GEDDES, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is inviting 74 upstate airports to compete for $200 million.
Cuomo said Saturday that the state will award five $40 million grants to airports to fund projects that enhance safety, improve operations, reduce environmental impact and improve passenger service. The airports eligible include those in Rochester and Buffalo.
He announced the competition before helping to push the plunger to demolish a grandstand at the New York State Fairgrounds.
The grandstand was demolished as part of the state's $50 million renovation project at the fairgrounds in the Syracuse suburb of Geddes.
The Democratic governor has been traveling around the state releasing agenda items ahead of Wednesday's State of the State speech.
The airport competition recalls Cuomo's 2015 economic development contest pitting seven upstate regions against each other. That competition was dubbed Cuomo's "Hunger Games."
