Local businesses are the cornerstones of our communities. And they need our support now more than ever. As we head into a unique holiday season, each of our local purchases makes a difference. 

In this month's What's Up North blog, ANCA Artisan Programs Coordinator Lauren Richard reflects on the power of buying local and the small ways each of us can support businesses in our communities. 

As existential threats rocked our region’s small businesses and communities this year, ANCA members stepped up, helping us provide essential support during a time of crisis.

Our members and donors are investing in community-based programs that will benefit our region for generations to come.

Now is the time to build a New Economy that localizes our food supply, lifts up small businesses and is powered by a regional clean energy economy. 

Thank you!

ANCA is happy to join a number of regional partners in supporting SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center's holiday shopping campaign.

The "Buy Local or Bye-Bye Local" effort reminds us all how important locally owned businesses are to our communities and how every local purchase we make helps businesses remain open for all of us to enjoy.

Kudos to all the partners who are supporting this campaign, including Z106.3. The Plattsburgh-based radio station is producing free ads for ten small businesses to raise awareness about local shopping.

"Wood" you be interested in purchasing a North Country business that specializes in custom, handcrafted log railings, stairs, furniture and more?

Scott Phillips of Adirondack LogWorks in Schroon Lake is looking for the right craftsperson to take over his business.

Crafty entrepreneurs can connect with this and other existing businesses on the CBIT's new website at ownanorthcountrybusiness.com. Contact the Center for Businesses in Transition to learn more: transitions@adirondack.org.  

Do you represent a chamber of commerce, educational institution, partnership or economic development organization and would like to become more involved in the Center for Businesses in Transition partnership? 

The Center is currently accepting applications for Community Liaisons to serve from January through June 2021.  Applications are due by Tuesday, December 15, 2020. 

Do you have a small or medium sized business with a great story to tell and some hot-ticket items to give in return for your supporters’ contributions? Need a piece of equipment or have an idea for a clearly defined small-scale project that will dramatically support the growth and sustainability of your enterprise? 

Ignite!, ANCA's crowdfunding platform for North Country businesses, may be right for you.

Photo: Origin Coffee in Saranac Lake raised funds for a new coffee machine in 2018 through the Ignite! program.

Residents and businesses along the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway are invited to offer feedback on intepretive signs designed to highlight historical, cultural and natural features along the Route 28 corridor.

Drafts of the first three signs, created for ANCA by Saranac Lake-based Adirondack Research, will be on display at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek and Byron Park building in Indian Lake until December 15, 2020, and can also be viewed online.

ANCA is thrilled to announce that we will again be partnering with NYSERDA and the Capital District Regional Planning Commission under the second round of NYSERDA's Clean Energy Communities program.

There are three more webinars in the Pathways to Energy Efficiency series, which focuses on increasing energy efficiency and reducing utility costs with renewable energy options.

Watch live on Facebook, Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m.:

• Dec. 1: Reading Your Community Solar Bill
• Dec. 8: Choosing a Light Bulb 
• Dec. 15: R-Value and Choosing the Right Insulation

Past sessions in the series can be viewed on CCE of Jefferson County and ANCA's Facebook pages. 

Earlier this month, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that $11M in funds from the State's allocation of the federal Volkswagen Settlement will be used to expand electric transportation infrastructure across New York.

The program addresses goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) to increase access to clean energy and the benefits of sustainable infrastructure. This latest announcement will advance EV adoption and improve access to charging stations in disadvantaged communities in upstate and northern New York.

Charging station developers for the North Country region are invited to apply by February 18, 2021.

This is great news, coming on the heels of ON-RAMP, ANCA's clean transportation summit, where we convened stakeholders and partners who are committed to advancing clean transportation efforts in the region.  

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.