ANCA's 2020-2025 Strategic Plan lays out a roadmap for the systems-level changes needed to increase regional prosperity and help the economy work better for all of us.

While the plan was written before the pandemic exposed how vulnerable many people are in a business-as-usual scenario, it outlines a pathway to change business-as-usual systems, focusing on three key areas that keep wealth local and build prosperity:

• Food Systems
• Energy Economy
• Entrepreneurial Economy

This work has never been more critical to the future of our communities. We are glad to be working with you as we implement this plan.

A key element of ANCA's work is the localization of the supply chains that serve our economies and people.   

Today, it is our pleasure to introduce Maura Maguire, one of ANCA’s 2020 Graduate Fellows. Based on her studies and experience, Maura's What's Up North blog outlines a pathway to localizing our region’s supply chains.

Thank you, Maura, for helping us better understand and address this challenge!  

ANCA’s 2020 Annual Meeting will focus on how racial justice and equity need to be part of rebuilding post-pandemic local economies. With our five-year strategic plan hot off the press, we will examine how justice and inclusion are critical ingredients in the New Economy. 

Please save the date and stay tuned for more information about this important conversation:

What: Racial Justice in the New Economy
When: Friday, September 18, 2020, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Due to the support of regional partners and growing public interest and engagement, the Adirondack Diversity Inititative (ADI) continues to expand its virtual discussions about antiracism and racial justice.

North Country Community College, ADI, John Brown Lives! and ANCA are offering a new four-part series that focuses on ther region's Black history.

You can help an aspiring small business owner realize her North Country dreams.

The Center for Businesses in Transition partnership is asking for help identifying businesses in the region that fit a particular description to help connect new entrepreneurs with retiring business owners:

Do you know of a North Country restaurant owner who may want to retire but may or may not have made those plans public? Ideally, the restaurant would have apartments or a lodging component associated with it.

If this sounds like a business owner you know, please refer them to fill out the online form below and contact us at ddelaini@adirondack.org.

In last month's informational webinar, presenters from Bowers & Company CPAs, PLLC addressed pressing questions from North Country business owners who are preparing for retirement.

You can now view "What Now? Planning for Succession in Uncertain Times" on ANCA's Youtube channel.

Point Positive Inc.'s virtual workshops will help you grow the skills you need to brand, market and effectively launch a business. Network with like-minded entrepreneurs and build the foundation to jump-start your business online with this 4-week series, starting August 12. 

The workshops are provided by the North Country Innovation Hotspot Program at Clarkson’s Shipley Center and Point Positive. Sessions are free to attend, but registration is required. 

Thanks to the generosity of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the North Country Chamber of Commerce was awarded funding to help reimburse small businesses for some of their expenses related to equipment and materials needed for reopening.

Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis and are limited to small businesses.

Maura Maguire, ANCA Graduate Fellow and Clarkson University grad student, will be conducting research on our local food supply and local supply chains. We currently lack basic information on this aspect of our local food system, and Maura’s research will help to fill a critical gap. Thank you Maura!

ANCA staff are working to establish a database of businesses that comprise the production, processing, distribution and disposal sectors of our local food system such as farm, slaughterhouses, food hubs, retail locations (stores and farmers’ markets), and compost operations.

If you operate a business and would like to be included in the database please contact ANCA Local Food System Coordinator Adam Dewbury at adewbury@adirondack.org.  

ANCA's Clean Transportation Summit is going virtual. The new format will convene organizers of the 2023 World University Games with community stakeholders, policymakers, financial institutions and others with the goal of ensuring a low-carbon transportation system for the Games and beyond.

Stay tuned for more info about the event and registration. And save the date!

What: Clean Transportation: the Adirondack ON-RAMP
When: September 29-30 and October 1, 2 & 5 (times TBA for each 1-2 hour session)
Where: Virtual

Cornell Cooperative Extension, in partnership with ANCA is launching Pathways to Energy Efficiency — a Facebook Live video series starting August 4, 2020 at 12:15 p.m.

The series can be viewed live on Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County and ANCA's Facebook pages.

For more info, contact ANCA's Jennifer Perry at  jperry@adirondack.org or tune in through ANCA’s facebook page.   

Clinton County is the North Country’s fourth and final community with a population over 40,000 to receive designation under Round 1 of NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program.

To receive CEC designation, Clinton County: 

• Benchmarked energy use in County-owned buildings
• Installed an EV charging station at the County airport 
• Authorized Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing
• Organized a successful Solar for All campaign

The County is proposing to spend its $150,000 grant on interior LED lighting upgrades and HVAC upgrades with premium efficiency motors and variable frequency drives (VFDs). Stay tuned for the CEC Round 2 update soon.

• The DEC and local officials are increasing clean hydro power capacity with upgrades to the Imperial Mills Dam in Plattsburgh. Read more.

• John Culpepper of North Country School/ Camp Treetops is partnering with AdkAction and others to spark a compost revolution with large-scale composters. Read more. 

• A wastewater plant in Bolton, Warren County is seeing positive results from their Woodchip Bioreactor which uses locally sourced wood chips to help remove nitrates from wastewater effluent emptying into Lake George. Read more.

When: Last session date TBA
Where: Virtual via Zoom

When: Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. through August 6
Where: Virtual via Zoom

When: Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. through August 27
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Every person living in the North Country deserves to be counted, represented and factored into federal policy and funding decisions for our region. 

You can complete the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail until the extended deadline of October 31. But don't delay!

When we all respond, we all benefit.

ANCA members are growing the New Economy by building strong and resilient systems for local food, clean energy and small businesses. Become an ANCA member today.