The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is planning three public forums for residents to provide suggestions on initiatives and strategies.

Council Co-Chairs Tony Collins, president of Clarkson University in Potsdam, and Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Plattsburgh, say the forums will provide the public with details concerning the process for developing a strategic plan for the North Country and seek input.

“The council believes it is imperative to let North Country residents know how we will be drafting a strategic plan for economic development in our part of the state, and how important their participation is to the process from the very beginning,” said Collins.

The public is invited to share ideas for an economic development strategy and aid in the creation of the council’s five-year strategic economic development plan for St. Lawrence, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson and Lewis counties.

The forums are scheduled as follows:

• Plattsburgh: Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, 6 - 8 p.m., SUNY Plattsburgh, George K. Hawkins Hall, Hyman and Frances Krinovitz Recital Hall, 47 Beekman St., Plattsburgh

• Tupper Lake: Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, 6 - 8 p.m., The Wild Center, Flammer Theatre, 45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake.

• Watertown: Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, 6 - 8 p.m., Jefferson Community College, James McVean College Center Building, Robert R. and Jean S. Sturtz Theater, 1220 Coffeen St., Watertown

Each of the meetings will begin with an overview of the purpose of the regional council and the strategic planning process. There will be a brief question and answer period relating to the process before moving into an open forum for public comment, offering an opportunity for community members to provide ideas and suggestions on initiatives and projects, as well as the issues and opportunities facing the region.

To register for the forums, visit www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com, email nys-northcountry@empire.state.ny.us or call 518-561-5642 or 315-785-7907.

In addition to the public forums, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council continues to encourage all residents from the region to submit suggestions and comments to www.northcountryopenforbusiness.com.

Also, the next regularly scheduled meeting of the council has been moved to Monday, Sept. 12, at 12:30 p.m. in Barrington Student Union at SUNY Potsdam. Earlier versions of this story indicated the time would be 10 a.m.

Created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Regional Economic Development Councils represent a fundamental shift in the state's approach to economic development—from a top-down development model to a community-based approach that emphasizes regions' unique assets, harnesses local expertise, and empowers each region to set plans and priorities.

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council is one of 10 regional councils across New York that will serve as a single point of contact for economic activity in the region. Through their strategic planning process, the councils will identify and expedite priority projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for job growth. As part of the initiative, up to $1 billion in state resources will be accessible to eligible economic development projects through existing program grants and tax credits.

Each regional council will draft a strategic plan for the development of their region, which will provide a regional vision for economic development, address critical issues and opportunities, and lay out an implementation roadmap for future growth. The state will work with the regional councils to align state resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.