In preparation for the transformation of Stewart International Airport into a major transportation hub, Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Thursday announced a Regional Smart Growth Initiative for municipalities in the Lower Hudson Valley. The $500,000 pledge coincided with the Port Authority's first day controlling the airport.

Stewart International Airport covers 2,400 acres and can handle major jet service, alleviating crowded air space and congestion at Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and Tererboro airports. The Port Authority's control of the airport will "help Stewart International Airport realize its potential as a major transportation hub for this vastly expanding region," Spitzer said.

The smart growth funds will be used for regional and municipal planning to address the rapid growth in the region. Second, to ensure the key state agencies and authorities offer coordinated planning and technical assistance resources to local communities, Spitzer has directed the involved agencies to form a state planning council that focuses joint efforts on the region.