Rudy's 5 Point Plan to Bring Prosperity Back to the North Country

Rudy Johnson is committed to providing practical solutions to the North Country’s economic problems. This commitment to restoring the region’s economy has been the primary focus of his campaign.

Now, in order to inform the voters of some of these solutions, Rudy is offering five steps that can be taken to bring prosperity back to our region. Included with each step are concrete examples of actions that could be taken to make that solution a reality.

Rudy hopes that offering detailed, specific ideas for economic improvement will set him apart from the political establishment. “Although many politicians are talking about the need to revive our economy, too often they are afraid to offer specifics. They would rather offer rhetoric and empty promises,” Rudy said. “I want to make it clear that I am willing to present a concrete, detailed plan to revitalize the North Country.”

Rudy’s five step economic plan is included below.


Five Steps to Bring Prosperity Back to the North Country:

1. Improve our infrastructure. If the North Country hopes to attract economic development, New York State must invest in the region’s infrastructure. This includes building new routes and throughways, such as the proposed rooftop highway, and improving existing roads and highways. We also must expand broadband internet access throughout all parts of the North Country. This can be accomplished through providing state incentives to existing cable and DSL providers to increase their service area, as well as by investing in new initiatives, such as rural wireless networks. We also must commit to enhance other areas of our infrastructure, increasing our access to natural gas, smart grid technology, and public transportation.

2. Encourage outside businesses to create new jobs. While New York State has long been the home of many major national and international businesses, the North Country has largely lacked economic development. Our State Assemblyperson must be more than a legislator. They must be a salesman. We need to provide incentives for companies already located in New York to expand their businesses into our region. The North Country’s relatively low cost of living would make it an ideal location for corporate back office jobs, such as customer service and support, or for manufacturing subcomponents for New York industries.

3. Support the creation and growth of locally owned businesses. We must also encourage local entrepreneurs to continue to establish and expand businesses owned and operated within the North Country. Businesses that are owned and run within the North Country will be more sensitive to our interests and more open to the needs of our communities. Saranac Lake’s planned Community Store is an example of this kind of locally owned, locally run business. These businesses will increase our self-sufficiency and independence.

4. Preserve existing jobs. While we need to work hard to encourage new businesses, we must also work to preserve the economic opportunities that exist in our region today. This includes ensuring that there are no further prison closures and that other state jobs remain in the North Country. It also means offering relief and support to our small business owners during this difficult economic time.

5. Restore our family farms. Small family farms are a vital part of the culture and economy of the North Country. Our dairy farmers are currently suffering under intolerably low milk prices. We must work to unify our small farmers to collectively demand higher milk prices and more equity between small farmers and large corporate farms, and between the farmers who supply the milk and the business that process milk. Reasonable production limits may also need to be established to help stabilize prices.