Tag Archive for "ANCA" - The Adirondack Almanack

Main Street Exchange owner Victoria Vazquez is utilizing ANCA’s Ignite! crowdfunding platform to support the development of a community creative space in her consignment shop’s basement.

ANCA’s relaunches Ignite! program to fund small projects with big impact

Saranac Lake, NY — When Victoria Vazquez moved to the Adirondacks in 2016 to attend Paul Smith’s College, she had not intended to settle down in the area. Eight years later, she not only still lives in Saranac Lake, she owns and operates a small business here. Vazquez is continually making improvements to Main Street Exchange, her downtown consignment shop, and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to support her latest project.

Friday, June 30, 2023

Small Business Reflections on Setbacks, Successes and Funding Partnerships

by Danielle Delaini, ANCA Entrepreneurial Economy Program Director

ANCA’s Small Business Team’s focuses on the current and future needs of the entrepreneurs with whom we work. We experience and witness many emotions through the successes and disappointments of the people we serve.

Whether we’re helping owners transition their businesses to the next generation, or helping artisans reach wholesale markets with their products, or guiding businesses affected by COVID-19 and other economic challenges with resources to help them build resilience — it can all feel inconsequential in moments of disappointment.

My heart hurts when a business closes despite the support our organization and our partners provide. When a business transition has all the right ingredients for a successful transfer but just doesn’t come together, I feel deep empathy for the business owner who has worked so hard to reach that point only to have to start over. When a new vendor leaves our Adirondack Buyer Days trade show with new wholesaling experience and knowledge, but no new retailer clients, I feel their disappointment too.

Friday, December 23, 2022

How to go green this holiday season

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By ANCA Energy Circuit Riders Shawnea Hull and Carlie Leary

Incorporating sustainable practices into your holiday season doesn’t have to be difficult and can be a wonderful opportunity to create new traditions, start meaningful conversations, and reduce your impact on the environment. Below we offer some tips on how to cut down your energy use and expenses and reduce waste during the holidays.

Energy Use

Switch to LED this holiday season.

On average, Americans use around 3.5 billion kWhs of electricity to light their holiday lights throughout the month of December. Using standard equipment (one 20-ft string of 100 incandescent bulbs using 40W of electricity x 9 such strings on average to light a Christmas tree and outdoor lights), for 6 hours a day means the typical household in the U.S. will use around 65 kWh of electricity in December — adding up to around $645 million spent by Americans this month running holiday lights.

One solution? LED lights. LEDs may have a higher upfront cost, but they ultimately provide savings on your electric bill and reduce your GHG emissions. When you use LED bulbs for all your holiday lights, the amount of power you use drops by around 75%. Whether you strive for Clark Griswold-inspired lighting or a more modest holiday display, these holiday light calculators show you how much switching to LED lights can save you!

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

AdkAction and ANCA Announce Three Grants for Compost for Good

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — Turning food waste into compost will be easier for North Country communities, thanks to expanded funding for a regional community-scale composting program. AdkAction and the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) announced that the Compost for Good (CfG) initiative has been awarded $170,000 in grants to provide technical assistance for organizations, municipalities and other institutions interested in designing and implementing composting programs in their communities.

The three grant awards — $120,000 from the USDA Rural Business Development Program, $30,000 from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and $20,000 from the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) — will help AdkAction and ANCA bring the composting initiative to more North Country communities.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Community Art Project invites public to share housing stories

ANCA and CDI partner with local arts organizations to promote cooperative housing

In an effort to promote affordable and sustainable housing alternatives for aspiring homeowners in the face of the region’s ongoing housing crisis, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), the Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) and local arts groups invite community members to participate in a multi-community art project that will explore housing, housing insecurity and cooperative housing solutions for our region.

Thursday, October 13, 2022

ANCA seeks new Adirondack Diversity Initiative director

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The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced that Nicole Hylton-Patterson is stepping down from her role as director of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative after nearly three years heading the program. ANCA will convene a hiring committee made up of members of the economic development organization’s board and staff, as well as ADI Core Team members, to conduct a search for a new director.

Hylton-Patterson’s final day as ADI Director is Friday, October 14, 2022. The open job position will be posted on the ANCA website and shared broadly later this month.

Monday, September 26, 2022

ANCA and Foodshed Capital Announce First Small Farm SOIL Loan

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) and Foodshed Capital have announced the first loan provided through their new revolving loan fund for small-scale food producers.
Julian Mangano of Della Terra will use his SOIL Loan to develop a commercial composting operation that will divert organic waste from landfills, build soil health on his Castorland, N.Y. farm, and provide high-quality compost for local farmers and gardeners.

With a goal of supporting farms and food businesses who have difficulty accessing loans through conventional programs, ANCA, a regional economic development nonprofit serving businesses and communities in northern New York, partnered with Foodshed Capital, a certified Community Development Financial Institution that centers mission-driven lending and customized business support for underserved farmers, to develop the SOIL Loan Fund.

