August 12, 2010 — The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) is launching its newest Scenic Byway project for the 84-mile Military Trail that will benefit communities along the highways linking Rouses Point, NY and Massena, NY. This is the eighth Scenic Byway in the region that ANCA has developed.

Fuller Communications of Malone, NY has entered into a contract with ANCA to prepare a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) to define the future of the Military Trail Scenic Byway based on direct input from people who live along the route. “Fuller Communications (Fuller) is pleased to be awarded this task,” said Susan Fuller, President of the firm. “We look forward to meeting the leaders in each of the communities along the route through Malone, as well as those communities along the proposed loop via Potsdam,” she added. This assignment continues Fuller’s contributions to the Scenic Byways network throughout the Adirondack region.

Recreation, tourism, transportation safety, marketing, promotions, resource interpretation and stewardship needs and opportunities will be reviewed. A comprehensive inventory will be prepared of historic, cultural, recreational, and natural resources located in the towns and villages across the project region in the three northernmost counties of New York State.

Local community leaders will be contacted in coming weeks by Fuller to begin the preparation of the CMP that will address issues including: assessment of the byway’s current conditions; goals for the byway; concrete objectives, strategic actions, responsible parties, and timelines needed to achieve those goals. Government leaders, business owners, civic groups, residents, tourism offices, Chambers of Commerce, State agencies, regional planning offices, and other interested parties will be invited to participate.

The Military Trail Corridor Management Plan project is made possible with grant funding from the New York State Department of Transportation through the National Scenic Byway Program and the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century. The draft plan will be presented to the New York State Department of Transportation for review and upon approval will enable the Byway communities in St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton Counties to access Federal and State program dollars to support marketing and tourism efforts that encourage new, repeat, and extended visitation.

New York State’s Scenic Byways bring tourism dollars to communities along travel routes throughout the Adirondack North Country. The Military Trail Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan project creates opportunities for lodging, restaurant, and attraction owners, local producers of arts, crafts, foods, gas station proprietors, outdoor sporting goods stores, guide services and others. ANCA invites all interested residents and groups to notify our office to request placement on the project contact list.

Visit www.adirondack.org to learn more about the ANCA’s commitment to empowering communities and localizing economies in the Adirondack North Country. Visit www.adirondackscenicbyways.org to see how ANCA promotes Scenic Byway communities and the region’s special resources to the growing market of tourists who prefer to do their travel planning online.

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Contact: Sharon O’Brien, ANCA Byway Program Coordinator
sobrien@adirondack.org, 518-891-6200