Canton Potsdam Bypass Advocacy Fund
Donation protected
On behalf of the residents of the North Country, especially those living below the poverty line, without a job, or living in sub-standard housing, the Northern Corridor Transportation Group asks for your financial assistance in order to help make the development of the Canton-Potsdam bypass a reality. Please donate today!
Allow us to explain...The North Country region of New York State remains one of the most isolated regions in the Northeast. As a result, the North Country consistently ranks last with respect to nearly every economic indicator when compared against the rest of the state and region. From the unbelievably high percentage of children living below the poverty line and unbearably low per capita incomes to still sky-high unemployment rates, the North Country remains one of our nations most challenged regions with respect to economic opportunity.
In spite of significant state investments in private sector projects, the North Country continues to shed jobs. St. Lawrence County has been hit, perhaps, the worst. The General Motors facility and one of the Alcoa facilities located in Massena have both closed in the past few years. The remaining Alcoa facility is but a shell of its not to distant past. In the 1960’s, nearly 10,000 people were employed at those three facilities. Today, there are less than 800.
Dozens of stores and restaurants have closed, particularly at the St. Lawrence Center Mall. Anchor stores like Sears and Office Depot have left the county and there are reports that several others will follow the same path in the coming months.
Millions of dollars are spent each year to educate our children and when they complete high school, they become the region’s only true export. Whether they leave the region for college or for the purpose of finding immediate employment, they do not come back.
In spite of the fact that the region is due south of 3.5 Million consumers located in the vicinity of Montreal and Ottawa, the North Country economy continues to decline. Why?
The North Country is the only region in New York State that is not adequately served by the National Highway System. The region is host to 12 international border crossings. 9.55% of all trucks that enter the UNITED STATES from CANADA pass though those twelve international ports of entry; yet there is no East-West Interstate artery that connects all of them to the rest of the system.
Several years ago, economic development leaders, private business leaders, labor leaders and elected officials united to form the Northern Corridor Transportation Group with the vision of finally constructing an East-West Interstate that would allow the region to capitalize on lost economic opportunities, particularly those involving expanded trade with Canada.
More than 650 entities including municipalities, school districts, fire districts, other taxing jurisdictions, community organizations, Chambers of Commerce, non-profits, labor unions and religious organizations have passed resolutions in support of the development of the Interstate corridor. The construction of the four-lane Canton-Potsdam bypass to be located in St. Lawrence County would be a first step in making this job creation project a reality.
As would be expected, however, there are opponents to development. While they remain on the fringe, they have been very vocal and where facts don’t fit their cause, they have had a history of injecting opinion and fiction into the discussion.
It is therefore essential that the Northern Corridor Transportation Group elevate the tone and temper of its message in order to ensure that the residents of the North Country, and particularly those of St. Lawrence County, understand the facts about the relationship between transportation development and economic growth opportunity. The organization has an extensive public education campaign prepared and needs your help to fund it.
Allow us to explain...The North Country region of New York State remains one of the most isolated regions in the Northeast. As a result, the North Country consistently ranks last with respect to nearly every economic indicator when compared against the rest of the state and region. From the unbelievably high percentage of children living below the poverty line and unbearably low per capita incomes to still sky-high unemployment rates, the North Country remains one of our nations most challenged regions with respect to economic opportunity.
In spite of significant state investments in private sector projects, the North Country continues to shed jobs. St. Lawrence County has been hit, perhaps, the worst. The General Motors facility and one of the Alcoa facilities located in Massena have both closed in the past few years. The remaining Alcoa facility is but a shell of its not to distant past. In the 1960’s, nearly 10,000 people were employed at those three facilities. Today, there are less than 800.
Dozens of stores and restaurants have closed, particularly at the St. Lawrence Center Mall. Anchor stores like Sears and Office Depot have left the county and there are reports that several others will follow the same path in the coming months.
Millions of dollars are spent each year to educate our children and when they complete high school, they become the region’s only true export. Whether they leave the region for college or for the purpose of finding immediate employment, they do not come back.
In spite of the fact that the region is due south of 3.5 Million consumers located in the vicinity of Montreal and Ottawa, the North Country economy continues to decline. Why?
The North Country is the only region in New York State that is not adequately served by the National Highway System. The region is host to 12 international border crossings. 9.55% of all trucks that enter the UNITED STATES from CANADA pass though those twelve international ports of entry; yet there is no East-West Interstate artery that connects all of them to the rest of the system.
Several years ago, economic development leaders, private business leaders, labor leaders and elected officials united to form the Northern Corridor Transportation Group with the vision of finally constructing an East-West Interstate that would allow the region to capitalize on lost economic opportunities, particularly those involving expanded trade with Canada.
More than 650 entities including municipalities, school districts, fire districts, other taxing jurisdictions, community organizations, Chambers of Commerce, non-profits, labor unions and religious organizations have passed resolutions in support of the development of the Interstate corridor. The construction of the four-lane Canton-Potsdam bypass to be located in St. Lawrence County would be a first step in making this job creation project a reality.
As would be expected, however, there are opponents to development. While they remain on the fringe, they have been very vocal and where facts don’t fit their cause, they have had a history of injecting opinion and fiction into the discussion.
It is therefore essential that the Northern Corridor Transportation Group elevate the tone and temper of its message in order to ensure that the residents of the North Country, and particularly those of St. Lawrence County, understand the facts about the relationship between transportation development and economic growth opportunity. The organization has an extensive public education campaign prepared and needs your help to fund it.
Organizer
Jason Clark
Organizer
Norfolk, NY
