Our Work
Summary of Programs & Activities
Assisting Our Community During Covid-19
To inform residents of business, religious, town services, programs and facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ILCDC created a document detailing those currently available and mailed a copy to every resident in the Town of Indian Lake. The first edition of this ‘Available Services’ flyer was completed in late March of 2020 and a second, updated version was mailed in early May 2020.
The ILCDC also formed partnerships with the North Country Crafters (NCC), Blue Mountain Center, ALCA and Pines Country Store to provide free face masks to residents. Over 500 masks were contributed by NCC and area individuals to the program. Donations totaling $600 were received and forwarded to the Hamilton County Community Action office.
During the summer of 2020, the ILCDC partnered with the Blue Mountain Center’s Hamilton Helps Project to host the Hamilton Healthy Food Connections Program, offering food certificates to seniors and families to access farmers market produce and meat throughout the 2020 season. Coupons totaling $1,300 was redeemed at the Indian Lake Community Farmers Market to purchase produce and meat
Supporting Businesses
The ILCDC has created, coordinated and hosted several training sessions for business owners, including Show Me the Money and Small Business Basics. The group also creates and distributes lists of Financial Resources for Small Business Owners, Insurance Agencies and Architectural Engineers, and Surveyors to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs. The ILCDC has also coordinated many successful and well attended Ribbon Cutting ceremonies for businesses such as Steam Boat Landing and The Dam Barbershop.
The Corporation also assisted the Town in securing over $500,000 for revitalization projects. The ILCDC helped secure the New York Main Street Grant Program, providing $200,000 to nine businesses for revitalization projects. The Town also received $300,000 to purchase the Indian Lake Commons, formerly known as the Townsend property.
Connecting People to Great Resources
The ILCDC has created and coordinated countless informational sessions to help town residents and local business owners learn about and enroll in impactful programs for their homes and businesses, which include the following:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors USDA home repair and revitalization programs.
NYSERDA, ANCA, National Grid and NYSEG Energy Efficiency programs.
Indian Lake National Home Ownership workshops which resulted in the purchase of five local homes
During Board Meetings, the ILCDC invites guest speakers to inform its membership and local residents of timely issues including:
ROOST Tourism Destination Marketing Plans
The Chazen Companies: Indian Lake Comprehensive Plan, Town of Newcomb Comprehensive Plan
Federal Scenic Byway Program
CAP 21 Corporation
US Census Survey
Rebuilding Together
The ILCDC also created and maintains the town’s community organization contact list and creates profiles of business and real estate listings to be posted on the County Economic Development office website.
Preserving History
The ILCDC has helped preserve and celebrate local history by assisting with the development of the Indian Lake World War 1 War Memorial Park and collaborating with the Town Historian and Adirondack Architectural Heritage to create the hamlets of Indian Lake and Blue Mountain Lake Historic Walking Tours and brochures.
Supporting Tourism and our Local Economy
The ILCDC works hard to support tourism and economic vitality in the Town in many ways. The Corporation created and distributed the Town of Indian Lake Map, which highlights businesses, resources, cultural institutions and events. The ILCDC has also hosted multiple community beautification programs including “Indian Lake Have a Seat” and “Indian Lake Goes Orange.” The ILCDC created and coordinated the Town’s first community outreach activities for the Upper Hudson Recreation Hub grants. ILCDC officers also served on the Hamlet’s 3 Economic Development Program committee. The issue of rural “food deserts” is one of significant relevance in the Adirondack Park. The ILCDC has dedicated time and energy to researching food access in Indian Lake.
Planning for the Future of our Town
The ILCDC helped kick off the local comprehensive planning effort by coordinating and hosting interviews with North Country municipal consulting companies to aid with consultant selection. Officers of the organization serve on the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee. During 2020, the Corporation created and conducted an extensive 9 week community outreach plan to encourage residents to complete and return their US Census survey. The ILCDC prioritizes open and positive working relationships with current business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to help them with information and connections they need for a new business to flourish
Main Street America
The ILCDC researched the Main Street America program, attended the annual conference, applied and received a $10,730 Adirondack Foundation grant to begin implementing the program proposal. The program goals include engaging a wide variety of residents to create and maintain vibrant business areas and to revitalize and promote Indian Lake businesses.