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Regional EconOmic News:

Nova Bus announces $60 million contract for 35 buses
January 14, 2010
Nova Bus has a contract with Connecticut Transit for 35 LFS articulated buses and an option for 35 more during a four-year period. The company said the order is valued at about $60 million. "We are proud to partner with CT Transit in delivering their first articulated vehicles for their fleet," Nova Bus Marketing Director Nadine Bernard said in a news release. "We are deeply committed to supplying them with the vehicles that meet their expectations."
[FULL STORY]

Pfizer extends Rouses Point lease through 2010
January 13, 2010
Pfizer has extended its lease of the Rouses Point manufacturing facility until the end of 2010. David Champagne, managing director of the Pfizer manufacturing facility in Rouses point, confirmed the company had extended its agreement with Akrimax Pharmaceuticals.
[FULL STORY]

Bombardier sees opportunities in high-speed rail plan
December 19, 2009
Bombardier Transportation sees an opportunity for its Plattsburgh plant if high-speed rail plans come to fruition. Alain Aumais, general manager at Bombardier Transportation in Plattsburgh, said the company is ready to work on high-speed rail equipment at the Plattsburgh plant and will purse contracts to do so.
[FULL STORY]

Students get solid foundation for new careers
December 19, 2009
A recent graduating class has a real solid foundation for future employment. The first class of the Solid Foundations program was honored at a graduation ceremony Thursday afternoon. Program Coordinator Ashley Cousens said the 11 graduates received instruction in carpentry, electrical work and plumbing, as well as introduction to welding and weatherization skills.
[FULL STORY]

PARC targets end of business by July 1
December 16, 2009
The Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corp. continues to reduce its workforce as it works toward going out of existence. PARC CEO Bruce Steadman said the plan calls for an end by July 1. The corporation is down to for full-time employees and two part-time employees.
[FULL STORY]

Tier V praised as saving billions
December 11, 2009
A new Tier V pension plan for public employees became a reality Thursday as Gov. David Paterson, accompanied by a slew of lawmakers, signed legislation to reduce the cost of the state’s massive retirement system. The new plan, while still generous by private sector standards, is expected to save taxpayers more than $35 billion over the next three decades.
[FULL STORY]

Schumer touts passport substitutes for Canada Crossing
December 10, 2009
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano agreed Wednesday to a request from Sen. Chuck Schumer to work with Canadian officials in publicizing options for people who want to cross the U.S. border but don’t want to pay for a passport.
[FULL STORY]

New air service to Florida from Plattsburgh
November 19, 2009
Direct Air will begin offering Non-stop air service from Plattsburgh International Airport to Punta Gorda, Florida starting November 21, 2009. Flights will be offered with rates beginning at $99 each way, with an upgrade to first-class seats available for $100 each way on Direct Air’s MD83 and 737-400 aircraft.
[FULL STORY]

New Clinton County transportation garage officially opens

November 16, 2009 – A project seven years in the making has come to fruition with the dedication of the new Clinton County Public Transit garage. The new garage at 226 Arizona Ave. was converted from what once was the Educational Center at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base. It will mark the first time in 26 years of transportation operations that the county has owned its own facility.

[Full Story]

State vows help for Pfizer employees

November 13, 2009 - The head of the New York Labor Department vows the state will do whatever it can to help the people about to lose their jobs at local Pfizer plants. “We are determined that we are going to get the community every resource they are entitled to,” Labor Department Commissioner M. Patricia Smith told reporters in Plattsburgh Friday.

[Full Story]

New company to bring 14, eventually 35 jobs to the Town of Plattsburgh

October 28, 2009 – A new company is expected to create 14 high technology green jobs – and eventually 35 jobs- in Plattsburgh. APG-Neuros is a joint-venture between Aviation and Power Group, based in Quebec and Neuros Cc., based in South Korea, The Development Corporation announced Wednesday.

[Full Story]

Montreal-New York City high speed rail a priority for Quebec

October 20, 2009 – High-speed rail service between Montreal and New York City is one key way to make North America’s first green transportation corridor. Pierre Arcan, Minister of International Relations for the Government of Quebec, said that was one the topics of discussion when Quebec Premier Jean Charest and New York Gov. David Paterson met two weeks ago.

