All ten economic regions in New York have created their economic plans, submitted them, and are now waiting to hear from Albany. A $1 billion opportunity has been given to New York to help develop the economy. It's now up to a committee to decide which four regions will receive $40 million to complete their projects. Our Cara Thomas tells us about one idea the North Country council hopes will gain some ground.

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ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- Renee Smith and her family started raising chickens a year ago to be processed and used locally.

"Raising chickens is relatively easy and you have a pay back within 8 to 10 weeks," said Renee Smith, North Country Pastured Manager.

However, grocery stores and restaurants cannot buy meats and produce that are not USDA approved. Smith and three other individuals came up with a plan to use a mobile processing unit. Their products would then be USDA approved and could be sold to local markets.

This project's potential impact fit the criteria for the North Country's Economic Development Plan perfectly. The North Country Economic Council proposed 16 projects in their plan, projects that will benefit the economy through things like local agriculture, tourism and technology.

President Tony Collins of Clarkson University is a co-chair of the Economic Development Committee. He says community involvement helped deciding the North Country's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

"One of the main points that came out of this whole review was that we don't add enough value to the products that are the raw materials or the raw produce that's produced in our region," said Tony Collins, Clarkson University President.

Collins says this plan will not only help agriculturally, but employment will increase as well.

"This investment of about $40 million will create about 1,000 new jobs if we were selected, retain about 350 jobs, and employ over...hundreds of construction workers," said Collins.

Even though Collins is excited to hear the results, he says there is more to it.

"It's more than just winning the $40 million, it's everybody getting on the same team and having the same objectives and working together to make a better economy," said Collins.

The committee of five in charge of choosing the top regions was announced Thursday. The results should be announced by the middle of December.