County Executive and Senator meet in the nation's capital as part of campaign to promote County and look at ways of maximizing federal support for region's continued economic development

     Washington, DC - Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton met together in Washington, D.C. today in a concerted campaign to foster Broome County's continued economic development. The meeting was part of a day-long series that Senator Clinton set up to provide the County Executive with direct access to a number of key federal economic development agencies and other Washington based organizations.

"Senator Clinton has been such a supporter of Broome County in the past," said Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala. "Although the Senator knows our issues well, I was very pleased that we could sit down and review some of our initiatives and seek her input as well as her support. I also want to thank her and her office for organizing a number of meetings for us. It has enabled us to meet the right people and learn who we need to deal with on key issues facing Broome County."

"I am so pleased to have the County Executive in Washington today and to have served as a facilitator so that the County can make the most of federal economic development programs," Senator Clinton said.

"It is a pleasure to work with the new County Executive and her Administration. With the Greater Binghamton Coalition in full effect and plans for the County's future in full swing, this is a perfect time for the County Executive to be in Washington, talking about how to maximize the region's educational, agricultural and technological potential with the federal assistance that is available. I know that this meeting is just the start of what will be a great dialogue and a promising future for Broome County," Senator Clinton said.

During their meeting, the Senator and County Executive discussed how they could work together to promote economic development in Broome County. At the request of County Executive Fiala, Senator Clinton's office also set up a day of meetings to provide the County with access to a number of key federal economic development agencies and other Washington based organizations including the Appalachian Regional Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Americans for the Arts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Center on Education and the Economy and the National Science Foundation. The series of meetings also allowed both Senator Clinton's office and County Executive Fiala to promote the County Executive's new economic proposals and explore ways that they could be supported federally.

County Executive Fiala was joined in Washington, D.C. by Broome County Economic Development Director John Serino and Broome County Commissioner of Planning, Rita Petkash.