ANCA 01-2011 Newsletter

Adirondack North Country Association

January 2011

Building vibrant rural communities and resilient local economies

Happy New Year ANCA news Did you know?

The U.S. Census has released its first round of results from the 2010 count.

The news was challenging for New York, as shifts in population will result in the state losing two of its Congressional representatives.

Here’s a look at numbers, taken from www.census.gov

308,745,538 U.S. population on April 1, 2010

37,253,956 Number of people in California (most populous state)

563,626

Number of people in Wyoming (least populous state)

19,378,102 Number of people in New York State

1,200,000

Approximate population of 14-county Adirondack North Country region.

Melissa Hart/ANCA

Setting New Years resolutions • Launching a reThis is the time to turn “My focus vamped Website to goals into action and will continue to be on better illustrate the we are ready to impact of ANCA’s work! Beginning creating as many jobs as work, the special in the New Year, we can.” character of the ANCA will be: region, and the • Building a — U.S. Rep Bill Owens needs and accomstronger foundation (see more on page 7) plishments of its comfor business development munities and people by advocating for widespread • Celebrating the 25th and affordable broadband, Cooperative Extension anniversary of Buyer Days better regional marketing, • Coordinating work and other ANCA support to and improved business on promoting a thermal the artisan crafts community development assistance biomass economy through targeted to small businesses • Publishing a book selected pilot projects in rural communities that highlights the cultural • Broadening educaassets along our Scenic By• Building upon and tion about and access to ways, attracting more visitors expanding the use of the energy efficiency incen“Adirondack” brand in both • Unveiling a new tives and opportunities, in regional product and tourism partnership with Cornell online bike atlas that shows marketing both road and off-road Cooperative Extension and bicycling opportunities along • Helping to grow the Potsdam-based, CITEC local food economy through Manufacturing & Technology the Scenic Byways in our 14-county region. a partnership with Cornell Solutions

Word cloud of www.adirondack.org The following is a visualization of the top 50 search words that lead people to ANCA’s website, www.adirondack.org. As we are in the process of redesigning the site, this word cloud helps us to emphasize and highlight the words and terms that will best inform our constituents.

710,767

Average number of residents that each member of the House represents

34,000

Average number of residents that each member of the House represented in 1790

Inside:

Profiles, 2-3

Program News, 4-5

ANCA Applauds, 6-7

2

program news

Shop owners

Help region’s artisans thrive What’s happening

Top: The sign for Wild Birds Unlimited in Saratoga Springs. Above: The exterior of Unique Woodworks/Twin Brook Farms in Oswego County. photos provided

By Nadia Korths, ANCA Artisan Program Coordinator nkorths@adirondack.org

On April 6 and 7, Buyer Days is celebrating 25 years of partnerships between regional artisans and shop owners.

ANCA wishes to acknowledge the ongoing commitment, courage and smart decision-making of the region’s shop owners, who develop and nurture the clientele that buy regionally made products. These shop owners go to Buyer Days, some for the first time last year, and some for the 25th time.

With this issue, we introduce you to some of the region’s shop owners.

They are a diverse group. We’ll showcase more in next month’s newsletter and, in the meantime, at ANCA’s Facebook page: Buyer Days of the Adirondack North Country Association. Each exhibitor’s product description and show specials are posted there and at ANCA’s crafts website, www.AdkNCcrafts. com. Please note that all prices and

n Workshop on Wholesale Accounts: A workshop on “How to Establish and Maintain Wholesale Accounts” will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 22, at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Nadia Korths, ANCA artisan program coordinator and Josh Pratt, Wild Center giftshop manager, will present. Participants also receive a 45-page howto-wholesale packet. Registration is $35 and the form can be found at http://www. adknccrafts.com/HowtoWholesaleWkshp.pdf

specials are for shop owners only.

For private purchases and/or custom orders, we suggest you contact the maker or shop owner directly. Many artisans list shops which sell their work on their websites.

program news

3 Did you know?

Buyer Days

In this feature, we shine a light on businesses, farms, artisans, and organizations that embody the spirit of the region. The highlighted counties shows ANCA’s 14-county service region.

Wild Birds Unlimited http://saratogasprings.wbu.com Lois Geshiwlm and Nancy Castillo are passionate about birds and nature.

That’s why they opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in Saratoga Springs.

Nancy writes a blog about her bird sightings at The Zen Birdfeeder, http://wildbirdsunlimited.typepad.com/.

