By JIMMY LAWTON

POTSDAM -- St. Lawrence County will receive $7.7 million in economic development funding from the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

Nearly half of the funding in St. Lawrence County will go to Seaway Timber in Massena for improvements at the facility that could help create 50 jobs.

Another major winner was Agbotics Green Houses, which will receive $1.925 million to create five greenhouses and create seven jobs. This project includes areas outside of St. Lawrence County as well.

Other major winners were the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, CMM Industries Inc., the Village of Potsdam and which will receive about $500,000 each.

Projects receiving funding are as follows:

• Seaway Timber -- In Massena, Seaway Timber Harvesting, Inc. was awarded $3.5 million.

The funding will help create 50 new jobs at its facility. The funding will go toward the company’s $12 million project that includes a new manufacturing facility for a sawmill, plus pallet, wood shavings, and briquette production.

• LC Drives -- LC Drives, Potsdam will receive $300,000 in public funding for an expansion at LC Drives that would created an estimated 10 jobs. The company had hope to be awarded $600,000.

The total project cost is $3 million, with $2.4 million coming from the private sector.

The small company operates out of Clarkson’s Shipley Center and has developed a small electric motor that could be used by wind turbine companies and in public transportation vehicles.

• Ogdensburg airport -- The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority was awarded $500,000 to improve the existing terminal.

The OBPA hoped to secure $657,000 in funding for a new baggage claim area and a new baggage handling system, and improvements to the ticketing and departure lounge area at the terminal.

The OBPA says the project will create a gateway for Canadian fliers seeking alternatives to more expensive Canadian airports, according to the project description and will help the port retain 27 jobs

• Hoosier Magnetics -- Hooiser was awarded $220,000 to complete a $1.2 million project at Hoosier Magnetics. The company says the investment would aid in the retention of 31 existing jobs and add an additional four, according to the project description. The funding will aid in the construction of a new calcination kiln for the production of ferrite powder, an advanced material used in the automotive industry.

• Canton -- The town of Canton was awarded $47,500 to build on its Grasse River Waterfront Revitalization Plan by updating the 1978 plan and to create a marketing plan for the Grasse River Blue Way. The town The Town will also partner with the Towns of Oswegatchie and DeKalb and the Villages of Rensselaer Falls, Heuvelton and Richville to develop a Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan for the Oswegatchie River. These projects will protect natural resources and promote economic development and tourism.

• Clifton-Fine -- The towns of Clifton and Fine were awarded $468,900 for a water improvement project and a waterfront revitalization plan. The Town of Clifton is working with the Town of Fine to consolidate infrastructure and extend the municipal water system to the hamlet of Newton Falls, enabling the Town to decommission the existing surface water treatment plant and provide a sustainable source of safe water to its residents.

• Canton Village -- Canton village will receive $300,000 for the renovation of downtown mixed-use buildings in the village.

• Massena Village -- Massena will we receive $123,000 to create a public park space, which will include an open community pavilion, public restrooms, a dock to provide access to the Grasse River, and a parking area. This project will provide a connection point between the waterfront and the Village downtown area and provide residents and visitors with improved access to the waterfront for various recreational activities including fishing, kayaking, and picnicking

• Potsdam Village -- Potsdam will receive $507,500 to re-route sewer lines on Leroy and Pleasant Street and a water main on Pleasant Street to eliminate existing utility conflicts with the canal.

• St. Lawrence County -- Traditional Arts in Upstate New York will receive $48,906 to work with key regional partners, artists, scholars and French-American residents to develop a plan for a coordinated presentation of the area’s French heritage.

• Purine Pharma, LLC. -- Purine, Massena, will receive $250,000 in economic development funding to renovate vacant buildings and convert them into a production plant.

•CQuest Partners, LLC, will receive $229,000 for a research and development pilot plant and battery fabrication facility.

• CMM Industries, Inc., -- will receive $500,000 to expand its manufacturing of cementations products from natural stone and natural stone by products.

• Agbotic Green Houses -- Agbotic Inc. was awarded $1.925 million for a $10.75 million project to create seven jobs and retain an additional two. This project will create five commercial-scale robotic greenhouses for year-round food production at existing farms. The greenhouses will produce vegetables for local markets, Manhattan food buyers, and wholesalers in other urban markets in the Northeast.

According to the description, the project would benefit Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

• St. Lawrence Arts Council -- The arts council will receive $18,000 to expand its program coordinator position to administer and publicize its programing.