New York

The nine regional development organizations in the state (known locally as regional planning and development boards) have no formal contracts or partnerships with the state to foster the participation of rural local officials in the statewide planning process. However, regional development organizations along the state’s southern tier have provided valuable leadership in pursuing the designation and upgrading of key rural highway corridors to Interstate status.

The regions in New York have a long history in the areas of regional aviation planning and technical assistance to local airports. Both the Federal Aviation Administration and New York State DOT have provided ongoing financial support for these efforts. Activities have included economic impact studies, business plans, land use analysis, operations and revenue analysis, GIS mapping, strategic plan development, development needs studies and opportunities. The aviation staff of each region also participates in state and regional aviation conferences to share experiences and gather information on new trends, federal development financing and other areas relevant to local airports across the state.

In addition, the Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board has played a vital leadership role in preventing the abandonment of a 145-mile rail stretch connecting six counties in New York and Pennsylvania. The group spearheaded the revitalization of this essential freight line by piecing together $24.9 million in new investments. The retention of the regional rail line has helped to create 805 new jobs in this rural region in addition to generating an additional $4 million investment by three private shipping firms. Most notably, the group has increased the mileage and usage from 75 carloads on 40 miles of track to 54,000 carloads annually on 145 miles of railways.

For more information, see:

Freight Transportation (PDF)
Presentation given by Donald Rychnowski, Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board, Salamanca, NY at the 2006 National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference

Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board Web site



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