ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Seven regions across New York state are preparing to make the case for why they should win part of $1.5 billion in state economic development funds.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo created the contest, which some have dubbed the upstate "Hunger Games" because they pit one region against another for the funds.

The three regions who submit the best ideas for how to use the money will receive $500 million to carry out their proposals.

The oral presentations are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Albany.

The eligible regions are the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier, central New York, the Mohawk Valley, the Capital Region, the mid-Hudson Valley, and the North Country.

Western New York isn't eligible because of Cuomo's previous "Buffalo Billion" initiative.

Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council officials will present their proposals on Wednesday.

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