ANCA news

Adirondack North Country Association January 2011

Melissa Hart/ANCA

INsIde: Profiles, 2-3 Program News, 4-5 ANCA Applauds, 6-7

Building vibrant rural communities and resilient local economies

Happy New Year

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 Con-gressional representatives. Here’s a look at numbers, taken from www.census.gov

setting New Years resolutionsThis is the time to turn

goals into action and we are ready to work! Beginning in the New Year, ANCA will be:

• Building a stronger foundation for business development by advocating for widespread and affordable broadband, better regional marketing, and improved business development assistance targeted to small businesses in rural communities

• Building upon and expanding the use of the “Adirondack” brand in both regional product and tourism marketing

• Helping to grow the local food economy through a partnership with Cornell

Cooperative Extension• Coordinating work

on promoting a thermal biomass economy through selected pilot projects

• Broadening educa-tion about and access to energy efficiency incen-tives and opportunities, in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Potsdam-based, CITEC Manufacturing & Technology Solutions

• Launching a re-vamped Website to

better illustrate the impact of ANCA’s work, the special character of the

region, and the needs and accom-

plishments of its com-munities and people

• Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Buyer Days and other ANCA support to the artisan crafts community

• Publishing a book that highlights the cultural assets along our Scenic By-ways, attracting more visitors

• Unveiling a new online bike atlas that shows both road and off-road bicycling opportunities along the Scenic Byways in our 14-county region.

Word cloud of www.adirondack.orgThe 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.

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

37,253,956Number of people in California (most popu-lous state)

563,626Number of people in Wyoming (least popu-lous state)

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

1,200,000Approximate population of 14-county Adirondack North Country region.

710,767Average number of resi-dents that each member of the House represents

34,000Average number of resi-dents that each member of the House represent-ed in 1790

“My focus will continue to be on

creating as many jobs as we can.”

— U.S. Rep Bill Owens (see more on page 7)

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 nur-ture 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 show-case more in next month’s newsletter and, in the mean-time, at ANCA’s Facebook page: Buyer Days of the Adirondack North Country Associa-tion. Each exhibitor’s product description and show spe-cials are posted there and at ANCA’s crafts website, www.AdkNCcrafts.com. Please note that all prices and

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 news2

Shop owners What’s happeningn Workshop on Whole-

sale 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 man-ager, will present. Participants also receive a 45-page how-to-wholesale packet. Regis-tration is $35 and the form can be found at http://www.adknccrafts.com/HowtoWhole-saleWkshp.pdf

Help region’s artisans thrive

By Nadia Korths, ANCA Artisan Program Coordinatornkorths@adirondack.org

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

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.

Buyer DaysANCA’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 represent-ing 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 ex-hibitors on show fees, lodging and meals dur-ing 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

Did you know?

program news 3

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 Os-wego 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 mor-tise 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.”

http://saratogasprings.wbu.com

Lois Geshiwlm and Nancy Castillo are passion-ate 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://wildbirdsun-limited.typepad.com/.

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.

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

Wild Birds Unlimited

Unique Woodworks

program news

Byways briefsn DOT plans to install new signs

on two area Byways: The New York State Department of Transportation is in the planning/design stage of a sign project for the Central Adirondack Trail and Olympic Scenic Byways.

NYSDOT will fabricate and oversee the installation of the Byway Identifica-tion signs, which will feature the name of the byway, and directional arrows so travelers can easily follow the route. The signs will also display the byway’s logo.

The new signs fit into the overall big picture for Byway promotion. Every city, town and village has a dedicated page among the 700 pages at www.adiron-dackscenicbyways.org. In addition, a newly released Adirondack North Country Scenic Byway Map is being distributed statewide, gaining new market visibility.

DOT will share more definitive dates for installation as soon as information is available and their agency will be applying for any necessary highway work permits. Please direct questions

about the project to Nancy Alexander at nalexander@dot.state.ny.us.

n Meetings set for Northern Tier Byway planning: Area residents, business owners, community leaders and other interested parties are invited to upcoming meetings concerning Byway planning for a touring route that currently runs between Massena and Rouses Point.

Known as Military Trail Scenic Byway, the byway, which follows routes 37 east from Massena and 11 east from Malone to Rouses Point, is in the midst of a Corridor Management Planning process, which will define future opportunities for the route and its communities.

