REAP ADK+: Grant Application Support

Through ANCA's new REAP ADK+ initiative, qualifying businesses and farms can now receive assistance applying for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to help reduce energy costs.

Earlier this year, ANCA helped Raymond Higby (pictured) of Complete Care Chiropractic in Lowville secure REAP funding to purchase and install an energy-efficient heat pump system for his business.

If you think your business or farm would benefit from this program, contact Jon Ignatowski at jignatowski@adirondack.org to learn more.

USDA Grant Supports ANCA Programming for Businesses

ANCA was recently awarded a USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) to deliver educational programming to small businesses. This means we can offer more workshops and webinars designed to provide you with information and skills to help boost your business — like the following opportunities (more coming soon!):

Mastering Membership Growth Workshop

Learn how to build a thriving membership-based business with a comprehensive, full-day training designed specifically for businesses and organizations that include a membership component — such as gyms, yoga studios, coaching practices, churches and civic clubs. Hosted by ANCA and the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and led by Mindy Audlin, a leadership trainer and community engagement expert, this hands-on workshop will provide actionable strategies to attract new members, engage and retain existing ones, and grow a loyal, thriving community around their mission.

• What: Mastering Membership Growth: Strategies for Attracting, Retaining, and Thriving
• When: Wednesday, October 23, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Where: Hotel Saranac, Saranac Lake

Inclusive Workplaces Workshop

ANCA, with planning support from the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, is offering a "Creating Inclusive Workplaces" session as part of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative Symposium on November 12 at Paul Smith's College VIC. This session is included with Symposium registration, but you are welcome to sign up for just the virtual session for a discounted rate of $20. To register for the Hiring Practices session or the whole Symposium, visit the event page:

This past weekend's 7th ANCA Bike the Barns was, by all accounts, a perfect day. Sun, sights, barns and farms — and a finish line party celebrating the farms and rural businesses that are stewards of our lands and communities.

Thank you to the 200+ riders who came out to enjoy the day and to Bike Adirondacks for making this such a fun, smooth event.

Special thanks to the farms and businesses who provide exceptional local food and services for Bike the Barns and their communities:

Ausable Brewing Company, Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum, Northern Orchard Co., North Country Creamery, Mace Chasm Farm, Northern Feast Catering, DakBar, and the band Nubble.

Big thanks to this year's Bike the Barns Sponsors:

Eat Smart. Waste Less.

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation recently awarded the Clinton County Health Department a two-year, $200,000 grant to reduce food waste throughout the county. The funding will support the Eat Smart, Waste Less Clinton County project.

ANCA's Jennifer Perry said, "We have had the pleasure of working with the Clinton County Health Department in the past and look forward to supporting this next campaign to help residents and communities reduce disposal costs, increase local food opportunities, save landfill space, and improve soil health."

Transforming Urine into a Valuable Resource

Compost for Good (CfG) and partners are doing great work to to advance innovative composting processes in our region — including transforming human urine into a nutrient-rich resource for farms and gardens.

“This project is a prime example of how simple, innovative solutions can have a profound impact on both the environment and our communities. By capturing valuable nutrients from what would otherwise be waste, we’re contributing to a more sustainable future, and we’re excited to share this work with the world.” ~ AdkAction Executive Director Sawyer Bailey.

Read about CfG's new Human Urine Research and Demonstration (HURD) facility in Jay, N.Y.

Community Compost: The Great Unifier

In the Fall 2024 issue of LOCALadk Magazine, ANCA Organics Recycling Coordinator and CfG co-founder Jen Perry contributes an article about the power and value of community-scale composting. What she calls "an easy win in a world of complex challenges," she argues community composting is a great unifier for North Country consumers, institutions, composting businesses and farms.

Learn more about CfG's mission, people, projects and partners in LOCALadk.

N4C Online Resources

We continue to add resources to our North Country Community Composting Coalition (N4C webpage, including toolkits, videos and other resources to support communities, businesses and institutions interested in reducing food waste that goes to landfills by composting it for use on local farms and gardens. Visit the website to learn more about participating N4C businesses and partners. Questions may be directed to Jennifer Perry at jperry@adirondack.org.

Creating Inclusivity in North Country Communities

Join us for the 2024 Adirondack Diversity Symposium — an interactive community gathering will empower residents, organizations and businesses to increase understanding and awareness and enact positive change toward a more welcoming and inclusive Adirondack North Country.

