North Country Regional Economic Development Council To Hold Public Comment Session on Draft Strategic Plan
Council presents draft strategy, seeks public input on plan at its next meeting
The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) announced today it will present its Draft Strategic Plan and offer the public an opportunity to comment on the summary at its next meeting Friday, November 4th at SUNY Potsdam. The Draft Plan will be presented at 11 a.m. in the Barrington Student Union Multi-Purpose Room at SUNY Potsdam. The presentation will be followed immediately by a public comment session. In addition, SUNY Potsdam will be webcasting this meeting beginning at 11 a.m. to allow for greater participation across the North Country region. A link to the webcast will be made available on the NCREDC’s website at www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com.
A draft of the key elements of the strategic plan was made available for public review last week. The Council is encouraging comment in person at its next meeting, but also directly to council members, through the website, or by email at nys-northcountry@empire.state.ny.us.
The North Country Regional Economic Development Council has scheduled a final meeting of the Council on Friday, November 11 at Clarkson University in Potsdam, to approve and adopt the strategic plan before the submission deadline of November 14.
The North Country Regional Council, which is comprised of a diverse group of 30 area leaders from the private and public sectors, labor, chambers of commerce, higher education, and community-based organizations, is working to create a five year strategic plan for economic development in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Created by Governor Cuomo, the Regional Economic Development Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state’s approach to economic development—from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes regions’ unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.
The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is one of ten regional councils across New York that will serve as a single point of contact for economic activity in the region. Through their strategic planning process, the Councils will identify and expedite priority projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for job growth. As part of the initiative, up to $1 billion in state resources will be accessible to eligible economic development projects through existing program grants and tax credits.
Each Regional Council will develop a plan for the development of their region, which will provide a regional vision for economic development, address critical issues and opportunities, and lay out an implementation roadmap for future growth. The state will work with the Regional Councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.
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Posted: November 1st, 2011 under General News.