The Economic Development Plan awards have given the North Country something to celebrate and companies involved in North Country’s proposed projects are ready to get started. Our Cara Thomas tells us how some of the $103 million the region received will be put to use.

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GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. -- In the Village of Gouverneur, a new water main has been needed for years. The old rusted pipes were affecting one of the area's biggest employers, Kinney Pharmacy's distribution center.

But this problem at Kinney Drugs and in the village is about to wash away as an announcement made Thursday morning meant change was on the way in the North Country.

"The North Country is a best plan awardee! $103.2 million!"

In July, Governor Cuomo made a proposal to 10 economic regions of New York State. Each region was to submit a plan to Albany with specific ways to improve their economy.

"We had very encouraging comments, that our plan truly represented what the governor wanted," said Clarkson University President Tony Collins.

After three months of deliberation and project proposals, North Country’s Economic Development Council created a plan. It consists of 16 projects to boost the economy through agriculture, tourism and small businesses. This plan also creates about 1,000 new job opportunities.

Collins said, "It was uplifting. I think people were energized and I think that showed through in the strategic plan and in the presentation of the plan."

President Collins says Governor Cuomo does not want the money sitting for long and he wants the projects to start as soon as possible, which is a great thing for the Village of Governeur and Kinney Pharmacy as the water main project will begin as soon as this upcoming spring.

"This isn't just for Kinney, this is a village and a town issue, so there's going to be betterments from an infrastructure stand point that will be for everybody. We just happen to be one part of it," said Michael Burgess of Kinney Drugs.

These new pipelines will give the area adequate water pressure, water flow and better water quality overall.

Governor Cuomo has given the New York regions the opportunity to present another plan next year. North Country’s Economic Development Council will begin meeting again in January.