New York Region Wins $935K for Clean Energy Upgrades

Small towns across New York's North Country just won big in the fight against high energy bills. Thanks to the Adirondack North Country Association, 70 different projects collectively secured $935,463 in state and federal funding for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades.

The regional nonprofit didn't just hand out money. ANCA provided technical assistance to applicants across 13 counties, helping them navigate complex grant programs from the USDA and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Many recipients wouldn't have known these opportunities existed without that crucial support.

The funded projects tell stories of real people solving real problems. Scotts Florist in Saranac Lake replaced an energy-guzzling flower cooler with efficient units. The ADK Food Hub in Tupper Lake upgraded lighting, insulation, and doors to cut operating costs. Five agricultural businesses, including farms and an equine center, installed solar energy systems.

Seven recipients shared $85,386 through the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program specifically for energy efficiency work. Another 41 agricultural businesses received $390,683 to expand markets and strengthen supply chains through a separate USDA program.

ANCA's Clean Energy Hub ran two targeted programs that addressed barriers many overlook. Nine childcare centers and nonprofits received $250,000 for upgrades like heat pumps and insulation. The Champlain Children's Learning Center now has heat pumps, while the Elizabethtown Social Center got critical attic and wall insulation.

The most innovative approach helped 13 households tackle the problem beneath the problem. These families received $209,394 to fix underlying issues like roof leaks and mold before any efficiency upgrades could happen. You can't insulate a home with a leaking roof.

The Ripple Effect

These investments create momentum that extends far beyond lower utility bills. When a childcare center reduces operating costs, it can serve more families or pay staff better. When farms cut energy expenses, they can invest in growth or keep food prices stable. When households fix critical safety issues, families live healthier lives while becoming eligible for future upgrades.

ANCA interim executive director Zach Hobbs captured the mission perfectly: building shared prosperity by advancing safety, affordability, and opportunity. In scattered rural communities with limited resources, that technical assistance bridge makes the difference between wanting to go green and actually making it happen.

Nearly $1 million is now working to create warmer homes, stronger businesses, and a cleaner future across northern New York.