Adirondack North Country Association
November/December 2011
Building Vibrant Rural Communities and Resilient Local Economies
$ $ $ Banking Locally T $ ANCA news
View of Lake Placid’s Main Street and beyond, as seen from the new conference center. Photo by Melissa Hart/ANCA
The importance of
he interest generated by the Occupy Wall Street movement nationwide has led to a renewed enthusiasm in keeping money in smaller banks whose operations are regionally based. We reached out to our ANCA network of contacts to ask the question:
“What are some reasons to bank with a local bank or credit union?”
ANCA Director Dale Brown is Assistant Vice President and Manager at NBT Bank in Speculator. He had this to say:
I have worked for a regional bank, one of the world’s largest banks, an extremely small independent bank and a local community bank, some of these all from the same desk due to mergers and acquisitions. There are a great many benefits to banking with a local institution to include: • Community bankers know their customers. They live with them, grew up with them, and went to school with them. There is a history developed that doesn’t have a price. • Local financial institutions reinvest in their communities. Their employees are involved in community activities and the banks support the activities with both donations of time and money. • Local institutions know their market and make lending decisions based on more than what’s in a financial statement. • They tend to provide monetary support to local projects. Out-of-state banks tend to spend more of their money where they are headquartered, and the further away you get from the headquarters the less you get. • Financial institutions headquartered in our region tend to buy more from local merchants or give their managers the authority to do so. Rather than a national or regional contract for things such as purchasing, cleaning, lawn care, snow plowing or maintenance they will encourage their managers to use local business people.
INSIDE: PROGRAM NEWS, 2-5
Here are some other comments:
“Adirondack Bank is very active in each of the communities that we serve, in several counties which include Oneida, Herkimer, Onondaga, Essex, Clinton and Franklin. On average, we have donated approximately 10 percent of our yearly earnings for the last several years back into those communities, sponsoring events held by organizations such as the YWCA, American Red Cross, Peacemaker Program, United Way, Make a Wish, Sitrin, Resource Center for Independent Living, Upstate Cerebral Palsy, American Heart Association, local arts organizations and many others.” — Gary Kavney, Adirondack Bank CEO and President “Champlain National Bank is one of very few remaining independently owned community banks. With more than 100 years of service, we take great pride in the communities we serve here in the North Country. With the financial issues that the country has faced over the past few years, we have heard from many people that the idea of dealing directly with a local, community bank has great appeal.” — Ed Finnerty, VP of Loan Production, Champlain National Bank
Arrow Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company (parent of Glens Falls National Bank and Saratoga National Bank) headquartered in Glens Falls, serving northeastern New York. Thomas L. Hoy, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arrow, had this to say about Glens Falls National Bank President Thomas J. Murphy: “He has deep connections to the communities in Upstate New York served by the bank.”
FACES FROM THE REGION, 8-9
UPDATES, 10 -12
2 ANCA’s Campaign 2011
JOIN US
as we reinvent ourselves and our work in the region
We need your support now more than ever Our goal is to raise $100,000 from individuals and businesses by the end of 2011. We are well on our way — but we need your help to get us over the top. Like many organizations around New York State, ANCA is no longer receiving State funding beyond specific program grants. ANCA has been very fortunate in past years to have benefited from significant funding from Albany. However, in order to be able to sustain the work we do for our communities and provide innovative programs that will help shape a more resilient economic future across the Adirondack North Country, we need your financial contribution — at any level.
Let’s work together to help transform the region Exciting opportunities lie ahead. Our program goals have broadened based on input from stakeholders across the region. These larger goals for 2012 have the potential to be deeply transformational. They focus on: • Building a more robust local food economy; • Transitioning from an oil-based to a biomass-based heating economy that will produce significant local jobs; • Connecting potential and emerging entrepreneurs to the tools that can help them launch and expand businesses; • Creating a powerful regional identity.
