New Economy News | November 2022 | |
Rebuilding Thanksgiving for All | |
Thank You to Our Community
November in the North Country — this in-between season after the harvest and before the holidays — is a good time for giving thanks.
ANCA's staff and board would like to thank all the business owners, farmers, community leaders and partners who work with us to build an equitable, resilient and prosperous future for the Adirondack North Country. We appreciate all you do!
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Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples
As many of us prepare to gather with loved ones for Thanksgiving Day, ANCA would like to acknowledge the Native communities whose traditional lands we now call home. Their cultures, histories and ongoing contributions are fundamental to the past, present and future of this special place.
In this month's What's Up North Blog, Adirondack Diversity Initiative Associate Director Melanie Reding reflects on the Thanksgiving holiday, its history and meaning, and the mixed and complex Native American perspectives about the celebration. Mel also shares ideas for building a more inclusive Thanksgiving and resources for further reading about this topic.
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Small Communities. Big Opportunities. Conference Returns!
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Do you dream of owning a North Country business? Join aspiring entrepreneurs, current small business owners, support professionals, fiscal and legal agencies and North Country leaders for a three-day, hybrid conference. This event is for anyone who wants to realize a dream of business ownership and who lives, or wants to live, in northern New York State.
ANCA, the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the CBIT partnership are thrilled to offer this unique learning and networking opportunity again following our inaugural 2021 conference.
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What: Small Communities. Big Opportunities.: Own a North Country Business Hybrid Conference
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When: Sunday, February 12 to Tuesday, February 14, 2023
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Where: Hybrid, based at The Hotel Saranac, Saranac Lake, NY
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Cost: $100
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Early Bird Discount: $80 if you register by January 20
- Registration opens November 30
Do you own a business and are interested in attending the conference as a seller? Please email director@slareachamber.org or call 518-891-1991 to find out more.
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We're Hiring: Adirondack Diversity Initiative Director
Do you or someone you know have work experience with diversity, equity & inclusion and a passion for making the Adirondack North Country more welcoming for all?
ANCA is accepting applications for Adirondack Diversity Initiative Director until November 30. Please help spread the word!
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Bill Relief Program Open Until Dec. 31
Keep North Country homes warm and bright this winter!
Electric utilities in New York are offering an opportunity for income-eligible residential customers to have all utility debt prior to May 1, 2022 erased. Please help spread the word to National Grid or NYSEG customers who could benefit from the Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program. The deadline to enroll is Dec. 31, 2022.
National Grid customers: bit.ly/3tAmeN7
NYSEG customers: bit.ly/3EFIjAB
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Clean School Bus Rebates Awarded
Five North Country School Districts were awarded rebates through the 2022 EPA Clean School Bus Program to support the purchase of electric school buses and EV infrastructure. Congratulations to Salmon River, Norwood-Norfolk, Malone, Alexandria, and Adirondack Central School Districts, who were awarded rebates for a total of 31 electric buses in the North Country.
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This round of awards focused on priority areas that serve low-income, rural and/or Tribal students. In response to overwhelming demand, EPA nearly doubled the funding for 2022 and will select more school districts for rebates in the coming weeks. | |
Two Free Clean Energy Trainings Left in Virtual Series
ANCA, NYSERDA and municipal partners are offering two more evening sessions as part of a free virtual clean energy training series:
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Tuesday, November 29: Overview of the Model Battery Energy Storage System Law
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Monday, December 5: Battery Energy Storage for First Responders
Please share these free training opportunities with members of your community who may be interested — planning and zoning board members, code enforcement and building officials, etc.
Questions? Contact ANCA's Nancy Bernstein at nbernstein@adirondack.org.
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Energy Advisor Job Openings
Would someone you know be interested in helping North Country neighbors utilize clean energy technologies like heat pumps, electric vehicles and community solar?
Our partners at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County and St. Lawrence County are seeking applicants for four Energy Advisor positions that focus on outreach and one-on-one support for people interested in adopting clean energy projects. Please spread the word about these positions serving Clinton/Essex, Franklin/St. Lawrence, Jefferson/Lewis & Hamilton Counties.
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Grant Writing 101
ANCA will offer a free Grant Writing 101 session to encourage business owners, municipal leaders, community champions, farmers, nonprofits and others to identify grant opportunities and develop successful grant proposals. The session will cover the basics of writing grants, followed by small group discussions that dig into specific sectors or interests and explore tools to help find funding opportunities.
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What: Grant Writing 101
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When: Tuesday, December 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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Where: Virtual via Zoom
This webinar is free and open to all. Questions? Contact Jen Perry at jperry@adirondack.org.
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Business Transition Spotlight:
Gary's Becomes Diner & Bake Shop
Gary’s Restaurant, a local favorite and Lowville landmark that has been owned and operated by Ann Schneeberger and her family for nearly 47 years, has transitioned to new ownership through the support of Naturally Lewis and their longstanding partnership with ANCA's Center for Businesses in Transition.
Congratulations to Ashley Mayer-Hoch who has taken ownership of the historic business under a new name — Crave Diner and Vanilla Bean Bake Shop. Stop by and try their tasty classics and specials (like these cupcakes!).
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AdkAction & ANCA Partner to Support Compost for Good
Compost for Good has gained great momentum and support in recent months, including three grant awards: $120,000 from the USDA Rural Business Development Program, $30,000 from the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and $20,000 from the New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (P2I). The funding will help AdkAction & ANCA bring the innovative composting initiative to more farms and communities across the region.
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CfG's John Culpepper & Chris Neil of Norman Ridge Farm in Vermontville discuss on-farm composting. | |
Up Your Farm or Business Composting Game
Funding from P2I will support CfG's efforts to advance on-farm composting projects and new community-scale compost businesses — like the Compost to Farm Kickoff presentation that took place virtually on November 3rd. You can watch the recording of the presentation on YouTube.
Farmers and farm advocates are invited to learn more about community-scale composting and schedule a site visit. Contact Jen Perry at jperry@adirondack.org to get started.
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Win a Composter for Your Community
AdkAction & Compost for Good invite North Country farms, businesses, schools and other institutions to submit proposals for receiving a free community-scale in-vessel drum composter. The 4’x20′ design is capable of processing up to 50,000 pounds of food scraps per year and will be used as a demonstration site.
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Adirondack Diversity Initiative | |
Community Policing Trainings
ADI's Community Policing Initiative continues to engage with law enforcement agencies across the region. Last month, RENZ Consulting completed the second of three ADI-sponsored trainings for the 2022 Community Policing cohort, which includes officers from the SUNY Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh (pictured), and Lake Placid Police Departments; DEC Rangers and Conservation Officers; Essex and Franklin County Correctional Officers; Hamilton, Franklin and Warren County Sheriff's Departments; and NYS Police.
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ICYMI: Here's What We're Reading | | |
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Check out our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:
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Outreach Coordinator: Adirondack Mountain Club
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Operations Manager: Champlain Area Trails
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Referral Navigator: Healthy Alliance
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Business Development Coordinator: Lake Champlain–Lake George Regional Planning Board
Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.
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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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