and Central New York took a significant step forward in the U.S. House of Representatives. As part of a nationwide regional development bill, the Northern Border Economic Development Commission (NBEDC) was approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It currently awaits a floor vote by the full House of Representatives.
Rural America is faced with distinct and significant challenges. The Northern Border region shares many common obstacles to economic development. These difficulties range from relative geographic isolation, to aging infrastructure, loss of population, and an erosion of natural resource-based industry that has historically been a vital part of our economic engine. Today, rural communities need a strong voice to ensure they are not forgotten in the modern global economy.
For these reasons, I have long been a strong advocate of the creation of the NBEDC since its initial introduction during the 109th Congress. I have twice appeared before the committee to deliver testimony in support of this legislation and worked behind the scenes to ensure that all eleven counties in my Congressional District are included in its jurisdiction.
In New York, Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, the NBEDC would invest in projects that benefit the economy of the region, especially in distressed communities. The commission would create and implement regional economic development plans to reduce poverty, address changing land use, and improve the quality of life.
In order to reach these objectives, the NBEDC would focus on infrastructure, telecommunications, health care, transportation, and energy. The commission would be initially authorized at a base of $40 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, with an additional $5 million authorized in each year. Most importantly, the projects acted upon by the commission would be locally driven, with the people of the 23rd Congressional District deciding for themselves which projects are best for them.
Modeled after other successful regional economic development programs, the NBEDC can act to both increase and diversify the economic opportunities throughout communities in Northern and Central New York. By focusing on common challenges, the commission can help rural areas band together to achieve much greater success than if they approached these problems alone.
I firmly believe that investment generated by this commission would help create jobs and establish long term solutions for the people and communities that need it the most. I will continue the fight to ensure that the NBEDC and all of its potential benefits become a reality for Northern and Central New York.
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