POTSDAM -- At its second meeting of 2017 the North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) welcomed a new member, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Office of Economic Development Director Christopher Thompson.

The council also received status updates on various projects and discussed regional elements enacted in the 2017-2018 New York State Budget.

Department of State representatives provided an overview of Round 2 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, with applications from municipalities due June 14.

The Council discussed the recently opened Round 7 for Consolidated Funding Applications, which will be accepted until July 28.

The Upstate Revitalization Initiative Committee, established in February, discussed its efforts and recommended projects for the second phase. David Wolff, Adirondack Action Board Chair, also presented an update on North Country broadband efforts.

“We remain fully committed to elevating global recognition of the North Country as one of the special places on the planet to visit, live, work and study,” said NCREDC co-chair Tony Collins, president of Clarkson University.

“Since the inception of the governor’s community-based approach to economic development, we have been buoyed by broad public participation in the process and the support from public officials and private businesses,” Collins said.

The NCREDC, which is composed of St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson and Lewis counties, is one of 10 regional councils across the state.

In 2011, the 10 regional councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations.

For more information on the regional councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.