Adirondack North Country Association Building vibrant rural communities and resilient local economies Updated Oct. 2012 Strategic Plan 2010-2015
Mar 28, 2016
Adirondack North Country Association
Building vibrant rural communities and resilient local economies
Updated Oct. 2012
Strategic Plan 2010-2015
In 2010 we set the following goals. As of the last quarter of 2012, we have achieved all of them:• Createnewwebsitetobetterservetheregion• Broaden our funding base• Identifycross-programsynergiesandensurethatourprogramsmutuallysupporteachother• Buildstrongerpartnershipswithbusinessesanduniversities• ExpandourboardtobetterrepresentNorthCountrybusiness,non-profit,geographic
diversityInaddition,wehaveaccomplishedthefollowing:• LaunchedanewEnergyprogramandsecuredmorethan$600,000infunding.• WorkedintensivelyaspartoftheNorthCountryRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncil
(REDC)towinBestPlanAwardin2011,bringing$103Mtotheregion.• Identifiedcleanenergyasakeyeconomicdriverfortheregionandheldthefirst-ever
NorthCountryCleanEnergyConference,attractingmorethan250people.• PlayingakeyroleincreatingaNorthCountrySustainabilityPlan,throughGov.Andrew
Cuomo’sCleanerGreenerCommunitiesinitiative• Facilitatedtwoground-breakingCommonGroundAlliance(CGA)Forumevents:In2011,
CGAlaunchedayear-longscenarioplanningprojectfortheAdirondackParkregion.Thereportoutatthe2012CGAForumdrewarecordnumberofattendees.
• Expandedourcapacitytoserveinanadvocacyrolefortheregion,throughExecutiveDirectorKateFish’sinvolvementwiththeNorthCountryREDCandseveralstateadvisoryboards,suchasanewNYSERDATechnologyandMarketDevelopmentBoard,andNYSScenicBywaysAdvisoryCouncil.
• HostedasummitontheStateoftheAdirondackNorthCountrythatfeaturedexpertsfromEmpireStateDevelopmentandtheFederalReserveBankofNewYorkaskeynotespeakers
• IncreasedeffectivenessandcapacityinservingtheAdirondackNorthCountry:Throughournewsletter,growingourconstituencybaseandamoreeffectiveandvisibleidentity.
• CompletedanumberofnoteworthyScenicBywaysprojects,andsecured$1.2Minfundingtocompleteamulti-modalrecreationpathconnectingLakePlacidtoSaranacLake.
RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
We need a far bigger job of promotion than ever before. We need to cooperate with
other Adirondack communities because we cannot afford to do an effective job alone.
— Roger Tubby, ANCA Founding Director ”“ABOUT
THIS STRATEGIC PLANIn2010,ANCAconduct-edanexternalsurveyasking stakeholders and regionalleaderstohelpusassessourimpactsontheregion.Specialemphasiswasplacedon gathering data about ANCA’smission,stature,effectiveness,andpres-ent and future role in advancingtheeconomyoftheAdirondackNorthCountry.
Thisprocesshasen-hancedourconfidencethatANCA’smission,goalsandobjectivesareon the right track while clarifyingtheneedformore strategic focus on howweoperateandwhatprogramsaremostimportant.
