Deadline for state funding applications approaches

The deadline for project applications in the second round of the state’s Regional Council initiative is Monday, according to the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council.

The state developed its Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) last year as part of the Regional Council effort. It allows applicants to access multiple funding sources from dozens of programs through a single, Web-based application.

The state began the Regional Council initiative in 2011 to change New York’s approach to economic development, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. Ten regional councils from around the state submitted strategic plans in a competition for state funding.

A second round of $750 million will be available this year, including $200 million to implement the regional strategic plans and support priority projects. The process involved $1 billion in 2011.

“Restoring prosperity in Central New York depends on tapping the full breadth of our community’s talent,” Nancy Cantor, Syracuse University chancellor and president and co-chair of the CNYREDC, said in a news release. “The CFA process does exactly that. It’s designed to be accessible, simple, and inclusive in the broadest sense, leveling the playing field so we can get the best ideas from across the community on the table.

“We can’t encourage prospective applicants strongly enough to make the modest time investment needed to make their case for driving our regional economy to new heights.”

For more information, visit https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/ or www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com