LOWVILLE, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is taking on a sticky issue — how to help upstate New York increase maple syrup production and sales.

Schumer is visiting Lowville Tuesday to announce his support for a maple-syrup processing plant in Lewis County, the state's leading producer of syrup.

He says the plant would make Lewis County the epicenter of a booming New York maple syrup industry and give a big boost to the local economy.

The senator says New York lags behind industry leaders, importing four times as much maple syrup as it produces.