By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The mayor wants to eventually get rid of the Massena Business Development Corporation as he takes what he describes as community development approach to local government, rather than economic development.

“I think we have to transition away from the economic development model and move to community development model, period,” Currier said.

He described community development as improving overall appearance and feel of a town, making it an inviting place to live and do business, primarily controlled by the public sector. He feels economic development, actual job creation, should be a regional approach with smaller entities like towns and villages collaborating, primarily a private sector task.

At a budget presentation on Tuesday, he said he wants to “transition away from the BDC model to a planning office, some structure of a planning office.”

“Last year I had an issue with seeing the BDC go away. I think it’s time, I think there’s a better way to do things. What is the plan?” Trustee Tim Ahlfeld said.

“If it’s going to go away, we’ve got to decide how to do it. There are some advantages to having a local development corporation. They have assets. They’re administering one grant,” Currier said.

“My guess would be you have a plan in place,” Ahlfeld said.

“Mhmm,” Currier replied in the affirmative.

Ahlfeld said he wants to see Massena have a seat at the table with the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, which selects projects to send on to the Albany for to be considered as part of an annual competitive state funding contest.