For months, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council has been competing against the nine other regional councils in the state for its share of nearly $800 million in grants and tax incentives.

Thursday morning, the winners were announced and the north country received $103.2 million.

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is getting $40 million for having one of the top four plans in the state and more than $60 million in other state funding to get a total of 70 economic development projects in seven counties off the ground.

"It's fantastic for our area. It truly is going to transform the north country," said Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D. - 118th District).

On the list of projects: everything from upgrades to the water system in Gouverneur to keep Kinney Drugs and its jobs in the village to redeveloping the former Lyons Falls paper mill in Lewis County into a mixed-use business park.

The plan also includes building a year-round multi-use facility at Higley Flow State Park.

The Development Authority of the North Country is getting $4 million to help fund construction of 400 rental housing units in Jefferson County.

"If we allow that population to grow and we encourage that population to stay in our community by providing affordable housing, the economy will only continue to grow," said James Wright of the Development Authority.

And that's the whole point of the state awards.

"It's going to be a real shot in the arm, economic shot in the arm for the north country," said Tony Collins, co-chair of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

Many projects are shovel ready at this point; others are just waiting for the necessary permits and approvals.

The money to get them going could start flowing within a few weeks. 

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