North Country Regional Economic Development Council meets, talks of vision for future of region

POTSDAM — The north country got its first look at the newly formed regional economic development council Friday, the group tasked with developing a plan it hopes will help secure millions in funding and spur economic growth in the area.

Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy and members of the Northern New York Economic Development Council opened the doors to the public for a brief question and answer period following what leaders called a “very productive” meeting.

“There were no surprises,” Clarkson University President and Regional Council Co-Chairman Anthony G. Collins said. “Many of the people here have been talking about the same issues for a long time — about what the opportunities are and what the challenges are.”

More than 100 people attended Friday’s meeting, the second gathering of the regional council at SUNY Potsdam’s Barrington Student Union. Leaders said the process is still in its beginning stages but urged the public to get involved in the discussion as the council fights for a piece of the $1 billion in state funding up for grabs.

The council will welcome comments on its website and with September meetings scheduled for Watertown, Plattsburgh and Tupper Lake, the committee is seeking input from all communities involved in the plan.

“There will be plenty of opportunity for public input on this,” Mr. Duffy said. “This is something Gov. Cuomo wants to see.”

Council members used the day to develop a broad outline of their goals and establish a vision for the future of the area, Mr. Collins said. The council also formed nine subcommittees ranging from tourism and small-business development to infrastructure improvements.

Each of the groups will be in charge of developing a plan to improve its particular topic. These nine plans will be combined into one regional plan to be submitted to the governor in mid-November. The top four regional plans from across the state will receive $40 million each, while the bottom six will split the remaining $40 million. The councils also may apply for an additional $800 million in funding from state agencies for a variety of projects.

But with the council covering a vast territory, with leaders from Watertown to Plattsburgh working together, some wondered if they would all have the same vision for the future of the north county.

Internal conflicts have not been a problem, Mr. Collins said. In fact, many of the council members were in agreement on what steps need to be taken to make the north country’s plan competitive with those around the state.

“Literally the group of 30 people had many of the same answers,” he said.

One of the challenges the council will have to overcome if it hopes to promote growth in the north country will be to remove the stigmas that have plagued the area and instead highlight the assets the region has to offer, Mr. Collins said.

“We will begin by understanding the need to brand this area and remove the somewhat negative image of isolation, cold and lower quality housing,” he said. “We have to speak clearly and succinctly of what the opportunities are here, like the natural beauty, then we have to start to address those issues.”

The north country, he said, has resources and assets that are second to none, assets the council will use to highlight its plan.

The council will reconvene Sept. 9 at SUNY Potsdam, with public forums tentatively scheduled for Sept. 12 in Plattsburgh, Sept. 14 in Tupper Lake and Sept. 19 in Watertown.