North Country Economy News | August 2026 | | Celebrate Local Businesses & Farms This Season | | |
Delving into Data: A Summer Research Fellow's Take
This past summer, ANCA and our Small Business team were fortunate to host Cornell University student Ehtan Boecher for a summer research fellowship. During his Ethan's short time here, he did much to strengthen our work and inspire new ideas. And he learned a few things about North Country communities and businesses along the way.
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In ANCA's What's Up North blog, Ethan (pictured at left with ANCA staff) reflects on his summer working with regional economic data and learning through community visits and conversations how numbers only tell part of the story of rural businesses and communities.
Many thanks to Ethan for his diligence, insight, and feedback that will strengthen our programming for small businesses. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
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Join Us for ANCA's 9th Bike the Barns!
Bike the Barns is coming up soon! This year's ride will be based in Westport, NY and highlight the diverse vegetable-growing operations of Juniper Hill Farm in Wadhams and inspiring community-centered efforts at the historic Whallonsburg Grange and Whitcomb's Garage in Essex.
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What: 2026 Bike the Barns
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When: Saturday, September 26, 2026
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Start/Finish: Essex County Fairgrounds, Westport, NY
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Mileage: 20-30 miles
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Cost: $122 includes fully supported ride, finish line food, drink & live music. T-shirts sold separately.
Thank you to Bike Adirondacks for providing logistic and event support for Bike the Barns again this year, and for making this a fun, safe and welcoming experience for all!
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Compost With Confidence!
Whether you're troubleshooting a stubborn compost pile, interested in learning about different composting methods, or looking to take your composting to the next level, this upcoming workshop is for you!
What: Community Compost Workshop & Panel
When: Saturday, August 22, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Where: Pitney Meadows Community Farm, Saratoga
Hosted by Sustainable Saratoga, ANCA's Compost for Good team, and Pitney Meadows Community Farm, this workshop will feature composting professionals and practitioners who will share their knowledge, discuss best practices, and answer questions.
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Real Progress at the Real Food Hub
Cherie and Dan Whitten are making incredible progress on the Real Food Hub, an ambitious local food access project supported by ANCA and funded by New York State Ag & Markets. The structure is now framed and has a roof, and insulation is being installed.
Located on Whitten Family Farm in Winthrop, the hub will offer lots of cold storage and processing space that will improve the efficiency and impact of our region's food supply chain. Hub operations are expected to begin as early as October!
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Savor Summer at the Farmers' Market
After another great season at the Olympic Oval, the final High Peaks Farmers' Market in Lake Placid will take place on Wednesday, September 2. Make sure you stop and shop before then!
The Saranac Lake outdoor market, which has seen record-high attendance this year, will continue through October 10. Save the date for the High Peaks Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 17 when we'll celebrate the summer season's end and transition to the Winter Market at the Hotel Saranac.
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Mark Your Calendar: Adirondack Harvest Festival
Hosted by our partners at Adirondack Harvest and sponsored by ANCA, the annual Adirondack Harvest Festival will take place at the Essex County Fairgrounds in Westport on Saturday, September 19. Check out the Festival website and Facebook page to learn more about the day's schedule, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and more!
| | Small Business Opportunities | |
Adirondack Buyer Days News
For 40 years, ANCA's annual wholesale trade show has celebrated makers of local, handmade gifts and the retailers who sell them. We are now accepting buyer registrations and welcoming interested exhibitors for our 2027 show.
This business-to-business event is for vendors and retail buyers and is not open to the public. Both returning and potential new vendors are invited to complete the Vendor Interest Form.
Photo by Adsit Media Works: Alexa of Third Wolf Designs at the 2026 show
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Buying or Selling a Business?
Considering selling or buying a business in the North Country? We can help!
The Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) partnership, made up of organizations across 14+ counties in northern New York, helps prepare business sellers and buyers for their next chapter.
