MONTICELLO – Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis Monday said the county will seek funding for its clean energy initiatives, especially in light of Governor Paterson’s announced economy matching grants.

The Governor Monday said that new program would provide a 10 percent match for every stimulus dollar the federal government awards through competitive grants to research facilities in New York State. New York will allocate $100 million over several years for this program which is expected to leverage one billion dollars in federal research funding.

Rouis said, meanwhile, that would fit in perfectly with the county’s plans to expand broadband service and develop clean energy initiatives including a solar or wind farm.

“I think we have recognized that these initiatives are the future and we are trying to lay all the groundwork that we can so as the economy improves and money starts flowing back to private sector businesses, that this is an area that we can be successful given our location, our close proximity to the largest markets of New York City and Philadelphia and the like,” he said.

The Governor’s program “has the ability to alter the economic development landscape in Sullivan County, while also allowing us to continue with our Green Visioning Statement and our smart, sustainable development,” said Rouis.