2010-2015 KEY ELEMENTSTheStrategicPlanen-ables us to:• Determineclear
criteriaforsettingpriorities
• Focusourprogramstoachievespecificand measurable goals
• Communicateeffec-tivelyinnewwaysand through new technologies
• Bettersupportthe needs of and capitalizeonop-portunitiesfortheAdirondackNorthCountry
WeintendtocompletethefollowinggoalsnolaterthanDecember2013:• ExpandourconnectionstothethreeotherRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncilsin
theANCAregion• Furtherincreaseourworkinenergyconservation&renewables,throughsecuringadditional
grantsandhostingasecondCleanEnergyConference• Launcharegionwideproductbrandinginitiative,tohelpalargernumberofartisansandfood
producersgetaccesstobroadermarkers• Supportcommunitiesinidentifyingandsecuringfundstoimprovetheireconomies• Expandourcapacitytoserveourcommunitiesthroughrobustoutreachefforts
2013 ORGANIZATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Building vibrant rural communities and resilient local economies
67 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983518.891.6200 | [email protected]
www.adirondack.org
ANCA at a glance”
1. RESILIENT LOCAL ECONOMIESProvide the foundation for business development that creates family-sustaining jobs in rural communities
2. VIBRANT COMMUNITIESFoster connections between communities; enable visitors and residents to fully experience the region’s abundant cultural and natural assets
3. A STRONG SENSE OF PLACERecognize and highlight the exceptional assets that make this region unique and build the case for investment in the region
ALL OUR
WORK
SUPPORTS
3 BIG GOALS:
The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) is an independent not-for-profit organization working to strengthen key sectors of the economy in the Adirondack North Country.
67 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983518.891.6200 | [email protected]
5 PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE OUR WORK:1. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the engines of our economy
2. Clean energy is a powerful economic driver for the region
3. Working Landscapes — farmlands, forests and wild places — are the foundation of our economy
4. The unique and special characteristics of our small towns, villages and hamlets need to be preserved and promoted
5. A strong common identity for the Adirondack North Country region is fundamental
REGION AT A GLANCE
TheANCAregionincludesthefollowing14counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson,Lewis,Oneida,Oswego,St.Lawrence,Saratoga,Warren,andWashington
Important resources: • 14cities• 255towns• 1.26millionpeople• 1,000 small businesses
(with 100 or fewer employees)
• 781 large businesses (more than 100 em-ployees)
• 21 colleges and univer-sities
• Around 8,404 farms• Expandingbroadbandcapacityregionwide
• Maineconomicsectorsare health care, retail, tourism and manufac-turing
• Renewableenergypro-duction(hydroelectric,wind,biomassandsolar)
KEY FACTS
Reaching from north of the Erie Canal to the Canadian border, from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain, the largely rural Adirondack North Country lies within a day’s drive of 90 million people, and sees millions of visitors each year. Definingnaturalassetsinclude:• ThespectacularAdirondackPark,aunique,6million-acremixofprivateandpublicland
thatishometo103communitiesandthehighestmountainsintheState
• ThepastoralandscenicTugHillPlateau,with63communitiesandthedeepestsnowfallintheEasternUnitedStates;
• Thelandmark1,000IslandsRegion,fromLakeOntarionorthontheSt.LawrenceRiver;
• FertilevalleysalongtheBlackRiverandSt.LawrenceRiver,LakeChamplain,theHudsonRiverandtheMohawkRiver.
• 8.8 million forested acres • Morethan2,500ponds,lakesandrivers• 31,000milesofstreamsandrivers
The AdirondackNorth Country covers the 14 northernmost counties of New York’s upstate region, comprising 38% of the State’s geography, and 6.4% of its population.
Where we work
• BusinessandCommunityDevelopment• Energy• Explore/ScenicByways• ArtisanSupport• WorkingLandscapes:Agriculture,ForestEconomy,
Recreation
What we doANCA’s reach across the region, and its history of providing practical support to a broad constituency positions ANCA to take a strong lead in working with the region to map a more sustainable future.
