Thank you to all the members and donors who made an end-of-year contribution to support ANCA's programming in 2025 and beyond.

Individual membership and giving is critical to our work as we seek to connect more North Country businesses and communities with educational resources, professional networks, and funding opportunities that address their needs and help them reach their goals.

Interested in supporting this work? It's not too late to give. Join, renew or make a donation today.

Remembering Kate Fish

Earlier this month, we learned of the passing of Kate Fish — a beloved and visionary North Country leader who served as ANCA’s executive director for nearly 12 years.

During her tenure at ANCA, Kate had an immeasurable impact on the organization and its collaborative work across the Adirondack North Country. We will be forever grateful for her passion, vision and leadership.

On behalf of ANCA’s staff and board, we extend our deepest condolences to Kate’s family, friends and all those who had the opportunity to know her. We are honored to be a part of Kate’s legacy here at ANCA.

Virtual Course for Value-Added Food Businesses

Join ANCA and the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship for an eight-session virtual course for new or early-stage entrepreneurs — including those who are in the idea-development or start-up phase — interested in developing value-added food products and businesses.

The course will cover planning, marketing and financial topics for idea phase business such as those looking to add value-added product lines to their existing business or start a new food product business.

More Educational Workshops for Small Businesses

In March and April, ANCA and the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce will offer two additional workshop series, supported by USDA RBDG funding.

The three-week Leadership Development Workshop Series will cover the fundamentals of effective leadership and communication, identifying and understanding your leadership style, motivating your team, and managing stress in the workplace: 

• What: Leadership Development Workshop Series
• When: Wednesday March 12, 19, and 26 at 8:00-10:30 a.m.
• Where: In person at North Country Community College in Ticonderoga 

Our three-week Digital Marketing and Empowerment Series will help participants build marketing and social media skills as well as the basics of building a website and utilizing analytics. 

• What: Digital Marketing and Empowerment Series
• When: Wednesday April 2 and 16 at 8:00-10:30 a.m., 3rd session date TBD
• Where: In person at North Country Community College in Ticonderoga 

Registration for these workshop series opens soon.

Shop Local, Shop Small at Adirondack Buyer Days!

Buyer registration for ANCA’s 2025 Adirondack Buyer Days artisan trade show is open!

This annual show connects small maker businesses from across the region (like Adirondack Etching, pictured, of Glens Falls) with retail buyers looking to stock their shelves with unique, handcrafted gifts. 

Legacy Lowville Business Becomes Two

Naturally Lewis and the Center for Businesses in Transition partnership are thrilled to announce the successful transition of Brown's Plumbing and Heating, a family business founded in 1915, which officially closed its doors on December 31, 2024.

With support from CBIT Community Liaison Jenna Lauraine from Naturally Lewis, the 170-year business is becoming two businesses, operating as Howland Pump & Supply and Lowville Appliance & Air Conditioning. Megan and Brad Moser, longtime Brown's employees, are the new owners of Lowville Appliance.

Immigration Law Presentation

The Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY and the Adirondack Diversity Initiative invite you to a virtual presentation, presented by Grace O. Sullivan, Esq. North Country Staff Attorney, Immigration Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Inc.

What: Immigration in the United States: an Overview of Law and Policy

When: Wednesday, February 12, 3-4 p.m 

Where: Virtual

Please email ADI's Melanie Reding at mreding@adirondack.org to register.

Community Campaigns Kick Off

Compost for Good and Clarkson University have recently hired five community compost liaisons to conduct education and awareness campaigns in Akwesasne, Canton, Potsdam, North Elba, and Plattsburgh. The trained liaisons will host events, presentations, and one-on-one consultations to support community members and generators of food waste such as restaurants in their efforts to reduce the amount of wasted food ending up in landfills where they generate methane, a potent GHG gas.

Warren Co. Reduces Food Waste in Landfills

With technical assistance from Compost for Good (CfG), Warren County was awarded funding through NYSDEC's Climate Smart Communities Program for a food scrap reduction pilot project.

Warren County's Solid Waste & Recycling Compliance Coordinator Scott Royael said the project will provide multiple drop off locations for residents, businesses and community groups, where he estimates over two tons of food scraps will be collected every week.

Colton and Potsdam Receive CSC Grants

The Town of Colton was awarded a $186,000 Climate Smart Communities grant for a Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvement Project, which includes the replacement of 1,715 feet of sidewalk along NY-56 with new, 5-foot-wide ADA compliant sidewalks. 

NYSDEC's CSC grant program also awarded the Village of Potsdam $104,000 to complete three CSC certification actions: Comprehensive Plan with Sustainability Elements, Complete Streets Policy, and Planning for Bicycling and Walking.

Congrats to these local government leaders who have made these projects happen! Contact ANCA Energy Circuit Riders at energy@adirondack.org to learn how your community can benefit from the CSC program and other clean energy initiatives.

Community Climate Resilience Survey

Got five minutes? Local community leaders in the Adirondack Climate Outreach and Resilience Network (ACORN) invite you to take their short Community Climate Resilience Survey. ACORN is seeking input from everyone: year-round and seasonal residents, business owners, students, and visitors. Even if you have attended an ACORN listening session, you are encouraged to respond to this survey.

Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:

• Chief Financial and Operations Officer: Adirondack Council 
• Project Leader - Home Energy Career Pathways Program: Clarkson University
• Adirondack Harvest Program Leader: CCE Essex County
• Conservation Intern: Adirondack Council

Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.