From left: Nancy Castillo and Lois Geshiwlm of Wild Birds Unlimited. photo provided

Unique Woodworks http://www.uniquewood works.net/index.htm Jeannine Ridgeway, owner of Unique Woodworks/ Twin Brook Farms, moved the shop in 2008 to the north shore of Oneida Lake in Oswego County into a restored antique barn. In 1998 they had started the business with the original intention of making a living selling their rustic furniture using mortise and tennon joinery and traditional dovetail joints. As

many other makers of the region, they realized they needed to sell the works of others to increase the range in price points. At Buyer Days Jeannine has found many complementary accessories and artwork. They are one of the few shops which attend Buyer Days which can state that “Each and every item is lovingly and meticulously handcrafted in the USA by skilled and highly talented artists.”

These two bought into The Wild Birds Unlimited franchise which provides an incredible amount of built-in support. Their store website has lots of useful and free information for nature lovers as well as product highlights.

ANCA’s annual trade show is marking its 25th anniversary in 2011. Here’s a look at some of the numbers from the 2010 show:

65

The number of vendors representing a variety of locally made crafts, wines and specialty foods.

25

The number of first-time Buyer Days vendors.

121

The number of shops who came to buy.

$2,975

The average total in sales per vendor.

$193,375 Estimated total in sales for the show.

$280

Average amount spent by exhibitors on show fees, lodging and meals during the 2-day show.

8x

Exhibitors average more than 8 times their expenses in orders and sales.

Source: Nadia Korths, Buyer Days organizer, www.adknccrafts.com

4

program news

Sweet traditions

Maple-based Byway close to fruition In a meeting held Dec. 9 with state officials with the Department of Transportation, Sharon O’Brien, ANCA program coordinator and others made the case for the creation of a new Scenic Byway along NYS Route 812 from Lowville to Ogdensburg.

Currently part of the Black River Trail Scenic Byway, stakeholders along the 80-mile route preferred to create a distinct route that celebrates a heritage steeped in maple syrup production.

The proposed Maple Traditions Scenic Byway passes through seven villages, nine towns and one city, and relates directly with strong

Byways briefs

community ties to maple products. For example, Croghan is home to the American Maple Museum. Not to mention the numerous sugar bushes along the way, and traditional Amish farms, foods and crafts. Once approved by the state, the new Byway can begin marketing itself to travelers.

The meeting also included proposed modifications to the Olympic Scenic Byway, in the Jefferson County section.

The first proposal is to extend the western segment of the route 11.5 miles to Henderson Harbor, where Association Island on Lake Ontario served as a training site for Olympic sailing teams in

A scene from the proposed Maple Traditions Scenic Byway

1976 and 1939, thus creating a terminus that connects to the “Olympic Spirit” theme.

The second part will create a scenic driving loop to give travelers the option to go through the Village of Carthage. The route, which passes through Lake Placid and ends along the shores of Lake Champlain, currently stretches 170 miles through 6 counties. The extension and loop would bring the trip up to 192 miles.

The first meeting at Akwesasne takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the Seniors Cenn DOT plans to install new signs ter. Participants will work together to on two area Byways: The New York identify significant, memorable experiState Department of Transportation is ences, places and events that should in the planning/design stage of a sign be sustained or enhanced for visitors in project for the Central Adirondack Trail the Akwesasne section of the Byway. and Olympic Scenic Byways.

Central Adirondack Trail Olympic Scenic Byway For more information, contact Lindsay NYSDOT will fabricate and oversee Tarbell at 518-358-2272 or lindsay. the installation of the Byway Identificatarbell@srmt-nsn.gov. tion signs, which will feature the name about the project to Nancy Alexander at Economic development officers, comof the byway, and directional arrows so nalexander@dot.state.ny.us. munity officials, and other St. Lawrence travelers can easily follow the route. county tourism stakeholders will meet at The signs will also display the byway’s n Meetings set for Northern Tier the Best Western In Canton on Thurslogo.

Byway planning: Area residents, day January 20. Topics will include the The new signs fit into the overall big business owners, community leaders need to extend the current designated picture for Byway promotion. Every city, and other interested parties are invited western gateway of the route through town and village has a dedicated page to upcoming meetings concerning Potsdam to Canton, and best ways among the 700 pages at www.adironByway planning for a touring route that to integrate the planning process with dackscenicbyways.org. In addition, a currently runs between Massena and strategic revitalization plans recently newly released Adirondack North Country Rouses Point. completed by communities.

Registration Scenic Byway Map is being distributed Known as Military Trail Scenic Byway, and a light breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. statewide, gaining new market visibility. the byway, which follows routes 37 east and the meeting runs until 10.

