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TDC NNY highlights industrial park space, workforce grants and K–12 partnerships in Champlain presentation
Summary
Danielle King and Renee McFarland of TDC NNY gave a presentation to the Village of Champlain Board outlining the nonprofit’s industrial inventory, speculative building strategy, workforce grants and school partnerships aimed at attracting and retaining jobs in Clinton County.
Danielle King, president and CEO of TDC NNY (the Development Corporation of Clinton County), told the Village of Champlain Board that the nonprofit manages about 700,000 square feet of industrial space in Clinton County and more than 100 acres in the Champlain Industrial Park, and that the organization uses speculative building and subsidized leasing to attract companies, particularly from Quebec.
King said TDC NNY “rebranded in 2020” and described the group as “a private not for profit, economic development and industrial development organization” that is not a government entity. She said the nonprofit’s strategy includes building on spec to bring tenants into the region and to “create opportunities for the folks here in the North Country.”
The organization also supports workforce development, King said, describing grants for employers and educators. “We will reimburse up to 80% of training costs,” she said, adding that TDC NNY runs programs to connect K–12 students with local manufacturing through events such as science fairs and CareerConnect and by partnering with CFES Brilliant Pathways to place students in workplace experiences.
King described outreach that aims to change perceptions of local manufacturing careers. She said student visits to facilities such as Norse Titanium and Modisca Pharmaceuticals demonstrate modern, higher-tech operations and help convince teenagers that “there are chances to work for, like, global companies with really good opportunities of advancement” without leaving the region.
Board members asked about workforce and transportation. King said the issue is not simply unemployment but labor-force participation, and that barriers such as childcare keep some residents out of the workforce. On transportation, she suggested Clinton County Public Transit can respond to demand and encouraged employers or community groups to contact the transit authority about concentrated ride needs.
King left printed information about TDC grants and provided business cards to board members for follow-up. The board thanked King and Renee McFarland, director of business development at TDC NNY, for the presentation.
