There's an exciting community development program in New York's 22nd Congressional District - the
Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zone program. REAP Zones are first cousins to the internationally recognized Empowerment Zones & Enterprise Communities and are pilot projects of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). REAP Zones are designed to surmount the hurdles of economic development in rural areas.
In January 1999, Congressman Maurice Hinchey persuaded the USDA to try out this new program in our part of New York. The two New York REAP Zones in the State of New York are only the third and fourth in the entire nation. The Tioga County REAP Zone covers all of Tioga County and the Sullivan/Wawarsing REAP Zone covers all of Sullivan County as well as the Town of Wawarsing, including the Village of Ellenville in Ulster County.
Follow the links below to learn more.
This pilot project sets up a collaborative and citizen-led effort to enhance economic development in the two REAP Zones. These two critical areas of New York State have experienced economic dislocation and job loss as the state's rural economy has changed. This effort will become the model for building a new rural economy for other rural areas with similar problems.
Program Mission
Through local efforts in strategic planning and community action, millions of dollars in state and federal assistance could be made to flow into these areas by:
- Improving economic viability, diversity, and competitiveness of the local economy and enhancing its participation in state, national and global markets;
- Assisting local communities to develop cooperative strategies that will maintain and expand essential community functions, basic infrastructure, education, health care, housing, and telecommunications;
- Assisting families with crises resulting from displaced employees and joblessness; and
- Providing financial and technical assistance to implement a citizen-built strategic plan.
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The rural economy of the 22nd Congressional District has undergone severe disruption over the past few years. Congressman Maurice Hinchey has worked with USDA, the lead federal agency for rural development, to secure the REAP Zone designations for Tioga and Sullivan counties and the town of Wawarsing in Ulster County - areas hard-hit by economic changes.
Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Background
Sullivan County's unemployment rate is higher than the national average. Sullivan County lost over 1,370 jobs from 1994 to 1997. From 1985 to 1995 the hospitality industry alone experienced more than 50 percent decrease in the number of jobs available. Sullivan County is in need of programs, activities and education efforts that support sustainable development and establish a mechanism to coordinate these efforts across the region.
The Town of Wawarsing's economic base has declined significantly since the early 1980's. In 1985, the Channel Master Corporation (the largest antenna manufacturer in the world) left the area, eliminating over 1,000 jobs. In the late 1980's, several other manufacturers closed, including a broom/mop handle and nut bowl company, eliminating several hundred jobs. In addition, between the early 1980's and present, approximately 70 percent of hotels/hospitality-related business jobs have been lost (from 2,000 to 600). This has also impacted other service/support businesses substantially. The Town of Wawarsing is in need of activities, such as tax incentives, training programs and education efforts which support sustainable development and establish a mechanism for coordinating these efforts across the town to assist in retaining businesses and help existing businesses expand.
Tioga County REAP Background
Tioga County experienced a substantial drop in non-agricultural and manufacturing jobs between 1990-1993. Over 2,400 jobs were lost through reductions in force by IBM and Department of Defense spending cutbacks. The lack of adequate employment within Tioga County requires up to 55 percent of the county's workforce to commute to jobs outside the county.
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Life has very few guarantees, but the REAP program is special. The Department of Agriculture is providing some modest amounts of money for planning this program. This contribution will be augmented by USDA's community development technical assistance across all areas of Zone endeavor. Furthermore, priority consideration will be given for Zone applications submitted for funding through USDA Rural Development. In addition, concerted locally based comprehensive strategic planning has been proven as the surest way for communities to achieve their developmental goals.
Other partners contributing both monetarily and with in-kind assistance to this area-wide effort are the County governments of Tioga and Sullivan Counties, and the Town of Wawarsing. And, since one of the key principles of this program is Partnership, there will always be room at the table for more.
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The Tioga County and Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP Zones were designated in 1999. In the three years since their creation, each has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments:
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Sullivan-Wawarsing REAP:
Elliot Auerbach, Executive Director
1 Cablevision Center
Suite 155
Ferndale, NY 12734
Phone: (845) 295-2632
Fax: (845) 295-2633
E-mail:
swreap@catskill.net
Congressional Contact:
Dan Ahouse: (845) 331-4466
Julie Allen: (845) 791-7116
Tioga REAP:
Tioga County Department of Economic Development and Planning
56 Main St.
Owego, NY 13827
Phone: (607) 687-8255
Congressional Contact
Dan Lamb: (607) 273-1388
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