Major Initiatives
Local Community


Two major initiatives directly benefit the regional community: The Canton Initiative and its Coming Home Project, and the North Country Symposium

The Canton Initiative
The Canton Initiative provides co-investment funds for economic development and residential projects. In 1997, the University Board of Trustees dedicated $1 million to a community effort entitled the Canton Initiative. In May 2001, the Board voted to add another $1 million to this initiative. The goals were:

  • To invest in and stimulate others to invest in properties within a defined enterprise zone so as to improve the physical attractiveness of the zone and promote its economic enhancement.
  • To increase directly the tax base of the Village and Town of Canton through investment, development, and/or divestiture of tax-exempt University property.
  • To establish and maintain a partnership spirit between the University and the Canton community as we pursue projects of mutual advantage together.

Since the inception of the Canton Initiative, the University has pursued and supported the following projects:

  • We aided two local investors in the construction of a new commercial building off Route 11, now fully occupied.
  • The Heritage Grist Mill developers were awarded a "bridge loan," for cash flow, in order to move their restoration project forward. The project has been funded by a grant from the New York State Parks and Recreation department, and restoration of this historic structure in the hamlet of Morley is underway.
  • Sposa Bella, a bridal and formal-wear shop, opened on Main Street at the former site of Casey's Casuals. The site was purchased with Canton Initiative assistance by Mark and Michele Scanlin of Canton.
  • We provided loans to several other retail operations on Main Street.  These include Lynn Clark Stone’s “Gallery” and the brand new Blackbird Café (http://www.theblackbirdcafe.com).
  • With David Garner '54, we provided funding for the renovation of the historic building on the corner of Main and Court Streets, badly damaged by fire and sitting empty. This critical downtown corner building has been preserved: The second floor houses the Northern Area Health Education Center, and the first floor is ready for a successful business to move in.
  • We provided $100,000 to our local Raquette Valley Habitat for Humanity organization to support construction of five new Habitat houses (one per year for five years) in the Town of Canton. As the owners pay back the funds, the money will be recycled to construct additional houses.
  • We assisted The Tree of Life Midwifery and Women's Health Center, providing a variety of health services for women, which opened for business at 99 East Main.
  • We assisted with the purchase and renovation of another historic Main Street building, occupied by Shear Designs.
  • We assisted Hackett's, the very successful Ogdensburg clothing and hardware store, in the establishment of their branch store in Canton.
  • We also provided a loan to help WiseBuys, a regional department store, establish a location in the University Plaza.
  • We assisted in the establishment of a coffee shop and restaurant, the Partridge Cafe, in the basement below The Pear Tree retail shop.  This business has since moved to a larger location in the Midtown Plaza, and houses a branch of Birch Bark Books and the bus stop for Adirondack Trailways.
  • We provided $330,000 to the Village of Canton to fund downtown parking improvements in exchange for the Village's deeding Leigh Street to the University. Leigh Street ran through the campus by our recreation and athletic facilities. We reopened the space as a landscaped walkway in our athletic and recreation complex and received a private gift for our efforts. The complex of fields is used extensively by K-12 schools in our area.
  • We are providing support to the Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation for the redevelopment of the Heritage Islands extending north from the Route 11 Bridge.  Already this organization has worked with several partners to convert Willow Island (on the south side of the bridge) into a popular park.  The northern Heritage Islands will also become park space with interpretive trails detailing the mill history of that location.  The redevelopment will also restore the historic King’s iron bowstring bridge connecting the two islands.  Currently the Traditional Arts of Upstate New York has its headquarters and store on the island.  We hope that, with the involvement of other partners, this entrance to the downtown can become a beautiful, historically significant, and economically beneficial center of vitality.
  • In a related effort, the Canton Initiative has provided financing to Grasse River Heritage to acquire the Gray Lanes, a former gas station and bowling alley, which is prominently located on the riverfront at 1 Main Street.  Grasse River Heritage seeks to redevelop this large building into a mixed-use structure that would provide retail space on the first floor and 4-5 condominiums on the second floor.   The project would also restore the building to its historic appearance.
  • We provided a $280,000 gift, beyond the $2 million Canton Initiative investment fund, to aid in the construction of a new fire station, needed in the village for decades. The old fire station, located adjacent to the municipal parking lot, has been converted to professional office space.  This move also opened key retail space.
  • The Canton Initiative has committed to providing $300,000 for the Canton Day Care to establish a new facility in conjunction with the United Helpers’ Intergenerational Facility project.
  •  We have supported restaurants at 25 Court Street and ultimately acquired the property.  The Canton Initiative is currently working with potential proprietors on establishing a new operation in this historic building.
  • We provided a loan for the construction of several new housing units in the Village on Canterbury Lane.
  • We entered into a three-way agreement with the Baptist Church and a developer to enable the construction of the “Moutain Mart”: a Mobil station/Dunkin’ Donuts/Domino’s Pizza mini-mart on Route 11.
  • We are working on creating a 4-lot subdivision behind our Appleton Arena and on the Grasse River.  These lots will provide ideal housing opportunities for our Coming Home Initiative.
  • We have also provided secondary financing for the construction of an environmental duplex at 75 Buck Street.  This duplex, which will receive an Energy Star certification, will be a rental opportunity for the Coming Home population and will demonstrate the effectiveness of environmental design in the rental market.
  • We provided a gift to the Town of Canton to assist with the establishment of a Town boat launch.
  • We provide partial salary support for the Director of Economic Development for the Town and Village of Canton.
  • We provided financial support for a “Shop Canton” advertising campaign.
  • We have also provided gifts to several local organizations, such as the Canton Garden Club and the St. Lawrence County Housing Council.


    The North Country Symposium brings together stakeholders in northern New York to explore ways to enhance the region's economic, environmental and educational vitality. It is funded by the University's Ellen C. Burt '42 Endowment for North Country Education, which was established in 2002 by members of Burt's family to address the needs of education in the North Country, as well as economic and environmental concerns. Participation by any concerned citizen or stakeholder of the North Country region is welcomed. For information, visit the symposium's Web site.
  • Last Updated: October, 2007