Monday, August 29, 2022

ANCA’s annual meeting, Growing the New Economy of Tomorrow, slated for Sept. 23

All are welcome to join ANCA‘s board, staff and friends for ANCA’s 2022 Annual Meeting, Growing the New Economy of Tomorrow, where the group will explore the future of the North Country economy with a focus on small businesses, clean energy, local food systems, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

What: ANCA Annual Meeting: Growing the New Economy of Tomorrow
When: Friday, September 23, 2022, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with reception to follow
Where: The Wild Center, Tupper Lake, NY
Cost: $25 registration includes meeting, reception & admission to The Wild Center

Thursday, August 11, 2022

ANCA to host Cooperative Housing 101 Learning Session on Aug. 17 in Lake Placid

It’s no secret that finding quality, affordable housing is a struggle that many people are facing in our region. Community leaders and organizations are working on ways to help ease that burden for local individuals, families and employers. All are invited to participate in a community conversation that will explore an approach that is not yet fully developed in our region — cooperative housing.

ANCA and the Cooperative Development Institute invite you to learn more:

What: Co-op 101 Learning Session
When: Wednesday, August 17, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Where: Lake Placid Central School District Auditorium
Optional Registration here: bit.ly/3AV5hC9

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

ANCA to Offer Free Small Business Buyers Training Series

Do you dream of owning a small business, but find the idea of starting from scratch daunting? You can make your dream come true by purchasing an existing business. Join the Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) partnership for a three-part virtual training that will get you up to speed on the small business buying process and current business transition environment.

What: Basics & Beyond for Small Business Buyers
When: Mix & match individual training sessions to complete the 3-part series. We are offering Tuesday evening & Wednesday morning options to work with your schedule:

Session 1: May 31, 5:30 to 7 pm or June 1, 7:30 to 9 am

Session 2: June 14, 5:30 to 7 pm or June 15, 7:30 to 9 am

Session 3: June 28, 5:30 to 7 pm or June 29, 7:30 to 9 am

Where: Virtual
Cost: FREE

Monday, May 9, 2022

How the Adirondack Folk School gained digital marketing skills

adirondack folk school digital marketing

Digital marketing builds success for North Country small businesses and organizations

By Olivia Dwyer, ANCA CPR Program Navigator

A flooring factory seems an unlikely place to find a social media mastermind. But that’s exactly where Scott Hayden headed soon after he became the executive director of the Adirondack Folk School (AFS). It was June 2016, and Hayden wanted to meet Eric Matthison, the owner of Square Nail Rustics, and learn how he’d used Facebook to find customers and grow his business.

After Matthison cut the ribbon at the new site for his wide-plank flooring and rustic furniture business, Hayden asked if he could buy Matthison lunch and talk social media. In December 2015, Square Nail Rustics had 20,000 likes; that number would double by December 2016. In the midst of that growth Matthison said he was too busy for lunch breaks, but Hayden could bring lunch to the shop if he wanted to talk. Hayden did, and he still remembers what Matthison said. “He said focus on the who, not the what,” said Hayden. “That stuck with me.”

Thursday, March 17, 2022

ANCA’s 2022 Adirondack Buyer Days set for March 29 and 30

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) has announced that Adirondack Buyer Days, its annual business-to-business trade show that features the work of artisan makers from across the Northeast, will take place in-person this spring in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. As the COVID pandemic loosens its hold on New York State businesses and communities, regional retailers are invited to connect directly with local makers and purchase handcrafted gift products for their shops.

The annual show, which was canceled in 2020 and held virtually in 2021 due to the pandemic, will return to its longtime home at the Saratoga Springs City Center on March 29 and 30, 2022. Artisan vendors will showcase handmade products from a variety of categories including housewares, spa, stationery, apparel, accessories, specialty foods and more. Registration is open for buyers at bit.ly/adkbd.

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

The next generation of entrepreneurs

by Guest Contributor

By Zach Hobbs, Center for Pandemic Response Outreach Coordinator

“For me and my family, the ability to do what we love and share it with others is a legacy we all want to be part of. Personally, it is very fulfilling to be back in operation and continue the family tradition for another generation.”
~ Josiah Martin, Martin’s Handmade Pretzels, Moira, N.Y.

This month, ANCA’s Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) announced the successful transitions of three Franklin County businesses to new ownership.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Nonprofits announce new hires

Lake George Land Conservancy Announces Michael Horn as Executive Director

BOLTON LANDING, NY—The Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) announces the hiring of its next Executive Director, Michael (Mike) G. Horn, effective January 1, 2022. Mike Horn is succeeding Jamie Brown who served as LGLC’s Executive Director from 2015 to October of this year.

“Jamie did a fabulous job protecting the land that protects the lake,” said Mike Horn, “while building a very strong financial foundation to support the LGLC’s ongoing efforts. I am honored and excited to be the LGLC’s new executive director and continue this positive momentum.”

For the past four years Mike Horn has been Conservation Director of Saratoga PLAN, an accredited land trust in Saratoga Springs, NY. Prior to pursuing his passion for land conservation, he had a successful management career in the renewable energy field at GE.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Free 8-week digital marketing class for small businesses

Want to improve your digital marketing skills? Join ANCA’s Center for Pandemic Response (CPR), the North Country Chamber of Commerce and Workshop for an 8-week Virtual Digital Marketing Training Series.

This program will help you and your business or organization find and attract new customers by taking your digital marketing strategy to the next level.

You can attend for FREE once you begin the ANCA CPR enrollment process. Fill out the inquiry form today.