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New Economy News | September 2022

Thank You for Celebrating with Us

ANCA's board and staff thank all who joined us for our Annual Meeting at The Wild Center last Friday. We hope you enjoyed hearing from guest speakers about their good work and dreams for the future, and catching up over local food and drink in the Center's beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces.


Thank you for joining us to celebrate our neighbors who are Growing the New Economy of Tomorrow. 


Special thanks to guest presenters and local food providers and to Stephanie Ratcliffe and The Wild Center Team!

More Stories & Impacts:

Our 2021 Annual Report is Here!


We are happy to share with you our 2021 Annual Report — where you can read stories about the some of the amazing businesses, communities and partners who are building strength, resilience and prosperity throughout the Adirondack North Country. 


Take a moment to browse the report for stories and impacts from ANCA's collaborative work across the region. We hope you enjoy the read.

Read the Annual Report

First SOIL Loan Announced

Della Terra to Offer Commercial Composting


ANCA and Foodshed Capital announced the first recipient through our SOIL Loan Fund earlier this month. We are honored to provide Julian Mangano of Della Terra the financing support he needs to develop a composting enterprise on his farm in Castorland, N.Y. Julian’s commercial composting operation will keep valuable organic waste out of landfills, build soil health on his farm, and provide high-quality compost for local growers.


Learn more about the SOIL Loan Fund and how to apply at adirondack.org/SOIL or contact [email protected]

Read more

Member Profile: Dan Sullivan, Adirondack Massage Therapy

The son of a native Saranac Laker, ANCA member Dan Sullivan grew up and worked in the Syracuse area before relocating to the the Adirondacks in 1999. With a background in economics, public administration and the nonprofit sector, he decided to make a professional switch to become a Licensed Massage Therapist.


In 2000, Dan opened his own business — Adirondack Massage Therapy — in Saranac Lake, where he continued to explore various health modalities including Zero Balancing, a form of osteopathic and Chinese Medicine that helps dissolve unconscious holding patterns and nurture vitality. He is now a Certified Zero Balancer and Mentor. A recipient of the National American Massage Therapy Association’s 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award, Dan strives to “raise the tide of health, harmony and happiness for humanity.” 

Dan is an ANCA member because he appreciates opportunities offered by ANCA and partners to connect with community members and business owners from across the North Country. Dan sees our region and its “healing woods” as a mosaic of wellness, food, music, entertainment, color, gender and sexual orientation — coming together to make our personal and professional lives more real, vivid and interesting.

Adirondack Massage Therapy

Clean Energy Corner

Lake Placid Earns Bronze Certification


Congratulations to the Village of Lake Placid for earning Bronze Climate Smart Communities certification!


In a recent DEC press release, Lake Placid was recognized for their successful CSC application and clean energy actions including installing heat pumps and EV charging stations, converting decorative street lighting to LEDs, supporting a student-led compost program, and incorporating sustainability into planning and zoning. 


To learn how your community can participate in CSC, contact ANCA's Erin Griffin at [email protected].

Lake Placid High School student Aiden Fay processes compost in Placid Earth’s system designed by Compost for Good.

Read more

Join Our Clean Energy Team!


Please help us spread the word about three new job openings with ANCA's growing Clean Energy Program. Applications are due Friday, October 7:


  • Climate Smart Communities Coordinator
  • Clean Energy Communities Coordinator
  • Part-time CEC Coordinator
Learn more

A few Clean Energy staff: Matthew Price, Jill Henck and Annie Arnold

Adirondack Diversity Initiative

First Friday: Plattsburgh & Saranac Lake


All are welcome to gather in Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh the evening of October 7 for First Friday — a celebration of cultural diversity, history, food, business and arts.


First Friday encourages collaboration between retail shops, restaurants, art venues and local entertainment to showcase downtown businesses and create a welcoming community.


Learn more: First Friday Plattsburgh

Learn more: First Friday Saranac Lake

Read the SL Chamber's First Friday Blog

Photo courtesy of the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce

Adirondack North Country Pride


The 7th Annual Adirondack North Country Pride Celebration is set for Saturday October 1st in Plattsburgh with the parade starting at noon.


