Within Tioga County a locally driven collaboration designed to stimulate economic and community development.
In 1999, U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey announced that the USDA was launching
an economic development pilot project designed to mitigate the effects
of job losses to rural communities and create an environment for
long-term economic growth. Congressman Hinchey negotiated a Memorandum
of Agreement with the USDA to establish its rural development initiative
in the region. The Tioga County REAP, along with another REAP project
in Sullivan County, NY were the first pilot programs of their kind and
were meant to serve as a national model for flexible rural development
around the country. The pilot set up a collaborative and citizen-led
effort to enhance economic development. Eventually there were five
designated REAP zones in the United States.
Our town REAP representative is Emily Van Scoy
Tioga County REAP
