Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy was sanguine today in his assessment of the competitive regional economic development council process, saying the job-creation plans are just the start of an ongoing process.

“I think what you’re seeing is the birth of something incredibly beautiful,” Duffy said.

The 10 regional councils are competing for $200 million in economic-development funds and incentives in exchange for job-creation ideas. Officials from around New York are in Albany this week to discuss the finalized plans.

Only five of the councils will receive the aid based on their plans. Duffy, who chairs the super council overseeing the process, said the work of the regional councils will continue into the new year.

“While the competitve process is one part of it, I think what we’ve seen already is the true value is the way people come together and form these regional partnerships and bonds,” Duffy said.

While some lose out on the aid, the importance of the partnerships formed by the committees shouldn’t be dismissed, Duffy said.

“Nobody wanted to get to together and collaborate. This council brought them together. In almost every sector you’re seeing that. Regardless of the outcomes of the competition and however that is gonig to be managed in the end, I think all 10 regions are incredible winners… The most important thing is this is just the beginning. The councils don’t go away Dec. 1.”

The Cuomo administration seems to be training its fire and attention on reviving the state’s economy, particularly after perceived dysfunction on the federal level has been blamed for the inability of the country to turn the corner in the Great Recession.

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