Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh) and Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) are confirmed as co-chairs of the House Northern Border Caucus, a congressional organization of House members formed to promote the interests of states along the Canadian border.

“Canadian investment is incredibly important to job creation and economic development in Northern Border Communities,” said Owens. “Canada’s presence bolsters U.S. tourism, creates opportunities to recruit businesses across the border and improves sales for local retail operations, resulting in billions of dollars in economic impact in New York State alone. I appreciate Congressman Cramer’s commitment to these issues and look forward to working with him in the 113th Congress to promote these initiatives.”

Canada is the United States' largest trading partner, with nearly $2 billion in trade flowing across the border every day.

Owens and Cramer highlighted the Beyond the Border Agreement and work with Canadian manufacturers as upcoming points of interest for the caucus.

Owens worked with local economic development leaders in Clinton County to recruit Canadian companies to expand into New York before his time in Congress.

The Northern Border Caucus was founded in 1994 and is the oldest congressional member organization on the issue of the U.S.-Canada relationship.

Owens, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District covering an area from Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario, joined the Northern Border Caucus when he first came to Congress, becoming co-chairman of the caucus in 2011.