Where we work
CORE VALUESInourdailyworkweareguidedbyourcoreinstitutionalvalueswhichinfluenceourprogramsandpartnerships.• Inclusiveness… working with a diverse
setofpartners• Integrity…candorandopennesschar-
acterizethewaywework• Innovationandcreativity… we em-
braceabroadrangeofapproaches• Beliefindialogue…. we work to facili-
tate shared strategies • Non-partisan....weworkwithpart-
nersacrossthepoliticalandideologi-calspectrum
APPROACH ANCA‘sapproachisbuiltonaconvictionthatchangeisinevitable,thatpeoplecanworktogethertoinfluencethedirectionofchange,andthattransformationstartswithanobjectiveunderstandingofwherewearetodaycoupledwithavisionforthefuture.Itcontains the following elements: • Partnerships:Weworkwithbusinesses,localgovernment,othernon-profits,univer-
sitiesandcommunitiestobuildimpactfulprogramsandactionableoutcomes• Objectivity:Ourdecisionsarebasedonfacts• Economicdiversity:Wesupportsmallandlargebusinesseswiththepotentialfor
enhancing the region’s economic well being • Resultsoriented:Wegetthingsdonethroughexcellentprojectmanagement.We
continuetoattractfundingbecauseofourhistoryofdeliveringonprojects• Vision:Weinspirelarge,longertermgoals
MISSION ANCA’s mission is to catalyze sustainable economic development across the Adirondack North Country and to enhance the quality of life of the people who live, work and visit here.
We: • Fostertheconditionsnecessaryforbusinessdevelopment•Manageprogramsthatincreaseregionalself-reliance•Developprojectsandpartnershipsthatsupportregionalbusinessesandbringinvestmenttotheregion’sruralplaces
• Spotlighttheextraordinarynatural,culturalandhistoricassetsoftheregion•AdvocatefortheregionattheStateandnationallevels
THE NEXT SIX PAGES PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF ANCA’S PROGRAM AREAS
Within the largely rural Adirondack North Country, we have long known that there are significant business opportunities in agriculture and specialty foods, energy efficiency, tourism, other business services, wood products and biomass-based energy, manufacturing, and crafts. ANCA recognizes that economic stability comes from greater diversity throughout the region, from larger anchor businesses and institutions as well as start-ups and existing small businesses.
All our programs support entrepreneurs that make up the core of our communities: artisans, farmers, contractors, and those who serve our region’s visitors.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the foundation of resilient rural economies
• ANCAExecutiveDirectorKateFishwaschosenbyGov.AndrewCuomotoserveontheNorthCountryRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncil.TheCouncil’sStrategicPlanreceivedoneoffourBestPlanAwardsgivenStatewide,andbroughtin$103Minfundingfortheregion.
• HostedaneconomicsummitforANCA’s2011AnnualMeetingontheStateoftheAdirondackNorthCountry,thatfeatureddata-drivenpre-sentationsfromexpertswithEmpireStateDevelopmentandtheFederalReserveBankofNewYork,attractingmorethan175attendees.
• PlayedakeyroleinfacilitatingtheAdirondackFuturesProject,ayear-longscenarioplanningprocessfortheAdirondackPark.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:• Buildingonourrelationshipswiththeregion’scollegesanduniversities.
RecentcollaborationshaveinvolvedPaulSmith’sCollege,ClarksonUni-versityandSt.LawrenceUniversity
• HighlightingsuccessstoriesinANCA’snewsletter,websiteandothercollateral.• Advocatingforincreasedaccesstobroadbandacrosstheregion.• Advancingaregionalbrandinginitiativetoeffectivelymarketproducts
basedonastrongsenseofplace.
Business and Community Development
ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• Alongwith7-countyconsortiumteam,willoverseecompletionofHomegrownSustainabilityPlanfortheNorthCountry,aspartoftheState’sCleanerGreenerCommunitiesprogramandbeginimplementationofgoalsandprojectsidentifiedinthePlan.
• Continuetobuildonourvisibilityasago-toorganizationforenergyconservation:Expandouroutreachandeducationprogramtoreach50%ofthetargetedaudiences,includinghome-owners,businessowners,municipalitiesandmeetourtargetsof76homesand10businessesperformingenergyupgrades.
• ContinuetoconnectNorthCountrycontractorstotrainingprograms• HostsecondannualNorthCountryCleanEnergyConference• PartneringwithotherorganizationsonasuccessfulapplicationtoNYSERDA’sEconomicDevel-
opmentandGrowthExtension(EDGE)program,whichwillallowustoexpandouroutreachtoincludecoordinationofresourcesforenergyefficiencyandR&D/renewableenergyprojects.
