Letter to The Honorable Gary F. Locke, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

Letter

June 16, 2011

The Honorable Gary F. Locke
Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary:

I am pleased to write in support of the application submitted by the County of Chemung for funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. Such funding will enable the County of Chemung to extend critical infrastructure to a 220 acre site immediately adjacent to Interchange 50 on Interstate 86 in Big Flats, New York.

The 220 acre site, known locally as Airport Corporate Park South, is located immediately across I-86 from the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport, and the highly successful Airport Corporate Park. Chemung County, in partnership with Southern Tier Economic Growth, Inc. has invested over $800,000 acquiring the property and securing "Shovel Ready Certification" from the New York Empire State Development Corporation.

Chemung County's goal is to replicate the successful Airport Corporate Park by investing $1.5 million in water, sewer, storm sewer, road, electric, gas, and telecommunications to support new and expanding businesses to sustain and enhance economic growth in this region. The Chemung County legislature has demonstrated its commitment to this project by authorizing $750,000 to match the current grant proposal request, and it is now time for the Federal government to play its part and help this promising local project. I applaud Chemung County for its foresight, and I sincerely hope its application meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Grants Director, Grant Kerr, in my Washington office at 202.224.6542.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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