ALBANY – Innovative, clean-energy businesses looking to locate or create jobs in the Southern Tier can now apply for a $20 million competition intended for job creation and to attract entrepreneurs to the state’s 11-county region, including Chenango.

The 76West competition, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, consists of $10 million earmarked for prize money, and $10 million for business support, marketing and administration.

The competition will run every year until 2019. Each year, a total $2.5 million in prizes will be allocated. Prizes consist a $1 million grand prize, one $500,000 award, and four $250,000 awards.

Counties eligible to participate include Chenango, Broome, Delaware, Tioga, Tompkins, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben.