Two St. Lawrence County companies, In-Law Brewing and North Country Dairy, stand to benefit from two separate programs from the New York Power Authority.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees has approved a funding award under the Northern New York Power Proceeds program to In-Law Brewing Company in the amount of $51,000.

The company, established in 2017, currently operates out of a 100-year-old dairy barn in Chase Mills, where it produces up to 18 different craft beers.

The NYPA funding will directly support building construction, the purchase of machinery and equipment, and other items related to a business expansion.

The firm will create five new jobs as part of the project.

The funding award applies net earnings from un-utilized hydropower from the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena to St. Lawrence County businesses and institutions. The Northern New York Power Proceeds Act, authorized in December 2014, allowed for NYPA to deposit the net earnings from the market sale of unutilized electricity into a fund, which can then be used to support economic development projects in St. Lawrence County.

The NYPA board also approved a 10-year contract extension of 1,850 kilowatts of low-cost St. Lawrence hydropower to Upstate Niagara for use at its North Country Dairy facility in North Lawrence.

The firm is committing to employ at least 80 full-time employees and an average of $2 million per year in capital investments for the extended term of the allocation.

NYPA's hydropower allocations from the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project are provided to manufacturers under seven-year contracts and are reserved for businesses in Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

“The Recharge NY program has been an effective and useful tool for many communities and businesses,” Senator Joseph Griffo said. “I am pleased that the program continues to support jobs and investment in New York State.”

“North Country Dairy is a big employer and major economic contributor in our region, so I am very pleased with this news of a 10-year contract extension,” said Senator Betty Little. “I appreciate Governor Cuomo and NYPA directing this financial resource to support this plant which specializes in yogurt, especially at this critical time.”

“The 10-year agreement to provide low-cost power to North Lawrence Dairy will support our local dairy farmers, workers and our community,” Assemblyman Billy Jones said. “It is important to provide this valuable resource to assist our existing business as we work to strengthen and rebuild our economy.”