New Economy News | April 2023 | |
Two Ways to Make Every Day Earth Day | |
|
How did you celebrate Earth Day? Plant a tree? Swap out your light bulbs? Pick up roadside trash?
ANCA and partners offer two ways to celebrate the Earth and build a clean energy future that benefits our region's residents, businesses and communities:
1. Contact Our New North Country Clean Energy Hub
A partnership of ANCA, Cornell Cooperative Extensions of Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, and SUNY Crest — the North Country Clean Energy Hub helps local residents and businesses identify programs, incentives, and rebates for clean energy and energy efficiency opportunities.
| |
|
Read our latest What's Up North blog by ANCA's Craig Basford to learn about the Clean Energy Hub and how you could benefit.
To schedule a free consultation with an Energy Advisor, contact energy@adirondack.org or through the Hub website.
| |
2. Attend Our Clean Energy Conference
We hope you'll join ANCA and the Mohawk Valley Clean Energy Team as we explore the unique challenges and opportunities our small and rural communities face as new state and federal policies are implemented across New York.
Your voice matters as we learn from clean energy experts, researchers, contractors, educators and community leaders and work together to advance New York's clean energy transition while preserving our region’s values and character.
| |
Photo: J&R Pierce Family Farm | |
|
Sign up by Monday, May 8 to get an Early Bird discount.
The conference will offer interactive presentations, workshops, round-table sessions, and networking opportunities, including a tour of Brookfield Renewable's historic hydropower facility in Trenton. Enjoy Utica's famous food and drink at the conference reception. Stick around for a raffle featuring local gifts and experiences.
-
What: ANCA Clean Energy Conference
-
When: June 1-2, 2023
-
Where: Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, Utica, NY
-
Cost: $125 Early Bird rate through May 8; $150 regular rate
Municipal staff, contact events@adirondack.org for a code to receive an additional discount.
| |
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Thank you to the Sponsors whose support makes this conference possible. Their commitment to an inclusive, state-wide clean energy future is helping build a brighter, cleaner future for all.
Want to join this team of Conference Sponsors? Learn more about sponsor opportunities and benefits in the event prospectus.
| |
|
Supporting Local Meat Production | |
Donahue's Farm Awarded SOIL Loan
ANCA and Foodshed Capital are happy to share that Donahue's Livestock Farm of North Banghor, N.Y. was awarded a zero-interest loan through our SOIL Loan Fund. The loan will help the Donahues renovate and purchase equipment for a specialty butcher shop in downtown Malone and provide farm-raised meat to more consumers across the region.
Congrats to Katie and Brandon Donahue. We look forward to stopping by the new shop soon!
| |
|
Federal Grants for Meat Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering two meat processing funding opportunities:
-
Indigenous Animals Grant: supports the priorities of Tribal Nations in meeting the needs of traditional harvesting methods and indigenous animals.
-
Local Meat Capacity Grant: supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses to improve processing options by modernizing, increasing, diversifying and decentralizing meat processing capacity.
Questions about these grants may be directed to ANCA at localfoodsystems@adirondack.org.
| |
Adirondack Diversity Initiative | |
JBL! Celebrates with Art and Dance
Join John Brown Lives! on Tuesday, May 9 to view the collaborative work of graphic artist Ren Davidson Seward and ADI Director and choreographer Tiffany Rea-Fisher.
The unveiling of a reimagined Memorial Field at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid will take place 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Tiffany will present at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Placid Center for the Arts before the premiere of the film “Geography of Grace,” which features a dance Tiffany choreographed after her first visit to John Brown Farm in 2020.
| |
|
Nonviolent Communication Workshop
Thank you to all who attended our Nonviolent Communication Workshop: Creating More Joyful Spaces on April 4. Co-sponsored by ADI and SUNY Canton and supported by Paul Smith’s College, the workshop was led by trainers Gwen Olton, Jonathon Jones, and Bianca Pointner from the M.K. Institute for Nonviolence out of Rochester, N.Y.
Over 35 students from SUNY Canton, SUNY Potsdam, St. Lawrence University and Paul Smith’s College learned how the technology of Nonviolent Communication can help us mediate internal and interpersonal conflicts through more effective communication strategies. Students came away better equipped to create happier, healthier, more joyful spaces to work, learn, and play.
| |
Next Week, Celebrate Small Businesses | |
|
Small Business Week is next week. How will you celebrate?
Whether you currently own a business, are thinking about starting or taking over a business, or anywhere in between, ANCA celebrates you — next week and every week!
Explore how ANCA and our team of partners can support your goals in the coming weeks:
| |
|
- Free Financial Management Counseling with Stephanie Donaldson of Adirondack Economic Development Corp. Reply by May 1.
- Small Business Ownership through Improved Personal Financial Management
- Marketing Tools for Small Businesses
- More programs from ANCA and partners, coming soon
| |
|
Business Buying 101
Join ANCA's Kim Manion for the Saranac Lake Area Chamber's Lunch & Learn series, where she'll cover the basics of buying a business.
What: Business Buying 101
When: Monday, May 1, noon to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Learn more and register.
| | |
|
CBIT Open House
Learn more about Center for Businesses in Transition services, programs and more! Meet with ANCA's Dani Delaini and CBIT partners at the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce.
What: CBIT Open House
When: Thursday, May 4, noon to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Ticonderoga Area Chamber Office
| |
Featured Business for Sale: Grindstone Farm | |
|
Do you have a passion for growing food? You could be the new owner of Grindstone Farm in Pulaski, N.Y.
Operating as a year-round business for 30 years, this fruit and vegetable farm is located midway between Syracuse and Watertown, close to Route I-81 the Village of Pulaski. Current crops include blueberries, asparagus, greens and other vegetables.
