North Country Region

		Counties: Clinton Franklin Essex St. Lawrence Jefferson Lewis

CONTACT:

For More Information, Contact:

Empire State Development

Plattsburgh Office
401 West Bay Plaza
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: 518-561-5642
Fax: 518-561-8831
E-mail: nys-northcountry@empire.state.ny.us
Get driving directions

Watertown Office
Dulles State Office Bldg.
Watertown, NY 13601
Phone: 315-785-7907
Fax: 315-785-7935
E-mail: nys-northcountry@empire.state.ny.us

The North Country Region, the largest of New York's economic regions in land area and the smallest in population, could almost be a state unto itself. With spectacular mountain peaks and fertile valleys, it is a place of extraordinary beauty, as well as a corridor for American-Canadian commerce.

Location
The six-county North Country Region is bordered by Lake Ontario on the west, Vermont and Lake Champlain to the east, the heart of the Adirondack mountains to the south, and the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario to the north.

Area
9,776 square miles

Weather
Mean Daily Temperature:
January 14.5° F
July 69.0° F

Workforce

Population

Local Utilities
National Grid
Offers negotiated flexible electric rates for many types of new businesses, negotiable gas transportation rates and fixed rate gas discounts.

New York State Electric & Gas Corp.
Offers negotiated flexible electric and fixed rate electric discounts for many types of new businesses and negotiable firm gas transportation service.

Market Access
The region's proximity to major Canadian population centers makes it a highly desirable location for companies serving the North American market and for Canadian companies wishing to establish a branch operation in the U.S. Two key Canadian markets, Montreal and Ottawa, are within an hour's drive.

Industries
The North Country Region's economy is based primarily on the development of its abundant natural resources, including vast stretches of timber and valuable mineral deposits like zinc, talc and dolomite. Three industries - dairy, paper manufacturing and pharmaceuticals - account for nearly half of all the manufacturing jobs in the region. Other major industries include wood products, aluminum products, apparel manufacturing, and plastics.

Many U.S. retailers have radically altered the way they deliver post-purchase customer service with call centers. The North Country has the perfect resources for this industry development, with a readily available labor pool consisting of dependable individuals, competitive labor costs, an up-to-date telecommunications infrastructure that can accommodate large amounts of both voice and data transmissions, and low property costs. The work ethic and productivity rates are proven to be superior in this area.

The North Country has a great track record for success in the transportation products industry. World-class companies, such as Bombardier, New York Air Brake, and Pratt & Whitney have made their homes in this resource rich region.

Tourism plays a central role in the region's economy, and is a major employer. The Thousand Islands, Lake Champlain, Olympic venues at Lake Placid, and the Adirondack Park are destinations for thousands of visitors each year.

Selected Employers
ACCO, Ogdensburg
ALCOA, Massena
Bombardier, Plattsburgh
Coolbrands, North Lawrence
Corning, Canton
Georgia Pacific, Plattsburgh
International Paper, Ticonderoga
Kraft Foods, Inc., Lowville
New York Air Brake, Watertown
Otis Technology, Lyons Falls
Pratt & Whitney of Canada, Plattsburgh
Wyeth, Rouses Point

Transportation
Highways: Two major interstate highways provide access. The eastern part of the region is served by the scenic Adirondack Northway, I-87, which connects Albany and the New York State Thruway with Canada. I-81 passes through the western part of the region, connecting it with Syracuse and the New York State Thruway to the south, and with Highway 401 and major population and industrial centers to the north in Canada.

Air Service: Passenger service is provided at airports in Watertown, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Massena and Saranac Lake.

Rail Service: Commercial rail service is provided by CSX and Canadian Pacific. Amtrak operates passenger service on the eastern portion of the region from Montreal south to New York City.

Bus Service: Regular service is provided by Greyhound Bus Lines and Adirondack Trailways in several communities throughout the region.

Port Facilities: Many North Country businesses use the nearby Port of Montreal, the second-largest inland port in North America. The I-87 Trade Corridor provides easy access to the ports of New York City, Albany, and Montreal. The Port of Ogdensburg provides deep-water port facilities for ocean-going vessels via the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Champlain Canal, part of the New York State Canal System, connects Lake Champlain and Montreal with the Hudson River and New York City, and serves recreational boaters.

Education
Eight colleges and universities enroll more than 24,000 students, including five four-year and three two-year colleges and universities. Clarkson University is home to the state's Center for Advanced Technology in Advanced Materials Processing.

Major College and University Enrollments

Health Care
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center, Plattsburgh
Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown
Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg
Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake
Massena Memorial Hospital, Massena

Quality of Life
The North Country Region is an area of dazzling natural beauty. Natural attractions include the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River, Ausable Chasm, the Adirondack Park and its 46 High Peaks, and Lake Champlain. The Adirondack Park Interpretive Centers, in Newcomb and Paul Smiths, offer visitors a unique opportunity for environmental education and traveler orientation. The region is a four-season outdoor vacationland, with world-class downhill and cross country skiing, challenging hiking and backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, fishing and golf. Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, is a major four-season resort area. The Crane School of Music in Potsdam; the Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg; the Natural History Museum in Tupper Lake; and Fort Ticonderoga in Ticonderoga, are some of the region's unique cultural offerings.