CANTON -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will speak at St. Lawrence University’s 17th Annual North Country Symposium this morning.

Her appearance begins at 9:55 a.m. Eben-Holden Conference Center.

Gillibrand will announce her legislation that would prioritize federal investment for rural communities and small towns across New York State. The Rebuild Rural America Act would improve the way that the federal government supports development projects in small towns and rural communities in order to better fit their specific needs.

The annual North Country Symposium brings community members, businesses, and civic leaders together to discuss economic development initiatives in the region. The theme for this year’s conference is “Movement in the North Country” with a focus on rural migration patterns and how community development can help attract businesses and residents to the North Country.

Federal grant funding is often inaccessible to rural communities and too inflexible to fully meet local development needs. This makes it difficult for rural communities and small towns to plan and implement the comprehensive, long-term development projects required to address the complex challenges they face, the announcement of the Democratic senator’s appearance said.

The Rebuild Rural America Act would establish a dedicated stream of federal funding for rural communities and provide guaranteed, multi-year, flexible block grants to support regional economic growth. This would help rural communities better plan for future development and encourage development initiatives across regions, the announcement said.

Parking is available in lots C and J, which can be found by proceeding south on Park Street through the St. Lawrence University campus. Lots C and J will be on the left side of the road. Overflow parking is available behind the Augsbury Athletic Facility.