Complete an inquiry form through CBIT to find the support you need:
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Photo courtesy of Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce: Local Roots ribbon-cutting in Crown Point
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Meetups & Workshops
Join ANCA staff and local entrepreneurs at our final monthly virtual Entrepreneur Roundtable of the season on Tuesday, September 1 at 8:00 a.m.
Clarkson University's Shipley Center for Innovation and regional host organizations are hosting several North Country Entrepreneurship Meetups this season. Upcoming meetups take place September 24 in Malone, October 8 in Lowville, and October 22 in Saranac Lake.
Looking for fresh ideas to grow your business? The Franklin County Economic Development Corporation's two-day workshop could change the way you solve problems and help you take your business to the next level. Learn more and register for the Innovation for Results Workshop, set for September 9 and 10 at Paul Smith’s College.
| | Adirondack Diversity Initiative | |
Build Your Welcoming & Belonging Skills
Registration is now open for the Fall semester of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative's Welcoming & Belonging Micro-Credential. Offered through North Country Community College, the course gives participants the skills and knowledge to create more welcoming, inclusive, and equitable spaces in their communities.
This fall, we are launching a new semester-based format, giving participants a more structured and supported learning experience, while still allowing for a self-paced flow that busy leaders need. The Fall semester begins August 31, and we would love for you to be part of it!
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ICYMI: Tiffany on TV
Our small-but-mighty ADI team has been hard at work this summer, engaging directly with the communities serve. From respite retreats and youth programming, to community policing trainings and events that promote equity and belonging, they have been busy!
Tune into Mountain Lake PBS to watch LeeAnne Ruff talk to ADI Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher about her team's impactful programs and how they help North Country communities become more welcoming and inclusive of all who wish to live, work and travel in our region.
Photo by Mountain Lake PBS
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Rooted & Rising Symposium Registration Opens Soon
We are living through a moment of rapid change, in our laws, our communities, and the systems meant to protect us. You're invited to learn the history we stand on and understand the systems we’re navigating, while we equip ourselves and our communities with real tools and imagine together what comes next.
Join us for the Adirondack Diversity Initiative 2026 Symposium — Rooted & Rising — where we'll move through four interconnected conversations over two days in beautiful Blue Mountain Lake.
Keep an eye out on our event webpage for the registration link coming soon. Space is limited.
| | Climate & Energy Connections | |
Help Plan for Your Community
ANCA is offering FREE technical assistance for communities interested in developing a county-wide Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Plan (CCARP) that includes a climate vulnerability assessment and recommended adaptation strategies.
Why participate in CCARP?
- Reduce negative impacts of more frequent extreme weather
- Maintain stable government operations
- Create partnerships to build a stronger, more resilient North Country
- Leverage additional funding for community projects
Assistance is available for Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence Counties. Contact Caroline Dodd at cdodd@adirondack.org to learn more and get involved.
Caroline is our newest Energy Circuit Rider and Climate Smart Communities Coordinator! Caroline brings the skills, knowledge and relationships she built over the last year as an ANCA Climate Justice Fellow to this action-oriented, community-based work.
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Meet Our New Climate Justice Fellow
Earlier this month, ANCA and our Climate & Energy team were happy to welcome Hadar Pepperstone as our new Climate Justice Fellow — a position supported by NYSERDA's Climate Justice Fellowship Program.
With a background in environmental science, planning, sustainability, GIS and science communication, Hadar i. helping implement and communicate county-level climate plans across the region. Her work builds on her previous research on flooding and climate change across the state and her passion for communicating about climate issues and inspire action.
Welcome to ANCA, Hadar!
| | | ICYMI: News from Around the Region | | |
Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:
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Business Development Manager: NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions
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Multiple Positions: Silver Bay YMCA
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Organizational Development Consultant: Northeast Transition Initiative (NETI)
Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.
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Build Shared Prosperity for All
ANCA members are building shared prosperity across northern New York by supporting programs that strengthen small businesses, local food systems, climate & energy initiatives, and welcoming & belonging. Thank you for powering this important work.
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