Feb. 16, 2021
CONTACTS:
Leslie Karasin, Adirondack Program Manager
Maura Adams, Director of Community Investment

Northern Forest Center to Partner With Communities  

SARANAC LAKE, NY:  A new strategy released today by the Northern Forest Center outlines how Adirondack communities can arrest demographic and economic decline by attracting new residents. With an aging population, many Adirondack communities are struggling to maintain strong schools, a robust workforce, and vital civic institutions.  

The Center’s strategy identifies opportunities for the Adirondack region to address these challenges and attract new residents by building on regional and community strengths and capitalizing on existing assets.   

“Many people love the Adirondacks, from time spent living or traveling here,” said Leslie Karasin, Adirondack program manager for the Northern Forest Center. “We have an opportunity to convert these people to residents to strengthen our communities and our economy. We already do fairly well at attracting retirees to the region, so we must focus on attracting young people to live here.”  

The strategy identifies the attributes that young people are looking for in a new community and defines the steps that places can take to provide these elements for potential residents. Intended as a guide for community leaders, nonprofits, and public entities, the strategy provides valuable processes and tools to position Adirondack communities for success.  

“In our work across the Northern Forest, we see that communities that are motivated, creative, and willing to approach old problems in new ways can experience tremendous success,” said Rob Riley, president of the Northern Forest Center. “This strategy includes a roadmap that communities can follow to assess their needs and build toward success. The key is to focus on visible outcomes.”  

Riley said the Center is raising funds to implement the strategy and to directly assist communities with this work. “We’re quickly putting this concept into action. A year from now we expect to see lots of energy and momentum thanks to coordinated action, new ideas and partnerships, local leadership, and leveraged investment. We also hope to start seeing the tangible results of this work by then – more young people in Adirondack communities.” 

Early activities will include establishing affinity groups to make progress in key sectors such as housing and recreation, and partnering with several communities to plan and execute a suite of projects that make them more attractive to a new generation.  

Hundreds of people contributed ideas to the strategy through individual interviews, focus groups, and the 2020 Common Ground Alliance forum, where hundreds of participants focused on the topic of attracting new residents.  

“The conversations that began at the Common Ground Alliance forum have been nothing short of long lasting and electric,” said Ross Whaley, Common Ground Alliance core team member and Northern Forest Center board member. “Seeing the alignment of organizations and efforts behind this strategy is inspiring. This is truly an exciting time in the Adirondacks.” 

In addition, more than 350 alumni of area high schools and colleges completed an online survey about their interest in moving back to the region, or their satisfaction about having stayed or moved back. Of those who currently live outside the Adirondacks, 21% said that they would love to move back, and 52% said that they would consider moving back if the conditions were right.   

“Broad community partnerships coupled with a cooperative, can-do mindset and solid plan are integral to capitalizing on the opportunities before us,” says Cali Brooks, Adirondack Foundation president and CEO, and a key advisor in the development of the strategy. “This strategy reflects careful thought and insight to provide a unified frame for setting the stage for a more promising future.”   

Attracting New Residents: A Strategy for the Adirondack Park and its Communities is available on the Northern Forest Center’s website at http://nfcenter.org/new_residents. Communities interested in learning how to partner with the Center to implement the strategy should contact Leslie Karasin at lkarasin@northernforest.org. 

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