The Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Zone was designated in 1999 to help rural communities establish a strategic plan for long-term development and provide hands-on assistance to help turn around local economies. The REAP Zone takes a holistic approach to economic development by bringing local officials together with the business community, education and health professionals, non-profit organizations and community activists. The Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Zone initiative and four other USDA-designated REAP Zones are serving as models for flexible rural development in communities around the country.
The REAP Zone designation also entitles communities in Sullivan County and Wawarsing to preference points on competitive federal grants for projects that help fulfill the REAP Zone's strategic plan. To date, the REAP Zone designation has resulted in more than $28.1 million in total funding for initiatives in the zone.
January 1999:
Congressman Maurice Hinchey negotiated an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development agency to create two REAP Zones in upstate New York -- the Sullivan-Wawarsing Zone and the Tioga County REAP Zone. These zones were among only four in the nation designated by USDA for their pilot project on economic development. One other zone has been designated since 1999.
May 1999:
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman signed a memorandum of understanding with Hinchey and community leaders to establish the REAP Zone. USDA agreed to provide $25,000 for strategic planning purposes. A board of directors, comprised of individuals from across the region with specialties in areas such as economic development, housing, agriculture, education and youth services, was formed. The REAP Board has met on a regular basis since 1999. Hinchey and Glickman also announced a $175,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant to Sullivan County to help fund the construction of the Emerald Park Corporate Center in Rock Hill. The U.S. Economic Development Administration subsequently awarded the county $1 million for the same purpose.
June 1999:
Hinchey and HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo announced awards totaling $650,000 to establish a small business revolving loan fund and to hire an administrator for the Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Zone.
September 1999:
Hinchey secured a $1 million earmark for the nation's four REAP Zones as part of the Rural Business Opportunities Grant program in Fiscal Year 2000 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Language Hinchey inserted in the bill also ensured that the REAP Zones would be eligible to compete for more than $190 million in funding that had been set aside for Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities for rural housing, rural business and rural utility programs.
February 2000:
USDA set aside $1 million in its Single Family Housing program for the Sullivan-Wawarsing and Tioga REAP Zones.
May 2000:
USDA awarded a $495,000 grant to Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Zone to assist municipalities in creating economic revitalization plans.
July 2000:
Hinchey announced a $2.1 million federal award to the Town of Wawarsing to complete a central water system for the hamlet of Napanoch.
October 2000:
At Hinchey's request, the Fiscal Year 2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill set aside $2 million for REAP Zones in USDA's Rural Business Opportunity Grant programs. The FY '01 bill also included $62 million in funding set-asides in rural housing, business and utility programs for REAP Zones, Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities.
November 2001:
Hinchey secured $55 million in set-asides for REAP Zones, Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities in USDA's rural housing, business and utility programs in the FY '02 Agriculture Appropriations bill.
January 2002:
Hinchey announced $1 million in federal funds for affordable housing projects in Ellenville and Monticello.
August 2002:
$213,000 in funding secured by Hinchey in an omnibus appropriations bill was released for the planning and development of a manufacturing technology training program.
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