Local communities receive funding increase in state budget

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Local communities will receive more funding in this year's New York State budget. The finalized budget includes a boost in the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program (AIM).

The program provides funding for cities, towns and villages outside New York City. Many Capital Region cities will see an 11 percent increase in funding compared to last year. Local leaders said the extra funding will go a long way.

"These are real numbers for our communities," Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. "And while we would love to have more and we're going to continue to lobby for this to increase, this will make a difference when we go to balance our budgets."

"Our cities are the backbone of the state," Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello said. "We do all the grassroots work, whether it be police, fire, pothole filling. Keeping our neighborhoods safer and cleaner. This AIM funding is critical to make that happen."

Officials said this type of funding has not increased in 15 years.