Donate online at www.adirondack.org
A membership with the Adirondack North Country Association is an investment in our region. Your gift will enable ANCA to carry out important work building vibrant, self-reliant communities and resilient local economies. We have changed our donation structure to include membership levels designed for small businesses and corporations, non-profits and local governments, as well as revised tiers for individual members. See more at http://www.adirondack.org/donate/ All members have the option to receive ANCA’s e-newsletter, periodic updates on each program area, as well as to receive special recognition from ANCA in various ways throughout the year.
or fill out form below and mail in with contribution
Please make checks payable to Adirondack North Country Association. Mailing address: 67 Main St., Suite 201, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 ANCA is a 501 (c) (3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
Donor Information
(Circle one):
New Member
Renewal
AMOUNT _____________________ NAME _________________________________________________________________________________ COMPANY/ORGANIZATION:_____________________________________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________ PHONE ______________________ EMAIL ___________________________________________________
ANCA’s Campaign 2011
3
We have launched a campaign to invest in the following four projects:
Food
LOCAL FOOD MAPPING
The trend toward eating local is growing. A host of food enterprises and farmers markets are cropping up across the region. At a time when valuable farmland is being lost Statewide, Franklin, Essex, Warren and Saratoga Counties have all seen increases in the number of farms, showing that demand has potential to fuel further regional growth. What’s missing? We need a way to visually and physically connect producers and businesses and to identify gaps in the local food system, including processing and distribution. ANCA will produce and share a comprehensive GIS-based map that illustrates all aspects of the region’s “foodshed,” including farmers markets, cooperatives, CSA’s, processors, distributors and outlets that sell and carry local products.
Energy
BIOMASS PILOT PROGRAMS
The Northeast consumes 82% of heating oil used in the U.S. The cost of this oil has increased by over 30% in the North Country in the last year alone. Our winters are long and cold. We cannot afford to continue to depend on imported fuel to heat our homes. What’s missing? There is no single organization in the North Country that is shepherding these projects forward, finding the communities that are ready, and the partners and funding that will coordinate a step-by-step research and implementation program. ANCA will implement a pilot program in a handful of communities to demonstrate what the rest of the region can achieve, working with Biomass Energy Research Center of Vermont, the Northern Forest Center, NYSERDA, and other partners. We will help catalyze the research needed to ensure that harvesting low-grade wood supports sustainable forest management.
Work
ENTREPRENEUR NETWORK
All the net new jobs in the U.S. in the past 30 years have been created by young firms – those less than five years old. Entrepreneurs provide the best path forward for creating these jobs. There are significant new business opportunities in the rural Adirondack North Country, in the local food economy, energy-related businesses, tourism, business services, biomass and forestry, and innovative technologies and manufacturing. What’s missing? It is challenging for people to find the resources to launch small businesses, to find financing options, mentoring, and clusters of like-minded entrepreneurs. ANCA will build a coordinated resource network across the region to assist the creation and expansion of new enterprises, working with our SUNY-based Small Business Development Centers, our community colleges, Clarkson University, the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, and other partners.
Identity
ADIRONDACK BRAND
The Adirondack North Country as a region offers all the elements that create an attractive place to visit, work and live. After decades of fragmented identities based on political or sector boundaries, it is time to create a transformational brand that is embraced from within the region, that expresses a single asset, not a collection of multiples. What’s missing? There are piecemeal efforts to brand artisan and agricultural products, but they are disjointed and limited in scope. There is an urgent need for a proactive, coordinated strategy. “Made in Vermont” works as a brand. The Adirondack North Country needs a similar, unified identity. ANCA will launch a branding initiative, pulling together the resources and people that represent the region’s broad and diverse constituents, and will lay the groundwork for a comprehensive, stakeholder-driven branding process.
4 Our Work
ANCA REGION SNAPSHOT: Based on 2010 information provided by Jen McCormick, Vice President of Policy & Research and Deputy Commissioner of Business Advocacy at Empire State Development
228 Hydroelectric power jobs
1,774 Logging jobs 4,971 Jobs in food processing
8,222 Materials
processing jobs
14,793 Travel and tourism jobs
For the past six decades ANCA’s work has concentrated on projects that have a visible impact on people who live and work in the region. In 2011, North Country people and communities in 14 counties of Northern New York benefitted from ANCA’s work, including:
S C E N I C B Y W AY S
•
•
•
• • •
BYWAYS: We are currently managing seven Byways across 15 counties, covering more than 1,500 miles of road. REC PATH GRANT: ANCA secured a $1.2 million DOT grant for Town of North Elba to begin work on a recreation path from Lake Placid to Ray Brook alongside the railroad. STATE BYWAYS MAP: Through DOT, we published the first New York State Scenic Byways map, which shows the entire system of visitor touring routes. 300,000 copies of the map were printed for distribution at popular tourist sites statewide. BIKING RESOURCE: We went live with a 14-county online biking site, www.bikethebyways.org, that shows preferred bicycling routes and mountain biking trails. INVASIVES BROCHURE: 35,000 copies of pocket-sized brochure educated about water-based and land-based “hitchhikers” in a colorful and easy-to-read format. TRADITIONS GUIDEBOOK: Work began on a guide that highlights the cultural heritage, agricultural, food, and rural assets in the Adirondack North Country.