[Full Story]

New business to bring 50 jobs to the area
October 14, 2009
A new business is moving into the Village of Champlain, with plans to create up to 50 jobs by the end of January. Testori Interiors Inc., a Canada-based manufacturing company, produces interiors for the mass-transit train and aircraft industries. The company will utilize the former Main Knitting building located on Lawrence Paquette Industrial Drive.
[FULL STORY]

On the job training to help small businesses, labor commissioner explains during Plattsburgh visit
October 2, 2009
New York State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith was in Plattsburgh to promote the On The Job Training Program. The program has helped place 140 workers in the North Country over the past year, utilizing about $300,000 in federal funds.
[FULL STORY]

Business leaders outline concerns on doing business in New York
September 24, 2009
Local business leaders complained Wednesday about how state fees, taxes and regulations are hindering their competitiveness and ability to create and retain jobs. This was the third of five statewide hearings being sponsored by Unshackle Upstate.
[FULL STORY]

SolarNovar off to a hot start
September 17, 2009
A local company is shining bright as the sun. SolarNovar, started by Linda and Greg Brienza of Triangle Electrical Systems, held an open house this week to tout the benefits of solar power and its new tracker systems.
[FULL STORY]

Local Workforce leader to retire
September 10, 2009A valuable member of the local economic-development and work-force-development team is retiring at the end of the month. New York State Department of Labor North Country Team Leader John Masella is going to retire Sept. 29.
[FULL STORY]

Flanagan, Imperial among Restore NY Grants
September 3, 2009
The Village of Malone, Imperial Industrial Park in the City of Plattsburgh and the Ausable Horse Nail Co. all received money in the third round of the Restore NY Program. In all, 79 projects across the state received $153.6 million to revitalize communities, stabilize neighborhoods and invite investment.
[FULL STORY]

New business bringing jobs to Northern Tier
August 22, 2009
A new business is moving into the Village of Champlain, bringing up to 40 new jobs to the area. Elegance Coatings, a vehicle-painting company, has signed a five-year lease for an empty warehouse at 33 West Service Road. The company will paint Nova Buses being manufactured in Plattsburgh.
[FULL STORY]

International business interest sought
August 21, 2009
Economic-development officials want Franklin County to seek special status to lower green-card criteria that could encourage foreign businesses to invest here. A little-used policy called EB-5 requires foreign investors to spend $1 million and create 10 jobs over two years in order to obtain the proper permits to work in the United States.
[FULL STORY]

PARC will get title to final lots
August 3, 2009
The Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corp. has finally been cleared to receive title to the last 540 acres of property still under U.S. Air Force Control. The process requires the transfer be made to a government entity, which PARC is not. For that reason, the decision was made locally to make the transfers through the County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency.
[FULL STORY]

Local broadband project to seek federal stimulus funds
August 3, 2009
A local broadband network under development will apply for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. CBN Connect, Inc. is working to build the broadband network in Clinton, Franklin and
Essex counties.
[FULL STORY]

Demolition of plaza begins
August 4, 2009
The much-awaited demolition of the North Country Shopping Center began in earnest Monday as heavy equipment crashed down the aging cement structure. The wrecking ball is paving the way for what developers and town officials hope will be a vibrant new era of business.
[FULL STORY]

New law makes voicing concerns easier
July 25, 2009
New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo visited the North Country on Saturday to address government reform on a state and local level. The event provided a forum for AG Cuomo to rally public awareness for the “New York Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act” that was signed into law June 25, 2009.
[FULL STORY]

SpencerARL NY welcomed to Plattsburgh
July 22, 2009
SpencerARL was ceremonially welcomed to Plattsburgh on July 22, 2009. The company occupies a 42,000 square foot facility located in The Development Corporation’s Air Industrial Park. Nebe Tamburro of SpencerARL said “Although I have opened many plants in my career, Plattsburgh is becoming the most memorable.
[FULL STORY]

Nova Bus holds grand-opening ceremony
June 15, 2009
Nova Bus officially opened their new US-based plant operation in Plattsburgh, New York on June 15, 2009. The plant, located in The Development Corporation’s Banker Road Industrial Park, is expected to employee 300 people by 2012. Nova Bus has already begun production on buses for the Vancouver Winter Olympics and will soon start work on buses for the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
[FULL STORY]

New Plattsburgh hotel seen as a sign of region’s strength
July 1, 2009
Plattsburgh’s newest hotel is seen as another sign of the area’s stability in the current global economic crisis. The new Hampton Inn and Suites, located on Route 3 in the Town of Plattsburgh, has been open since June 16th and currently employees 35 people.
[FULL STORY]