DOT will share more definitive dates from Massena and 11 east from Malone For more information and/or to for installation as soon as information to Rouses Point, is in the midst of a register, contact Bob Hest, rhest@ is available and their agency will be Corridor Management Planning process, adirondack.org, or Linda McQuinn at applying for any necessary highway which will define future opportunities for developer@cantonnewyork.us work permits. Please direct questions the route and its communities.

program news

5

ANCA Energy Tips

Diagram courtesy of Energy Audit Institute © 2010 http://www.energyauditinstitute.com/ images/energy-audit-diagram.jpg

By Jamie Rogers, ANCA Energy Program Coordinator jrogers@adirondack.org

The New Year is here and with it comes new opportunities for home owners to improve their home energy usage:

Energy audits Interested home owners will be provided with a free or low-cost energy audit through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program.

I should emphasize over 90 percent of New York State Residents will qualify for home energy audits at no cost,

yes you read it correctly, home energy audits for free. After your home energy audit is completed you will have the opportunity to implement cost-effective measures using GJGNY Financing which offers loans of up to $13,000.

If you are interested you can access all the necessary information including applications via the internet, just type in NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star Program, then in

the first paragraph click on “How to Participate.”

If you would like assistance or more information on how this program works please give me a call at 518-524-0240 or you can email me at; jrogers-adirondack.org. This program is wonderful opportunity for residential customers to save money and energy, so I would encourage all our readers to get Energy Smart.

6 ANCA applauds ANCA applauds: Note: This feature was developed as a way to spotlight “good news” happening around the region. Send suggestions and notices to mhart@adirondack.org.

Laurentian Aerospace Corporation is developing a state-of-the-art maintenance repair and overhaul facility at the Plattsburgh International Airport.

The concept is illustrated here. Image courtesy of Laurentian Aerospace: http://www.laurentianaerospace.com

Laurentian plan means big business What Happened •

• • •

Laurentian Aerospace Corp. announced on Dec. 10 it had lined up funding for its $175 million operation to maintain and repair wide-body jets.

The deal with Verdant Capital Group is expected to close by March 1.

Construction of the 273,000-square-foot hangar is slated to begin in April.

200 to 300 jobs to start and up to 900 jobs two years later, the Press-Republican reports.

“We will now continue to work diligently with Laurentian and Verdant to cross the finish line, bringing one of the most important construction projects ever undertaken in the North Country and launching an economically transformational venture ... in just the first of what could become multiple phases...”

— Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, in the chamber’s newsletter.

What It Means Big news for Plattsburgh, and also the region, according to an impact study completed by the Development Corporation Institute for Development and Economic Analysis in Clinton County.

The study finds that if Laurentian lives up to its full promise of 900 jobs by the end of 2014: • Half a billion dollars a year will go into the local economy; • and another $12 million in tax revenue.

• An additional 1,200 indirect jobs would be created.

• The housing market will boom as well, with the addition of as many as 1,000 units.

The effects will ripple across the region, said Colin Read, director of the Institute and professor of economics at SUNY Plattsburgh.

Based on an estimate of 2,100 new jobs, both direct and indirect, the local economy, can “probably absorb about a 1,000” with the current workforce in place, Read said. “That still leaves about 1,100 households that will need to relocate here,” he said.

— from WCAX News

What they’re saying “This is a nice boost, and there will be many spinoffs and further opportunities. My focus will continue to be on creating as many jobs as we can.”

— U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, in the Plattsburgh Press-Republican “The question isn’t ‘What does the Laurentian announcement mean for Clinton Community College,’ but ‘How can the college support Laurentian’s mission?’”

— John Jablonski, president, Clinton Community College, to the Plattsburgh Press Republican.

“This could have almost immediate impact. As soon as Laurentian starts placing orders, even tentative ones, local businesses will have to respond.”

— Colin Read, professor of economics, SUNY Plattsburgh, to WCAX News

ANCA applauds Keene Broadband Project connects community Through a public-private partnership with the locally owned cable company, 90 percent of homes and businesses in the Town of Keene now have the ability to be connected to the Internet.

The project was conceived and organized by the High Peaks Education Foundation (HPEF), a group of local volunteers whose goal was to put every home with a student, teacher or school staff member on the network. A recent report issued by project co-directors Jim Herman and Dave Mason reveals that not only was that goal achieved but others as well.

Some key findings from the report: • 90% of all homes and businesses can now get broadband Internet access (97% for year-round residences and businesses) • The local Internet Service Provider (ISP) is financially viable: revenue has grown 84 percent; costs have grown 77 percent.

The full report can be found at http:// smarteradirondacks.org.

$2.7M available for small business loans Empire State Development recently awarded $2.7 million for small business loans in the region, the North Country Chamber of Commerce reported in its January newsletter. Of that amount, $1 million was allocated to the Adirondack Economic Development Corp. and $1.7 million to the North Country Alliance Local Development Corp.

