Schumer, Owens Announce Northern Border Regional Development Commission Grant

Press Release

NBRC grant will create 100 jobs, fund "last mile" telecom cable for Ogdensburg Commerce Park

Today, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Bill Owens announced The Northern Border Regional Development Commission (NBRC) will grant the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority $100,000 for the installation of a high-speed telecommunications fiber optic system at the Authority's Commerce Park. The project will create 100 new jobs and connect the business park's 28 tenants and their 500 employees to the region's advanced communications infrastructure. The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority will partner with the Development Authority of the North Country to install the "last mile" of fiber optic communications lines needed to connect the Commerce Park to the existing infrastructure.

"This critical investment in the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority will connect the dozens of businesses in the Authority's Commerce Park with advanced regional communication infrastructure that will allow them to grow and remain on the cutting edge," Senator Chuck Schumer said. "What's more, 100 new jobs thanks to this infrastructure project is great news for the North Country, and I'm pleased that the NBRC is funding this important project."

"Connecting Northern New York businesses in rural communities to the advanced communications grid remains incredibly challenging. These funds will help the commerce park keep their current tenants and potentially help the park attract new investments from Canada," Congressman Bill Owens said. "I am pleased the NBRC invested in this important project which will create jobs in Northern New York."

"We're very appreciative of the efforts of our elected officials in support of this key project for the industrial park," said Wade Davis, Executive Director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority. "We'd like to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Owens for their support."

The NBRC is a regional economic development partnership between the federal government, and regional state and local governments. It was created by Congress through the 2008 Farm Bill and is chaired by the governors of New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and a presidentially-appointed federal co-chair.

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