Lake Placid, NY - The Town of North Elba is pleased to announce the newly established North Elba Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF). The North Elba LEAF is a dedicated and ongoing fund available to nonprofits, local governments, and public sector organizations within the Town of North Elba. Monies for the fund are derived from a dedicated 2% Essex County occupancy tax that was implemented by the Essex County Board of Supervisors in June of 2020. The mission of LEAF is to provide funds for programs, activities, and facilities that will have direct benefits to North Elba communities and improve the quality of place for both residents and visitors. Projects eligible must positively impact the community and its visitors by meeting the following criteria: Addresses a significant need of the communityWill be executed by an organization that demonstrates sound administration and financial managementEntails an initiative that will not depend on ongoing funding from LEAFWill be completed within a defined timeline Grant approvals will be a two step process. The North Elba LEAF committee, after due diligence in reviewing all eligible applications, will make recommendations to the North Elba Town Board (NETB) for final approval. The North Elba LEAF committee will not exceed 11 members and members will be approved by the NETB. Committee support, grant administration and grant compliance will be provided by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST). “We are extremely happy to see this project come to fruition,” stated Jay Rand, Supervisor for the Town of North Elba. “The established and ongoing fund dedicated to advancing initiatives for the betterment of our communities will truly be a catalyst for advancing the Town of North Elba as a place to live, a place to do business, and a place to visit.” A committee of 11 members will represent a diverse range of business and community sectors within the Town of North Elba. The committee is responsible for accepting and reviewing applications based on the scoring criteria, and will make award recommendations, as a committee, to the North Elba Town Board. A public information session will be hosted virtually on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 5:30pm to provide an overview of LEAF, outline the application process, and answer any questions. “Anyone who has questions, feels they have a project that may qualify, or simply wants to learn more about LEAF is encouraged to attend the public information session,” said Mary Jane Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer for ROOST. Details on how to apply and the scoring criteria are now available at www.roostadk.com/leaf. Applications for the initial round of funding will be accepted between January 1, 2021 and March 1, 2021. The second round of applications will be accepted no later than September 1, 2021 and approved by the town board no later than November 1, 2021. ###

ROOST and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) would like to invite you to join us for an update on operation plans for Whiteface, the Olympic sites, and other area attractions in advance of the upcoming holidays. Tuesday, January 12 at 1:00 p.m. Video and Screen Share Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1483986859 Call-in Alternative: (470) 869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 398 6859 Thank you! Team ROOST and ORDA

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) recently partnered with Warren County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to commission a survey to determine the desire for potential new year-round residents to the Adirondacks. Camoin 310 of Saratoga Springs, New York designed the survey and will compile the results. The survey is targeted for people living outside of the Adirondack Park. Results will help commissioners understand the important factors which would allow someone to consider relocating to the Adirondacks. One goal is to study if remote working has the potential to increase the possibility of singles and families to move. Included are questions regarding the potential housing demands, which covers: rental and ownership, and where the price range demand is. Responses will also illustrate what amenities are necessary to attract new residents. This includes: childcare, broadband, and school systems, to name a few. “With an evolving economy and a changing work environment, we must determine if there is an opportunity to grow the population of year-round residents in the Adirondacks,” said James Mckenna CEO of ROOST. “Many of our schools, services, and downtowns have the capacity to accommodate more year-round residents. Accurate data will provide insight needed on a number of issues like housing (for existing and new residents) and the opportunity to become a more diverse population with a more diverse economy.” Surveys will be sent out to contact lists from different organizations throughout the Adirondacks and on social media platforms. “The Adirondack region has unique appeal to people looking for healthy, safe, smaller communities with abundant open space and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Jim Siplon, Interim President Economic Development Corporation of Warren County, NY. “We believe professional relocation could be an important new growth opportunity in these communities, and we are gathering data as a key part of our strategic plan. The Warren County EDC is eager to work with people who are considering the benefits of making their year-round homes in the Adirondacks.” Please share the survey with people who have interest in relocating to the Adirondacks year-round. It can be found here: https://camoin.surveysparrow.com/s/Guest-Satisfaction-Survey-/tt-c77c09? The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York State. Warren County EDC is the economic development engine for Warren County, New York, attracting new businesses to the area, and helping existing ones expand. ###

