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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Economic development and community revitalization were the centerpiece of a discussion with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Friday. Gillibrand met with members of the community at a recently renovated historic home on Pine Street in Binghamton. The renovations were completed thanks to community support and Restore New York grants.

Gillibrand and Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan then led a discussion with other local development leaders on how the federal government can partner with local municipalities to encourage economic growth. Gillibrand says the federal government must not overlook ways to help out the basic needs of communities.

"With the collapse of the housing market over the past several years we also need to revitalize communities. And so reinvesting in our communities and reinvesting in our workforce really makes a difference. So I think that of all the ideas that could move forward in this Congress are those commonsense ideas. Those ideas that aren't Democrat or Republican that are just good basic ideas about how to help our economy grow and how to support and stabilize our communities better," said Sen. Gillibrand.

Over the past six years, Binghamton has been pushing to revitalize the community, including neighborhood restoration efforts and making downtown more accessible to drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.