What makes Drum Country, NY the ideal place to grow your business? Well, there are many reasons! This vibrant region surrounding Fort Drum offers a dynamic blend of an unbeatable location, a robust local economy, affordable utilities, supportive community partners and much, much more.
Whether you’re seeking to expand your mid-sized business or launch your first start-up, St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson Counties provide the perfect place to thrive!
Read on to learn more about the many benefits of choosing Drum Country, NY to help grow your business.
Easy Access to Major Markets
Located at the crossroads of the Northeast and Canada, Drum Country businesses enjoy an unbeatable transportation network, including major highways, railroads, waterways and airports. Our strategic location on the St. Lawrence River provides businesses with easy access to domestic and international markets, making it a breeze to reach both customers and suppliers.
A Variety of Strong Local Industries
Over time, Drum Country has grown into a major economic powerhouse of the Northeast! Many major corporations either currently operate or are in the process of building an expansion within the region. Top area employers include New York Air Brake, Kraft Heinz, Otis Technologies, Car-Freshner Corporation and many, many more. Beyond those larger businesses, our region also supports several prosperous industries such as manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, agribusiness and food processing.
As you can see, our combination of a growing workforce, easy access to major markets, generous business incentive programs and high-speed telecommunications has made Drum Country the smart choice for many businesses to relocate or expand their operations!
A Supportive Business Community
Another factor that makes Drum Country a great place to grow your business? A vibrant business community that is committed to supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and large corporations alike! St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson Counties offer a variety of resources to help businesses grow, including financial assistance, networking opportunities and more.
Learn more about what each of our economic community partners can offer your business.
A Skilled Workforce
Naturally, Drum Country is also home to a highly skilled and highly educated workforce. Many local colleges and universities offer programs to meet the needs of local businesses, including Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, the State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam), the State University of New York at Canton (SUNY Canton), the State University of New York at Jefferson (SUNY Jefferson) and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF/The Ranger School).
Plus, special organizations such as the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES and the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES collaborate with local businesses and K-12 schools to provide specialized career & technical education courses for both students and adults on subjects ranging from agricultural studies and automotive technology to natural resource management and pharmaceutical certifications.
Yet one of the biggest contributors to our local workforce remains the beating heart of our community: Fort Drum. Since nearly a third of the base’s soldiers and military families remain in the area after their service ends, the majority of them either transition into a civilian job or open their own small business! Building this strong soldier-to-civilian-worker pipeline is one of the main goals of Next Move NY, a brand-new initiative rolled out in 2025.
All together, Drum Country’s workforce development and training infrastructure ensures local businesses have steady access to the talent they need to succeed.
An Affordable Cost of Doing Business
Furthermore, the cost of doing business in St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Jefferson Counties is significantly lower than in many other parts of the country! This makes it easier for businesses to start up and grow without breaking the bank.
One large reason for this is our strong utility infrastructure, which provides local businesses with many different options to suit their needs. From water and electricity to telecommunications and gas, Drum Country’s abundant natural resources provide reliable, safe utility solutions for businesses of all sizes. Plus, our quickly-growing renewable energy sector is embracing all that solar, wind and hydropower have to offer, with major projects such as the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project and the Maple Ridge Wind Farm continuing to propel us into the future.
A High Quality of Life
Additionally, St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Jefferson Counties offer a high quality of life, for a low cost of living. Our residents enjoy affordable housing, excellent schools, top-notch healthcare and ample public transportation options. On top of that, Drum Country is home to many popular cultural and recreational activities, from annual festivals and community-wide events to watersports in the Thousand Islands and adventures in Tug Hill or the Adirondacks.
When put together, these qualities make Drum Country an attractive place for businesses to relocate and for employees to live and work.
Grow Your Business in Drum Country
If you’re looking for a place to grow your business, St. Lawrence, Lewis, and Jefferson Counties offer a compelling combination of advantages. With our strategic location, skilled workforce, supportive business community, affordable cost of doing business, and high quality of life, Drum Country is the ideal place to both call home and launch your business ventures.
So, let our location be your asset! Relocate here and experience for yourself all Drum Country has to offer.
