FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 29, 2022
Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Officer, [email protected],
518.891.6200
$100,000 National Grid Grant Supports ANCA’s Center for Businesses in Transition
Conference for business buyers and sellers set for February 12-14, 2023 in Saranac Lake
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — National Grid has awarded $100,000 to the Adirondack North Country
Association (ANCA) to support the regional nonprofit’s North Country Center for Businesses in Transition
(CBIT) and a skills-building and networking conference for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The grant award will advance the CBIT partnership’s ongoing work supporting local business transitions,
including its Small Communities. Big Opportunities.: Own a North Country Business Conference on
February 12-14, 2023.
The grant is funded through National Grid’s Project C initiative, which supports projects across New York
State with a focus on clean energy and sustainability; workforce development; neighborhood investment
and community engagement; and environmental justice and social equity. Project C is funded by
shareholders of the regional energy company.
“Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in owners reaching out to
CBIT who are eager to accelerate their exit strategies from three-to-five year plans to more immediate
exits,” said ANCA Entrepreneurial Economy Program Director Danielle Delaini. “National Grid’s support
comes at a crucial time and will help to attract and support both local and out-of-state entrepreneurs
interested in taking over North Country businesses.”
Delaini said the National Grid grant will also allow CBIT partners to provide succession planning support
for business owners through 2023. “These resources will help prevent business closures, darkened
storefronts and job losses throughout the North Country,” she said.
“The Center for Businesses in Transition changes the trajectory for businesses in the North Country,”
said Alberto Bianchetti, National Grid’s regional director of customer and community engagement. “It
shifts the course for a store or service at the end of its respective lifecycle to a period of rebirth,
preserving its presence in the community and ensuring that their customers can continue to rely on the
products and services that are essential to a vibrant community.”
The Small Communities. Big Opportunities.: Own a North Country Business conference is set to take place
both in-person and virtually on February 12 to 14, 2023, on the heels of Saranac Lake’s ten-day Winter
Carnival. The event’s in-person reception, workshops and networking opportunities will be based at The
Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake.
“The CBIT program has been incredibly beneficial to our Saranac Lake area businesses. We have business
owners who are now thinking ahead and planning their transitions to retirement and entrepreneurs who
are exploring our area businesses,” said Rachel Karp, executive director of the Saranac Lake Area
Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to be hosting the conference in Saranac Lake so we can
showcase what an amazing place it is to live, work and play. Saranac Lake is rich in history, has a vibrant
arts community, and we hope attendees will have a chance to enjoy some of our Winter Carnival
festivities.”
CBIT hosted its inaugural Small Communities. Big Opportunities.: Own a North Country Business
conference, which took place virtually, in February 2021. Over 180 people registered for the online
event, with smaller groups connecting through informational workshops and matchmaking sessions.
Delaini noted that additional funding for the 2023 conference and CBIT program has been provided by
Adirondack Foundation; Community Bank; Franklin County Government Office of Economic
Development and Tourism; New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), an Avangrid Company; and SUNY
Canton Small Business Development Center. “This opportunity would not be possible without the
generosity of these regional sponsors,” she said. “We are grateful for their investment in the future of
North Country small businesses and communities.”
Registration for the three-day in-person conference costs $100; participants who sign up by January 20,
2023 receive a discounted early bird rate of $80. The virtual option costs $75 with a $60 early bird rate.
Online registration opens on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at www.adirondack.org/SCBO. Questions
about the event may be directed to CBIT at [email protected].
CBIT was established by ANCA in 2018 with funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission in
order to address the loss of area businesses by connecting business owners with potential buyers,
planning tools and existing succession planning services. The partnership is currently comprised of 13
community liaisons and partners across ANCA’s 14-county service area, including representatives from
the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, Adirondack Park Agency Economic Services, Essex
County Industrial Development Agency, Franklin County Economic Development Corporation, Greater
Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton County Economic Development, Lewis
County Economic Development, Living ADK, St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Saranac Lake
Area Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center, Ti-Alliance, and
Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.ownanorthcountrybusiness.com.
Attached: one (1) PDF and one (1) photo
Photo: Rich Burns, manager of customer & community engagement at National Grid presents a $100,000
grant award to (left to right) Rachel Karp, Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director;
Elizabeth Cooper, ANCA Executive Director; and Danielle Delaini, ANCA Entrepreneurial Economy Program
Director, on November 22, 2022 at The Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake, N.Y. The funds will support the
Center for Businesses in Transition’s Small Businesses. Big Opportunities.: Own a North Country Business
Conference on February 12-14, 2023 and other 2023 programs.
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity
across northern New York. ANCA’s community-informed, results-driven strategies for local food
producers, small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs and municipal innovators offer targeted
interventions that are designed to keep wealth and value in local communities.