ENERGY PARTNERING WITH NYSERDA: So far in its first year working with NYSERDA’s Energy Smart Communities program, ANCA has directly helped 22 businesses and 111 households in 39 communities take steps toward becoming more energy efficient.
FOREST ECONOMY NEW FOCUS: We are in the exciting process of revamping our Forest Economy program. ANCA has teamed up with NYSERDA and other partners to provide outreach in the North Country on the benefits of building stronger forest and local energy economies. A Biomass
Basics workshop held April 19 at the Wild Center launched broad interest in the potential for using locally produced biomass fuel to heat our buildings.
A G R I C U LT U R E CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR FARMERS: For the past decade, ANCA has helped close to 120 livestock farmers in 64 communities, instilling best practices for managing grazing lands, with funding through USDA’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. ANCA has entered into a new contract with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide services to livestock farmers in 12 counties.
ARTISANS BUYER DAYS: 25th anniversary of a juried, regional artisan trade show. ANCA’s 25 year trade show generated $175,840 in sales at the 2010 show. In total, 135 shops (with a total of 231 owners and staff) came to see 71 vendors over a two-day period at the City Center in Saratoga Springs.
ANCA MILESTONES
• Executive Director Kate Fish’s appointment • • •
by Gov. Cuomo to the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. An in-depth analysis of the Adirondack North Country economy, with Empire State Development and the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. Gaining broad support across the region to keep the Tug Hill Commission intact. Sharing good news, breakthroughs, local innovations, key facts and information through eight issues of ANCA’s newsletter and other channels. • Launching a revamped organizational Website to better illustrate the impact of ANCA’s work, the special character of the region, and the needs and accomplishments of its communities and people at www.adirondack.org.
5
Program News
Byways projects emphasize accessibility
A
ccording to ANCA’s 2009 Scenic Byway Market Trend Assessment, the No. 1 reason visitors come to our area is to view our natural assets.
This photo taken by Phil Gallos shows the kickoff of the “On Track to Saranac” campaign, Nov. 5 in Tupper Lake. The group Next Stop! Tupper Lake has launched a grass roots effort to restore the rail line between Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, which will pave the way for restored rail service between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid.
ANCA is committed to improving access for those who have physical challenges that limit their ability to get outdoors while touring our Scenic Byways. Here are a few examples of projects that support that goal: RAILSIDE RECREATION PATH: Allowing broader access to open space was a key factor in winning the $1.2 million grant that was recently awarded from the federal government to complete Phase I of the new recreation path to be built alongside the tracks within the RemsenLake Placid Travel Corridor. Having a working railroad along with a trail will serve the interests of all and does not neglect those with limited access to wilderness: including people with mobility challenges, as well as senior citizens and families with small children. As currently planned and funded, the recreational path will connect Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, two communities along the 170-mile Olympic Scenic Byway. The town of North Elba, with ANCA’s assistance, will be constructing a path for walkers, hikers, cross-country skiers and bicyclists while maintaining a corridor for snowmobilers. Of importance, this trail will work in conjunction with the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, which has been using its open-air car to provide a safe and up-
ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE: The Adirondack North Country Scenic Byways Accessibility Assessment and Public Awareness Guide is about to launch. Working in partnership with the Tri Lakes Center for Independent Living (TLCIL) on research and project development, the guide will include communities and landmarks throughout 12 counties along the Adirondack Trail, the Central Adirondack Trail and the Olympic Scenic Byways. A survey of facilities, sites, and cur-
DUANE INTERPRETIVE SIGN: A project in the Town of Duane on the northern end of the Adirondack Byway is designed to promote exploration of under-used and undiscovered natural resources. Located on Franklin County route 26, just a mile off route 30, (visitors can follow marked signs showing skiers and walkers) users can park just past a historic white church to access a nature trail. (Sign Town of Duane Nature Trail) A 10-minute walk leads visitors to a viewing platform overlooking a remote
25-acre pond. An interpretive sign, with copy written by Jerry Jenkins of the Wildlife Conservation Society, informs visitors of the unique features of the bog ecosystem and the diverse species and habitat types in the area. The project allows visitors to enjoy nature in a quiet space and introduces travelers to significant natural resources. The story of the year round life of the pond encourages four season visitation, thus supporting tourism in nearby byway communities.
