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Governor
Cuomo Announces Master Plan for $32 Million
“Gateway
to the Adirondacks” at Northway Exit 29
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New York-based
Paradox Brewery Will Expand
at Gateway,
Invest $2.8 Million and Create 22 New Jobs
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$32 Million Private-Public
Investment to
Create World-Class
Recreational and Tourism Hub
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Albany,
NY – January 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently
announced the Master Plan to establish a Gateway to the Adirondacks at
Exit 29 of the Northway, in the town of North Hudson. Located in the heart
of the Adirondacks, the future Gateway site once hosted Frontier Town,
a popular theme park that has been unoccupied for years. The Governor also
announced that Paradox Brewery,
a New York State-born craft beverage business, will expand its operations
at the Gateway site, invest $2.8 million and create 22 new jobs in North
Hudson. The State will work with public and private partners to secure
an estimated $32 million to create a world-class tourism destination at
the site.
“The
Gateway to the Adirondacks will be a world-class tourism hub at a strategic
location to attract new visitors to the Adirondack Park and drive economic
growth in the North Country,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Master Plan, developed
with key community partners, builds on our comprehensive efforts to protect
the Adirondack Park while attracting tourists to experience the wide array
of outstanding recreation options this region has to offer.”
New
York State and the Open Space Institute, working in collaboration with
five neighboring Adirondack towns, engaged a private firm to create a blueprint
for a new recreation hub that would improve local amenities, expand access,
and draw increased visitors to this part of the Park. The Master Plan was
developed in partnership with the Town of North Hudson, the five towns
of the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub, the Empire State Forest Products Association,
the Open Space Institute, and Essex County, whose industrial development
agency will oversee operation. The Gateway site sits on a mix of Essex
County and town of North Hudson property totaling about 300 acres, and
includes almost a mile and a half of the picturesque Schroon River.
The
Master
Plan for the Gateway to the Adirondacks includes:
-
A DEC
campground and day use area along the Schroon River
-
Equestrian
camping and trail riding area
-
Visitor
Information Center to introduce visitors to the world class recreation
destinations in the Adirondack Park
-
Event
center with tourist accommodations
-
Interactive
exhibits in historic structures highlighting the past, present, and future
of the Adirondack forest products and local food industries
Paradox
Brewery plans to expand its brewing operations at the new Gateway location
in 2017, as well as open a saloon offering a selection of New York beers
and food. Paradox currently operates a tasting room at Schroon Lake. In
order to encourage the expansion and creation of 22 new jobs, Empire
State Development has offered up to $200,000 in performance-based incentives,
including a grant and Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits.
Exit
29 of the Northway is at the confluence of the Blue Ridge Highway and Route
9. The Blue Ridge Highway is an all-season road that travels through thousands
of acres of Adirondack Forest Preserve and conservation easement lands,
including the recently acquired Boreas Ponds property. This route also
provides quick and easy access to the towns of Newcomb, Minerva, Long Lake,
and Indian Lake. Route 9 links North Hudson to Schroon Lake, and the Route
9 State Bike Route will be part of the proposed Empire State Trail, creating
the largest state multi-use trail in the nation.
Paul
Mrocka, President and Founder of Paradox Brewery, said: “Paradox Brewery
has been looking for land to expand operations and we believe this opportunity
in North Hudson is the perfect fit. With the support of the Governor and
Empire State Development, we can bring the excitement of craft brewing
to another Essex County community. This new location, at the foot of a
trail head, fits well with our Adirondack theme. The mountain views are
an ideal complement as our visitors experience Pure Adirondack Craft Beer.”
New
York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil
Seggos said, “The State’s visionary plan for the Gateway is building on
Governor Cuomo’s tireless efforts to conserve the beauty and wildness of
the Park while increasing economic opportunities for area residents and
businesses. The new Gateway at Exit 29 is easily accessible and within
minutes of thousands of miles of recreation trails on public lands and
conservation easements open for biking, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling,
which connect communities throughout the Park. DEC is grateful to the Open
Space Institute for providing the resources necessary to bring everyone
together to create the Master Plan.”
ESD
President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Under the leadership
of Governor Cuomo, our efforts to revitalize the economy across Upstate
New York have never been stronger. The Gateway to the Adirondacks will
continue to advance our economic mission and bolster the tourism and the
craft beverage industries by bringing visitors and jobs to the North Country.”
State
Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “The Gateway to the Adirondacks
project is a great example of New York State’s commitment and innovative
efforts to grow its craft beverage industry. The plan for Paradox Brewery
to expand its business at the Gateway will not only help support local
agriculture but also boost agritourism and attract more visitors to the
Adirondacks.”
Senator
Betty Little said, “I’ve driven past the former Frontier Town more times
than I care to remember, but each time thinking and hoping for something
that would once again attract visitors. So, to say the least, I am so happy
to see this collaboration of state and local governments and the private
sector to create a new destination at this ideal location that will undoubtedly
boost tourism throughout the region. I’ve been pleased to work with Governor
Cuomo and his administration to grow our tourism industry. The investments
made have always paid off well, bringing in more visitors and more revenue
for businesses. We have so much to offer, no place compares to the Adirondacks,
and this Gateway will be the perfect showcase.”
Assemblyman
Dan Stec said, “This exciting project has the potential to draw thousands
of visitors to North Hudson to connect to the amazing ýrecreation
opportunities in this area of the Park. This coupled with the jobs created
through commercial business development will revitalize communities in
this region.”
The
state and its municipal and private partners will continue efforts to develop
the site, focusing initially on developing the equestrian, camping, and
associated parking and trail facilities.
North
Country Regional Economic Development Council co-chairs Anthony G. Collins,
President of Clarkson University, and Garry Douglas, President of the North
Country Chamber of Commerce, said, “The revitalization of Adirondack communities
like North Hudson has been at the center of our regional economic development
plan from the beginning. Making this town an active gateway for Adirondack
visitors, with Paradox Brewery as a new attraction and business and with
some 22 new jobs, is nothing short of transformational for North Hudson
and a boost for the entire region. We thank Governor Cuomo for his continuing
commitment to the North Country and its communities.”
Town
of North Hudson Supervisor Ron Moore said, “Support by Governor Cuomo for
these Master Plan concepts will go a long way in re-establishing North
Hudson as a tourist destination and business center, bringing much needed
jobs and economic activity to our town. I am very pleased that DEC will
be acquiring an interest In Town and County lands to create a camping and
recreation area and make certain that a new equestrian center in this part
of the Adirondack Park will be wildly successful. This, coupled with the
interest of Paradox Brewing to expand operations at the site, will be truly
transformative for North Hudson.”
Essex
County Chair Randy Preston said, “Essex County is 100% behind the Master
Plan concepts and is thrilled to be partnering with Governor Cuomo and
the communities of this Adirondack region to realize the tremendous potential
for public and private development at this site. The Essex County IDA will
be stepping up to manage the project, ensuring consistency in the development
concepts and providing assistance to interested private businesses that
may want to locate at Exit 29.”
Empire
State Forest Products Association Executive Director John Bartow said,
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the State and local leaders to explore
the potential at this site for highlighting the impact that the forest
products industry has had and will continue to have on the Adirondack region.”
Kim
Elliman President and CEO of the Open Space Institute, said, “The development
of this Master Plan is a testament to what can be accomplished through
collaboration and effective public and private leadership. The shared commitment
to expanding recreational access and enhancing economic activity throughout
these communities underscores the value of land conservation as we introduce
visitors to the millions of Forest Preserve acres that OSI and other groups
have helped to preserve. Moreover, this new recreational hub will offer
new opportunities for exploration and better disperse visitors.”
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