ANCA Convenes Community Members Around Clean Energy and Small Business Initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 25, 2025
Contact: Audrey Schwartzberg, ANCA Communications Director, [email protected], 518.891.6200

ANCA Convenes Community Members Around Clean Energy and Small Business Initiatives 
Lake Placid-based conference will focus on building a strong regional economy

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. — Building on past events that convene regional changemakers around timely economic issues, the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) invites North Country community members, industry experts, educators and advocates to explore opportunities to strengthen our region’s clean energy and small business future at the inaugural joint conference of ANCA’s Clean Energy and Small Communities. Big Opportunities. 

The conference will gather regional clean energy and small business stakeholders at the Lake Placid Conference Center, in Lake Placid, N.Y. from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2, 2025. Registration is open at adirondack.org/2025-anca-conference.

“We are thrilled to bring together community members of different backgrounds and areas of expertise for a unique gathering designed to share experiences and solutions to regional challenges,” said ANCA Executive Director Elizabeth Cooper. “In our work across the North Country, we find that many of the people we work with face similar economic challenges that require creative solutions and partnerships. This conference is for North Country farmers, business owners, energy contractors, local government officials and anyone interested in learning from each other and exploring new ideas and collaborations.”

The three-day educational and networking conference will allow participants to explore ways they can work together to foster a strong, resilient and inclusive North Country. The event starts on Wednesday with a tour where participants will travel in an electric school bus provided by NY Bus Sales. The tour will stop at Brookfield Renewable’s hydroelectric dam at Franklin Falls and visit Saranac Lake area small businesses that demonstrate the cross-pollination of successful rural entrepreneurship and energy efficiency upgrades. An evening welcome reception at the Hotel Saranac will be followed by a full day of networking and educational opportunities in Lake Placid. 

On Thursday, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a series of tracks focusing on rural resilience and climate solutions, methods of business success in rural landscapes, barriers faced by Regional Clean Energy Hubs, conversations surrounding renewable energy and wild lands, workforce development in the North Country, and strategies for engaging employees. Conference organizers and guest presenters aim to make this an action-oriented and collaborative event for attendees.

“Our goal is to spark conversations and provide resources to help businesses, local governments, and organizations adapt to changing economic and climate landscapes so we can foster resilience in our North Country communities,” said ANCA Clean Energy Program Director Jill Henck. “We welcome anyone eager to share their voice and experiences, build relationships, and learn from each other to understand how we can move forward together.” 

The event winds down on Friday with morning workshops and time to explore the Lake Placid area. Throughout the conference, there will also be opportunities to network with exhibitors including contractors, service providers, nonprofits, small businesses and others working to strengthen economies and build sustainable communities across New York State. 

To learn more and register, visit adirondack.org/2025-anca-conference. Conference registration costs $250 for the Thursday-Friday conference and $50 for Wednesday field trips and reception. Participants who find the cost of registration or travel to be a barrier are invited to inquire about financial support. Rooms reserved at The Devlin and Adirondack Grand in Lake Placid are limited and available at a special conference rate.  

Companies and organizations that have a service, product or message to share with conference attendees are invited to apply to exhibit at the event. Questions about the conference, lodging, registration, or event sponsorship opportunities may be directed to ANCA Event & Engagement Coordinator Caitlin Bottcher at [email protected] or 518.891.6200.

ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses, and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value in local communities. 

Attached: two (2) photos, courtesy of ANCA 

1) Attendees at ANCA’s 2024 Clean Energy Conference toured a hydroelectric facility operated by Brookfield Renewable in Black River, N.Y. ANCA’s 2025 joint Clean Energy and Small Opportunities. Big Opportunities. Conference will include an electric school bus tour with stops at Brookfield Renewable’s Franklin Falls facility as well as other sites featuring local efforts to strengthen the region’s clean energy and small business sectors. 

2) Small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and business support professionals gathered for learning and networking opportunities at the Hotel Saranac for ANCA’s 2023 Small Communities. Big Opportunities. Conference. 

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