close view of nature for those with mobility issues. One coach car with lifts at both ends and wide doors is also available on every summer run. It has been adapted as the dedicated “Access Car” and holds up to six wheelchairs.
rent interpretive practices will result in an educational guide with specific strategies on accommodating all Byway users. Recommendations to raise awareness of the needs of today’s diverse travel market and to lay a foundation to better accommodate visitors’ needs will be distributed to community and tourism leaders across the three byways. Site reports and a Public Awareness Guide will be used to improve conditions for travelers touring the region. TLCIL will assemble a project team and work with ANCA to create a list of priority resource sites and interpretive facilities. The list could cover as many as 200 places such as tourist info centers, Chamber of Commerce offices, heritage sites, museums and cultural attractions.
6 Program News Julie King takes over Ag Program
ANCA has a new Agriculture Program Coordinator, taking the place of Joshua Porter, who resigned for personal reasons. Joshua did a lot for the program and he will be missed, but we are pleased to bring Julie King into her new role. Julie, who lives in Tupper Lake, is passionate about bringing healthy, locally raised food to Adirondack North Country consumers and helping farmers define and achieve their objectives and goals. Julie holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry & Environmental Studies
from SUNY ESF and a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Empire State College (Ecosystem Management emphasis). She taught forestry at Paul Smith’s College for 13 years. For the past five years she has been a member of the Adirondack chapter of the Weston Price Foundation (Nutrient Dense Food & Farming organization.) Beginning last May, she gained firsthand experience working directly with farmers from a retail perspective, as Assistant Manager of The Farmers’ Marketplace – a new, seasonal retail store in Tupper Lake. Through her work, Julie visited farms in the North Country to discuss supplying the store and became connected to many farmers. Julie is excited to integrate her experiences with agriculture and education, as well as ecological and food systems to help support ANCA’s mission. In her spare time, Julie enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing with her husband, Rick, and son, Noah. She can be reached at jking@adirondack.org.
Save the Date
26TH ANNUAL BUYER DAYS Adirondack North Country Association’s Gift Product Trade Show connects buyers with regional artisans making quality products. Information available at www.adirondack.org
Energy Update Free home energy assessments DID YOU KNOW: The biggest source of air leaks in the home isn’t the windows or doors, but floors, walls and ceilings, which average 31 percent of overall leakage. In December, ANCA is launching, through NYSERDA, the Green Jobs Green New York program for the North Country, with a focus on residences and businesses. Before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on expensive upgrades, we encourage homeowners to do a comprehensive home assessment to see which improvements will have the greatest payback. Please contact us at anca@adirondack.org or by calling 518-891-6200 to find out how you can get a free or reduced home energy assessment.
March 7-8,
2012
City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
7
Business and Communities
Support local jobs with
holiday gift giving
A
s the holidays approach, we are surrounded by advertising and calls to buy new gadgets and mass-produced things, but how about a different approach this year? One that supports local jobs in your community:
Think outside the (big) box
Instead of buying stuff, how about considering services that support local people in our communities:
SALON: Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates for your local hair salon or barber? GYM MEMBERSHIP: Appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement. TAKING CARE OF THE CAR: Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Detail shops and car washes
make great gift certificates. Even an oil change at a local shop would be an appreciative gift.
