By Jasmyn Belcher
Oswego, New York – A Central New York economic development group is gearing up for improvements in the way business is done in the region.
President Barack Obama made the announcement yesterday that New York state is expected to receive $151 million from the federal government to begin construction on a new high-speed rail system.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Development Association, Kevin Schwab, says it will have a measureable impact on manufacturers and businesses as they work to create new jobs and transform the economy.
Schwab comments on the importance of this development, stating, "You don't have an economy that is sustainable when it's disconnected from the rest of the world. So anything that we can do to improve our infrastructure to better connect us with the rest of the country and the rest of the world, really gives us an advantage."
Schwab says while most of the improvements will take place in other upstate cities, Syracuse passengers will see a direct benefit in terms of quicker service. According to Schwab, work is scheduled to begin by the end of 2010.