These funds will be used for microlending of amounts less than $25,000 as well as larger lending up to $250,000.

Photo courtesy of Newcomb Central Schools/NPR

Newcomb looks overseas to boost school numbers With school enrollment declining in many Upstate New York communities and some districts deciding whether to

7 Broadband in Keene: Before and After

consolidate schools, the rural town of Newcomb has found a creative way to address the problem.

Although the district has only 33 highschool students, in recent years efforts to recruit foreign students has resulted in a significant boost in enrollment. Currently, nine students hail from countries as diverse as Vietnam, France and Russia and pay fees to attend, as they would a boarding school.

Brian Mann, reported on the program for North Country Public Radio, with a story that recently aired on National Public Radio: http://www. npr.org/2010/12/15/131887044/ruralnew-york-school-recruits-overseasstudents?sc=emaf

Paterson signs order to support state ag products On his way out last month, outgoing Gov. Patterson signed an executive order that directs state agencies buying agricultural products to purchase from New York state vendors.

Jim Ochterski, agriculture program leader at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, explained that state government “has lot of buying power” in supplying prisoners, schools and health care facilities with food.

“The order mandates a change in policy, requiring state agencies revise their food purchasing to be more focused on locally sourced farm products,” he said, in a story reported by the Irondequoit Post in Rochester: http:// www.irondequoitpost.com/latestnews/

x2068981650/Paterson-to-sign-buylocal-law

‘Buy local’ coalition forms in Oneida County A few years ago, Oneida County resident Rod Wilson was doing some research about local economies and food systems and came across a “Buy Local” study that impressed him.

As a result, Oneida County business owners (and some from neighboring Herkimer County as well) and private citizens have formed a coalition called “Buy lOCal” (emphasizing the OC for “Oneida County.” According to Wilson, the group will hold its first organizational meeting later this month.

“We’ve reached out to and have a gotten great response from Oneida County’s varied industries and anticipate a high degree of cooperation,” he said. To start, the group will most likely function as a not-for profit but are considering acting as a for-profit incubator or a co-op, he said. For now, you can find it on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/buyoclocal?ref=ts

About ANCA The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has a long history of providing innovative, grassrootsbased leadership for the Adirondack North Country, and creating strong and effective partnerships that provide direct support to program constituents. Since incorporation in 1955, ANCA has developed and managed programs across all 14 counties in Northern New York State, successfully ‘investing’ millions of dollars, mostly from federal and New York State grants as well as private funding, to build capacity and to support community economic development across the region.

ANCA’s portfolio of programs, as well as its strengths in fostering dialogue and effective partnerships, bring together the many components that are needed to build stronger, more self-reliant and localized economies throughout the Adirondack North Country.

Our Vision Vibrant rural communities and resilient local economies where people and businesses thrive in a cherished environment ANCA organizes its work around 3 key goals, each one supported by strategic objectives and a portfolio of programs and projects.

• Resilient local economies: Provide the foundation for local business development that will create family-sustaining jobs in rural communities, increase economic diversity, and build opportunities for the region to thrive as a more efficient, self reliant and localized economy, linked to the global economy, and protective of the region’s extraordinary natural environment • Vibrant communities: Foster connections between communities and people, enable visitors and residents to fully experience the region’s abundant cultural and natural assets, empower and support the region’s artisans, farmers, and other local producers, and to encourage investment in community infrastructure and assets • Distinct sense of place: Recognize and highlight the exceptional assets that make this region unique, create a strong regional brand, and build the case for investment in rural places

Contact Us 67 Main Street, Suite 201, Saranac Lake NY 12983 Main line: 518.891.6200 ANCA’s newsletter is emailed on the first Thursday of the month. Deadline for content is one week prior to publication. Send notices, announcements and other items to Melissa Hart, mhart@adirondack.org.

A D I R O N D A C K N O R T H C O U N T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N

Adirondack North Country Association 67 Main Street, Suite 201 Saranac Lake NY 12983 Established in 1955 Roger W. Tubby Founder (1910–1991)

Stephen M. Erman President

John K. Bartow, Jr. Vice President

Ross S. Whaley Secretary

Dale G. Brown Treasurer

Richard R. Bird Central Region VP

Paul M. Cantwell, Jr. Northern Region VP

Michele E. Ledoux Western Region VP

Ron Montesi Southeastern Region VP

Kate Fish Executive Director

67 Main Street, Suite 201 Saranac Lake, NY 12983 518.891.6200

FAX

6203

anca@adirondack.org www.adirondack.org