CANTON – Clarkson University’s Cheel Campus Center was the site of the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency’s recent Annual Meeting.

The SLCIDA elected its officers for the upcoming year: Chairman Brian W. Staples, Vice-Chairman Ernest LaBaff, and Secretary Lynn Blevins.

The board also unanimously appointed Patrick J. Kelly as its chief executive officer and Thomas A. Plastino as its chief financial officer. Andrew W. Silver of the Silver and Collins law firm was reappointed as the SLCIDA’s agency counsel.

In accepting the chairmanship, Staples said, “The IDA knows it cannot do its job without key support and cooperation of economic development partners. We are grateful for their knowledge and assistance, and will continue to build on these partnerships as we work to improve the economy of St. Lawrence County.”

Chairman Staples highlighted the IDA’s relationship with Clarkson University as one such partnership, “Whether it is providing bond financing for a facility like the Cheel Center or by working together to connect our existing and prospective businesses with the research and development capabilities at Clarkson, we will continue to seek ways to work together to build on the unique advantages that our colleges and universities bring to St. Lawrence County.”

Clarkson University President and North Country Regional Economic Development Co-Chair Tony Collins welcomed the IDA board members and staff, saying, “Clarkson University appreciates the diligent work being done by the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency to support economic development activity across many sectors critical to the North Country. From developing new job opportunities to building sustainable communities, the IDA is a valued partner of Clarkson University as well all of us who want to make St. Lawrence County a great place to live, learn and work."

The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency is a public benefit corporation created by New York State legislation to promote, encourage, attract and develop job opportunities and economically sound commerce and industry in St. Lawrence County.

The Industrial Development Agency and the IDA’s Civic Development Corporation have issued over $875 million in bonds over the past 40 years, of which approximately $400 million have been for civic facility projects. In addition to the projects at Clarkson, civic facility bonds have been issued for United Helpers, St. Lawrence University, the State University of New York at Potsdam Auxiliary & College Educational Services, Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Hospital and E.J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur.