The assemblywoman said her travels over the past two weeks have taken her from Massena to Sackets Harbor and Chaumont, and she is seeing positive strides being taken in community after community to boost the maritime- and tourism-related sectors of the economy in the River District.
She said the warm and dry weather has also been the perfect antidote as communities like Clayton and Alexandria Bay seek to rebound from down years for tourism last summer that were tied to high water levels.
Assemblywoman Jenne said a tour in the town of Lyme provided an opportunity for local officials to share their proposal for a proposed parkland acquisition in their community.
The proposal calls for the purchase of waterfront property in the heart of the village. The plan calls for a park with a pavilion, docks, parking and green space.
Communities like Cape Vincent, Ogdensburg and Massena are working on plans for waterfront development improvements.
She pointed out she was recently on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Abbe Picquet Trail at the former site of Fort de la Presentation at the confluence of the Oswegatchie and St. Lawrence rivers in Ogdensburg.
She noted the Fort de la Presentation Association continues to move forward toward its goal of constructing a replication of the fort and a Native American village at the site.
Assemblywoman Jenne said Waddington will once again draw thousands of visitors to that community next month when it welcomes back the Bassmaster's Elite Series for a tournament stop that has become a popular stop for its anglers in recent years.
"Volunteers in that community, with the strong support of Mayor Janet Otto-Cassada, have embraced the tournament, and it has generated national and international attention to the quality of the fishing on the St. Lawrence River," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"It's really impressive when you take a look at the small group of local volunteers that have turned that event into a major success story," she added.
Assemblywoman Jenne said Senator Charles Schumer's call for the federal Department of Transportation to fund the replacement of the visitor's center at Eisenhower Lock.
"I know this proposal has strong support from local officials and tourism leaders in the region. The existing facility shows its age, lacks the amenities sought by today's tourists and its location provides logistical issues for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation with its maintenance work at the lock," she said.
Assemblywoman Jenne said a new visitor's center with displays that could engage visitors would be another great attraction for the region.
She said the nearby Eugene L. Nicandri Nature Center at Robert Moses State Park is very popular and an updated visitor's center would add another strong draw for tourists to extend their stays in Massena.
She said the North Country is fortunate to have the U.S. Senate's minority leader advocating for the work.
"He is uniquely concerned about us here on the northern border and really works hard to make sure we get the investments that we need," Assemblywoman Jenne said during Sen. Schumer's recent visit to Eisenhower Lock with an ocean-going ship transiting the locks serving as a backdrop.
"I'm really appreciative of his focus on this part of our economy. It's extremely important," she added.
"He always works to bring infrastructure dollars here that provide construction jobs in the short term and provide facilities that can stimulate our economy in the long term," the assemblywoman said.
"I thank him for always keeping us in mind and looking out for things that are going to help us in the short term and the long term," she noted.
Assemblywoman Jenne has been focused on growing the maritime- and tourism-related sectors of the North Country economy.
She is working to secure state funding to assist several communities with waterfront infrastructure needs.
The assemblywoman noted a state Welcome Center is also scheduled to open this fall on Collins Landing at the approach to the Thousand Islands Bridge.
Assemblywoman Jenne has also been working with local officials, college representatives and state agencies to insure workforce development efforts match up with the skills needed for maritime- and tourism-related jobs that are currently available in the North Country.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne praised Senator Chuck Schumer for repeatedly working to fund infrastructure improvements during the senator's recent stop at Eisenhower Lock in Massena. Shown in the background are (l-r); Massena Mayor Tim Currier, Sen. Schumer and Massena Town Supervisor Steve O'Shaughnessy.
BOTTOM PHOTOS:
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with Senator Chuck Schumer at the visitor's center overlook at Eisenhower Lock.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (left) and Massena Mayor Tim Currier cheer Senator Chuck Schumer's announcement he is calling on the federal Department of Transportation to build a new visitor's center at Eisenhower Lock in Massena.
Senator Chuck Schumer recently announced he is calling on the federal Department of Transportation to build a new visitor's center at Eisenhower Lock in Massena. Pictured in the background (l-r) are: St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brooke Rouse, Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Massena Mayor Tim Currier and Massena Town Supervisor Steve O'Shaughnessy.
Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Massena Mayor Tim Currier welcome U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer to Massena.
