CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Federal funding is available to help stimulate the local economy. That's the word from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand during her visit with business and community leaders in Cortland.

Speaking at an economic roundtable, Gillibrand highlighted some of the grants that could be useful in the area, including funds for education, farming and green industry. The senator said there are funds designated specifically for rural agricultural areas. She also acknowledged concerns about government spending in the face of mounting budget deficits.

"With a national unemployment rate of five percent and a local unemployment rate at eleven percent, we've got a lot of work to do. And so by coming here, I can listen to all our community leaders, our business leaders, our leaders in education and health care and hear directly from them what the problems are and also what their ideas are for the best solutions," said Gillibrand.

Gillibrand said the better the project proposals are, the more likely they are to receive funding.