OTHER IDEAS: Perhaps a grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course. How about putting together a box of locally made goodies, such as candy, fudge, cheeses or craftbrewed beer or locally made wine? OUT ON THE TOWN: Many ownerrun restaurants offer gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big national chains --this is about supporting your home town restaurant owners. HOUSE CLEANING: Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love having a local cleaning service for a day.
HANDMADE: For something more personal, look for local crafts people who spin wool and knit scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. OUTINGS: Treat your loved ones to a holiday outing, seeing a play or ballet or a concert.
ELECTRONIC UPGRADES: Instead of junking the old and buying new, can you use the services of a local repair shop to upgrade your old
JOIN US
computer?
Note: The following was adapted from an email that’s been circulating. Have any more suggestions? Share them with us at mhart@adirondack.org.
as we reinvent ourselves and our work in the region
D onate online at www . adirondack . org
8 Faces From the Region
Why I LOVE it HERE Joshua Kretser Age: 33 Residence: Plattsburgh (Clinton Co.) Hometown: Beekmantown, NY Occupation: Owner/Designer - pod studio. Located in Plattsburgh, pod studio is a full-service design center that specializes in residential and commercial interior design, home staging, event design and organizational services. www.podstudiony.com What brought you to the region? I am a North Country Native and returned three years ago after spending a decade studying design and working in Manhattan. My family, who still resides in the area, was the key factor in my decision to return. In addition to having the ability to live near my family, I also enjoy the natural resources unique to the North Country which allow for activities such as sailing and water sports on Lake Champlain and hiking and winter sports throughout the Adirondacks. Why in this period of time is the North Country poised for growth? With the establishment of the North Country Regional Strategic Development Council, additional funding will be made available to be used for implementing new ideas and attracting new businesses. These funds will help provide additional
training of the local workforce such as Clinton Community College’s Wind Energy & Turbine Technology associates degree program and Champlain Valley Educational Service’s Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute. In the arts, the North Country is gaining momentum with the restoration of Plattsburgh’s Strand Theater which, when completed, will attract cultural presentations from around the country and the world.
What is the biggest attraction to working here? For my interior design clients, I have an arsenal of talented local crafts people at my disposal. From custom woodworking to intricate upholstery work, I have no prob-
lem sourcing local vendors for projects. For products that I am unable to source in the North Country, our close proximity to New York City and Montreal leave me with unlimited design resources.
What do you love about living in the North Country region? The high quality of life we have in the region. There is a very low crime rate and nearly non-existent violent crime rate. There is little pollution which helps to preserve our precious natural resources. We have close proximity to many outdoor activities in the Adirondack mountains, Lake Champlain and the surrounding area. There is also no shortage of winter sports such as skiing, snowshoeing and skating, to name a few.
ANCA Applauds: Saranac Lake Community Store
http://www.community-store.org/
Three cheers to Saranac Lake for turning a dream of having a community owned department store into a reality, the first in the state. Located at 97 Main St., the Community Store is now open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It’s heartening to see a community rally around preserving its small-town spirit. Since the official Grand Opening on Nov. 19, the town has been receiving lots of accolades in the local and national media.
Here are a few of the links: U.S. Rep. Bill Owens tours the store (NCPR): http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/18822/20111123/ owens-adds-to-community-store-accolades The New York Times: http://www. nytimes.com/2011/11/13/business/atown-in-new-york-creates-its-own-department-store.html?pagewanted=all CBS’ Early Show: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7389401n &tag=mncol;lst;2
9
Faces From the Region
ANCA Applauds: APA Appointments
Why I LOVE it HERE
ANCA praises Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent appointment of Leilani Crafts Ulrich as Chairwoman of the Adirondack Park Agency.
Janessa Scott Age: 27 Residence: Madrid (St. Lawrence Co.) Hometown: Massena, NY What brought you to the region? I love living in Northern N.Y. Life just seems to be a little simpler and safer. I love being able to get home from work, step out my back door and take my dogs for a nice walk in the woods. What keeps you here? I want to raise a family and I think it is a perfect place. I can teach my children to appreciate nature and wildlife in our own backyard but still take them to museums and zoos in surrounding cities. Career Accomplishments: I am currently a web designer for Clarkson University as well as owner of The Mad Recycler and Uniquely NNY. Hobbies/interests: I love being outdoors, including hiking, snowshoeing, skating and fishing. I also enjoy my recycled crafting, antiques, sewing, painting and gardening. What do you love about living in the North Country region? I love being able to look up and see the stars on a clear night. I enjoy hearing the crickets chirping and
fireflies glowing in the field behind the house on a summer night. The beauty of the leaves changing in the fall with the reds, oranges and yellows, and the first snowfall of the year are both truly amazing.
