The Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century (CAP-21) would like to express its appreciation to all of our participating towns, organizations, businesses, families and individuals who supported our work throughout the year.
CAP-21 is pleased and honored to work with and represent the townships of Forestport, Webb, Inlet, Long Lake and Indian Lake in addressing common issues and helping to promote sustainable year-round Adirondack communities.
Much of our assistance is provided through the CAP-21 Community Grant Writing program, which is supported by The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, the Central Adirondack Association (CAA), Herkimer County, and the Towns of Inlet and Webb.
During 2014, CAP-21 wrote and submitted grants on behalf of towns and community organizations in the region totaling approximately $2.4 million. The bulk of these funding requests were submitted through the NYS Regional Economic Development Councils Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
The Board of CAP-21 has a great deal to be proud of this year including:
• Participation with the Adirondack Partnership in the development of Advantage Adirondacks, an economic blueprint for growth within the Park (available through CAP-21 or www.adirondackstrategies.com
• Successful completion of the Strand Theatre fundraising for digital conversion
• Completion of the Inlet Wastewater Treatment District expansion
• Coordination with the NYS Energy Research & Devel-opment Authority (NYSERDA) for upgrading of the chairlift drive and snowmaking at McCauley Mountain, providing energy savings projected at $30,000 per year
• Assisted the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub in securing funds for recreation based projects within the Finch Lands purchase including small business microenterprise grants
• Assisted the Raquette River Blueway Corridor in securing local waterfront revitalization funds for the Town of Long Lake ($342,000)
• Assisted the Town of Webb in securing two grants from Herkimer County HealthNet to complete the Maple Ridge Fitness Trail and trail enhancements for the TOBIE trail
• Secured a grant from The Community Foundation for a new roof at the Woodgate Library and also secured two NYS Library Capital Improvement grants for both Woodgate and the Inlet Library for 2015
• Assisted the Town of Webb in collaborating with Vincent’s Fuel on a successful NYSERDA grant application for pellet boiler conversions at the Park Ave and Highway Garage buildings
• Continued to work with NYS Office of Parks & Recreation on securing trail maintenance equipment funding for the Inlet Barnstormers Snowmobile Club
• Completion of a seventh successful season at the Old Forge Farmers Market and contributing almost $4,000 in food assistance to our community
• Assisted Community Transportation Services (CTS) with the purchase of their new vehicle, in collaboration with The Community Foundation, Adirondack Bank and the Health Center Fund
• Completion of the Youth Commission Building within Arrowhead Park and assisting the Town of Inlet with a successful Adirondack Park Agency variance approval for the construction of a multi-purpose Boathouse/Pavilion within Arrowhead
• Provided assistance to both Inlet and Webb in applications to the Department of Environ-mental Conservation (DEC) capital improvements program
• Continued partnership with the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) leading to the first ever allocation by the Town of Webb to combat the spread of invasive species
• Completion of our16th year of assisting the Hanging Flower Baskets program and implementing holiday baskets as part of the Christmas on Main Street celebration
In addition to its grant writing activity, CAP-21 continues to function as an economic development arm of the Central Adirondack Association in working with the CAA Board and regional town information offices to promote the region.
CAP-21 continues to support businesses that are seeking to expand or start up within the region, such as The Woods Inn and the new Fulton Chain Craft Brewery.
In addition, CAP-21 provides our townships with a voice and representation on regional issues, such as the Finch-Pryun land classification, the Remsen-Lake Placid Corridor Unit Management Plan, the FCC cell-tower regulations, the State Land Master Plan, and the proposed plans for the Moose River Wild Forest Bike Trail and the Great South Woods proposal, and the proposed Hut-to-Hut trail system through the Park.
CAP-21 is proud to be an active participant with the Common Ground Alliance and its offshoot, the Adirondack Partnership, and as such, has been working on projects relating to the development of an economic revitalization strategy for the Park and the establishment of a Park-wide recreational database, web portal and mobile applications.
We also continue to work closely with the Adirondack Non-Profit Network (ANN), the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), the Adirondack Council, Adiron-dack Action, Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), the Inlet Area Business Association, the Eagle Bay Uplift Society (EBUS), Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, Adirondack Community Housing Trust and of course, both the Adirondack Foun-dation and The Community Foundation.
For 2015, the CAP-21 Board has charged the organization to address the following areas:
• Promote regional economic revitalization and opportunities
• Address the need for an enhanced coordinated community transportation system
• Address the pending shortage of emergency medical personnel throughout the region
• Continue to seek opportunities for affordable housing for the people who provide the work within our communities
• Promote a welcome and supportive approach to increasing the diversity of visitors and residents within the region
During 2015, CAP-21 will continue to reaffirm its mission and vision and work on activities that support and grow our participating townships and community partners.
Our biggest need at the moment is for an individual to coordinate our hanging basket program, as well as for us to expand our social media presence. We would greatly welcome volunteers for either of these tasks.
In closing, CAP-21 would like to thank the many people who continue to support this organization and make our work possible.
If there are community needs or projects that you believe we should be engaged in please do not hesitate to contact us at info@cap-21.org or (315) 369-3353.
We look forward to a positive and productive 2015.