Funding Will Support 34 Projects that Align with Region’s Strategic Plan

Region Awarded Additional $10 Million to Support Future Local High-Impact Projects

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that the North Country was awarded nearly $12.4 million through Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 Regional Economic Development Council initiative. This funding will support 34 projects across seven counties, leveraging $42.5 million in additional public and private investments. The North Country was also awarded $10 million to use toward future high-impact projects. 

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Governor Hochul’s REDCs continue to recommend proposals that will create jobs and spur new growth through a locally focused, bottom-up strategy to economic development. By awarding state funding to projects that align with regional priorities, New York is investing in new ideas, new efforts and new developments to promote community growth throughout the state.”

Secretary of State and REDC Chair Walter T. Mosley said, "I want to congratulate all the dedicated individuals who worked so hard in helping promote, shape and drive sustainable economic development in our communities. Over the years, the REDC initiative has created jobs, affordable housing and sparked economies all across our state and the Department of State has been proud to play a role. I look forward to witnessing the growth of our communities through this initiative and seeing these projects come to fruition.”

North Country Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Dr. Kathryn Morris and James McKenna said, "Our council is proud to support projects that drive the North Country’s long-term economic vitality. This year’s REDC awards directly invest in our four foundational pillars—placemaking, tradable sectors, workforce development, and regional innovation—ensuring a stronger future for our communities."

Projects awarded funding in the North Country include: 

• The Lake Placid Association for Music, Drama and Art, Inc. – $1.5 Million Regional Council Capital Fund grant: The Lake Placid Center for the Arts will fully renovate its 50-year-old facility and expand programming to reach a wider audience. The project includes a new LEED-certified theater, a visual arts gallery, a flexible education space, and a lobby for community gatherings and performances. The building upgrades will enable the center to expand programming and reach a wider audience amidst the backdrop of the Adirondack High Peaks. Additionally, the current educational space, which supports Head Start, will be expanded to allow for additional childcare slots.

   

• Little Lukes Childcare, LLC – $495,000 Regional Council Capital Fund grant: The Black River-based childcare company will purchase a vacant daycare building and open a new licensed childcare center. The project addresses urgent childcare needs in Jefferson County, where demand has grown due to daycare closures. A partnership with Milestones Children’s Center will allow the delivery of integrated preschool special education services, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy, helping to reduce long waitlists.

   

• Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer BOCES – $316,000 Regional Council Capital Fund grant: The organization plans to upgrade its Watertown and Glenfield facilities by adding state-of-the-art heavy equipment and welding simulators to support training and career development in the fields of welding, power mechanics, and advanced manufacturing. The simulators offer modular training for a variety of equipment, including excavators, wheel loaders, backhoes, and dozers. Students will be able to safely train on the equipment in a virtual, hands-on environment under the direction of experienced instructors, enabling a level of advanced instruction not currently available at the centers. Workforce development projects, such as this, create career pathways for students and train employees for in-demand jobs. 

A full list of projects across all 10 regions is available here.

About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State's approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 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. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

About Empire State Development

ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through ILOVENY. For more information, please visit ESD’s website here, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Contact:
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Laura Magee (ESD) | [email protected] | 716-846-8239 | 800-260-7313