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Two New York Cities Explore Joint Initiative with Broadband Possibilities

The two cities will explore the feasibility of partnering on a joint economic development grant application next year to demonstrate the potential of regional collaboration.

(TNS) -- GLENS FALLS -- Officials in New York's Glens Falls and Plattsburgh will explore the feasibility of partnering on a joint economic development grant application next year to demonstrate the potential of regional collaboration, said EDC Warren County President Edward Bartholomew.

A specific project or scope has not yet been determined, but possibilities include identifying a common downtown development issue or a regional need such as broadband infrastructure, Bartholomew said.

"It's wide open," said Bartholomew, who mentioned the possibility at the Greater Glens Falls Local Development Corp. meeting on Thursday and elaborated in an interview after the meeting.

If they come up with a concept, the two cities would jointly seek funding in the state's 2017 round of regional economic development council grants, he said.

Bartholomew said he is scheduling a meeting with Plattsburgh Mayor-elect Colin Read to start the discussion.

"It's more of communicating about possibilities between the two communities," he said.

Bartholomew said he and Garry Douglas, president and chief executive officer of Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce, have been discussing for several months that the two cities should look for ways to collaborate, in light of the state's new focus on economic development grants that incorporate multiple regions.

Plattsburgh is part of the the North Country region and Glens Falls is part of the Capital Region in the state's regional economic development structure.

The state selected both cities as Downtown Revitalization Initative winners this year.

©2016 The Post Star (Glens Falls, N.Y.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.