There are a number of businesses tucked into the nooks and crannies of the North Country, particularly those serving the transportation industry. Our proximity to Canada and the North Country Chamber of Commerce that works tirelessly as an ambassador for the region are two reasons for the steady growth of transportation companies in the region. read more
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Something’s Brewing on The Oval
Jessy Jolicoeur started making his own beer in 1997. He liked doing it and appeared to be good at it but it was just a hobby. As the circle of people he shared his brew with grew, so did his positive feedback. Jolicoeur’s formal education was in the hard sciences with a focus on microbiology. read more
The Nuts and Bolts of Al and Brian St. Hilaire
Fastenal is the largest industrial supply company in North America, offering construction, safety, welding, rigging, hydraulics and other industrial products. It is a publicly traded company that just celebrated its 50th anniversary with 20,000 employees, 2,600+ branches in 24 countries and $3.96 billion in yearly sales. Brothers Al and Brian St. Hilaire are the driving read more
Fort Ticonderoga: Interpreting History
“We have the restored fort, we have this history— the Fort Ticonderoga narrative. We have these collections and the landscape, but since I’ve been here it’s what we are doing with it.” Since her arrival in 2010 Beth Hill, the president and CEO of Fort Ticonderoga, has turned a fading historic icon into a major read more
Not Your Average Handyman
I realized there had to be a better way to offer excellent service and quality workmanship than what people were getting and what I was seeing,” said Corey Boire, founder of the Tick Tock Group, an innovative home and office repair company. Funded in part by a microenterprise grant from the Town of Plattsburgh, the read more
Energetic Balance
“I learned everything from my father growing up,” said Richard Knight Jr., owner and president of Knight Buick GMC. He added, “especially the meaning of Harry Truman’s famous quote, ‘The buck stops here.’” When he arrives at the dealership at 383 Route 3 in Plattsburgh every weekday at 8:30 a.m., Knight greets his staff, checks read more
Moses Ludington Hospital: 110 Years Old and Counting
There are big things happening in Essex County health care right now. While many smaller rural hospitals nationally have struggled and ultimately closed, forward thinking and neighborly outreach at Moses Ludington Hospital in Ticonderoga have enabled a transformation that will allow it to serve as the cornerstone of the Health and Living Center there. Moses read more
Table One – A Mix of Optimism and Caution
At Table One, the 28th Strictly Business Forum brought together a mix of financial, legal, business, employment, agricultural, and government leaders from the region. By sharing their considerable experience, they found much in common, especially their various successes during the past year, which led to a decidedly optimistic discussion. Jesse Ringer, President of Jeffords Steel read more
Navigating the Waters
Sitting with the Hubbells in the back office of Lake Champlain Pools, Spas & Stoves (originally Lake Champlain Pools) it’s noticeable that their family has the right formula: a positive work culture, engaged employees, years of industry knowledge, and a plan for the future. Years ago, George and Kay Hubbell decided it was time to read more
In Sickness And In Health
Dr. Kristin Ambler always knew he wanted to enter private practice when he finished medical school; it was just a question of where. When he graduated from New York Medical College, he opened a practice in Peru and moved to Plattsburgh shortly thereafter. When Ambler first met his future wife, Stacey, who graduated from Cazenovia read more