Members of Congress from northern New England and New York are seeking $30 million to fund an ongoing commission designed to spur economic development and job creation in economically distressed areas of northern Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and New York.
U.S. representatives from each state signed a letter Monday asking President Barack Obama to fully fund the program.
The funding could be invested in infrastructure, high-speed Internet access, health care and renewable energy production.
Last year the Northern Border Regional Commission received $1.5 million.
The congressional members say they believe in the program’s regional approach and its ability to target investments that will combat poverty and barriers to economic growth.