The state’s $142 billion 2015-2016 budget just approved by the legislature provides $10 million for improvements to the Port of Ogdensburg, funding for economic development projects, and improved broadband service funding to rural areas including St. Lawrence County.

The state will provide $10 million for the Port of Ogdensburg for improvements to the port’s facilities and equipment, including harbor deepening to accommodate larger ships and expanded grain and salt storage, Gov. Cuomo said in an email.

Sen. Joseph Griffo (R-Rome) says the new budget will move the region’s economy forward through several initiatives.

“This budget is the result of the combined work and effort to find common ground that is sensitive to the needs of our communities, like better transportation and efficient health care, and that fosters real opportunities for better jobs and a better economic outlook,” Griffo said.

Griffo, who represents the 47th Senate District which covers a north-south swath of St. Lawrence County from Massena to Fine, including Potsdam, said $1.5 billion for the Upstate Revitalization Fund, a new competitive grant program that will provide funding for regional economic development projects, would help revitalize the North Country.

A statement from the governor said that with this agreement, the North Country will be competing with the six other upstate regions for one of three $500 million “upstate revitalization funds.” “Projects exhibiting region-wide impact will be made a priority and should focus on strengthening critical infrastructure, revitalizing communities, bolstering workforce development, growing tourism, and improving quality of life.

Along with that is $150 million in funds and $70 million in state tax credits for competition in the fifth round of submissions and selections in the Regional Economic Development Council. The governor claims the process is responsible for 150,000 new or retained jobs in New York so far.

But Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa), who represents Canton, Potsdam, Massena, Ogdensburg and all the St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River, said in a March 12 press release that she is skeptical of such competition schemes.

“Money should be appropriated based upon fairness and recognition of local needs,” Russell said. “There’s too much focus on regional competitions for funding and not enough on ensuring basic infrastructure needs are being met here in the North Country. We shouldn’t have to fight for the funding we deserve.”

The budget includes $500 million to improve broadband service to rural areas, such as the North Country.

Cuomo set an ambitious goal to ensure every New Yorker has access to high-speed broadband service by the end of 2018. In order to accomplish this, the budget includes $500 million to launch a statewide broadband program that leverages at least an additional $500 million in private resources to create the New NY Broadband Program. The program will incentivize private sector providers to expand high-speed broadband access in underserved and unserved communities.