Lake Placid, NY - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is pleased to announce changes to the board of directors effective January 1, 2021. ROOST's board of directors, responsible for governing the organization, is comprised of 12 individuals, with at least one director from each of the regions ROOST supports. Recent changes to the board include electing Sarah Wilson to Chair and welcoming Chip Grundon and Hillarie Logan-Dechene onboard. Leaving the board are Jill Cardinale, Andrea Holderied, and Shawn Goodway. Sarah Wilson - ChairCharles “Chip” Grundon - Member Hillarie Logan-Dechene - Member "We are all excited to be on the ROOST team. Our goal is to provide direction for the ROOST organization and go above and beyond to promote our local communities, as places where locals can thrive alongside visitors,” said Wilson. “As we work through the public health crisis we are focused on ensuring that our tourism economy is positioned for sustainability - economic, social, and environmental." The board currently consists of: Sarah Wilson, Chair; Chandler Ralph, Vice Chair; Marc Galvin, Treasurer; Lisa Hess-Marks, Secretary; and the following members: Michael Doran, Charles (Chip) Grundon, Mark Jessie, Leslie Karason, James Lemons, Hillarie Logan-Dechene, Nick Politi, and Garrick Smith. "With representatives from varied backgrounds, the board represents a broad range of perspectives, insights, and expertise," said James McKenna, CEO of ROOST. "Our volunteer board of directors dedicates a lot of time on behalf of our destinations, and we extend our thanks to our outgoing directors, Jill Cardinale, Andrea Holderied, and Shawn Goodway for the leadership and commitment they provided during their tenure." Sarah Wilson brings a welcomed communications and public relations background to the board. She is the founder of PoP! Communications and has managed a variety of media for agencies ranging from Lionsgate Entertainment to Hillshire Farms. Wilson has also co-managed a U.N. funded non-profit in Harare, Zimbabwe with the U.S. Peace Corps. With her husband, teenagers, and pets, Wilson resides in Keene, NY. Her alma maters include SUNY Albany and Boston University, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in emerging media at The New York School in New York City. Wilson has served on the ROOST board since 2014. Charles “Chip” Grundon is a dedicated servant of public communities. He retired after 22 years as a firefighter, has won Life Saving Awards, and has worked with the Whiteface Visitors Bureau and Town of Wilmington Zoning & Building board. Chip and his wife currently manage the Lake Placid/Whiteface Mtn KOA in Wilmington, which they first visited in the 1980s. They got hooked on the KOA then and decided to become full-time campers. The pair have been managing the KOA since 2009. Aside from camping, Chip enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, hunting, and fishing, especially with his wife, 6 children, and 14 grandchildren. Hillarie Logan-Dechene has long been a force in Adirondack communities. She currently works as the deputy director at The Wild Center after previously working in the Development Department at what is now the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, and as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Paul Smith’s College. Logan-Dechene’s schedule is full but very rewarding. In addition to serving on ROOST’s board, she is also a commissioner on Governor Cuomo’s New York State Commission on National and Community Service. Logan-Dechene is an adjunct professor at Skidmore College and has been a guest lecturer at Syracuse University, SUNY Adirondack, and NYU. She resides in Long Lake with her husband and family. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, along with the communities of Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake, all located within the Adirondacks in New York State. ###

You're invited to join us for an overview of the 2021 Marketing Plan. During the meeting, we will review major initiatives for 2021, discuss winter to date, and outline priorities for spring and summer. This will be a collaborative discussion, so please bring any ideas and questions you may have. Hamilton County - January 15, 2021 (11:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1482664217Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 266 4217 Lake Placid/High Peaks Region - February 1, 2021 (10:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1480625766Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 062 5766 Saranac Lake Region - February 2, 2021 (10:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487359684Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 735 9684 Adirondack Hub - February 2, 2021 (1:00 p.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487211237Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 721 1237 Lake Champlain Region - February 3, 2021 (10:00 a.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1485954899Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 595 4899 Whiteface Region - February 3, 2021 (1:00 p.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1498262744Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 149 826 2744 Tupper Lake Region - February 4 (2:00 p.m.) Video Conferencing Link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1487589862Phone Alternative: 470-869-2200 | Meeting ID: 148 758 9862