The Broome County Legislature has approved state funding for a new drug treatment center in the Southern Tier.

The state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and Syracuse Behavioral Health Care answered questions from lawmakers about the proposed center. After a two-hour-long meeting and a lot of discussion, the proposal passed 11-4.

Chairman Dan Reynolds was one of the four who voted against the center. He originally blocked the plan from coming to a vote earlier this month. He wasn't surprised by Wednesday night's vote.

"I'm not surprised based on the committee as a whole," he said. "The provider and OASAS came in and did a decent job answering some questions, and I think put some of the concerns to rest for some of the legislators that had questions about it going into the meeting, so I think having the committee as a whole is actually very helpful and productive in regards to the vote."

Supporters say it will provide necessary treatment for addicts in the region. The treatment center could open as soon as March, according to OASAS Chief Counsel Robert Kent.