ALBANY – Innovative, clean-energy businesses looking to locate or create jobs in the Southern Tier can now apply for a $20 million competition intended for job creation and to attract entrepreneurs to the state’s 11-county region, including Chenango.

The 76West competition, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, consists of $10 million earmarked for prize money, and $10 million for business support, marketing and administration.

The competition will run every year until 2019. Each year, a total $2.5 million in prizes will be allocated. Prizes consist a $1 million grand prize, one $500,000 award, and four $250,000 awards.

Counties eligible to participate include Chenango, Broome, Delaware, Tioga, Tompkins, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben.

Named for the longitudinal line that passes through the Southern Tier, 76West was created to breath new life into the Southern Tier region and promote the Governor’s “Reforming the Energy Vision” strategy to build a clean, resilient and affordable energy system across the state. It’s one of the largest clean-energy business competitions in the nation.