Learn about this and other available North Country businesses on our list of featured businesses for sale.
| |
|
Adirondack Buyer Days Thanks | |
|
Big thank you to all who participated in this year's Adirondack Buyer Days show! It was inspiring to see old friends and new faces at our annual trade show for artisan makers and retailers of local, handmade goods.
Learn about this year's vendors, like Blue Line Book Exchange, in the 2023 Show Catalog.
| |
|
Congrats to Cedar + Pearl (left) and LionheArt Graphics (right), whose ornaments received the most votes in this year's New Product Contest.
Thank you to the businesses and organizations who supported this year's show: Clarkson University, Stewart's Shops, Capital Region Workforce Development Institute and the NY Small Business Development Center.
| |
|
|
|
Save the Date for Next Year's Show!
Mark your calendar for the 2024 show, and stay tuned for registration information:
Photo: Blue Line Book Exchange
| |
|
Clean Energy Celebrations | | |
|
Solar Ribbon-cutting in Essex
On Earth Day, Town of Essex officials gathered with community members and guests to celebrate the installation of a 17.1 kW solar panel on the town's historic Grange Hall.
The array was installed by Apex Solar and funded through NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities grant program, other grants and federal funding incentives.
| |
$663K in Grants Support EV Charging Stations
Congrats to the nine North Country towns and villages to receive over $663K in NYS Department of Environmental Conservation grants to install EV charging stations in their communities!
| |
-
Town of Indian Lake: $236,686.50 for two DCFC pedestals
-
Village of Waddington: $117,375 for four Level 2 charging ports
-
Town of Clayton: $87,375 for four Level 2 charging ports
-
Town of Jay: $53,292 for six Level 2 charging ports
-
Village of Canton: $50,061 for one DCFC pedestal
-
Town of Newcomb: $49,452.50 for six Level 2 charging ports
-
Town of Chesterfield: $37,525.45 for two Level 2 charging ports
-
Town of Tupper Lake: $17,200 for two Level 2 charging ports
-
Town of Ausable: $14,675 for two Level 2 charging ports
| |
ANCA is honored to have supported seven communities during the application process. Contact us to learn about EV funding opportunities for your community: energy@adirondack.org. | |
Clean Energy Communities
Congrats to the following communities who are earning credit toward grants through NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities Program while saving money and energy:
-
City of Plattsburgh initiated a community campaign for Clean Heating & Cooling and Energy Efficiency
-
Town of Chazy attended Energy code enforcement training
-
Town of Chazy completed Benchmarking - Advanced Reporting
-
Town of Fort Covington attended Energy code enforcement training
-
Town of Pierrepont adopted a Benchmarking policy for Municipal Buildings
-
Town of Westport installed a 78kW DCFC EV charging station at Ballard Park
-
Town of Westport completed Clean Energy Upgrades by reducing GHG emissions by more than 10%
-
Village of Champlain attended Energy code enforcement training
-
Village of Speculator attended Energy code enforcement training
| |
Adam Pearsall Joins ANCA Board
All of us at ANCA are excited to welcome Adam Pearsall as our newest board member. A native of Johnsburg, N.Y. who currently lives in Glens Falls, Adam has a strong financial background and intimate knowledge of our region and its small business sector. We look forward to working with Adam to better serve our region's businesses and communities.
| |
|
|
National Small Business Week Virtual Summit
Tuesday-Wednesday, May 2-3
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE for a free 2-day virtual summit. The summit includes educational sessions, online business resources, and expert speakers and networking opportunities.
Learn more and register.
| | |
|
Skill Up! Co-op Clinic Virtual Summit
Thursday, May 11, 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Join the U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives to deepen education and grow capacity for worker-owners, cooperatives and support organizations. The summit will include workshops on financial literacy, conflict resolution, worker benefits and more.
Learn more and register.
| |
|
Lewis Co. Economic Development Conference
Wednesday, May 17
Naturally Lewis will host the 2nd annual Lewis County Economic Development Conference in Lyons Falls, N.Y. This year's theme, From the Ground Up, explores the roots of our economy and how to use this foundation to develop a thriving rural economy.
Learn more and register.
| | |
|
RuralRISE Summit
Tuesday-Thursday, June 20-22
RuralRISE, a group of organizations that aim to increase prosperity for small and rural communities, will be hold a 3-day summit in Waterville and Skowhegan, Maine. ANCA's Dani Delaini will present with Rob Brown from the Cooperative Development Institute.
Learn more and register.
| |
ICYMI: Here's What We're Reading | |
-
How big is too big? Small farms lay bare the struggles they face, Adirondack Explorer
-
A brook by a new name, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
-
You've probably seen these Adirondack maps. Meet the artist who draws them, NCPR
-
What’s the deal with gas appliances?, Adirondack Explorer
-
Potsdam, Canton, and Saranac Lake to consider group buy for clean electricity, NCPR
-
How will climate change alter history?, Adirondack Explorer
-
Power sharing: Potsdam, Canton move toward joining state energy program, NNY 360
-
Saranac Lake government curbs emissions by 24%, Adirondack Explorer
| |
|
Visit our jobs page for openings with member and partner organizations and regional nonprofits:
-
Planner: Tug Hill Commission
-
Research Biologist: Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation
-
Events & Building Manager: Tannery Pond Center
-
District Technician: Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District
-
Operations Manager: Adirondack Carousel
-
Alumni & Events Manager: North Country School/Camp Treetops
-
Paid VISTA Volunteers: Adirondack Harvest
Have an opening you want to promote? Send a web link to jobs@adirondack.org.
| | |
|
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.
| | | | | |