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Tioga County Receives Special Designation for Federal Assistance
Owego, N.Y., March 8, 1999 -- Tioga County, N.Y., has been designated as a Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone -- one of only three in the United States. The designation, announced by USDA Under Secretary Jill Long Thompson during a ceremony here yesterday, qualifies this rural county in New York's Southern Tier for special economic and planning assistance made available through USDA Rural Development.
"This is an important day for Tioga County and its ambition to do all it can to move forward into the next millennium with an improved quality of life for all of its people," Long Thompson said. "REAP Zone designation brings with it USDA's advocacy and resources to assist your county in developing a comprehensive development plan, as well as USDA's help in searching out other public and private resources that can help you attain your goals."
A memorandum of understanding designating the county as a REAP Zone was signed by Long Thompson, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, James B. Bays, state director for USDA Rural Development in New York, and Fran Leavenworth, chair of the Tioga County Legislature.
In addition to the planning assistance provided to Tioga County, the REAP Zone designation means that additional priority points will be applied to financial assistance applications from Tioga County, making it more competitive for USDA funds for rural development projects. USDA funds a wide range of rural development projects, including new or improved rural housing, new or expanded community facilities, new or improved rural utility services and support for rural businesses and cooperatives.
The other two existing REAP Zones both are in North Dakota.
The strategic planning process to identify strengths, weaknesses and future economic direction for Tioga County has already begun. Stressing the need for a strong commitment on the part of the citizens to work together to develop a comprehensive plan, Long Thompson concluded "we can really make a difference here."
State Director Bays concurred, saying "We know that a grassroots planning process must build community consensus. This designation shows that USDA's New York Rural Development office and the USDA Office of Community Development in Washington are acting as advocates for rural New Yorkers."
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