Tag Archive for "Adirondack North Country Association"

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The employees of Ward Lumber have made history by purchasing the 130-year-old business as a worker-owned cooperative. The transaction marks the first employee ownership transition of its kind in the North Country region of New York State.

The lumber products and hardware store, which has locations in Jay and Malone and employs over 50 local people, has been in Jay Ward’s family for four generations. Ward, who will continue his leadership role as the company’s chief executive officer, completed a contract with his employee team that makes Ward Lumber the largest worker-owned cooperative in the region.

Sunday, May 2, 2021

Housing in the Adirondack region: one crisis away from crumbling

by Guest Contributor

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By Alexis Subra, Membership & Events Coordinator, Adirondack North Country Association

The COVD-19 Era is not the first time a large crisis spurred an affordable housing shortage in the North Country. From pandemics to terrorist attacks, communities across the Adirondack Park have felt the economic shockwaves of global events. As a region, as long as we remain passive towards the issue of accessible housing and the negative impacts it has on our workforce, we will always be one crisis away from crumbling our economy.

Friday, April 23, 2021

ANCA Seeks New Executive Director

Kate Fish announces retirement after 12 years leading regional nonprofit

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) Board of Directors announced that Executive Director Kate Fish will retire later this year, after nearly 12 years leading the organization. The regional economic development nonprofit has launched a nation-wide search to fill the position.

“Kate is leaving a lasting legacy at ANCA and Adirondack North Country,” said Board President Jim Sonneborn. “Her vision and bias toward action have helped ANCA become a real leader in sustainable economic development. ANCA’s Clean Energy Program and Center for Businesses in Transition are models for other rural areas, and we have Kate’s innovative thinking to thank for that.”

Founded in 1955, ANCA works to build prosperity across northern New York by creating and sustaining wealth and value in local communities through three core program areas: Clean Energy, Food Systems and the Entrepreneurial Economy. In 2019, ANCA took on operation of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative when state funding enabled the hiring of its inaugural director.

Friday, April 16, 2021

ANCA’s Annual Artisan Trade Show Goes Virtual

Retailers can shop remotely at this year’s Adirondack Buyer Days

Carrying on a tradition that builds lasting relationships between artisans and retailers, this year’s Adirondack Buyer Days wholesale gift show will take place virtually for the first time in its 35-year history. The virtual marketplace, which is hosted by the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), is open to regional makers and retailers seeking local products for their shops.

After cancelling last year’s show due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ANCA staff have redesigned the 2021 Adirondack Buyer Days to accommodate participants in a safe and convenient online setting. The virtual event, set for April 20 and 21, will offer the same opportunities for interpersonal interaction, relationship building and product marketing the annual show has provided makers and retailers since 1986.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Calling all entrepreneurs (and would-be ones)

Are you or someone you know interested in owning a North Country business?

The Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) is hosting a FREE four-day virtual conference — designed to empower those who live here and those who want to live here to realize their dreams of business ownership.

Monday, January 25, 2021

Gratitude for Partnerships

by Guest Contributor

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By Danielle Delaini, Adirondack North Country Association

We at ANCA are struggling (as we imagine many of you are ) to comprehend, process and heal from the deep divisions that are happening in the U.S. today. Sometimes it can feel like our work is such a small drop in a large ocean of economic and social troubles flooding our region and our country. It can feel isolating. It can feel insurmountable.

Of course, it is nothing compared to the weight that minoritized individuals feel in experiencing the same burnt, torn landscape of our nation in this moment.

We recommit ourselves everyday to overcome those feelings and continually move forward — to work at a systems level in order to make outsized impact from a modestly sized organization.

Committing to that hope is possible because we never stand alone.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

VW Settlement funds advance clean transportation in NYS and Akwesasne

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A report from Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA):

Earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $11M in funds from the State’s allocation of the federal Volkswagen Settlement will be used to expand electric transportation infrastructure across New York.

The program addresses goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) to increase access to clean energy and the benefits of sustainable infrastructure. This latest announcement will advance EV adoption and improve access to charging stations in disadvantaged communities in upstate and northern New York.

Charging station developers for the North Country region are invited to apply by February 18, 2021.

This is great news, coming on the heels of ON-RAMP, ANCA’s clean transportation summit, where we convened stakeholders and partners who are committed to advancing clean transportation efforts in the region.

In the far north of the state, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environmental Division announced it will use Volkswagen Settlement funds to invest in electric vehicles and charging stations in the Akwesasne community. Kudos to the National Tribal Air Association for advocating for Indigenous communities to be included in the federal settlement, and to St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Air Quality Program Manager Angela Benedict, whose hard work resulted in $249K for the purchase of two new trucks and installation of four charging stations in 2019. The second settlement payment will go toward the purchase of low-emission vehicles for the community’s casino and transfer station.

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Buy Local or Bye-Bye Local

by Lauren Richard

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It’s so easy to go to a huge online retailer, order everything I need, and have it show up at my door. Especially now when I don’t really want to go into stores in person. I can’t tell you how many times over the last few weeks I’ve loaded up my online shopping cart, only to abandon it again…

Because. BECAUSE. They don’t need my money. You know who does. I know you know.

