Economic development was item number one for Senator Charles Schumer during a visit to Delaware County. Schumer held a roundtable discussion on the topic in Delhi. Our Melissa Kakareka tells us what suggestions local leaders and community members passed along to the senator.

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DELHI, N.Y. -- It was a packed room inside the Delaware County E-Center Friday as county leaders and business officials discussed economic development with Senator Charles Schumer.

"I learned more in this hour than you might learn from a week in Washington. I tell them to give me homework, give me things I need to do to make Delaware County a better place," said Senator Charles Schumer.

The roundtable discussion served a variety of functions. The senator was able to give and receive updates about ongoing issues in the county. For example, the status of EDA grants for the flood ravaged business Amphenol Aerospace.

"Really all the agencies have been cooperating at this point. Anyone who is in business knows all the government approvals are frustratingly slow, but everybody is doing their job and making sure that when we make a new factory it will be a safe factory," said Amphenol Aerospace General Manager Rick Aiken.

Those who attended also discussed topics such as healthcare issues and installing broadband service in rural areas. Officials say the most crucial economic development issue in the county is the construction of a proposed Natural Gas Pipeline.

"There is a pipeline project for New York State called Constitution pipeline. We're interested in working with them to have interconnects to provide natural gas services to our businesses, as I mentioned with Amphenol that was a key factor in keeping them here. Also, Delaware County is one of the poorest counties, and fuel oil is a huge concern for our low income residents," said Delaware County Director of Economic Development Glenn Nealis.

Information that Schumer says he will take back to leaders in Washington.