10th Annual North Country Symposium Information

"Working with the North Country Regional Economic Development Council"

The 10th annual North Country Symposium will be held this October 31st to coincide with the work of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, which has been creating a strategic development plan for the seven counties spanning the crown of the Empire State (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence).

This council is one of ten regional councils that were formed this summer by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as part of his NY Open for Business initiative. The state's ten regional councils have been tasked with creating strategic plans that will align economic development efforts within the regions based upon their respective assets. The councils will compete for $200 million in funds that will help kick-start the best strategic plans, while proposals being submitted to the State government for funding will be evaluated for conformity with the strategic plans. In creating this new approach to economic development, Governor Cuomo seeks to make it a grassroots, bottom-up process that empowers people working at the local level, while using competition to stimulate action and encouraging New York communities to operate on a regional basis.

As the North Country Symposium has focused on these same approaches for ten years, and because it has highlighted concepts and initiatives that align very closely with the Council's goals, the Symposium represents a natural outlet for recently-developed information about the Council's plans and progress: The Symposium's highly diverse body of attendees will have the opportunity on October 31st to engage in discussion with Council members about the plan that will guide economic development in the North Country for years to come.

Date and Time:
Monday, October 31, 2011 from 8:30 to 2 pm (registration begins at 8:30)

Location:
Eben-Holden Conference Center St. Lawrence University Canton NY, 13617

To find the Eben Holden Conference Center, proceed from the main intersection in downtown Canton south on Park Street through the St. Lawrence University campus. Signs will direct you to the appropriate parking lots, found before the arched bridge over the Little River. Additional signs will direct you from the parking lots to the Eben Holden Conference Center.

Please note that those requiring front door drop-off or accessible parking can buzz through the traffic gates next to the C lot. You can also keep your eyes out for a white St. Lawrence University van that will be acting as a shuttle during registration and at the end of the event.

An interactive map of the St. Lawrence University campus can also be found here.

The Eben Holden Conference Center is building #58.

Registration Materials
Please register by filling out the form found here.
A Program and Overview of this year's Symposium can be found here.

Who May Attend?
Anyone with an interest in the future of the North Country!

Fees: While no fee is charged, we ask that you pre-register (click here) as lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Questions?
Ben Dixon, Coordinator
North Country Symposium
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY 13617
Phone: 315.229.5664
Fax: 315-229-7430
bdixon@stlawu.edu