BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — To get a sense of the deep disappointment felt by many here at the twin killings of two potentially lucrative dreams, hydraulic fracturing and a new luxury casino, one needed to look no further than the front-page headline of Thursday’s edition of The Press & Sun-Bulletin.
It was two letters, in red type: “NO!”
That cry could seemingly be heard all along New York State’s Southern Tier, which borders Pennsylvania and has long been one of the state’s most stubborn economic laggards. In recent years, both hydraulic fracturing — known as fracking — and casinos had been posited as potential economic saviors here, where residents and leaders have watched with envy as neighboring Pennsylvanians dived into both industries.
Both those hopes were dashed on Wednesday, and nearly simultaneously. Just after noon, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a statewide ban on fracking, because of health and environmental concerns. Two hours later, a state board charged with recommending casino locations rejected two Southern Tier applicants in favor of a more grandiose proposal in the Finger Lakes.
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