New Economy News | July 2023

What does belonging look and feel like? How can we work together to build welcoming and belonging in our communities?

You're invited to join us for our 2023 Annual Meeting to explore concepts and practices focused on creating more inclusive spaces.

Through presentations, discussions and a community reception, we’ll share stories of partners and constituents who are promoting belonging in our region and discuss how we can ensure all feel welcome in our region, retain current residents, draw back past residents, and welcome new ones.

• What: 2023 ANCA Annual Meeting, Building Belonging in the New Economy
• When: Friday, September 8, 2023, 1-5 p.m. (Conversation 1-3 p.m., Reception 3-5 p.m.)
• Where: Tug Hill Estate, Lowville, NY
• Cost: $35 includes meeting, reception, refreshments & ticket for one local drink

ANCA was honored to welcome U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to Lake Placid on July 14 to learn more about her Rebuild Rural America Act and how it would benefit North Country businesses and communities. We look forward to our continued work with the Senator and regional partners to bring investments to our constituents and build a stronger, more resilient economy across the Adirondack North Country.

Many thanks to local elected officials, regional partners and community leaders for joining us for this event.

On July 16, Assemblyman Billy Jones joined ANCA's Elizabeth Cooper, Dani Delaini and Tiffany Rea-Fisher to meet small business owners who have worked with the Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) partnership to purchase existing Saranac Lake businesses. We visited the Belvedere Restaurant, Main Street Exchange and Human Power Planet Earth (pictured) and learned about their successful transitions, current efforts and plans for the future.

Thanks to Assemblyman Jones for supporting the next generation of business owners!

• What: Bike the Barns
• When: Saturday, October 7, 2023
• Start/finish: Ausable Brewing Company, Keeseville, NY
• Mileage: 25-30 miles
• Cost:  $99 includes ride, finish line food, drink & live music

Want to receive updates about Bike the Barns? Contact us at events@adirondack.org to be added to our email list.

Tour Transitioning Businesses

ANCA and the Center for Businesses in Transition recently launched our new Familiarization Tour Program, designed to provide insight and first-hand experience of the area to aspiring business owners.

Want to visit an available North Country business — like Pedals & Petals in Inlet, NY? Let us set up a tour and help foot the bill. Contact transitions@adirondack.org to get started.

Check out the flyer to learn more.

Ownership Transition Initiative

ANCA is proud to be a regional support organization of the Ownership Transition Initiative, which offers resources for businesses considering traditional, cooperative and employee ownership transitions. Among other resources, the Initiative's website provides informational videos from the Cooperative Development Institute, one of our Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) partners. Learn more at ownershiptransition.org.

Welcoming Microcredential Launching Soon

We are excited to announce that North Country Community College will be hosting the learning management system for ADI's Welcoming & Belonging Microcredential for North Country businesses and organizations. The curriculum will provide foundational knowledge and best practices for creating spaces that are respectful and inclusive of diverse staff and clientele.

We're grateful to those who helped test this pilot program, including the Adirondack Mountain Club (pictured), BioNique Testing Labs, Murphy Minded and the Saranac Lake Chamber.

Stay tuned for updates about the program's launch, coming soon!

All North Country residents are encouraged to participate and will be entered to win a $100 Stewart’s Shops gift card! Take the survey at northcountrycleanenergyhub.org or the link below.

Clean Energy Communities

Congratulations to the following communities who are earning credit toward clean energy project grants while saving money and greenhouse gas emissions:

• Town of Jay is hosting a community campaign for Clean Heating & Cooling
• Village of Speculator adopted the NYS Unified Solar Permit 
• Village of Speculator adopted Benchmarking of Municipal Buildings

And congratulations to the following communities that were recently awarded CEC grants!

• City of Ogdensburg - $5,000 CEC designation grant
• City of Plattsburgh - $5,000 CEC designation grant
• Town of Harrietstown - $5,000 community campaign action grant
• Town of Inlet - $5,000 community campaign action grant
• Town of Jay - $5,000 CEC designation grant
• Village of Saranac Lake - $5,000 community campaign action grant
• Village of Speculator - $5,000 CEC designation grant

The Village of Champlain purchased a solar powered phone charging park bench with their $5,000 CEC grant to provide youth with a place to charge with clean, renewable electricity.

• Spreading the Love, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
• As Nova Bus leaves Plattsburgh, local leaders focus on the future, NCPR
• Saranac Lake continues tradition of community move with thrift store, NCPR
• The CDFI Alternative to Private Equity, Medium
• As the ‘silver tsunami’ hits small businesses, could worker co-ops be a solution?, Boston Globe
• Towns Advancing Clean Energy and Efficiency, NYSERDA
• Long Lake board speaks out against proposed microgrid, Adirondack Explorer
• Massena Central School District receives OK for electric bus study, NNY360
• Akwesasne residents share concerns about proposed green hydrogen facility, NNY360
• Take a tour of Whitcomb's, a community space in the Champlain Valley, NCPR