Northern New York will receive $103 million in economic council funds from the state — a good portion of the money set aside by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo for regional economic development around New York. That money will provide a big boost to significant projects that will, in turn, create needed jobs in Northern New York.

New York awarded the economic development funds based on presentations by regional economic development leaders from around the state. Garry F. Douglas and Anthony G. Collins represented the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, making the case for a variety of worthy projects in the north country, in competition with other regions.

The state money will go toward tourism, housing, agriculture and small business enterprises that could help create 1,000 jobs in the north country, including those in construction.

Among the projects that will receive funding in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties are the following:

■ $4 million to build 400 units of housing in Jefferson County.

■ $400,000 to help build MetalCraft Marine in Cape Vincent.

■ $3 million to help build a destination hotel in Clayton.

■ $400,000 to the city of Watertown to help rehabilitate and build new housing.

■ $25,000 to Florelle Tissue for work force training.

■ $1.8 million in housing rehabilitation programs in Jefferson County and Watertown.

■ $351,000 to help the village of Philadelphia develop a small island on the Indian River.

■ $1.5 million to construct a hangar at the Watertown International Airport, with office space.

■ $10 million to reopen and rehabilitate 46.25 miles of rail line to serve Newton Falls Fine Paper, Benson Mine and Slack Chemical.

■ $330,000 to rehabilitate the Lyons Falls mill site into a mixed-use business park.

■ $21,668 to restore Constable Hall in Lewis County.

■ $428,560 to rehabilitate low- and moderate-income homes in Lewis County.

■ $18,750 to help restore the General Walter Martin mansion in Lewis County.

■ $288,200 to help rehabilitate low-income housing in Gouverneur.

■ $311,600 to help rehabilitate homes in Massena.

■ $135,000 for waterfront improvements in the towns of Clifton and Fine.

■ $400,000 for Composite Systems Technologies to build a mill in St. Lawrence County.

■ $130,000 to buy a mobile poultry slaughter unit.

This is a significant boost for Northern New York that will further its strategies for economic development.

Central New York also will be awarded generous state funding for numerous projects, enhancing economic development of the I-81 corridor that extends from the Canadian border through Syracuse and into the Southern Tier.

The state funding will make a big difference. Much credit goes to Mr. Douglas, president of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Collins, president of Clarkson University, for presenting the north country’s vision for economic growth. This is a very positive development.

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