POTSDAM -- The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) today met and passed resolutions in support of two projects in Ogdensburg.

A news release from Empire State Development says the council “endorsed a resolution” to support the rehabilitation of the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge.

The group passed a resolution “supporting Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblywoman Addie Russell’s bill to convey St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center properties in Ogdensburg to the City of Ogdensburg and strongly urged favorable consideration of the bill by the members of the Senate and Assembly,” ESD said.

The meeting, which was held at Clarkson, also included committee updates, reports on project progress and announcement of public forums throughout the region in coming weeks, none of which will be in St. Lawrence County.

“Council co-chairs Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Tony Collins, president of Clarkson University, invited and encouraged 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 group said in a news release.

The Council also welcomed two new members, Reg Carter, executive director of Citec, and Michele Ledoux, owner of Adirondack Beef Company and executive director of Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Empire State Development gave a presentation on a new round of the Restore NY Program, which the council says “aims to revitalize urban areas and stabilize neighborhoods through investments in projects as a means to attract residents and businesses.”

“It is terrific to welcome new members to the Council who bring fresh perspectives and added insights to the strategies and vision created for the North Country based on broad public participation and input from across the region,” Collins said.

“Everything is on course and well underway for this year's funding competition," said Douglas.

The NCREDC, which is composed of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, is one of 10 regional councils across New York State. There are now 373 projects that have been awarded a total of $423.2 million in the North Country in support from Albany through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.