ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo joined other state officials in Albany Wednesday for the seventh annual Regional Economic Development awards, which provide funding to regions for projects that are driving the state's economy.  

The Finger Lakes region has been awarded $63.9 million for its initiatives.

The funding is expected to help with projects such as the photonics facility in Eastman Business Park and also infuse money into revitalizing downtown Batavia.

Cuomo says each region of New York State has found its own niche to improve economic development.

"Buffalo is focused on the medical industry and solar. Syracuse is focused on drone research and Rochester on photonics. Every region picked its own business plan to advance and that's what they're doing and its working," Cuomo said. 

He added that according to statistics, the unemployment rate in the Finger Lakes region has decreased and jobs have risen thanks to the funding initiative.

According to a press release from the governor, the $63.9 million award will support 110 local projects. Details for three of those key projects were outlined:

OptiPro has been awarded $600,000 from Empire State Development to support a $9.25 million expansion and purchase of machinery and equipment to grow its domestic and export sales of precision optics products.

The Center for Teen Empowerment has been awarded $400,000 from Empire State Development for a $2.9 million expansion project in the City of Rochester's Southwest Quadrant and the opening of additional locations in the Northwest and Northeast Quadrants. The expansion will allow the organization to increase their capacity to service youth and young adults for their job training and placement programs in the areas of the City most impacted by severe poverty.

The Rochester Museum Science Center has been awarded $1 million from Market New York to undertake Phase 2 of a renovation project, replacing the current disintegrating driveway between the Museum and Strasenburgh Planetarium with an amazing 4,000 square foot Gateway Building. This progressively designed, environmentally sensitive building featuring energy-efficient floor to ceiling glass walls, an open lobby and new welcome desk will offer visitors enhanced amenities and improve operational efficiency.