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Nicholville Telephone's Slic gets $1.37 million for broadband expansion in $90 million North Country economic development award

Posted 12/19/12

POTSDAM -- SLIC Network Solutions is slated to receive $1.37 million for a project in the North Country Regional Economic Development Council's package of plans that garnered a $90.2 million state …

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Nicholville Telephone's Slic gets $1.37 million for broadband expansion in $90 million North Country economic development award

Posted

POTSDAM -- SLIC Network Solutions is slated to receive $1.37 million for a project in the North Country Regional Economic Development Council's package of plans that garnered a $90.2 million state aid award, announced today.

The project, to be done by Nicholville Telephone Company subsidiary Slic, is for installation of broadband lines to provide service to 750 households in Long Lake and the surrounding area.

This project supports the aim of expanded broadband access in the Adirondacks.

The project will require hiring 15 people during construction and five permanent employees, according to the submitted plan.

It is part of the second round of regional economic development awards to regional councils for development work in their regions.

Among other highlights of the projects submitted in the North Country’s application are:

• $300,000 to enable the Adirondack Meat Company of Ticonderoga to construct a 7,500 square foot meat processing plant and retail store, which supports the agricultural sector by providing access to a local processing facility for livestock.

• $2.5 million for the creation of a Community Transformation Tourism Fund. This new fund administered by the Adirondack Economic Development Council will establish a specialized loan fund for tourism-related ventures, which supports the need to foster tourism development across the North Country.

• $1.7 million to enhance broadband connectivity in Hamilton County. This Phase II support for the development of middle and last mile fiber in Hamilton County, which supports a key regional aim of bringing broadband access to all communities in the Adirondacks.

• $3 million for Creekwood Housing in Jefferson County to support the construction of 100 units of housing for families and military personnel, which supports the housing needs and future of Fort Drum.

• $1.75 million for International Paper to convert existing power plant from heating fuel to natural gas including equipment modifications for new natural gas line, or use of liquefied natural gas to support the long-term stability of this major manufacturing operation.

• $108,000 to the Adirondack Association of Towns Villages to create an Adirondack Park Recreation Web Portal designed to create, market, and sustain a web portal and database for tourism and recreation-related amenities and activities within the Adirondack Park. This involves all three regions which cover parts of the Adirondack Park and is therefore an example of a multi-regional project, including the North Country, Capital, and Mohawk Valley regions.

• $1 million for the redevelopment of the Lyons Falls Mill. Lewis County will demolish buildings, remediate a Brownfield, and develop a road to hydroelectric plant.

• $1 million for the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks to construct an elevated walkway with interactive exhibits as a major added attraction at the Wild Center to support tourism development in the region.

• $1.37 million to enable SLIC Network Solutions to install broadband in Long Lake and surrounding area. This project supports aim of expanded broadband access in the Adirondacks.

• $2 million for the construction of Carthage Apartments, 364 apartments in the Fort Drum area to support the housing needs and future of Fort Drum.

• $2.5 million for the Municipal Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Support Fund, which will provide the resources necessary to implement critical infrastructure projects including water, sewer and road or port enhancements. The project will allow each community to identify its own priorities that are aligned with the Regional Council Strategic Plan and to structure projects to support unique local needs. The objective is to leverage additional funds, attract and retain businesses, and serve existing and new residents and visitors

The North Country application last year earned the NCREDC a “Best Plan” award and a higher level of funding than other regional competitors.

This morning the North Country Council was given a “Top Performer Award” for its progress in implementing last year’s plan, earning another enhanced award this year.