The economy of our communities currently are primarily tourism-based. LivingADK seeks to encourage and support the development of year-round diverse economic sectors that expand our business base. As well, LivingADK seeks to support current businesses by providing resources. As we sit on the border between two counties and two economic regions, it is role to bring existing programs to the region and amplify the voices of the business community in this "in-between" region. We are the bridge ensuring that helpful programs make it to our business community.
LivingADK actively works with County and regional resources through the NYS Regional Economic Development Councils of the Mohawk Valley and the North Country along with the Industrial Development Agencies in Herkimer County and Hamilton County.
LivingADK also amplifies business programs run by regional not-for-profits such as the Central Adirondack Association (CAA), Inlet Area Business Association (IABA), Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD) and the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC).
Focusing on bridging the summer and winter tourism season with fall and spring attractions would allow local businesses year-round tourism dollars and provide seasonal workforce year-round employment opportunities. However, it is not enough that people come to visit the Adirondacks, they must want to return. A strong tourism economy requires things to do, places to visit, places to eat, sleep and play. It must provide engaging cultural and artistic based activities, which promote local and regional artists and musicians, and a retail sector that provides basic needs such as gas, drug store needs and groceries. Small businesses are the core of our communities and LivingADK will strive to assist business and job growth development.
Expanding the base of the Western Central Adirondack economy beyond tourism is a priority. Innovation, entrepreneurship, and home grown production require a rich soil to seed. LivingADK is striving to effect change through the creation of a regional economic plan that can create maker-spaces for a future generation of producers and innovators. This group, the Central Adirondack Regional Corridor, a consortium of leaders from all parts of the region is actively working on this plan. We want to continue to promote the Adirondacks as a recreational and cultural destination highlighted as a great place to start your new local business. 
Highlights
- Expanding tourism into the shoulder seasons of spring and fall
- Supporting local entrepreneurship and start-ups
- Invest in broadband infrastructure to increase work-from-home potential
- Aiding in local targeted hiring approaches
- Center for Business in Transition to help preserve a long term economy
Small businesses are the heartbeat of our neighborhood, the spine of our local economy, and the spirit of our town.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Ducks are available for purchase starting Memorial Day weekend up until the day of the event on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. They are available for purchase at the Town of Webb Visitor Center, at the Friday Old Forge Farmers Market LivingADK booth, as well as 9 am - 4:30 pm, M-F at the LivingADK office at the rear of the Adirondack Bank building, 108 Codling Street, Old Forge, NY.
Ducks can be adopted for $5 for a single duck or a Flock of 5 ducks for $20. Our generous local business donate 18 fabulous prizes.
LivingADK, through donations and membership dues, does not have money that it gives out for funding as a grant. Instead, LivingADK is a clearing house that helps organizations in the community to write grants and acquire funding through other sources such as state, federal and other non-profit funding sources.
LivingADK has a wide network of contacts across the Adirondack park, where possible we can be a resource in connecting businesses across the region with similar needs to help increase communication. In the past we have helped to get grant funding to help begin new upstart businesses, to supplement the cost of businesses that want to upgrade their energy efficiency, and to revitalize targeted groups of businesses in the same town area. Reach out to us and let us see how we can help you to plant your seed or to grow!
Although LivingADK operates generally in the Towns of Forestport, Webb, Inlet, Long Lake and up to Indian Lake, LivingADK is a resource of the greater Adirondack community and is willing to work to help organizations or partner with organizations outside of this area, especially concerning regional projects.
LivingADK is a membership organization and receives funding through annual membership fees, donations, townships that we operate in, foundation grants and donor advised funds as well as our annual fundraisers. Lastly, LivingADK earns money through grant administration for a percentage of a grant award if an organization so chooses to hire LivingADK to do so.
Generally, LivingADK does not charge for help in grant location or grant application help. However, LivingADK does offer the services of administering a grant if one is awarded for a percentage of the awarded grant if an organization chooses to use LivingADK for this service.
LivingADK has various committees in which we are always looking for members including the Housing Committee, Healthcare Committee, Community Development Committee and soon to have a committee tasked with Environmental Sustainability. There are also annual opportunities to join the LivingADK board, in some cases, if you would like to be more directly involved with the actual not-for-profit. Reach out to info@livingadk.org or call us at 315.369.3353 for more information and to get involved. Lastly, a donation to LivingADK helps the organization continue to do great work in the community so don't overlook that type of contribution as involvement.
The "From Farm to Forge" Cookbook can be purchased at the Old Forge Farmers Market on Fridays, 1 pm to 5 pm from June through October 8th. They can also be purchased at the LivingADK office, 9 am - 4:30 pm, M-F at the rear of the Adirondack Bank building, 108 Codling Street, Old Forge, NY. Cookbooks are available while supplies last.
