BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Local businesses and organizations are set to receive an influx of American Rescue Plan Act funding through the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency.

According to IDA officials, Potsdam Specialty Paper Inc. will receive $35,000 to assist with operational efficiency and employee separation improvements. The company will also receive $2,125 to assist with training in environmental compliance requirements.

St. Joseph's Nursing Home in Ogdensburg will receive $23,000 for upgrades to the cooling, heating and ventilation system.

ConTech in Gouverneur will receive $15,000 to create three, new full-time equivalent positions.

The Decker Family Farm in Winthrop will receive $7,500 in small business/non-profit assistance, while Deep Root Center, Whole Learners Inc. will receive $2,500 for the same.

A total of $2,108 has been awarded to St. Lawrence Health to send an employee to an EKG class.

According to IDA officials, a number of municipalities and non-profit organizations were also awarded funding through the Community Development Environmental Improvement Program.

In announcing this year’s program awards, St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency Chairman Robert McNeil stated, “the Community Development and Environmental Improvement Program has awarded over $4.4 million in funding over the past fourteen years for a variety of projects throughout St. Lawrence County.  This unique local program has supported many community organizations, attractions, and initiatives and we are proud to announce these awards in partnership with the IDA.”  The original funding for the program was provided by the New York Power Authority.

The Black Lake Fish and Game Association has been awarded $10,000 to purchase kitchen equipment for the Ames Youth Outdoor Education Center.

The Hermon Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $10,000 to purchase and install a generator at the fire station.

The town of Lisbon has received $20,000 to upgrade IT for real-time monitoring and rapid response to the Lisbon Beach Campground.

The town of Louisville has been awarded $10,000 for new flooring in the municipal building, while the town of Macomb has been awarded $5,000 to renovate the Macomb Historical Building with a new handicap bathroom, gazebo and generator hook-up.

The village of Massena has been awarded $10,000 to install a new retaining wall system and ADA accessible walkway at Veteran's Memorial Park.

The town of Oswegatchie was awarded $15,000 to purchase an eco weed puller and cutter for water chestnut reduction treatments.

St. Lawrence County Trails was awarded $10,000 to relocate a four-mile center section of trail between Long Pond and the Grasse River in Colton.

The town of Waddington has received $10,000 to create a prep kitchen on the second floor of the old town hall.