Energy
TARGET OUTCOMES 2013
Renewables and Conservation
ANCA’s objective is to reduce energy costs for people and communities, spur a transition to renewable energy sources, and increase the number of energy-related jobs.
ACHIEVEMENTS• Launchedenergyefficiencyprogramforresidentsand
smallbusinessesin10counties,throughtwogrants:GreenJobs,GreenNewYork,aprogramtoassistresi-dentsandsmallbusinessesinperformingenergyretrofitwork,aswellasaccessprojectfinancing.Inaddition,wehavepartneredwithWorkforceDevelopmentInstitutetohelpcontractorsupgradetheirskillstoperformworkinthisemergingfield.Energy$martCommunities:ANCAhaspartneredwithCornellCooperativeExtensionofJeffersonCountytoprovideenergyeducation,outreachservicesandcleanenergybusinessdevelopment
• OrganizedandhostedthefirstannualNorthCountryCleanEnergyConferenceinJune2012,whichattractedmorethan250participantsin6topicareas
• TooktheleadondevelopingtheNorthCountryRegionalEconomicDevelopmentCouncil’svisiongoalof“CreatingtheCleanestEnergyEconomyintheState”
• Playedakeyroleinsecuring$1MthroughtheStatewideCleanerGreenerCommunitiesprogramandarehelpingtocreateaSustainabilityPlanfortheNorthCountry
This group of young people helped pitch in to implement energy efficiency measures on St. Vincent of Paul Catholic Church in Cape Vincent, Jef-ferson County. ANCA’s energy efficiency program operates in partner-ship with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Workforce Development Institute and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County to connect homeowners and businesses to resources that cut energy bills for consumers, create jobs for building professionals, help build more self-reliant, sustainable communities and support the State’s goal of creating a Clean Energy Economy.
New York’s Scenic Byways connect visitors to more than 200 dynamic communities along 2,000 miles of routes statewide. Of the thirteen Scenic Byways in the Adiron-dack North Country, ANCA manages seven. Through Byway planning, marketing, interpretive and accessibil-
ity projects, ANCA empowers communities to reap the benefits of these important tourism assets. Since 2000, the Federal Highway Administration has invested more than $6M in ANCA’s Byway projects through the New York State Department of Transportation.
• Worktowardcompletionofmulti-userecreationpath• Enterpublicationphaseforaculturaltouringguidebook• BeginworkonelectronicmediakitsforthreeByways• PublishBikeMapanddesignBicyclistDayTripPlannerfor
AdirondackTrail(willbeprototypeforotherByways).• BeginimplementingANCA’sBywaySignageContinuityPlan• ContinuedevelopmentofMilitaryTrailCorridorManage-
mentPlan(CMP)• CelebratecompletionofWhitefaceMountainOlympic
RegionNaturalHistoryInterpretationProject• ContinueworkonAccessibilityAssessmentandPublic
AwarenessGuideforthreeByways
• Increaseeffortstoeducatebusinessowners,governmentofficials,tourismleadersandcommunityleadersonim-pactsandbenefitsoftheprogram
• Consider source of funding to maintain individual bike and bywayswebsites
• BeginrecruitmenttofindmanagementpartnerstotakeoverimplementationofeachBywayCMP
• CelebratecompletionofBlackRiverTrailandMapleTrailCMPsanddistributecopiesofplantocommunityleaders
• ContinueascommunicationsliaisonbetweenDOTRegions1,2,and7,andtheirservicecommunities
• SecurenewBywaysprojects
TARGET OUTCOMES 2013
Touring routes highlight region’s assets; contribute to a thriving tourism market
Explore Community Connections
ACHIEVEMENTS• Secured$1.2MinFederalHighwayAdministrationfunding
tocompletemulti-modalrecreationpathconnectingLakePlacidandSaranacLake
• Launched14-countyBiketheBywaysWebsite
• PublishedWildlifeInterpretationBrochureandInvasiveSpe-cies Alert Brochure
• CompletedDuaneObservationDeckandInterpretiveSig-nageProject(FranklinCounty)
• SubmittedcompletedCorridorManagementPlanforDudeRanchTrail(soontobeFirstWildernessScenicByway)toState
