Adirondack Frontier: September Watch
Land banks are non-profit corporations with special powers to help communities fight blight and improve housing. For example, land banks can receive tax-foreclosed properties from a municipality and insure that they are only sold to responsible buyers.
There are 26 land banks across New York and they are proven to help communities address zombie properties, increase housing, and improve neighborhoods. Housing is a critical issue in Franklin County so the Legislature approved submitting an application to the State to create a Franklin County land bank so that communities can have another tool in their fight against blight.
FCEDC is actively assisting the county with its application process because addressing housing is a key element of our strategic plan.
FCEDC is pleased to support growth at Amado’s Restaurant in Tupper Lake and expanded baking capacity at Brainardsville Bake House! Read more about how this funding partnership between Franklin County and FCEDC is helping small businesses emerge from the pandemic more resilient.
Congratulations are in order for an Adirondack Frontier agriculture business, Bilow Farms!
Bilow Farms, located in the Town of Malone, is undergoing a huge and exciting expansion that will strengthen this family-owned business for generations to come.
“Bilow Farms is in the midst of a $25 million expansion project that will include a rotary milking unit able to handle 100 cows at a time, and two new barns, each about the length of five football fields. The farm owners have also partnered with a company called Rev LNG that is investing $20 million and will turn methane gas generated from cow manure into renewable natural gas — making the total project a $45 million endeavor. The project will also include an observation area for people to view the operations during tours of the facility.” — via Malone Telegram
Read more about it in this Malone Telegram article.
Downtown Saranac Lake
The Town of Harrietstown approved a 30-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes to support the Saranac Lofts project, a 70-unit housing development planned for a priority redevelopment area in Downtown Saranac Lake. The units will be a mix of market-rate and workforce housing that will help address the lack of affordable housing in the community.
Tupper Lake Junction
The Adirondack Railroad and the community of Tupper Lake recently celebrated the arrival of the first scenic train in the Junction. The scenic railroad will be a catalyst for growth in the Junction and FCEDC is encouraged to see trains on the tracks once again.
Downtown Malone
The Revitalization Strategic Plan (RSP) and Physical Enhancement Plan (PEP) efforts are well underway. On September 14th, an Open House was held to gain public input. These plans will provide a path forward for the development and design of downtown.