The parade is co-sponsored by ADI and ADI Director Nicky Hylton-Patterson will be a featured speaker.

Learn more

Hate & Bias Prevention


The NYS Division Human Rights has recently launched a Hate & Bias Prevention Unit aimed at providing a coordinated, rapid, and community-focused response to hate and bias incidents across the state.


ADI has been working closely with DHR to offer a collaborative stakeholder meeting which took place on September 28 at the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake.

Learn more

Know Your LGBTQ+ Rights


ADI has partnered with the NYS Division Human Rights and the Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance to offer two community events focusing LGBTQI+ rights under NYS law.


  • Thurs., Sept. 29, 7:00 p.m. at North Country Community College
  • Fri., Sept. 30, 7:00 p.m. at SUNY Plattsburgh campus. 


Both events are free and open to the general public. 

Learn more

Small Business Opportunities

Working groups for sellers


Interested in selling your business — now or in the future? The process of selling is involved and can be complicated. The Center for Businesses In Transition (CBIT) is here to help you become familiar with the process:\.


The first set of Fall Sellers' Working Groups will be hosted by Naturally Lewis in Lowville, NY:


  • Session 1: Tuesday, October 11, 5-6 p.m.
  • Session 2: Tuesday, October 18, 5-6 p.m.
  • Session 3: One-On-One Appointment for Your Business

Check CBIT's website at ownanorthcountrybusiness.com for updates about other Sellers' Working Groups coming up this fall in Saranac Lake, Ticonderoga, Old Forge, Hamilton County, Watertown and online.

Learn more & register

Seller Profile: Wilson Tile & Carpet


Wilson Tile & Carpet, located in Ogdensburg, NY, is a high volume floor company with fantastic growth opportunity. Focused on commercial floor coverings with a heat welding specialty, 90% of their jobs are commercial for local schools, colleges, and hospitals within the tri-county area. 

Learn more

Grow Your Emotional Intelligence with ANCA CPR


With a focus on emotional intelligence and mindfulness approaches to leadership, Peter Anderson of Inner Citadel Consulting uses extensive training in leadership and business coaching to help identify and overcome obstacles to success. After coaching, 76% of business owners report better operational efficiency.


“Peter’s experience and knowledge runs deep throughout all business aspects and he was helpful in guiding me on employee recruitment, marketing, customer loyalty programs, and overall business operations," said Michelle Blair, ANCA CPR client and owner of P-2’s Irish Pub in Tupper Lake.


Begin ANCA CPR enrollment today to learn more about working with Inner Citadel Consulting and other expert business service providers, free of charge.

Learn more & enroll

Gearing Up for Bike the Barns

The countdown is on for Bike the Barns, where riders and supporters will enjoy farm tours, stunning views, fall foliage and local food & drink. 


  • What: Bike the Barns
  • When: Saturday, October 8, 2022
  • Where: Champlain Valley, NY
  • Start/finish: The Hub on the Hill, Essex, NY


Thank you to the local farmers (pictured) who will share their farms and stories at Bike the Barns:



We are excited to offer a delicious local food finish line meal prepared by Green Goddess Natural Market of Lake Placid, NY and Ausable Brewing Company of Keeseville, NY.

Thank you to our sponsors


Thank you to the growing list of generous sponsors who are supporting Bike the Barns and ANCA's work with local farms and food businesses:

Cooperative Housing

Thank you to the Paul Smith’s College students and community members who attended our second Cooperative Housing Learning Session on September 21. We are excited to welcome Paul Smith’s Social Research students and will soon also welcome Tiny Home students to this conversation. Huge thanks to professor Deb Naybor for her expertise and for involving her students in impactful ways. This project would not be possible without the expertise and support of our partners at Cooperative Development Institute.


Missed the learning sessions? You can view recorded sessions and stay up to date about future sessions at adirondack.org/housing.

Learn more

ICYMI: Here's What We're Reading


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Build a Resilient Regional Economy


ANCA members are growing the region's New Economy by building strong, resilient and equitable systems for local food, clean energy and small businesses. Become an ANCA member today.

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