• StateScenicBywaysAdvisoryCommitteeapprovedplansforBlackRiverTrailandMapleTraditionsScenicByways
• Increasethenumberofparticipantsatthe2013BuyerDaysshowto100vendorsand300retailers
• WorktoexpandgeographicalreachoftheshowtoincludemoreparticipantsfromtheNorthernNewYorkcounties,CentralNewYorkandtheHudsonValley
• DevelopnewpartnershipswithChambersofCommerceandothernonprofitstoassistwithshowmarketing
• Updatetheshow’smarketingmaterials,re-evaluateeffectivenessofshow’snameandidentityinmarketingitselfintheregion
TARGET OUTCOMES 2013
ArtisanSupport
Buying locally made products keeps dollars circulating in the region
For 26 years, the Adirondack North Country Association’s juried gift products trade show has connected shop owners and other buyers to handmade and locally sourced goods and specialty foods, pur-chased directly from regional artisans and pro-ducers. The show draws vendors and buyers from New York State and New England generates an estimated $200,000 in sales during the two-day event. Since the show operates on a not-for-profit basis, we keep the booth fees low so exhibitors can further maximize their profits.
Locally Made and Locally Owned
• Organizedsuccessful26thBuyerDaystradeshow,attracting70 vendors, 19 of which were new to the show, and more than 200buyers
• Expandedthenumberoffoodproducersatthe2012show,up25percentfrom2011
• SecuredSaratogaSpringsCityCenterforMarch27-28,for2013show
• DevelopednewpartnershipwithTraditionalArtisansinUpstateNewYork(TAUNY)onanapplicationtotheNewYorkStateCouncilontheArts.Ourproposed“InvisibleFactory”projectwillhelpartisansprepareforwholesalemarkets.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Our vision: To strengthen the North Country’s cultural identity through transforming the “invisible factory” into a thriving and visible economic engine in our rural communities. Through building capacity for traditional artisans, we will enable them to reach larger markets, achieve greater visibility and be able to successfully make a living on their craft.
ANCA works in collaboration with USDA Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and other partners to help establish more robust local food economies
Successful local food systems are a key part of building regional self-reliance
• Developnewgrazingplansacross12NorthCountryCountiesincludingFranklin,St.Lawrence,Clinton,Essex,Warren,Washing-ton,Saratoga,Oneida,Herkimer,Lewis,JeffersonandOswegoandconductfollowupvisitswithproducerswhohavepreviouslydevelopedgrazingplans
• Co-hosteducationeventsacrosstheregion
• Betterpromotetheinnovationsinlocalfoodeconomiesacrosstheregion
• WorkwithlocalfoodproducersinlaunchofproductbrandinginitiativeandincreasenumberoflocalfoodproducersatannualBuyerDaystradeshowinSaratogaSprings
Working Landscapes
FarmsForestsWild Places
TARGET OUTCOMES 2013
Farms
WITH MORE THAN 8,000 FARMS
IN THE ANCA REGION
CONTRIBUTING TO NYS’S $4 BILLION
IN ANNUAL AGRICULTURE SALES,
FARMING IS CRUCIAL
TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY
ACHIEVEMENTS• ANCAprovidesthetechnicalassistanceacross12North
CountryCountiestodevelopandmonitorgrazingplansforinterestedfarmers.In2012,wedeveloped28newgrazingplans,oversaw54followupvisits,andco-hostedapasturewalkandseriesofgrazingevents
• Helpedfarmersaccessenergyefficiencyincentives• Supportedprocurementoffundsforinnovativefoodpro-
cessingfacilitiesandfooddistributionprojects• ParticipatedinregionalhearingbyHouseAgricultural
CommitteeforreauthorizationofU.S.FarmBill
Fueling support for renewed interest in sustainably produced wood products
• Continuetoincreasecommunityawarenessabouttheeconomicbenefitsofanactiveandlocalthermalbiomasseconomythroughthe2ndannualNorthCountryCleanEnergyConferenceandotheroutreachefforts
• Monitorandassistinevaluationofcriticalquestionssuchaslong-termresourceavailability
• Advocateforretentionandexpansionofexistingwood-basedenterprisesincludingsolidwoodmanufacturingandpulpandpaperproducers.