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more
than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused
on building a path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision.
National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more
resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information,
please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our
photos on Instagram.
The North Country Center for Businesses in Transition (CBIT) partnership includes ANCA and the following
organizations:
The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation Inc. (AEDC) is a not-for-profit economic development
corporation. AEDC was formed in 1976 as a cooperative effort of community leaders from towns in the northern
Adirondacks to reduce traditionally higher than average levels of unemployment and to expand employment
opportunities for the residents of the region. The AEDC’s mission is to foster the growth of North Country
communities through support for existing and new small businesses.
The Essex County Industrial Development Agency’s (ECIDA) mission is to create a viable business environment that
will attract compatible and diverse sustainable economic development opportunities focusing on major assets,
retention/expansion and attraction projects for public benefit to encourage business development and advance job
opportunities, health, general prosperity and economic conditions to improve the standard of living and quality of
life. They can provide assistance to eligible projects; financing, economic incentives, assistance with local regulatory
agencies and building and site location assistance.
Franklin County Economic Development Corp. exists to improve the quality of life in the Franklin County region by
supporting economic growth, employment and community development. FCEDC offers a broad range of services to
help local businesses expand and succeed. From loans and tax incentives, to technical assistance, to buildings and
business parks, we’re here to help grow local business.
The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce (GWNC) is a membership organization with over
100 years of experience working to strengthen business and enhance the community in the Greater Watertown –
North Country region. Since its establishment in 1903, the chamber has grown to become the largest business
association in the North Country. They represent businesses of varying sizes and industries, helping them to drive
growth and make meaningful connections.
Hamilton County Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Hamilton County Industrial
Development Agency (HCIDA): HCIDA assists with the general prosperity and economic welfare of the citizens of
Hamilton County. The primary objective of the agency is to encourage and foster entrepreneurial activity, business
expansion and job creation. The Economic Development and Tourism Department advocates, promotes and helps
to improve the quality of life in our communities both for our residents and our visitors. We help to foster the
development of healthy businesses and institutions through marketing, networking, promotion, business
assistance and outreach.
Lewis County Economic Development and IDA, as a one-stop-shop, work together as the central office to provide
business assistance and new business development in Lewis County, NY. The agency works locally and regionally to
enhance business opportunities, help create jobs and maintain economic stability within Lewis County. Through the
Naturally Lewis brand, we promote Lewis County as the ‘natural choice’ to live, work and do business.
Living ADK is a regional not-for-profit that focuses on the Western Central Adirondacks. This organization works
locally and regionally, in a flexible manner, to tackle the issues affecting local communities in the immediate.
Recently these needs have surrounded housing access, healthcare expansion, food security, climate change effect
mitigation and sustainable economies. Year-round sustainable economies require a healthy number of businesses,
a variety of business types and longevity for the businesses we already have. LivingADK will continue to spotlight
and expand existing programs on a local level to maintain this healthy balance.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Inc. plays a pivotal role in strengthening and maintaining the
economic health of St. Lawrence County. The mission of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is to
cultivate, develop and support Chamber members and other businesses by creating a vibrant business climate that
encourages growth and enhances the unique quality of life in St. Lawrence County.
The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (SLACC) acts as a catalyst for business and community development
in the Greater Saranac Lake Area. SLACC provides services for its membership and generates economic
development with promotional and marketing strategies.
The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is a non-profit organization that serves, markets and
promotes the Ticonderoga Area including Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Hague, Moriah and Putnam, NY. TACC serves
as the area’s Business and Visitor Center. TACC’s Mission is to initiate and provide programs, services and
leadership which will enhance a cooperative business community and create a vibrant economy, making the
Ticonderoga Area an exceptional place to live, work and visit. TACC’s Vision is to be the leading advocate for
business, serving as a driving force in the economic vitality of the greater Ticonderoga Area, uniting communities
and maximizing resources. TACC’s key areas of focus include: membership, business, tourism, communication,
leadership and organization.
Ticonderoga Revitalization Alliance (Ti-Alliance) is a non-profit 501c3 local development corporation (LDC) whose
mission is to restore economic prosperity in the Ticonderoga region by serving as a catalyst for innovative ideas and
resources, and for public-private partnerships and investment opportunities.
The SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Clinton Community College is part of a statewide
network of business assistance centers supported by the State University of New York and the Small Business
Administration. The New York State SBDC (NY SBDC) is accredited by America’s Small Business Development
Centers (ASBDC). The SBDC is charged with assisting North Country entrepreneurs, small business, and industry
through advising, training, and research. Additionally, the SBDC provides needed services to manufacturers,
women, veterans, minority, and physically challenged individuals, or on businesses impacting distressed and
targeted areas. Counseling services are free and confidential.
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