POTSDAM -- The inaugural meeting of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council will be led by Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy Friday, Aug. 5 at 11 a.m. in SUNY Potsdam's Barrington Student Union.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the new North Country Regional Council in a speech given at SUNY Potsdam am week ago. More than 300 people attended as Cuomo told the audience about his plan for revitalizing the economy of New York State with several regional councils focusing on the task.

As the governor explains it, the regional councils represent a shift in the state's approach to economic development, from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes regions' unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.

In the initial meetings, council members will identify key regional issues and opportunities, discuss a regional economic vision, identify work groups to focus on public engagement, and outline elements of a plan.

“It is both fitting and humbling that our campus has been chosen to host this forward-thinking initiative," said SUNY Potsdam President Dr. John F. Schwaller, announcing that the school will be the host institution for the North Country council. "We look forward to working with our regional council as we chart a new course for the North Country and for our state."

Lieutenant Governor Duffy said, "Involving community stakeholders and focusing on local economies will finally allow New York to identify and take advantage of the assets offered by different regions in the state. As chair of the regional councils, I look forward to beginning our work together to open New York up for business and make our plans for economic development and job creation a reality."