2020 - A Year in Review. The LC-LG Bulletin

The LC-LG Bulletin

Volume 5, December 2020

Photo Credit: City of Glens Falls

Lake Champlain - Lake George Regional Planning Board

Sustainable Economic Development that Strengthens and Preserves Our Communities

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A Note from the Director

As we say goodbye to 2020 (finally!), I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to all of our staff, partners and board members for their dedication to the Regional Planning Board over the past year. Although it was challenging, we were still able to provide the services to our counties and communities that we had planned for, while also accepting CARES Act grant funding to develop and deploy new projects and programs in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Although our work is not yet complete, I think it's important to look back on our accomplishments, some of which are highlighted in this yearend newsletter, to not only see the positive impacts they have made but to also provide fuel as we continue to move forward. As always, the Regional Planning Board is here to assist our communities in whatever challenges they may face, and we will continue to work for the betterment of the region that we all call home.

Happy Holidays to you and your families, stay well, and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2021!

Best,

Beth

In 2020, the Regional Planning Board continued to provide technical assistance and program expertise to our communities.

21 grants written at no cost to municipalities totaling $8.5 million

$4.5 million in funding secured for projects throughout the region

16 Intermunicipal Reviews completed for federal funding projects

Two major Watershed Management Plans and one Economic Development Plan completed

14 grant contracts actively managed on behalf of counties and communities

35 small business loans portfolio wide totaling $3.6 million in loaned capital

In addition to our regular programs, the Regional Planning Board was provided with CARES Act funding to assist the region in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Newly created and continuing programs include,

Working with regional partners to develop a Regional Recovery and Resiliency Plan

Creation of a Business Retention and Expansion Program

Providing low interest loans to struggling small businesses

Creation of a COVID-19 Recovery Indicator Dashboard (live in 2021)

Partnering with the North Country Chamber of Commerce to provide trainings for small business employers and employees

We're Hiring!

The LCLGRPB is seeking a full-time Economic Development Coordinator. This is a professional level research and development position responsible for the coordination of various economic development initiatives and creation of regional documents. Emphasis on procuring and managing project funding through state and federal grant programs. Work also includes promotion and management of federally funded small business loan programs. Must have strong writing, data analysis, communication, fiscal management and computer skills. Must be able to work independently and cultivate and maintain working relationships with various entities.

Resumes are due December 31, 2020 to beth.gilles@lclgrpb.org or

P.O. Box 765

Lake George, NY

12845

See the full job announcement HERE.

Building a Better Child Care System

Post COVID-19 Survey

Child care programs provide a place for parents to send their children so they can participate in the workforce and provide for their families. Unfortunately, the region's childcare system has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an effort to better understand the impacts to local families and employers in Warren, Washington and Saratoga Counties, the Southern Adirondack Child Care Network and partners are conducting two separate surveys. Any data collected will be aggregated and individual responses will remain confidential.

If you are a parent who currently has children in child care or will be seeking child care, find the survey HERE.

If you are an employer located in Warren, Washington or Saratoga Counties, find the survey HERE.

Federal Funding Availability

Several federal funding opportunities are currently open:

US Forest Service FY21 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity

US Forest Service Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program

Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies

DOE Energy Program for Innovation Clusters

EPA Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities

Additional information on federal funding opportunities can be found at www.eda.gov/edi.

Our Mission Statement

The Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board was created in 1967 as a development organization operating in New York State under Article 12-B, Section 239h of the General Municipal Law. Our mission is to promote sustainable economic development that strengthens our communities, provides quality jobs and preserves the unique natural, historical and cultural characteristics of the region.