REGIONAL – Governor Andrew Cuomo's newest idea to leverage limited state funds for economic development is a simple one: divide the state into ten regions, and let them fight over the limited pile of cash. There are concerns, however, that even if the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council wins one of the top $40 million prizes, Ulster County may come up short.

Ten economic development councils were created under the governor's plan, which puts up $200 million of existing money as the motivation to come up with plans to kick-start regional economies. The best four plans will each get $40 million out of the pot to implement their ideas, while the remaining six regions of the state will split the remaining funds.

Each council has representatives from the business community, colleges, and local governments. The appointments were made in July. Elected officials, who include county executives and the mayors of the three largest cities in the region, serve in an advisory capacity. Because its one city (Kingston) isn't that large, County Executive Mike Hein is the only politician advising on behalf of the county's interests.

"I am excited that Governor Cuomo is taking a fresh approach to economic development," Hein said in a statement. "New York must become more business friendly. I look forward to working with other council members under the leadership of Dennis Murray, President of Marist College, and Len Schleifer, President of Regeneron, to craft and implement an aggressive economic development plan for the Hudson Valley." Murray and Schleifer will co-chair the council.

Neither of the county's two colleges (SUNY Ulster and New Paltz) got a seat on the council, with those seats going to the presidents of Marist and SUNY Rockland. There are also several chambers of commerce and other business groups included, but none of those hail from Ulster County, either.

Assemblyman Kevin Cahill said that he wants to "ensure that the unique needs of Ulster County are not overshadowed by the very different development challenges presented in the lower Hudson Valley" as the council develops a plan. "It is important to recognize the significant contributions institutions like SUNY New Paltz and Ulster Community College bring to the region. The vital role of the arts community, tourism in the Route 28 Corridor and the revitalization our industrial sites also cannot be ignored."

The council will periodically hold public information sessions, but its regular meetings are not subject to the Open Meetings Law and will not be open to the public. The plans must be submitted to the state by November 14, and a decision is expected in December.