St. Lawrence University President Kathryn Morris Named Co-Chair of North Country Regional Economic Development Council
The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) announced that St. Lawrence University President Kathryn A. Morris has been appointed as academic co-chair. Morris will work with James McKenna, CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), who serves as the Council's business co-chair.
“I congratulate President Morris on her appointment to the council and look forward to working together to create many new economic opportunities throughout the North Country,” said Hope Knight, president, CEO, and commissioner of Empire State Development, New York State’s economic development agency. Knight added, “The Regional Economic Development Councils engage community stakeholders in the economic development process to support the state’s efforts to create jobs and catalyze new regional investments.”
President Morris said: “I am honored to work with Commissioner Knight, Co-Chair McKenna, Council members and staff to support economic development in the North Country. I am pleased to represent St. Lawrence University and the other colleges in the North Country as we work together with businesses and non-profit organizations to foster economic development in the region.”
ROOST CEO James McKenna said, "The NCREDC plays an integral role in local economic development throughout the region and I am honored to serve as a co-chair alongside President Morris. The method of bringing experts from industry, academia and nonprofits together for the betterment of the region has allowed us to successfully develop strategic plans that helped fuel regional innovation and make the North Country a great place to live, work and visit. I look forward to building on the successes of the Council and working with President Morris to continue our successes and make the North Country a better place, now and in the future."
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council initiative (REDC) is a key component of New York State's transformative approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, the 10 Regional Councils developed long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources.
Since the establishment of the REDCs in 2011 until the most recent round in 2023, which is still in-progress, over $7.7 billion dollars has been awarded to more than 9,500 economic and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.