What is the biggest attraction to living and working here? I enjoy living on a slow back road lined by beautiful old maple trees, but also that it only takes me about 20 minutes to get to a larger town. I can have my peace and quiet, but it isn’t too far to get to work, shop, catch a movie or a hockey game, or get a great meal. What are some of the region’s strengths? Peacefulness and Beauty What are some of the challenges here for recruiting young professionals? I think it is hard to recruit young professionals who are use to being in a city. City life differs greatly from North Country life, but if we market the beauty, the safety and the peacefulness, it would inspire some to come here. Things to do may not be right around the corner but might be in the next town. If you could change anything about living here, what would it be? I know this is already in the works and hopefully it will reach me soon – High Speed Internet. Wreath photos provided by Janessa Scott. More examples of her work can be found at http://uniquelynny.com and http://www.themadrecycler.biz
Ulrich, who has served on the APA board since 2004, was a founder of Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century (CAP21), a regional non-profit community development organization, and was a founder of the Common Ground Alliance. Ulrich’s work stretches far and wide: Striving for balance between nature and commerce by increasing communication and building partnerships, CAP-21 supported comprehensive master planning, architectural preservation and various regional planning efforts. As members of the Wild Center’s delegation, Ulrich and her husband Jim recently traveled to Finland to study responses to climate change, energy conservation and to learn of forestry management practices in Lapland. “This is exciting news for the Adirondack region. ANCA has worked with Lani for six years as she led the formation and growth of the Common Ground Alliance and we believe that she is ideal for her new role as APA Chair. Lani brings deep compassion as well as objectivity to her decision-making and has a special and rare ability to find consensus across many sectors,” said ANCA Executive Director Kate Fish. Also exciting is the nomination of Sherman Craig as an APA Commissioner. Craig has been a knowledgeable and effective community leader in Wanakena and the broader Clifton-Fine community of St. Lawrence County. He has been active with the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation which recognizes the importance of community character and place in building rural economies. We applaud Gov. Cuomo and congratulate Ulrich and Craig.
10 ANCA Updates
ANCA Annual Meeting 2011:
State of the Adirondack North Country ANCA’s 2011 annual meeting focused on providing an in-depth analysis of the Adirondack North Country economy.
Top: Jaison Abel, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, addresses the more than 175 attendees at ANCA’s annual meeting held Oct. 3 at the Lake Placid Conference Center. Above: Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University and Co-Chair of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, gives opening remarks on the second half of the meeting.
On Oct. 3, more than 175 attendees at the Lake Placid Conference Center heard data-driven presentations prepared by Empire State Development and the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. Jaison Abel, Senior Economist with the Research and Statistics Group, at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, focused his presentation on current economic conditions in upstate New York, the economic forces that have shaped the recession and recovery to date, and their implications for the region’s economy. Jen McCormick, Vice President of Policy & Research and Deputy Commissioner of Business Advocacy at Empire State Development talked about the economic and demographic
Links to Presentations PDF files can be found here: http://www.adirondack.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/ANCA_ FederalReserve.pdf http://www.adirondack.org/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/ANCA_ ESD.pdf characteristics and changes in the 14-county ANCA region which includes all or portions of four of the State’s economic development regions. Following the presentations, there was a discussion with Representatives of four Regional Economic Development Councils. This was an opportunity to address comments to representatives of the four regional councils, which represent portions of the ANCA region.