The first meeting at Akwesasne takes place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the Seniors Cen-ter. Participants will work together to identify significant, memorable experi-ences, places and events that should be sustained or enhanced for visitors in the Akwesasne section of the Byway. For more information, contact Lindsay Tarbell at 518-358-2272 or lindsay.tarbell@srmt-nsn.gov.

Economic development officers, com-munity officials, and other St. Lawrence county tourism stakeholders will meet at the Best Western In Canton on Thurs-day January 20. Topics will include the need to extend the current designated western gateway of the route through Potsdam to Canton, and best ways to integrate the planning process with strategic revitalization plans recently completed by communities. Registration and a light breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. and the meeting runs until 10.

For more information and/or to register, contact Bob Hest, rhest@adirondack.org, or Linda McQuinn at developer@cantonnewyork.us

4

Central Adirondack Trail Olympic Scenic Byway

Sweet traditionsMaple-based Byway close to fruition

In a meeting held Dec. 9 with state officials with the Department of Transporta-tion, 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 Tradi-tions Scenic Byway passes through seven villages, nine towns and one city, and relates directly with strong

community ties to maple prod-ucts. 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 market-ing 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 As-sociation Island on Lake On-tario served as a training site for Olympic sailing teams in

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

The second part will cre-ate 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.

A scene from the proposed Maple Traditions Scenic Byway

Energy auditsInterested home owners will be

provided with a free or low-cost energy audit through New York State Energy Research and Development Author-ity’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-adiron-dack.org. This program is wonderful opportunity for residential customers to save money and energy, so I would encourage all our readers to get En-ergy Smart.

program news

ANCA Energy TipsBy Jamie Rogers, ANCA Energy Program Coordinator

jrogers@adirondack.org

5

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

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

6 ANCA applauds

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 dili-gently 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 ven-ture ... in just the first of what could become multiple phases...”

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

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 plan means big businessWhat they’re sayingWhat Happened

“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 Platts-burgh Press Republican.

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

— Colin Read, professor of econom-ics, SUNY Plattsburgh, to WCAX News

What It MeansBig news for Plattsburgh, and also

the region, according to an impact study completed by the Development Cor-poration 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

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

ANCA applauds 7Keene 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 orga-nized by the High Peaks Education Foun-dation (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 resi-dences and businesses)The local Internet Service Pro-• vider (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 mi-crolending of amounts less than $25,000 as well as larger lending up to $250,000.

Newcomb looks overseas to boost school numbers

With school enrollment declining in many Upstate New York communities and some districts deciding whether to

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

Although the district has only 33 high-school students, in recent years efforts to recruit foreign students has resulted in a significant boost in enrollment. Cur-rently, 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 pro-gram for North Country Public Radio, with a story that recently aired on National Public Radio: http://www.npr.org/2010/12/15/131887044/rural-new-york-school-recruits-overseas-students?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 Exten-sion 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 fo-cused on locally sourced farm prod-ucts,” he said, in a story reported by the Irondequoit Post in Rochester: http://www.irondequoitpost.com/latestnews/

x2068981650/Paterson-to-sign-buy-local-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 organization-al meeting later this month.

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

Broadband in Keene: Before and After

Photo courtesy of Newcomb Central Schools/NPR

About ANCA

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

Established in 1955

Roger W. Tubby Founder (1910–1991)

Stephen M. ErmanPresident

John K. Bartow, Jr. Vice President

Ross S. Whaley Secretary

Dale G. BrownTreasurer

Richard R. BirdCentral Region VP

Paul M. Cantwell, Jr.Northern Region VP

Michele E. LedouxWestern Region VP

Ron Montesi Southeastern Region VP

Kate FishExecutive Director

67 Main Street, Suite 201

Saranac Lake, NY 12983

518.891.6200 FAX 6203

anca@adirondack.org

www.adirondack.org

Contact Us

Our Vision

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.

The Adirondack North Country As-sociation (ANCA) has a long history of providing innovative, grassroots-based leadership for the Adirondack North Country, and creating strong and effective partnerships that provide direct support to program constituents. Since incorpora-tion in 1955, ANCA has developed and managed programs across all 14 counties in Northern New York State, successfully ‘investing’ mil-lions 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 partner-ships, bring together the many components that are needed to build stronger, more self-reliant and localized economies throughout the Adirondack North Country.

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 strate-gic 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

Adirondack North Country Association67 Main Street, Suite 201

Saranac Lake NY 12983