SUNY Plattsburgh, TDC to Host Forum for Business Professionals

A forum designed to familiarize area professionals with opportunities and incentives available to their clients who are considering expanding their companies or relocating to the North Country will be held Tuesday, March 13 in the Angell College Center, SUNY Plattsburgh.

The 90-minute “Economic Development Opportunities for Frontline Professionals Forum” is designed as a platform for these professionals so they can connect a name and face with local state economic development resources. 

Real estate agents, architects, accountants and attorneys, among others, are often the first point of contact when a prospective company wants to locate in the North Country, said Keith Tyo, chief of staff at SUNYH Plattsburgh.

“The more our area business professionals and local service providers know about the resources available, the better they can assist companies to succeed in our area.”

“Our region has repeatedly been recognized as one of the top areas of its size for economic development potential in all of North and South America by the intelligence unit of the Financial Times of London,” said Paul A. Grasso Jr., president and CEO of The Development Corporation, co-sponsor along with SUNY Plattsburgh. “It is important that everyone involved in the site selection process for our area is aware of the programs, incentives and resources available for companies interested in establishing a presence or growing their business here.”

Forum presenters include:

•Erin Hynes, deputy director — North Country Region, Empire State Development

•Carol Calabrese, executive director — Essex County Industrial Development Agency

•Dr. Michele A. Snyder, associate vice president of academic affairs — Clinton Community College, Institute for Advanced Manufacturing

•Matthew Draper, executive director — Shipley Center for Innovation at Clarkson University

•Angela Smith, regional director — North Country Small Business Development Center

•Susan Matton, vice president of economic development — North Country Chamber of Commerce

•Reg Carter, executive director — CITEC Business Solutions

The forum, which is free and open to the public, begins with coffee and information booths at 9 a.m. with presentations slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Mary-Nell Bockman, conference director, College Auxiliary Services, at 518-564-3054 or email [email protected]. 

Registration is encouraged.