Who doesn’t love a small business? I think we all want them to be here in the future. Many local businesses have new ways of serving their customers. There’s online ordering, curbside pickup, delivery or shipping available. We’re all learning and adjusting. These entrepreneurs are out there, coming up with new ideas and working to meet the changing demands of their customers and the shifting landscape of regulations and guidelines.

It has been a trying year for everyone. If we each put a little time, effort and care into meeting our needs locally — as each of us is able to manage — our collective support of small businesses will make a big difference in our communities.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

ANCA’s annual meeting focuses on racial equity

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On its surface, racial equity implies the fair treatment of all people, regardless of race. However, America’s fraught history of race exposes how Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) have been disproportionately denied access to systems, structures and pathways that result in fair opportunities and outcomes for all. By centering racial equity in our communities, we can increase the collective economic and social success for all who live and work in the North Country region.

These values are at the heart of the Adirondack North Country Association’s 2020 annual meeting, which will take place via Zoom on Friday, September 18 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. The virtual event will focus on how racial equity is essential for a stronger, more resilient North Country region, as businesses and communities rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

ANCA releasess small-business survey, additional resources

As the North Country region is in the process of re-opening, the team at Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) wants to hear from small business owners.

They ask that business owners take a minute for a CARES Act Survey: Second Edition. This short survey follows up an April 17 poll, with an expanded focus on North Country businesses’ experiences with emergency relief funding and the reopening process.

Responses will help ANCA better understand how North Country businesses are faring through the crisis and how we can best advocate for resources at the state and federal levels.

Also from ANCA, a compilation of upcoming webinars/virtual events:

Tuesday, June 16, 2:00 p.m.: Recreation & Attractions: Coronavirus Safety Resource Officer Training (CSRO) & Navigating this New Business Environment, North Country Chamber of Commerce
•Wednesday, June 17, 6:00 p.m.: Cyber Security During COVID-19: An Update, Office of Business Central at SUNY Adirondack
Thursday, June 18, 7:00 p.m.: Mindfulness and Mental Health, mental health and support summer series, North Country Community College
Covid-19 On-Demand Webinars, SBDC – UAlbany

More information at www.adirondack.org

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Standing together against racism

by Kate Fish

38 Comments

ANCA stands with our Black sisters and brothers in this time of nation-wide grief and protest that have resulted from the murders of George Floyd and so many others. We stand with our Black sisters and brothers in declaring that Black Lives Matter. We stand with our Black sisters and brothers as America faces an inflection point, ready to do the hard work of making much-needed change.

This moment demands intentionality. Intentional language, intentional strategies, and intentional action to disrupt 400 plus years of racism and to dismantle the structural inequities that plague our nation.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Webinar Wednesday: chats with elected officials, chamber

Courtesy of Adirondack North Country Association‘s weekly newsletter, here are some upcoming webinars:

Wednesday, May 13, 10:00 a.m.: Conversation with our Legislators (Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Senator Betty Little, Assemblyman Dan Stec, Assemblywoman Carrier Woerner), hosted by Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce

Wednesday, May 13, 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Back to Business: What You Need To Do Before You Reopen, hosted by the North Country Chamber of Commerce. Register ahead for the morning training or the afternoon session.

Sunday, January 26, 2020

ANCA Announces Local Farm Grant Recipients

by Editorial Staff

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced the recipients of its Local Farm Grant program, which was launched in October 2019 to support farmers and food producers who are strengthening the region’s agriculture and food systems.

A total sum of $103,962 in grant funds have been awarded to the following northern New York farms: Argyle Cheese Farmer in Argyle; Blue Pepper Farm in Jay; Juniper Hill Farm in Wadhams; Mace Chasm Farm in Keeseville; Milkweed Tussock Tubers in Heuvelton; North Branch Farms in Henderson; Peacock and Pony Farm in Natural Bridge; and Triple Green Jade Farm in Willsboro. » Continue Reading.

Friday, September 16, 2016

ANCA Gathering Regional Leaders For Annual Meeting

For its 2016 Annual Meeting on September 23rd, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) will discuss the economic challenges facing the North Country, communities demonstrating success in tackling them, and how others can learn from their efforts. Outcomes from the breakout sessions are expected to be used to create a toolkit for communities to explore new ways to invigorate their own towns and villages.

To encourage sharing and dialogue, the meeting will feature breakout discussions facilitated by community experts in ANCA’s network, including Ed Bartholomew, President and CEO, EDC Warren County; Kristi Dippel, Executive Director of Clayton Local Development Corporation; Tim Fortune, Owner, Small Fortune Studio, Saranac Lake, NY and Chair of the Saranac Lake Village Downtown Advisory Board; Aaron Benner, Co-owner of Boire Benner Group in Plattsburgh, NY; Randy Preston, Town Supervisor of Wilmington, NY; Chris Louras, Mayor of Rutland, VT.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

ANCA Annual Meeting To Focus On Entrepreneurs