MASSENA -- The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) is inviting all individuals, businesses, organizations, labor and university representatives in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties to provide suggestions for job growth opportunities.

A public forum will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 at Hawkins Point Visitors Center, 21 Hawkins Point Rd., and will provide an opportunity for people to share ideas.

The forum will allow those attending to learn about this year’s planning process and to provide input to the council as it refines and updates its strategic plan and identifies potential priority projects for the next few years.

Those planning to attend are asked to register by visiting www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com.

NCREDC, which is composed of St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson and Lewis counties, is one of 10 regional councils across the state that serve as a single point of contact for economic activity in the various regions.

Its Strategic Plan and priority projects can also be found at www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com.

Last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of ten Regional Economic Development Councils to transform New York’s approach to economic development. The Regional Councils exceeded all expectations and redefined the way New York invests in job creation.

Cuomo has launched a second round of up to $750 million in economic development funding, including $220 million to implement regional strategic plans and support priority projects – $150 million in capital and $70 million in tax credits from the Excelsior Jobs Program – and over $530 million from state agency programs through the CFA to support regionally significant economic development projects.