New plastics plant opens in City
July 3, 2009
Hanet Plastics, a Canadian-based manufacturer of plastic food-protection products, officially opened its plant in Plattsburgh, New York. The company’s new facility is located in the City’s Imperial Industrial Park. Harnet Plastics makes plastic containers for brand-name cookies and other food products that are sold in retail stores.
[FULL STORY]

Historic marker unveiling kicks off lake celebration
July 9, 2009
The Plattsburgh area kicked off its quadricentennial celebration of Samuel de Champlain’s arrival on the lake with a ceremony and dedication of an interpretive plaque at Clinton Community College.
[FULL STORY]

Green Supply Chains Help Fuel Success
May 31, 2009
More and more companies are striving to provide environmentally friendly supply-chain management practices. Dr. Colin Read, a professor SUNY Plattsburgh and Dr. Santosh Mahapatra, an associate professor at Clarkson University, presented "What Does it Mean to be Green? Sustainability as the New Driver of the Supply Chain," during the Global Supply Chain Management conference at Plattsburgh State.
[FULL STORY]

Good News at the Biz Expo
June 5, 2009
Over 180 companies participated in the annual Plattsburgh North-County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo held on June 4, 2009. This year several companies report good news despite tough economic times.
[FULL STORY]

NY to Invest up to $100M in Technology
June 9, 2009
Governor Paterson announced that New York State will invest up to $100 million over the next few years on technology and research by adding a 10 percent match to projects that receive federal stimulus money.
[FULL STORY]

The Land of a Steady Workforce
by Colin Read, April 10, 2009
In these days of dramatic shifts in employment, demographics, retirement, and wealth, it is surprising to observe the steadiness of the Clinton County workforce.The nation is growing old. Nationwide, the population in the prime career years of 25 to 64 is projected to go from about 156 million in 2005 to 174 million in 2030. Over the same period, these workers will go from supporting 140 million under 25 and over 65 or over to supporting almost 190 million in 2030. We will move from a greater number in the workforce in 2005 to a greater number out of the workforce by 2030.
[FULL STORY]

State of the Regional Labor Market
by Paul Grasso - April 9, 2009
Clinton County is following the trend of the rest of the state and the country as unemployment rates rise. The recession is the longest in decades, but signs are appearing that suggest this trough of economic activity is bottoming out. Private job growth will remain sluggish, though, as employers trim their costs and await increased demand.Data released April 1st show unemployment rates in February, 2009 were up year over year in every one of the country's 372 metropolitan areas.
[FULL STORY]

One local company operates one of the busiest Foreign Trade Zones in the U.S.
April 19, 2009
It may be hard to believe, but the little town of Champlain, NY is home to a company that reportedly rests on "the most active Foreign Trade Zone in the United States."
[FULL STORY]

Loan program targets troubled firms
April 27, 2009
According to Bernard Paprocki, Syracuse District Director of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the America's Recovery Capital loan program "could be the one that saves busines[FULL STORY]

New data center launched
April 29, 2009
The Development Corporation (TDC) recently introduced the Institute for Development and Economic Analysis (IDEA), which became an affiliate of the New York State Data Center in February 2009. TDC's IDEA provides clients, prospects and the public with the latest data, workforce and economic information concerning Clinton County.[FULL STORY]

The Little Town That Could
The economy is in a funk, major banks are on the ropes, and real estate prices are dropping nationwide. What a perfect time to invest in the North.This region is thriving, banks continue to lend, new industries are locating here all the time, and the real estate market continues to hold its own, while still offering tremendous value. There are many reasons for this apparent irony. this apparent irony.
[FULL STORY]

New Data Center Launched
The Development Corporation (TDC) recently introduced the Institute for Development and Economic Analysis (IDEA), which became an affiliate of the New York State Data Center in February 2009. TDC's IDEA provides clients, prospects and the public with the latest data, workforce and economic information concerning Clinton County.
[FULL STORY]

Loan Program Targets Troubled Firms
According to Bernard Paprocki, Syracuse District Director of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the America's Recovery Capital loan program "could be the one that saves businesses."[FULL STORY]

One Local Company Operates One of the Busiest Foreign Trade Zones in the U.S.
It may be hard to believe, but the little town of Champlain, NY is home to a company that reportedly rests on "the most active Foreign Trade Zone in the United States."
[FULL STORY]

Flying Car Tested Here
The prototype of a "flying car" completed seven successful test flights at Plattsburgh International Airport this month. [FULL STORY]

