Attracting and retaining young people in Adirondack communities is recognized as the greatest challenge – and opportunity – facing the region’s future.

Last year, the Center released its Attracting New Residents strategy for the Adirondacks to both attract and retain young people in the region and has since worked with a core group of partners to address issues that are important to young people deciding where to settle.

Collin McCullough photo
Collin McCullough of Plattsburgh, N.Y.

“As a young person who grew up in the North Country and has returned to make this place my home, I see tremendous value in focusing on young people as the bedrock of community revitalization,” said Collin McCullough of Plattsburgh, N.Y. “Our region has so much to offer to the next generation.”

“We’re so encouraged by the groundswell of enthusiasm, support, and partnership the strategy has gained,” said Leslie Karasin, Adirondack Program Director for the Center.

Highlights from the year’s work include:

  • Organizing affinity groups focused on downtown revitalization, community-based recreation, community marketing, and middle-income housing. More than 600 participants have joined these conversations, webinars, and regional events.
  • Formalizing community partnerships in four focal communities —Tupper Lake, Elizabethtown, Keene, and Chester — to advance initiatives to bring the strategy to life. In each, we’ve conducted early assessments for middle-market housing development.
  • Contributing to the Adirondack Foundation’s assessment of impact investment strategy across community and economic development and housing.
  • Assisting partner communities, including Tupper Lake and Elizabethtown, to secure more than $10 million in public and private funding to support aligned projects.
  • Increasing young residents’ interest in being involved and supporting community-based solutions.

“We’re grateful for the many ways that hundreds of stakeholders have informed the strategy and committed to making sure it continues to be a useful organizing structure for the region and its communities,” said Karasin.

To learn more, download the full strategy for attracting new residents.