Businesses not offering much aid to River Agency

CANTON — Few businesses have so far weighed in on how the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency may use its money and low-cost power to assist them.

River Agency members have been seeking input from businesses via a questionnaire on the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency's website, but only three organizations have completed it, said Raymond H. Fountain, IDA chief executive officer. Members were hoping the information gleaned would help steer the River Agency's strategy for using $16 million and 20 megawatts of low-cost power from the New York Power Authority for economic development.

"We've only had three responses," Mr. Fountain said. "One was from a business and the other two were community projects. I guess the board is going to have to move on in their strategic planning without the information they may have expected."

Mr. Fountain said River Agency members will not have to develop a strategy in a vacuum, however. The group — which represents the towns of Lisbon, Waddington, Louisville and Massena and the county — has been meeting with other economic development agencies over the last two months to find out how past efforts have been directed.

"They know they don't want to start doing what somebody else has been doing," Mr. Fountain said. "They want to find out where the voids are, and they've spent a lot of time on that. Their planning process will be formalized in the next couple of weeks."

The River Agency could develop programs of its own, but Mr. Fountain said it also is likely to fill gaps in the incentive packages other economic development organizations offer to businesses.

"Most of our regular programs have limitations. For instance, the IDA can assist businesses up to $15,000 per job created. In today's environment, especially when it comes to high-tech businesses, that might not be a lot of assistance to people," Mr. Fountain said. "They have an opportunity to give more."

River Agency members again meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Louisville Municipal Building, Route 37.