Senators seek northern border stimulus funds
Both NYS Senators Schumer & Gillibrand are trying to obtain stimulus money from the US Dept. of Commerce for the Northern Border Regional Commission. This Commission would in turn aid those areas of NY, NH, & VT that are "economically distressed" with the goals of reducing poverty & stimulating economic development.
[FULL STORY]

Plattsburgh airport expansion planned
Since its opening in the summer of 2007, the airport has experienced impressive & somewhat unanticipated growth, which has propelled the airport's plans to expand. The Federal Aviation Administration approved a feasibility study in order to find out "how much & what kind of growth is needed at the terminal." Federal funding would be provided "based on the number of enplanement.
[FULL STORY]

COLIN READ & PAUL GRASSO:

Developing a Community Vision
by Colin Read, December 14, 2009
Communities are complex entities. Characterized by interests representing a wide diversity of thought and experience, and buffeted constantly by forces coming from every direction, our community rarely has an opportunity to actively define its future.
[FULL STORY]

More state stimulus relief on its way?
by Paul Grasso, December 15, 2009
While there are signs of economic recovery on Wall Street, the unemployment lines on Main Street have yet to shorten. The unemployment rate nationally is currently 10% and is estimated by some to peak at about 11% next summer.
[FULL STORY]

A Robust and Unique Clinton County Workforce
by Colin Read, November 18, 2009
Almost every region’s workforce is unique. The mix of industries responds to the particular resources and history of the region. And emerging industries capitalize on the mix of ages and needs as the community evolves. Projections of workforce needs leverages these coefficients that define the share of the workforce employed in each sector.
[FULL STORY]

Surprising Twists in the Unemployment Data
by Paul Grasso, November 17, 2009
The American economy technically may be back into growth mode, but the October unemployment number certainly did not do much to inspire the confidence of the average American in our economy.
[FULL STORY]

The Health of Clinton County
by Colin Read, October 12, 2009
Counties that are primarily rural face health care challenges not found in large urban areas. Clinton County is more fortunate than most because of its leading edge health maintenance programs and its access to a very high quality regional hospital located in the City of Plattsburgh. Nonetheless, health issues remain a county-wide focus.
[FULL STORY]

Prospects for Jobs as the Recession Winds Down
by Paul Grasso, October 14, 2009
You may have noticed that an increasing number of economists have been declaring recently hat the recession is over. Among them are: Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve Chairman, was quoted as saying that the "recession is very likely over at this point." Mark Vitner, a senior economist at Wachovia, stated, "we are in the early stages of the economic recovery." And Roger Tutterow, a professor or economics, declared that the recession "likely ended in either July or August."
[FULL STORY]

The Economics of Site Location in the North Country
by Colin Read, September 9, 2009
The choice of a commercial or industrial site is complex. Past articles have documented superior housing affordability, workforce steadiness, and location and distribution advantages in Clinton County. Ultimately, though, a site decision must be also driven by the economics of exchange rates, wage rates, and office space costs.
[FULL STORY]

Layoffs Slow as Slow Recovery Mounts
by Paul Grasso, September 9, 2009
The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) recently released the unemployment numbers from August 2009. As expected, the "official" unemployment rate continued its steady, albeit slower, march higher. Analysts were surprised, though, because the July unemployment numbers were slightly lower than expected.
[FULL STORY]

Housing Affordability in Clinton County
by Colin Read, August 12, 2009
Housing is the single most significant outlay for most middle income families. It is also a spending category that defies easy analysis. Family needs differ, housing quality, size, and location vary widely, commuting distances depend on both the housing choice and the employment decision, and such economic factors as income, debt, and mortgage rates affect choices. Despite these complications, housing remains one of the most important determinants of quality of life and is an important element for economic development.
[FULL STORY]

Unemployment in Clinton County Rises Slightly
by Paul Grasso, August, 2009
Some "green shoots" seem to be appearing on Wall Street, but indications of an economic recovery have yet to make their way to Main Street. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reported that the state's unemployment rate increased to 8.7 percent in June 2009, its highest level since October 1992.
[FULL STORY]

A Green Corridor Runs Through It
by Colin Read, July 15, 2009
Clinton County is on to something. Part location, part innovation, it is clear that this region is taking advantage of fundamental shifts in business strategies.

