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Energy and Environment Lead Saranac Lake Economic Development Strategy March 18, 2008 - A core group of citizens has been hard at work recently on a major prong of Saranac Lake’s recently completed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The group, which has been meeting regularly since the strategy was finalized, has been exploring the establishment of the Saranac Lake region as a central location for applied environmental and biological enterprises that commercialize the results of research in these fields. Other CEDS initiatives, yet to be launched, include steps to attract a range of new businesses and retain existing businesses, while housing, quality of place improvements, tourism and visitor attraction, and overall commercial redevelopment also are targeted. Economic diversification is a key. The Franklin County Legislature is assisting, having recently funded initial implementation of the Saranac Lake economic development strategy through the Adirondack North Country Association in conjunction with the County’s ongoing Bicentennial Celebration. Earlier in March, members of the Saranac Lake group traveled to Syracuse, NY, to meet with staff from the Center of Excellence for Environmental and Energy Systems and a “Green Team” of about thirty-five economic development experts from throughout the Syracuse region who work closely with the Center. As a result of the meetings, the local contingent has been accepted as a full participating partner with the Center of Excellence in the economic development agency category. The core Saranac Lake group sees energy conservation and related enterprises as a timely and important commercial opportunity that will fit well with the vision framing the local area’s development strategy. That vision, set forth in the CEDS document, foresees the greater Saranac Lake region “poised to become a distinguished location for environmental and biological based businesses.” The group’s initial focus on energy represents a manageable first step towards implementation of the community’s strategy, and eventual fulfillment of the vision for the area. Representing Saranac Lake in Syracuse was Community Development Director Jeremy Evans, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors’ member Keith Wells, ANCA Executive Director Terry Martino, and ANCA Community Assistance Specialist Greg Hill. Greg Hill also previously participated with the Green Team and other New York State economic development professionals in the Power-Gen Renewable Energy and Fuels 2008 conference in Las Vegas, attended by thousands of alternative energy enthusiasts from throughout the world. It is clear to the citizens working to implement the local CEDS, that new product and service lines that capitalize on the competitive advantages and green values afforded by an Adirondack setting hold the greatest promise for Saranac Lake within the renewable energy industry. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings and powering them on an individual basis, such as with solar installations interconnected with the grid and stand-alone biomass converters, together with technological innovation and wise energy policies, appear to be primary areas of focus the region can pursue. The public-private-academic partnerships envisioned by the Saranac Lake CEDS will be key elements in realizing the region’s environmental enterprise potential, especially within the energy sector, the group believes. Such an approach will directly complement the CEDS goal of establishing Saranac Lake as a premier location for environmental research and commercialization. While the Saranac Lake area in particular is poised to promote the natural environment, quality of life, and resource attributes that could attract such development to the region, a number of local and regional factors must be addressed more or less concurrently to significantly improve the chances for success. The group points, for example, to the regional transportation and telecommunication issues that are obvious impediments to such development. A further key to long-term success, the group believes, will be to think and start small—finding one or two start-up enterprises that can grow along with resolution of fundamental community development issues Other citizens involved in the local CEDS implementation include Susan Waters, Steve Erman, Leslie Karasin, Megan Murphy, Jamie Konkoski, Jill Reymore, Susan Moody and Alan Brown. Anyone with an interest in the effort is welcome to join. For further information about the CEDS program, please contact Keith Wells at 518-891-7096, or email: wellska(at)verizon.net. Headquartered in Saranac Lake, New York, the Adirondack North Country Association is committed to economically viable communities and a rural quality of life. For more information visit ANCA at www.adirondack.org or call 518-891-6200. Terry Martino can be reached at anca-martino@northnet.org. |
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