Join us as we engage, listen, and grow in our interconnectedness to ensure a vital and sustainable future for our region.

Ask Me Anything

Earlier this month, ADI’s new Community Initiatives Manager Tamara Jolly served as a panelist for the Tri-Lakes Business Expo "Ask Me Anything" session. The conversation engaged small business owners and stakeholders on topics of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Tamara also discussed ADI’s key initiatives with Expo attendees.

Thank you to the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for hosting this event and welcoming Tamara to the community!

Xperience for All

Adirondack Experience's "Xperience for All" provides visitors with a foundation to safely pursue recreation on their own. For those who are unfamiliar or not yet comfortable exploring the region’s woods and waterways on their own, learn tips for getting started and discover groups that regularly offer outings and guidance. ADI Core Team member Pete Nelson will be at the event to provide info about ADI's efforts to advance welcoming and belonging in our region.

• What: Xperience for All
• When: Saturday, September 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Where: Adirondack Experience, Blue Mountain Lake

Join Us for Drive Electric Expo!

Celebrate National Drive Electric Week with Third Act Upstate New York, The Wild Center, and the North Country Clean Energy Hub at a free one-day event that explores EV technologies, benefits and opportunities for North Country drivers.

What: North Country Drive Electric Expo

When: Saturday, September 28, 11AM-3PM

Where: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake

Are you a government leader looking to add an EV to your fleet? A transportation mechanic looking to learn more about EV maintenance? Or a school superintendent adding an EV school bus to your district? This event is for you!

Climate Smart Campers

Last month, ANCA Energy Circuit Rider and Climate Smart Communities Coordinator Carlie Leary and Climate Justice Fellow Keeley Jock engaged with Eagle Island Campers with activities that explored challenges and solutions related to climate change.

The day camp was made possible through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program offered by the Saranac Lake Central School District.

Climate Smart Certifications

In celebration of the 10-year anniversary for the Climate Smart Communities program, Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the latest round of communities to achieve certification. Congratulations to two North Country communities — Villages of Canton and Saranac Lake (recertification) — who achieved Bronze Climate Smart Communities Certification!

Visit the Climate Smart Communities website to see which actions were completed by each municipality to achieve certification. To learn more about how your community can participate in CSC, contact ANCA's CSC Coordinator Carlie Leary at cleary@adirondack.org

Clean Energy Communities

Congratulations to the following Clean Energy Communities who are completing actions and earning credit toward grants while also reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions:

• Town of Arietta completed a municipal clean fleet inventory
• Town of Bombay completed a municipal clean fleet inventory, converted its cobrahead street lights to LED, and installed heat pumps in the municipal building as a Clean Heating & Cooling demonstration
• Village of Canton earned Climate Smart Communities Bronze Certification
• Town of Chesterfield upgraded town hall and garage lighting to LED which achieved Clean Energy Upgrades tier 1
• Town of Franklin replaced their oil furnace with heat pumps completing both Clean Heating & Cooling and Net Zero Building Demonstrations
• Town of Inlet completed a community campaign to promote community solar and subscribed its municipal accounts to community solar
• Village of Clayton installed heat pumps in the municipal building as a Clean Heating & Cooling demonstration
• Village of Lake Placid converted >50% of their street lights to LED
• Lewis County completed a municipal clean fleet inventory
• Town of North Hudson converted their cobrahead streetlights to LED and completed a municipal clean fleet inventory
• Village of Philadelphia completed a municipal clean fleet inventory
• Village of Potsdam converted their decorative streetlights to LED
• Village of Saranac Lake earned Climate Smart Communities bronze re-certification
• Town of Willsboro completed a municipal clean fleet inventory

Special congratulations to those communities that recently qualified for grants:

• Town of Arietta: $10,000
• Town of Bombay: $10,000
• Town of Franklin: $50,000
• Town of Inlet: $5,000
• Lewis County: $10,000
• Town of North Hudson: $10,000
• Village of Saranac Lake: $175,000
• Town of Willsboro: $10,000

Don’t miss out — funding is limited! Contact energy@adirondack.org to learn how your community can take advantage of this opportunity.

Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:

• Executive Director: Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
• Director of Major Gifts and Initiatives: Paul Smith’s College
• Executive Director: Boquet River Association
• Institutional Advancement Manager: Adirondack Experience

Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.