POTSDAM -- The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) today held its first meeting of 2016 in Potsdam.

The meeting provided the council with an opportunity to kick-off planning for round six of the competition-based state grants, as well as report on progress to date.

They also began discussions on new initiatives including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Upstate Airport Revitalization Competition, which are proposed in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's 2016-2017 Executive Budget.

The council welcomed five new members: Potsdam Town Supervisor Rollin Beattie, Watertown Mayor Joseph Butler Jr., St. Lawrence County legislature Chairman John Burke, Jefferson County legislature chairman Scott Gray and Clinton County legislature Chairman Harry McManus.

The organziation invited businesses, organizations, labor and education representatives, as well as members of the public, from Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties to participate in the public meeting.

The council saw presentations by Executive Vice President of Innovation & Broadband, on the New NY Broadband Program Jeffrey Nordhaus and Director of Mentoring for Upstate Melinda Sanderson.

Collins also provided an overview of the St. Lawrence County Economic Development Study. New York Power Authority conducted in consultation with over 130 county officials and economic development experts as part of the agreement for their Moses-Saunders Power Project licensing review. That document is at http://bit.ly/1Q5SaeX.

The meeting wrapped up with the council providing an update on the status of all regional council projects, including a summary of the 2015 Regional Council awards. In December, the North Country council was awarded $85.1 million for 82 projects.