BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Economic Developer Tyler Park helped establish a partnership between the city and Small Business Development Corporation, which aims to help small businesses owners gain access to resources.

The partnership is among several goals set by the city's newest staff member in recent weeks and was made official by council via a memorandum of understanding approved Monday Sept. 22.

Park said the city has many businesses but few resources to support them in the city. He said this partnership is something that can remedy that imbalance.

Park said the SBDC has assisted the city in the past and has a solid track record of success.

He said that the support from SBDC should alleviate some of the frustration felt by local businesses.

He said a number of business owners he's dealt with have expressed a variety of complaints in dealing with the city, his goal is to bring some relief.

Also speaking at the Monday meeting was North Country SBDC Director Dale Rice who explained a bit what the center does.

Founded in 1998 the SBDC has worked with more than 16,000 businesses and helped them invest $276 million into the area's economy, according to the organization's website. They also boast having helped to create or save nearly 9,000 jobs in Clinton, Essex, Franklin Hamilton, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington Counties.

Rice noted that the SBDC recently went from three employees to six and intends to have staff available twice a week.

City council members offered praise for Park's efforts and said they believed the partnership will provide much-needed assistance to the city's local businesses.