NYS REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS: TRANSFORMATIONAL
I
n July, Gov. Andrew Cuomo created 10 Regional Economic Development Councils across New York State to help drive regional and local economic development, job and tax base expansion for years to come. Each council was tasked with a comprehensive strategic plan, based on regional public input, and a broad vision linked to specific actions that will begin to transform their regions. Information is available at: http://nyworks.ny.gov. Of the State’s 10 economic development
regions that are involved in this planning and investment initiative, four include counties located within the ANCA region (North Country, Mohawk Valley, Central NY, and the Capital region). ANCA’s Executive Director Kate Fish, was chosen by the Governor as an appointed member of the North Country Council, which is comprised of the seven most northern counties in our region. Kate’s role as a Vice Chair of the Planning Committee, and co-chair of the Visioning
Team places her on the front lines of helping to shape a fresh and innovative new plan for the North Country. At its 2011 Annual Meeting, ANCA hosted a public input “bridging opportunity” for all four of the councils to ensure ANCA member input to this important economic development initiative. The significant amount of time that Executive Director Fish and other appointed regional council members have invested in this effort indicates that well planned and coordinated actions can have a positive effect on our region’s economy.
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.
ANCA’s Reach Since 2000, ANCA has received $12.7M in federal/state grants and private donations, including $5.2M in Scenic Byways grants. Nearly all of those funds has been spent or distributed in the local economies. • ANCA’s estimated impact since 2000 has been about $266M, or a return of 20 to 1 • $2,174,000 has been generated directly for regional craftspeople and shop owners. • Communities served: 264 • Number of partners: 131 • Individuals and Businesses served: 448
11 ANCA Board of Directors PRESIDENT Stephen M. Erman — Regional Development Consultant and former Economic Advisor, Adirondack Park Agency
VICE PRESIDENT John Bartow — Executive Director, Tug Hill Commission TREASURER Dale G. Brown — Assistant Vice President and Manager, NBT Bank
SECRETARY Ross Whaley — Senior Advisor, Adirondack Landowners Association
CENTRAL REGION VICE PRESIDENT Richard R. Bird — Owner, Bird’s Marine and Adirondack Real Estate
NORTHERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT Paul M. Cantwell, Jr. – Attorney, Cantwell & Cantwell SOUTHEASTERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT Ron Montesi — Queensbury Town Board Member
WESTERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT Michele Ledoux — Executive Director, Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension Kelly Blazosky — President, Oneida County Tourism Jill Breit — Executive Director, Traditional Arts in Upstate New York Richard Burns — Manager, Community and Customer Management, National Grid Kelly Chezum — Vice President for External Relations, Clarkson University James T. Ellis — Former Principal, Tupper Lake High School Eugene T. Falvo — Vice President, Falvo Manufacturing Mike Farmer — Tourism/Publicity Director, Town of Webb Bruce Ferguson — Owner, Scott Hill Farm John C. Kiechle — Owner, Philadelphia Grass Company Daniel Mason — Former Assistant Division Manager, Exxon Mobil Refineries
Contact Us
Marti Mozdzier — Owner, Wilemar Associates
67 Main Street, Suite 201, Saranac Lake NY 12983
Stephanie Ratcliffe — Executive Director, The Wild Center
Office phone: 518.891.6200
Arnie Talgo — Tug Hill Commission member; former Senior Policy Analyst, New
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.
