Oneida County is in line for a hefty reimbursement from the state to help cover expansion costs at the newly-named Adirondack Bank Center, formerly the Aud.

Previously ear-marked for $2 million in state funding, the governor's budget now includes $8.5 million more, essentially paying for the project that is almost complete.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente says the governor has been engaged in the project for a while.

"He was very inetersted in getting involved in this because he saw what it has doen for the area and what it has done for tourism and growth," Picente said. "The optimism in what we've been able to accomplish."

The arena will be open for the start of the Utica Comets and Utica College hockey seasons.