The Commission will create a federal-state partnership where local development districts and other non-profits bring project ideas and priorities to the Commission from the local level to promote economic development through regional planning, technical assistance, and funding of projects aimed at encouraging economic prosperity. The Northern Border Regional Commission is modeled after the very successful Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) approach, an idea conceived by Chairman Oberstar, over 40 years ago.
Simply put, the numbers speak for themselves. Since its creation, the ARC has reduced the number of distressed counties in its region from 219 to 100, cut the poverty rate from 31% to 15%, and helped 1,400 businesses create 26,000 new jobs. I welcome the creation of similar Commissions with this kind of proven track record.
The Northern Border Regional Commission not only will extend benefits to economically distressed counties in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, but will also allow Upstate New York counties like Oneida, Herkimer, Cayuga and Seneca to enjoy the same benefits their neighboring counties in the Southern Tier enjoy under the Appalachian Regional Commission.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill and the 5 regional Commissions that will help create parity for economically anemic regions across the country.
