Shared Municipal Service Incentive (SMSI) Program Grants Announced

by: robert.harding

Thu May 01, 2008 at 16:05:03 PM EDT

Governor David A. Paterson today announced the recipients of 67 grants totaling $13.7 million that will help improve efficiency and lead to savings for taxpayers through partnerships among local governments. The grants will be awarded under the Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) program, which reduces the cost of local government by providing technical assistance and competitive grants to municipalities for the development of projects that will trim costs and promote shared services among two or more localities. Grants will be used to purchase a new shared public works facility, shared equipment for infrastructure and highway maintenance, evaluate condition and potential improvement for parks and recreational resources as well as upgrades to water supply and distribution systems.

Declining populations in certain regions of the state have left some communities with a governmental infrastructure which cannot be adequately supported. The need to reduce the cost of government has come into increasing focus in the recent fiscal crisis. The Governor has made it clear that spending growth must be reduced significantly because the state is facing rising out-year deficits.

"The high cost of government has become an impediment to economic growth in many regions in New York State," said Governor Paterson. "I am very pleased to award these grants to forward-looking governments that recognize the need to do more with less during these fiscally challenging times. The programs we are funding today demonstrate that significant cost savings are possible, if we think creatively and act diligently."

You can the full list here.

The full list also can be seen below the fold.