POTSDAM -- More than 100 people attened the  North Country Regional Economic Development Council's second meeting today at SUNY Potsdam, and chairs were announced for nine subcommittees.

Lt. Governor Robert Duffy attended the session, which was led by North Country Regional Economic Development Council co-chairs Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Anthony Collins, President, Clarkson University.

During today’s session, the group announced and outlined the activities of its nine work groups and selected their leaders:

• Planning Committee – Adore Kurtz, Chair

• Adirondack Park – Bill Farber, Chair

• Strategic Clusters – Bill Murray, Chair

• Infrastructure – Jim Wright, Chair

• Canadian Connection – Garry Douglas, Chair

• Tourism Development – Jim McKenna, Chair

• Community Development – Cali Brooks, Chair

• Small Business Development – Anne Merrill, Chair

• Public Participation – Eric Virkler, Chair

The North Country Regional Council, which comprises of a diverse group of 30 area leaders from the private and public sectors, labor, chambers of commerce, higher education, and community-based organizations, is working to create a five year strategic plan for economic development in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

"The Regional Council's work is really getting underway now,” said Co-Chair Garry Douglas. “We have several working groups engaging in active discussions about everything from tourism and infrastructure to the region's strategic clusters and its special connection to Canada. This includes not only all of the council members but dozens of other talented people volunteering their time and experience.”

Douglas also said the council is planning region-wide participation in their work, planning “a number of ways for the public and various stakeholder groups to provide us with their opinions and suggestions. We're a vast region and have a rigorous timetable within which we must accomplish a huge task, but everyone involved is not only committed to the process but excited about the opportunity given to us by Governor Cuomo."

The next regular scheduled meeting is Sept. 9 at SUNY Potsdam. Other meetings dates and places set are: Sept. 12, Plattsburgh; Sept. 14, Tupper Lake; Sept. 19, Watertown. The council says it is encouraging public participation and feedback through outreach, community meetings, forums, and online at http://www.nyworks.ny.gov.

Co-Chair Anthony Collins said, “We are a region of remarkable diversity and expertise to build an economic development strategy that works for the North Country. One of our competitive advantages in this process is our region’s willingness for collaboration among private, nonprofit and public stakeholders who are well aware of each others’ talents and abilities to contribute to a shared vision and plan. We have seen this in the past and we will build on it in the future.”

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is one of ten regional councils across New York that will serve as a single point of contact for economic activity in the region. Through their strategic planning process, the councils will identify and expedite priority projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for job growth. As part of the initiative, up to $1 billion in state resources will be accessible to eligible economic development projects through existing program grants and tax credits.