$8 million in CDBG funding available in Mohawk Valley Region

The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council is calling communities to get a piece of $8 million. In December, the Mohawk Valley region was awarded almost $60 million in the second round.

And now, 8 million dollars of that funding is available for community renewal projects.

"In the last two years, although they didn't win the top prize they competed heavily and brought a substantial amount of money to the area," said Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy.

The Mohawk Valley region, consisting of six counties including Oneida, Herkimer and Otsego counties, competed for grant money for the past two years.

It's an initiative created by Governor Cuomo to spur economic growth and create jobs.

Lt. Governor Duffy is the chair of all ten of the regional economic development councils.Today, he attended the Mohawk Valley region's first meeting of the year at Herkimer County Community College as the council talked about new funding opportunities.

And a part of the new funding is 8 million dollars in community block development grant or cdbg funding.

"That's money ready to go right now. That money will be recommended by this council and signed off by state agency but there is a lot of control in that," said co-chair of MVREDC, Larry Gilroy.

The $8 million is available to eligible communities for projects including housing rehabilitation and economic development activities.

The funding is primarily for the benefit of low-to-moderate income areas that may expand economic opportunities and provide affordable housing.

The deadline to submit an application is March 8th.

Interested parties are asked to complete a pre-submission form no later than 4 PM on March 8, 2013.  The pre-submission form can be obtained at the MVREDC web site or via email request to NYS-MOHAWKVAL@esd.ny.gov.