BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Massena’s hard work to promote recreational activities may continue to pay dividends with a new kayak rental business considering the town for a new location.

According to Tourism Director Don Meissner, the new business is considering Massena “because of all of the work that we’ve done over the years to bring attention to this place.”

Beyond kayak rentals, the company could also assist in launching kayak tournaments like the ones that have been seen in Wisconsin, he said.

With the village receiving a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant that will include a new riverwalk, now might be the prime time to promote kayak races, Meissner said.

The riverwalk project, which has been viewed as a key component of the DRI since day one, received approval for $1.715 million and will provide access to the river for recreational activities, officials say.

“The possibility of having these people come and establish programs and have kayaks available, we can now start to develop some of our other waters that have a tremendous potential,” Meissner said.

Meissner said talks have been ongoing for some time and progress is being made but he hopes to bring in the new company as a way to continue to build on the progress that has already been made with fishing tournaments.