The competition is intended to develop revolutionary strategy projects at New York airports.
More than 70 airports in upstate New York are eligible to compete for a share of $200 million in state funds up for grabs in a new state competition from Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The money will be divided up among the airports that submit the best plans for enhancing safety, improving service and operations, or reducing environmental impact in upstate New York.
In order to receive the grants, the airports must be able to prove that their proposed plan will create jobs, improve safety, become more environmentally accommodating, or improve the experience for travelers, according to the governor's website.
Cuomo, a Democrat, came up with the idea of a competition to inspire airports to think creatively and submit their best plans for how they'd use the money. The competition is intended to develop revolutionary strategy projects at airports for the future and stimulate job growth in regions of the state north of New York City.
His initial idea, announced in January, was to award five $40 million grants to the winners.
In a statement made in January, Cuomo said:
We are thinking big and making bold strides across Upstate New York. This is about stimulating the economy, creating jobs throughout the surrounding communities, and making Upstate New York stronger and more competitive than ever before.
State lawmakers included the competition in the $154 billion state budget they passed on Friday.
WNPR intern Daniel Keith contributed to this report.