 News
& Announcements
Development Authority and Clarkson University Work Together for Sustainability Watertown, NY - January 6, 2010 - The Development Authority of the North Country recently completed a joint effort with Clarkson University to conduct conceptual research of alternative uses of waste heat produced at the Authority's Solid Waste Management Facility. The project was conducted by Clarkson students from Dr. Susan Powers' Industrial Ecology course this past semester. Please click HERE to read the entire article. Media Contact:
COMMUNITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CTAP) The Community Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) was established by the Development Authority of the North County in 2009 as part of the Authority's Community Development Loan Fund. This program provides funding for predevelopment costs incurred for community-sponsored projects in priority areas established by the Project Development Committee and listed below under "Eligible Projects." For additional information, please download the Guidelines for New Community Technical Assistance Program document. Congratulations to Steve McElwain,
the Authority’s newest graduate of the Jefferson Leadership Institute (JLI).
The Jefferson Leadership Institute is a leadership development program that immerses
participants in community issues through twelve full day sessions that run from
September through June. The curriculum enables participants to develop their leadership
capabilities, build strong relationships and encourages involvement in effecting
positive change in the community. We welcome Steve to the growing list of JLI
alumni within the Authority. Presentation: "Your Development Authority of the North Country" presentation given by Executive Director Jim Wright to an audience at the Black River Club on May 27, 2009. download here Announcement:
As a demonstration of our commitment to a recycling program, James Wright
has designated Jan Oatman, as the Authority’s Recycling Coordinator. This
designation is applicable to both internal and external initiatives. Jan will
be working with our internal Green Innovation Group to enhance and strengthen
the Authority’s program, and she will be working with the three counties
and DEC on our regional initiates. Open
Access Telecom Network Regional Telemedecine Network: The Development
Authority is working with the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization,
and a consortium of six hospitals and Fort Drum, to create a telemedicine network
throughout the region. The network will improve access to care, and create electronic
linkages between the healthcare institutions. The network will be supported by
the Authority's Open Access Telecom Network. The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning
Organization received funding from the Federal Communications Commission to create
the telemedicine network.
Solid
Waste Management Facility Please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Solid Waste Management Facility Open House and Environmental Expo. September 19, 2009 from 10AM - 3PM The Development Authority Landfill becomes first carbon reduction project to earn credits outside of California. Read the Press Release here. Landfill Gas Collection System Expansion: The Authority's Solid Waste Management Facility will complete a major expansion of the Gas Collection System this fall. 25 new landfill gas extraction wells have been drilled into the waste mass. A contractor is in the process connecting these new wells to the existing landfill gas piping system which will direct the gas to the LFGTE power. Renewable Energy Update: The Authority's developer,
Innovative Energy Systems, has nearly completed construction on a Landfill Gas
to Energy (LFGTE) power plant. Construction activities included the 4.8MW power
plant, a gas transmission pipeline, an electrical transmission line and an electrical
substation. The project should be producing electricity in late fall of this year.
A large (10 acre) greenhouse is one option under consideration for utilization
of waste heat generated by the power plant. Community
Development Funding to Support Jefferson County Dairy Profit Teams Program The Development Authority approved a grant of $12,000 to assist
the Jefferson County Agriculture Development Corporation's Dairy Profit Teams
Program. The program brings together a team of professionals with dairy farmers
to improve farm efficiencies, increase profitability and enhance farm management
practices during a time of record low milk prices. Partnering with the Jefferson
County Industrial Development Agency we hope to assist an additional 10 farms
in the county with these teams. Riverview Plaza LLC The Development Authority in partnership with the Empire State Development Corporation, City of Watertown, Watertown Local Development Corporation, Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency, Key Bank and the principals of Riverview Plaza LLC is funding a $2.5m downtown commercial revitalization effort. This public and private sector project involves the adaptive reuse of a vacant former mill building (Bradley Hardware) located near the Black River in the City of Watertown's Riverwalk District to create 29 new apartments on the upper two floors and new commercial space on the ground floor. Construction to begin in the spring of 2008, completed in early 2009.
Funds Available for Farmland Drainage The Development Authority
is accepting applications for the Farmland Drainage Loan Program. The program
is available for farmland drainage in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.
Funds may be used for the purchase, installation and associated soft costs to
install drainage systems to lands presently producing crops. Maximum loans are
$10,000 with minimum cash equity of 50% of the total loan amount. Loans are for
5 years with a fixed interest rate at the greater of ½ of the prime rate
at closing, or a floor of 3%. Farming must be the applicant's primary business.
For more information contact Michelle L. Capone, Sr. Project Development Specialist
at (315) 785-2593. Kirby Street Apartments: The Development Authority has approved a construction financing loan to Frontier Housing Corporation, Dexter. DANC is partnering with Key Bank to make available the construction financing in conjunction with the New York State Division of Housing & Community Renewal funding, which will provide the permanent financing. Financing this effort will enable Frontier Housing to create six new affordable rental units in the Village. The project consists of three 2 bedroom townhouse style apartments on Kirby Street. Construction of the units is underway with completion in June 2008.
Water & Wastewater Water/Wastewater and Engineering Division Customers Map Congratulations to John Duvall and John McCauley for passing the Wastewater Treatment Basic Operations course at Morrisville College. This course is an intensive two-week training/testing program and is the first step to obtaining a Grade 2A wastewater certification. Passing this course is a great accomplishment and the result of 2+ years of on-the-job training and study.
Local Government Conference- 10/14/2008 Carrie Tuttle, P.E., C.S.P., along with Dan Merrill and Dave Cook were at the Local Goverment Conference on 10/14/2008 to do a presentation on Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), Supervisory Control and Data Aquisition (SCADA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) Download the Presentation here
Wastewater Infrastructure Needs of New York State Report. The protection of our waterbodies, the health of our communities and the prospects for future economic growth are linked to modern, reliable and efficient wastewater treatment systems. However, systems are failing, and municipalities do not have the funds to adequately repair and replace necessary infrastructure. The conservative cost estimate of repairing, replacing, and updating New York's municipal wastewater infrastructure is $36.2 billion over the next 20 years. This is more than local governments and the state can address on their own. This report, developed by the Department and the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation, is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the state's wastewater infrastructure needs, identify the factors that have led to the current problem, and establish a context for assessing and determining the steps needed to address our wastewater infrastructure needs. This report should serve as a foundation for New York's efforts to attack the issue, and as a first step in the critical process of establishing a sustainable wastewater infrastructure funding program.
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