Alice Recore — President & CEO, Mountain Lake PBS York Power Authority Patricia Tatich — Director, Warren County Planning Department Eric Virkler — Director, Lewis County Economic Development/Planning
Our Supporters Abanakee Studios LLC - Kathleen Larkin Adirondac Bail, Inc. Adirondack Bank Adirondack Baskets & Heritage Designs - Mick Jarvis Adirondack Community Trust - Chester and Carol Clarridge Fund Adirondack Community Trust - Evergreen Fund Adirondack Council Adirondack Gateway Business Association Adirondack Harvest Douglas & Marietta Alitz Rip & Shirley Allen Almanzo & Laura Ingalls Wilder Association Americade American Maple Museum Area Bike Shops John and Janet Bartow Big Tupper LLC - Michael Foxman Bill McBride Chevrolet Bionique Testing Laboratories Inc. Richard Bird Black River St. Lawrence Resource Cons & Dev Lee & Judi Borland Jill Breit Paul & Teresa Breuer Jason & Gail Brill Jere & Elaine Brophy Carol Brown Dale Brown Allen & Donna Burns Richard Burns Donald Caldera Camoin Associates, Inc - Robert J. Camoin Jake & Laurie Campbell Paul M. Cantwell, Jr. Central Adirondack Association Kelly Chezum Jason Clark Clarkson University Donald K. Clifford, Jr. Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson Co. Country Lane - Jane Bassett Karen Davidson Stephen DeHond Les & Carol Delorimier John & Anita Deming David Dewan Allen Dunham Dux Dekes - Jeff Duxbury James & Elaine Ellis Stephen Erman & Margot Gold Essex County Falvo Mfg Co., Inc. - Eugene Falvo Michael Farmer Michael Farrell Bruce Ferguson Finch Paper LLC Peter & Diane Fish Kate Fish Sam Fisk & Linda Coe Robert & Jean Flacke Andrew Fortune, Jr. Franklin County Industrial Dev Agency
These individuals, businesses and organizations enable us to continue our work building vibrant communities and resilient local economies
Joel J. Friedman Fuller Communications Susan Day Fuller Fulton County Regional CoC Phil Gallos George Kahler Sales Glens Falls National Bank Sylvia Golbin Tony Goodwin Jerrier Haddad Hamilton County Patricia “Rici” Harden Gregory & Jayne Hart Melissa Hart Roger Hastings John & Marilyn Heimerdinger Herkimer County High Falls Park - Mackenzie Watson Gregory Hill Paul & Lucille Hinds Ann Ruzow Holland Holmes and Associates Housing Assistance Program Essex County William & Mary Hunter Illuminating Concepts LLC Jocelyn R. Jerry John E. Harvey Gasoline Alley. Inc. John C. Kiechle Charles Kiefer Nancy LaBombard Audrey LaFave Lake George Regional CoC & CVB Lake Placid Advertisers Workshop, Inc Mary Jane Lasher Hendrik J. Laverge Elizabeth Lemay Claire Leonardi Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Lewandowski Howard & Sandy Lowe Edward & Marilyn Lyndaker John & Terry Martino Dan Mason Mr. & Mrs. W. Scott McGraw Melissa McManus Kim Meade Mirror Lake Inn - Ed & Lisa Weibrecht Ronald & Rosemary Montesi Moser’s Maple Products Mountain Lake PBS Mountain Meadows BnB - Patricia Quinn Marti Mozdzier Gail Murray Nancy Muskin Nature Conservancy New York State Department of Transportation Allan P. Newell Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. dba National Grid Northwoods Forest Consultants - Herbert Boyce NYS Energy Research and Development Authority NYS Snowmobile Association, Inc. Sharon O’Brien Daniel & Jane O’Leary
Oneida County Tourism - Kelly Blazosky Richard & Sharon Ottalagano Kara Page Martha Pickard Plattsburgh Family Medicine - Dr. Richard F. Lutinski Points North Communications Joshua Porter Seymour Preston, Jr. Frank E. Przybycien, P.E. Robert & Janet Quinn Dennis Rapp Raquette Lake Property Owners Assoc. Stephanie Ratcliffe Harold & Alice Recore Debora Rice Charlene Richards Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation Jamie Rogers William Roome Sacandaga Station - Willem Monster Saratoga County Saratoga Sweets - Mike Fitzgerald Arthur & Harriet Savage Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce Thomas Shearer & Pamela Junquera John A. Sherman, III Barbara Smorgans South Mountain Photos - Ed Wyant, Jr John & Martha Spear Spiritus Gladius Foundation St. Lawrence County Soil & Water Cons Dist Ted Stephens Sun Creations - Kim Landry Tahawus Lodge Center - Appleby Foundation Inc. Arnold & Elizabeth Talgo Patricia Tatich Mary Thill Tioga Construction Co, Inc - Tim Dillon Judith Tonks Town of Long Lake Train Brook Forge - David Woodward Trenton Chamber of Commerce Tug Hill Commission USDA Glazing Lands Initiative Eric Virkler Warren County Warren County Economic Dev Corp Washington County Mary Jane Watson Ross & Beverly Whaley Naj Wikoff Wildlife Conservations Society Wild Orchard Farm Thomas & Patricia Willis, Jr. Winslow Services Philip & Patricia Winterer David Wolff Wiley Wright Yellow Wood Associates Eugene & Susan Zeltmann David Zembiec