The North Country Alliance (NCA) Local Development Corporation recently closed a loan of $150,000 to JProulx, Inc. for the development of the new Canton Save-A-Lot store.

Store owner Jeff Proulx said the financing he got from the NCA was “critical” to establishment of his newest store, in the University Plaza on East Main Street.

Proulx owns and operates other Save-A-Lot stores in Potsdam, Gouverneur and Ogdensburg in St. Lawrence County and others elsewhere.

“I just opened my eighth store and the NCA has been there to participate in funding for the second time,” said Proulx, president of JProulx, Inc. “It has been very critical for me to get financing from the NCA as they have always been there for me to close the financial gap between my investment and conventional financing. Without the NCA’s participation I could not have grown as fast as I have.”

Proulx proposed a $770,000 project to establish the store, with the funds being used for machinery, equipment, and working capital.

About 22 full and part-time workers were hired for the Canton location when it opened last September.

According to St. Lawrence County IDA CEO and North Country Alliance Board Member Patrick J. Kelly, “The St. Lawrence County IDA, a long-time member of the North Country Alliance, was pleased to sponsor the NCA’s loan for Save-A-Lot’s new Canton store. Save-A-Lot’s presence in St. Lawrence County not only provides more options for grocery shopping, it creates jobs and has led to the revitalization of a number of retail locations throughout the County. We congratulate them on this new store and wish them the best for their continued growth.”

People may visit www.northcountryalliance.org for more information about the North Country Alliance and its regional revolving loan fund.