Niagara Mohawk - Economic Development

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Northern New York is bordered by Lake Ontario on the west, the Adirondack Mountains to the south, Vermont and Lake Champlain to the east, and the St. Lawrence Seaway and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada, to the north. The largest of New York's economic regions with 9,776 square miles, it is the smallest in population. The mean daily temperature is 14.5 F in January and 69.0 F in July.

Quick Facts:

Work Force
Population
Local Utilities
Market Access
Industries
Economic Development Zones
Selected Employers
Transportation
Education
Health Care
Quality of Life

Work Force

Labor Force: 187,900
Households: 144,196
Total Personal Income: $6.6 billion
Per Capita Income: $15,235
Median Home Sales Price: $55,000

Population: 432,024 BACK TO TOP

Clinton County 86,978
City of Plattsburgh 20,940
Essex County 37,950
Franklin County 49,121
Jefferson County 114,891
City of Watertown 27,869
Lewis County 27,661
St. Lawrence County 115,490
Village of Massena 11,468
City of Ogdensburg 13,174

Local Utilities BACK TO TOP

Niagara Mohawk:
Offers negotiated flexible electric rates for many types of new businesses, negotiable gas transportation rates and fixed rate gas discounts.

Market Access BACK TO TOP

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., key Canadian markets (Montreal and Ottawa) are within an hour's drive.

Industries BACK TO TOP

Northern New York's economy is based primarily on the development of its abundant natural resources, including vast stretches of timber and valuable mineral deposits such as zinc, talc and dolomite. Three industries—dairying, paper manufacturing and aluminum products—account for nearly half of all the manufacturing jobs in the region. Other major industry clusters include wood products, pharmaceuticals, apparel manufacturing and plastics.

Tourism plays a central role in the region's economy and is a major employer. The Thousand Islands, the Champlain Valley and the Adirondack Park attract thousands of visitors each year.

Economic Development Zones BACK TO TOP

Lowville/Martinsburg
Moriah/Port Henry
Ogdensburg
Plattsburgh
Potsdam
Watertown

Selected Employers BACK TO TOP

ALCOA, Massena
James River Corporation, Carthage and Gouverneur
Champion International Corp., Deferiet
Corning, Canton
Mitel, Ogdensburg
Georgia Pacific, Plattsburgh
Reynolds Metals Company, Massena
International Paper Co., Ticonderoga
Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories, Rouses Point

Transportation BACK TO TOP

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 major population and industrial centers to the north in Canada.

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

Rail Service: Commercial rail service is provided by Conrail 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: The Port of Ogdensburg provides deep-water port facilities for ocean-going vessel

via the St. Lawrence Seaway, and many Northern New York businesses use the nearby Port of Montreal, the second-largest inland port in North America. The Champlain canal, part of the NewYork State Canal System, connects Lake Champlain and Montreal with the Hudson River and New York City, serving recreational as well as commercial users.

Education BACK TO TOP

Ten colleges and universities, including two four-year colleges at Plattsburgh and Potsdam operated by the State University system, enroll close to 30,000 students. Clarkson University is home to the state's Center for Advanced Technology in Advanced Materials Processing.

Major Colleges and Universities Enrollment

Clarkson University, Potsdam 2,978
Paul Smith's College of Arts and Sciences 809
St. Lawrence University, Canton 1,983
SUNY College of Technology at Canton 2,278
SUNY College at Potsdam 4,562
SUNY College at Plattsburgh 6,160

Health Care BACK TO TOP

Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh
House of Good Samaritan Hospital, Watertown
A. Barton Hepburn Hospital, Ogdensburg
Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake
Massena Memorial Hospital, Massena

Quality of Life BACK TO TOP

Northern New York is an area of outstanding physical beauty. Some 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 region is a four-season outdoor vacationland, with world-class alpine and nordic 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 and the Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg are two of the region's unique cultural offerings.

Prepared by Niagara Mohawk, Syracuse New York - 1-800-944-6460