Brian McGrath, the 122nd Assembly District Democrat candidate, has created a new web site, www.stopthebraindrain.com, chronicling the stories of young people forced to leave the North Country to find work, and seeking input on how to keep our best and brightest.

"Every North Country family knows someone who has been forced to leave our area to find work,” McGrath said.

“I've heard from too many moms that seeing their kids once a year at Christmas just isn't enough. We need to do something different to create opportunity here. I hope this web site starts a conversation. Thousands of North Country kids would love to be closer to their homes and families, bur our stagnant economy doesn't afford them that opportunity," said McGrath.

The web site features homemade webcam videos of young people who grew up in the North Country, tried to find work here, but were forced to move elsewhere to find stable jobs.

Amanda Dox, formerly of DeKalb Junction, speaks of her great education at St. Lawrence, her love for the North Country, and her inability to find a stable job close to home after graduation.

Cody Dolly, originally of Gouverneur, discusses the challenges of starting a financial services business locally, and why he left for Florida area after many of his clients moved away.

Taylor Kay, who grew up in Canton, explains why he had to leave for Portland, Maine, and how he misses his friends and family in the North Country.

Sal Cania grew up in Potsdam, and his family is still here. Frustrated by the lack of opportunity in the North Country, he left for Hanover, New Hampshire, to work at Dartmouth College.

Chris Gratto grew up in Canton. Chris tells of how he found a job in the North Country and enjoyed staying close to home, but it was unstable, so he left for an opportunity in New York City. He wishes there were more opportunities here.

McGrath says the web site is the result of recent meetings with young professionals, college faculty and administrators, and area students. It integrates with Facebook and an interactive web bulletin board to facilitate an online conversation about ideas and strategies to improve the North Country economy. If elected, he says addressing the brain drain will be a priority.

For more information visit http://www.stopthebraindrain.com.