• Promotetheappropriateuseoflandforbiomasscropsandbiofueldevelopment
TARGET OUTCOMES 2013
The 8.8 million forested acres in the Adirondack North Country region serve a number of essential roles. Forestry and paper production continue to provide much-needed jobs, and a growing interest in woody biomass is becom-
ing a key component to this industry. ANCA advocates for the expansion of existing locally invested wood-based enterprises including value-added wood manufacturing, pulp and paper, and the cleaner use of biofuels.
Forests
Wild Places
ACHIEVEMENTS• HeldsuccessfulinformationaleventinpartnershipwithBiomass
EnergyResourceCenter(BERC)andNorthernForestCenterthatresultedintwopilotprojects,inTownofSaranacandHopkin-ton-ParishvilleSchoolDistrict
• SawstrongattendanceinBiomassTractatthefirstNorthCountryCleanEnergyConferencethatANCAledin2012.
• Highlightedsuccessstoriesinnewsletterandonline• Supportedtheallocationof$30Minindustrialrevenue
bondstoRe:Energy
Elevating global recognition of the region as one of the special places on the planet to visit, live, work and study
Many of ANCA’s projects highlight the extraordinary assets our region has to offer. While many of these projects fall within our Scenic Byways program, we believe they are worthy of special attention in this new category.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND 2013 OUTCOMES • PublishedanddistributedaWildlifeInterpretationbrochureinEnglishandFrenchwithpartnersat
WildlifeConservationSociety.• PublishedanddistributedanInvasiveSpeciesAlertpocketguide,withpartnerssuchasAdirondackParkInvasivesProgram• Launcheda14-countyBiketheBywayswebsitethatfeaturesmountainbikingaswellasroadcycling• Bluewayswebsitedevelopment:ContinuetoseekfundingforaprojectthatwillpromotetheBluewaysoftheANCAregion• Consider source of funding to maintain individual bike and bywayswebsites• Exploreanddevelopnewprojectsthatwillhighlighttheregionasaglobaldestination
WeleveragetheinvestmentsmadeinANCAbyoursupportersthrougheffectiveprogramsthatreinvestthemoneybackintoourcommunities.
Oursupportersincludebusinessesandcorporations,ourcountiesandcommunities,culturalandartsorganizations,residentsandpeoplewhoseheartsareintheAdirondackNorthCountry,notforprofitsandsmallbusinesses,universitiesandcolleges,ChambersofCommerceandothers.Wewillcontinuetobroadenourbaseofsupportaswereach further milestones.
TheStateofNewYorkinvestsinANCAtoimplementitsprioritiesintheregion.IndividualStateagenciessuchasNewYorkStateEnergyResearchandDevelopmentAuthority,DepartmentofTransporta-tion,EmpireStateDevelopmentandtheOfficeoftheGovernorhaveentrustedANCAwithmanagementofeconomicdevelopmentprojectsfor the region.
SupportPARTNERSHIPSANCAcollaborateswithtechnical,business,localgovernment,non-profitand/oruniversitypartnersineachofitsprograms,andwewillcontinuetobroadenourpartnershipstobestservetheAdirondackNorthCountry.ANCA’skeystrengths-deepandlong-standingnetworksintocommunitiesacrosstheregion;excellentprojectmanagementskills;longhistoryofsuccessfulgrantprocurement;abilitytofacilitatecollaboration–areaugmentedbytheexpertiseofourpartners.
ANCA — working as an agent of change for the regionin collaboration with our partners, our supporters and the State of New York
67 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983518.891.6200 | [email protected]
www.adirondack.org
Since 1955, ANCA has brought people together around a common goal: working to strengthen the Adirondack North Country economy.