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February 1, 2020
Burgh/North Countryman
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• EDITION •
Plattsburgh f lexes econom1c economic muscle muscle
Study:area Study: area surgesin instrength strength surges indicators indicators By Brian Happel Happel By Brian STA FF WRITER WRITE R STAFF
Employees from Boire Benner Group, an Internet marketing service, were among the many on hand who took a trip back in time at the North Country Chamber of Commerce’s annual business awards. Photo by Brian Happel
Roaring into the twenties North Country businesses celebrate successful year By Brian Happel STAFF WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | Hundreds of businesspeople from around the area came out to honor achievements in 2019 while looking forward to the new decade at the North Country Chamber of Commerce’s 108th annual business awards dinner held at the West Side Ballroom in Plattsburgh. The scene looked like a page from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” with people dressing up to match the theme of the night: roaring twenties re-mix. But that theme went well beyond the attire for the evening. “We have positioned ourselves over the last 20 years for the next 20 years,” North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas remarked. “And the best is yet to
come, not just because we are roaring as a region. It’s because we are roaring as individual businesses and organizations and community leaders, and tonight is an opportunity to celebrate that collective roaring.” Each year, the event gives companies around the region a chance to catch up, network and pay tribute to the good work being done by local employers and their employees in the community. “This business community, I don’t think there’s a better one,” Jacqueline Kelleher, who is an attorney at Stafford Owens and received the 2020 Businessperson of the Year award, said. “Everyone’s got such positive attitudes and everybody is so hard working and committed to advancing the region.” Five other awards were handed out: Hudson Headwaters Health Network was recognized as 2020 Business of the Year; Loreman’s Embroidery, Engraving and Screenprinting received the 2020 Small Business of the Year award; Gaelan Trombley of Kavanaugh Realty earned the 2020 Trailblazer award; the 2020 Economic Development Partner of the Year went to Greg Hart from the Workforce Development Group; and John Vermette of Spencer ARL picked up the 2019 Chairman’s Award.
PLATTSBURGH Businessesin inthe the PLATTSBURGH |I Businesses Lake City C:ityarea area have have another another feather feather Lake to put put in in their th eir cap cap thanks thanks to to aa new new to report report that that ranks ranks Plattsburgh Platt sburgh as as one of of the th e top top micropolitan micropo litan areas areas one across the the country. countr y. across The The area area is is ranked ranked 26th 26th out out of of 542 542 micropolitan micropolitan areas areas nationnationally, according according to to aa study study done done by by ally, Policom, which which is is aa Florida-based Florida-base d Policom, independe nt economic economic research research independent firm. A A micropolitan micropolitan area area is is an an firm. urban setting setting with with aa population population urban between 10,000 between 10,000 and and 50,000. 50,000 . Plattsburgh is is well well ahead ahead of of the the Plattsburgh next highest highest ranked ranked area area in in the th e next state, state, which which is is Oneonta Oneonta at at 75th. 75th. The The number number 26 26 ranking rank ing is is also also aa big big jump jump from from 40th 40th last last year. year. See MICROPOLITAN » pg. 2
North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas says Plattsburgh is off to a roaring start in the roaring 20’s with news that the area has the strongest small urban economy in the state. File Photo
See BUSINESS AWARDS EVENT » pg. 2
CIVIL RIGHTS LEGACY Residents honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. By Brian Happel
emceed the event. City Mayor Colin Read and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-New York 21st District) also spoke. SUNY Plattsburgh’s new president, Dr. Alexander Enyedi was also in attendance. See MLK SERVICE » pg. 5
STAFF WRITER
Above: Two attendees at the MLK service held at the Newman Center in Plattsburgh shake hands, as members of the audience are asked to offer a warm welcome to someone he or she does not know. Right: State Senator Betty Little offers words of encouragement and inspiration during the annual MLK service. Photos by Brian Happel
PLATTSBURGH | Through song, dance, speeches and stories, dozens of people paid tribute to Dr. King while discussing how to keep his dream of equality alive during the annual MLK service at the Blessed John XXIII Newman Center on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. The late civil rights leader’s message of inclusiveness was front and center from the beginning, with the audience encouraged to welcome unfamiliar faces with a hug or a handshake. “Dr. Martin Luther King talked about the beloved community as a group of actors committed to reignite the social justice fire of the community, and that’s what we’re here to do today,” Dr. Michelle Cromwell, SUNY Plattsburgh vice president for diversity, Equity and Inclusion said. Dr. Cromwell was the keynote speaker for the service. She urged members of the audience to not sit on their hands and wait someone else to do it. “I call us citizen soldiers,” she said. “We have to come together and fight to overcome injustice in all its forms, so that all members of our beloved community can be free from injustice.” Several North Country leaders were on hand to reflect on the messages from Dr. King. Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman
Dr. Michelle Cromwell, SUNY Plattsburgh, calls on audience members to do more than talk about Dr. King, suggesting that everyone take action spreading his message of love and inclusion.
Photo by Brian Happel
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