By Shawn Magrath

Sun Staff Writer

smagrath@evesun.com

CHENANGO COUNTY – More than $1 million in state grants will make its way to Chenango County as part of the recently announced third round of economic development funding for New York State.

State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that $715.9 million was awarded through this year’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. Ten regional councils were established in 2011 to help promote economic development across the state. The effort allows community, business and academic leaders to tailor specific strategic plans for the region to support economic growth through job creation and the promotion of local businesses.

This year, the Southern Tier was dubbed a “Top Performer” for regional economic development awards, earning a total $81.9 million in grants to implement an economic development plan that encompasses Chenango, Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tompkins, Tioga, Broome and Delaware counties. The characterization marks a strong follow-up to the $91.1 million awarded to the Southern Tier region in 2012 after submitting the “Best Plan” among the ten economic development regions.