Schumer Announces Funding for Lowville Kraft Plant
December 9, 2024No matter the business issue you’re struggling with, Drum Country’s community partners can help! Whether you’re operating a startup or mid-size corporation, we’re here to help you navigate financing, business consulting, real estate, workforce development and more.
After all, we’re a group of economic professionals united by a common goal: to help businesses in Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties grow into successful, thriving companies. We’re real members of the community dedicated to finding collaborative solutions to modern-day challenges facing local business and development efforts.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about how Drum Country’s economic development community partners can help you grow your business, read on!
County-Specific Community Partners
Within Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, businesses enjoy access to a broad range of resources and tools designed to help them prosper. Let’s meet a few of the county-level organizations that provide them.
Naturally Lewis
Naturally Lewis, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that leads economic, business and tourism development initiatives in Lewis County, New York. Although Naturally Lewis Inc. is a new non-profit formed in 2023, the work of Naturally Lewis is no stranger to the community. Naturally Lewis administers the services of the Lewis County IDA, Lewis County Development Corporation and the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, to provide a streamlined one-stop-shop for business development services. Since 2020, Naturally Lewis, Inc. has provided over $1 million in loans and grants to businesses in the county.
Not only does Naturally Lewis offer funding opportunities for small businesses, but they’re also seen as a local “bridge builder.” Their team focuses on a variety of goals, which include connecting local businesses with useful programs and partners, helping job seekers find their next career, fostering relationships within the community, advocating for policies that support local growth and leveraging the county’s natural resources.
If you’re looking to expand your business network, be sure to attend one of Naturally Lewis’ monthly Coffee & Connections roundtable events! There, you’ll meet fellow business leaders and community partners while gaining useful insight through in-depth discussions about state-wide economic development initiatives, local resources, useful planning tools and more.
Jefferson County Economic Development
Within Jefferson County, NY, local businesses enjoy support from Jefferson County Economic Development (JCED). Through the JCIDA (Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency), JCLDC (Local Development Corporation) and LCCFDC (Civic Facility Development Corporation), this organization supports businesses and community projects at a variety of stages.
While the JCED helps connect businesses to financial incentives, funding opportunities, grant programs and more, they also offer several other services to the local community! Whether you’re searching for a new job or looking to hire new employees, Jefferson County’s Workplace can help you find what you’re looking for. Plus, their local expertise makes it easy to relocate or expand within the county with their step-by-step guidance through interpreting market trends, evaluating available properties and more.
Curious how your business can thrive in Jefferson County, NY? Check out some of JCED’s top success stories, including North American Tapes, Hi-Lite Airfield Services and Great Lakes Cheese.
St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency
St. Lawrence County is a vibrant business community with rich natural resources, strategic location, motivated workforce and entrepreneurial spirit. The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency (SLCIDA), a public benefit corporation, is here to help new businesses navigate financing, real estate, the workforce, and make starting your business a reality.
Situated on the Canadian border in northern New York State, St. Lawrence County offers an ideal strategic location for the development of your business. Exceptional international transportation routes, low-cost power rates, and a robust variety of tax and financial incentives drive long-term growth for your business.
From large multi-national corporations to midsize companies and start-ups, a diverse portfolio of manufacturing firms call St. Lawrence County home because of our high quality, low-cost assets like renewable energy, state-of-the-art facilities, engineering talent, and partnerships with our institutions of higher learning.
Community Partners Serving the Entire North Country Region
Success doesn’t happen in a silo! Together, Drum Country’s community partners are working to create a bright future for New York’s Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. These regional economic development organizations are essential to promoting some of our most valuable assets: consistent economic growth, a well-trained and experienced workforce, low-cost industrial sites, proximity to major markets and a superior quality of life.
Advocate Drum
When Fort Drum became home to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) in the 1990s, military and economic interests became deeply intertwined. Since then, Advocate Drum has acted as the liaison between Fort Drum, New York State and the greater Drum Country region. By linking these major interests, Advocate Drum continues to help build Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties into a prosperous home for military families, civilian workers and local businesses alike.
Alongside private enterprises, developers and nearby municipalities, this advocacy organization has also had a major impact on housing development, employment opportunities for veterans and military spouses, community-based healthcare and more.
Development Authority of the North County
Serving Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties, the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) is a revenue-based public benefit corporation that works alongside local partners to strengthen our communities and build up our capacity for economic development.
Initially created to develop the infrastructure needed to support the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, the Authority continues to operate a number of vital infrastructures and facilities. Over time, the DANC has evolved into a “problem-solving partner” in regional development, while also becoming the area’s largest provider of shared services. These include water and wastewater treatment plants, an extensive fiber optic network, a regional landfill, housing loan programs and more.
The DANC has six operating divisions: Administration, Regional Development, Engineering, Materials Management, Water Quality Management and Telecommunications. Each of these departments provides its unique technical services to businesses and municipalities throughout Drum Country, helping the region become more competitive while also positioning our communities for economic investments that improve both our health and well-being.
National Grid
Serving customers throughout New York State, National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the United States. A leader in the energy sector, National Grid is focused on tackling one of the greatest challenges of this era: transforming traditional electricity and gas networks into more sustainable, affordable, and resilient energy solutions.
The National Grid’s “green” efforts include a variety of renewable energy projects, as well as cost-effective programs for small businesses and larger enterprises alike. Additionally, they offer businesses cleaner alternatives such as geothermal heating and cooling, as well as savings on installing electric vehicle charging stations for commercial fleets.
Our Community Partners and You
As you can see, Drum Country is home to a wealth of resources and opportunities for businesses of all sizes. By working together, the community partners highlighted in this article can help your business overcome challenges, reach its goals, and achieve success.
So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your existing business, be sure to reach out to our local organizations for assistance. They are here to help you grow and thrive in New York’s North Country!
