This story original appeared in the “Progress 2017” section of North Country This Week. MASSENA -- The Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena saw a busy year in 2016, with …
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This story original appeared in the “Progress 2017” section of North Country This Week.
MASSENA -- The Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena saw a busy year in 2016, with progress being made on many fronts to redevelop the region.
The BDC was instrumental in the approval of a loan to Swift Labs, LLC from the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency (RVRDA) in the amount of $30,000. The purpose of the loan is to assist in the company’s project to renovate the former Lincoln Mercury dealership property at 351 E. Orvis St. in Massena. The proposed project will result in improvements to the mixed-use property, which included commercial space, the Clarkson University Hot Spot Incubator in Massena, an eyeglass lens manufacturing lab and apartment rental space.
In partnership with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (SLCIDA) we are working with Alcoa on early stage activities relating to the eventual marketing, reuse and redevelopment of the former Alcoa East plant site.
We have completed our rail siding project in the Massena Industrial Park. We have an agreement with the New York Power Authority to bring utility poles into Massena on the siding and are in discussion with other potential users of the rail spur.
As part of the New York Power Authority St. Lawrence County Economic Development Study’s initiative, we are working with the SLCIDA in the agricultural, materials and entrepreneur working groups, which include various stakeholders through the county.
We continue to participate in the Regional Economic Development Council process, as evidenced by membership roles in the REDC’s Global North Country Committee, and in the Opportunity Agenda Working Group, the Workforce Committee, and the Small Business/Community Development Committee.
On May 16, 2016, with the SLCIDA, we hosted an event in Massena with Senator Gillibrand’s office to discuss how federal resources can assist with strengthening the region’s economy.
The BDC also worked with SLCIDA-LDC 2016 on the transition of the Workforce Development Board to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
We were awarded a RVRDA loan in the amount of $66,250 to assist in expanding and paving the rail spur trans load pad with heavy duty concrete. Companies have expressed interest in utilizing the spur to its fullest if equipped with a stable, concrete platform.
The village was awarded a $75,000 grant to assist in establishing a downtown revitalization fund called Heart of the Community to be used to assist and incentivize the attraction, retention and expansion of downtown businesses.
With SLCIDA we participate in a countywide economic developers marketing meeting to ensure coordination of marketing efforts, strategic objectives and general operation activities of the local, county and regional developers.
We participated in the North Country Symposium (SLU) and the Economic Fusion (SUNY Potsdam).