The New York Power Authority has created a new position focused on spurring economic development in St. Lawrence County and the greater North Country region.

NYPA has named Patricia Wilson, Massena, to become the new economic development manager for NYPA in Northern New York.

“The momentum is there for St. Lawrence County and the North Country at large to realize positive, impactful change to its economy,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “With Patricia on board, NYPA can readily lend its expertise to this vitally important effort.”

In that role, Wilson will be responsible for "identifying, evaluating, structuring and implementing a variety of NYPA economic development initiatives in Northern New York," the authority said. "She will be working with all stakeholders who are seeking to implement a new economic development strategy in the region."

Wilson was previously a marketing director at CITEC, Potsdam, which works directly with manufacturers and technology companies in the North Country to help implement state of the art technologies, modern manufacturing practices and progressive business and workforce development techniques.

NYPA operates the St. Lawrence-FDR Hydroelectric Project in Massena, one of the region’s largest employers. NYPA funded an extensive economic development study, released earlier this year, which identified several key areas where St. Lawrence County was best positioned to boost its tax base and add jobs, including advanced manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. Wilson will work with local stakeholders to move initiatives in those sectors forward.

Wilson will report to Keith Hayes, NYPA vice president of marketing.

“We are thrilled to have Patricia come on board at the Power Authority,” Hayes said “She brings with her the experience required to represent NYPA as we help to spur job growth and capital investments in the North Country.”