For more than four hundred years, this region on the northern tip of Lake Champlain has been a gateway that connects different worlds. First it connected tribes that traded north to south, east to west. Then it connected these early supply chains of the New World to the Old World of Europe. Now it connects businesses that can access a huge hinterland from Montreal and Quebec City to Boston, New York, and beyond.
[FULL STORY]

Unemployment Rising, but the North Country Seeing Some Improvements
by Paul Grasso, July 13, 2009
The most recent unemployment figures show the country and the State of New York continue to sag under the weight of the Great Recession. Closer to home, the North Country is actually showing nice improvements, thanks, in part, to new manufacturers taking root in Clinton County.

The American economy has long been a consumer economy. It functions well when people are spending. The challenge facing government leaders today is how to reinvigorate the economy when so many consumers are out of work and those that are working have changed their buying habits.
[FULL STORY]

More Than 400 Years as a Transportation Economy
by Colin Read - June, 2009
All communities require an efficient transportation network to draw in the factors and goods they need to survive, and competitively transport out the items they sell to the nation and the world. Few communities have the movement of people and products so indelibly stamped on its character as does Clinton County, New York.

Transportation in the region predates New York statehood. Native American tribes established trade routes that traversed the region. The Five Nations of the Iroquois travelled by land and by water in pursuit of trade among themselves for a millennium before the arrival of European traders.
[FULL STORY]

Job Losses Begin to Taper Off
by Paul Grasso - June, 2009
The New York State's Department of Labor (NYSDOL) recently reported a seasonally adjusted private sector job count of 7,125,200, which represents a monthly decline of 15,600 jobs, or 0.2 percentage points. While the state's private sector job count has dropped for eight consecutive months, the job losses are beginning to moderate.

Since the state's private sector job count peaked in August 2008, New York has lost 189,000 private sector jobs, and has retained just over fifty percent of the 400,000 jobs added during the state's last economic expansion from 2003-2008. New York State's unemployment rate, after seasonal adjustment, fell to 7.1 percent in April 2009. The rate outside of New York City in April was 7.4 percent, down from 7.6 percent in March 2009.
[FULL STORY]

A Sustainable Supply Chain
By Colin Read, May 7, 2009
Clinton County is once again on the leading edge of economic trends. Like our neighbors to the north, this area is investing heavily in a sustainable supply chain.

Eyefortransport, an organization that supports transportation, logistics and supply chain practitioners, recently released the results of a survey of 250 North American supply chain executives. They report that a sustainable supply chain is at the forefront of executives' concerns, and is fast becoming the first priority for many companies. The survey showed that 59% of respondents are implementing energy efficiency improvements, 42% are redesigning logistics networks, and 39% are measuring or reducing emissions.
[FULL STORY]

Fewer Job Losses in March; Education and Health Services Jobs Continue to Remain Strong
by Paul Grasso, May 10, 2009
The Dow Jones, S&P, and NASDAQ rallied recently when the April unemployment numbers were "better than expected."

The United States Department of Labor and many economists predicted 620,000 job losses in April. The recently released data showed a loss of only 539,000 jobs. The number of jobs lost in February and March were higher than originally reported so some believe the April figure may yet be revised somewhat higher.
[FULL STORY]

Census data center affiliate news:

Nearly Half of Parents Get Full Amount of Child Support. (Released November 9, 2009)

Selected Characteristics of Baby Boomers 42 to 60 Years Old in 2006. (Released November 9, 2009)

September 2009 Sales of Merchant Wholesalers Were $320.2 Billion, Up 0.7 Percent (+/-1.1 Percent) from Last Month. (Released November 6, 2009)

New Orders for Manufactured Goods in September Increased $3.3 Billion or 0.9 Percent to $356.1 Billion. (Released November 3, 2009)

School Enrollment in the United States: 2008. (Released November 2, 2009)

Secretary Locke, Census Bureau Launch National 'Census in Schools' Initiative to Improve the 2010 Count. (Released November 2, 2009)

Total Construction Activity for September 2009 ($940.3 Billion) Was 0.8 Percent Above the Revised August 2009 ($933.0 Billion) Figure. (Released November 2, 2009)

Facts for Features: The 2009 Holiday Season. (Released October 29, 2009)

Finances of Selected State and Local Government Employee Retirement Systems: 2nd Quarter 2009. (Released October 29, 2009)

The Hispanic Origin Population in the United States: 2007 and 2008. (Released September 30, 2009)

Census Bureau to Survey Nation's Spending Habits (Regional). (Released September 30, 2009)