March 23, 2024 —
New York State recently awarded Clinton County $3 million to help develop the airport site. Officials say winning the funding could make the county more attractive to more businesses.
Located off State Route 3 in Plattsburgh, the former airport site is now called the Clinton County Business Innovation Gateway (C-BIG). It is located right next to an existing industrial park that is currently full.
“We've always been able to have more businesses here, but we're running out of space, and this facility provides a very unique opportunity to meet that need,” said Molly Ryan, Clinton County's economic development director. He will do it,” he said.
Ryan said there is a great need for land available for development in the county, and $3 million from the state's Shovel-Ready Tract New York (FAST NY) focused attraction program will help solve that problem. He said he was deaf.
“This award will help us open approximately 130 acres of land immediately,” she said.
This represents about one-third of the 450-acre parcel. Ryan said state funds could reimburse the county and make up the difference for a $6.5 million project to develop those acres.
This portion of C-BIG will be able to support up to 1.7 million square feet of industrial space, according to a press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul's office. FAST NY funds will support road construction as well as water, sewer, stormwater, and electrical infrastructure improvements.
Ryan said C-BIG takes advantage of existing advantages of proximity to highways, railroads and Plattsburgh International Airport. And she says getting state funding also puts the site in the spotlight, as it is designated as shovel-ready through Empire State Development.
“They (ESD) are calling New York State every day and working with people who are considering where in New York State to set up shop,” Ryan said. “And now this is one of the places they're looking at.”
Ryan said private companies have expressed interest in the site, but he declined to say what industries. Not only can C-BIG accommodate new businesses, she says, but it can also be a place for existing businesses to grow.
“We have businesses that are looking to expand every day. So, you know, that's one of our businesses that's already here and we're helping them scale to meet their needs. There is a possibility.”
Apart from the state, several other entities are also investing in the development of C-BIG. Ryan said Clinton County, the city of Plattsburgh, the federal government and a local nonprofit called the Development Corporation have been working together over the past few years.
Opening the remaining 450 acres will depend on identifying additional funding sources, both private and public, Ryan said.
“Obviously, we never want that to happen on the backs of Clinton County taxpayers.”
Ryan said the project will benefit taxpayers by generating sales tax revenue and expanding the tax base.
But she says C-BIG's development will not only benefit Clinton County. Mr Ryan says the new business means new jobs can be provided to other North Country residents.
“So this is important for Clinton County, but it’s also important for people who live outside of Clinton County because those are opportunities that are available to them as well,” she said.
Mr Ryan said state funding would ensure this stage of C-BIG's development would be completed by the end of the year.
