New assistant director
PLATTSBURGH -- Victoria Zinser Duley has been promoted to assistant director of SUNY Plattsburgh's Technical Assistance Center.

In this role, Duley, who formerly served as an economic-development specialist at the center, will provide management over a wide variety of economic and community-development programs, carry out research and interface with the community to meet its informational needs in these areas.

In addition to her work with TAC, Duley will continue to serve as an adjunct lecturer in the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh's Department of Geography.

"Victoria's work at TAC has been exemplary," said Howard Lowe, director of economic development at the center. "Her knowledge and experience in economic and community development are assets for both the campus and the greater community. She has been instrumental in expanding TAC's services to public and private organizations and businesses in Northern New York."

Duley said she is happy to play a continuing role in the excellent work TAC is doing in the region and across the state. "As new fiscal realities continue to impact all sectors of our economy, unique partnerships between the public and private sectors, including the state universities, become even more relevant. TAC is well-positioned to help communities and corporations with analysis and development to weather difficult times," she said. "I look forward to our ongoing work in the areas of community and economic development."

A Clinton County native, Duley earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of New Hampshire and a master's degree in regional planning from the University of Albany. She is accredited as a planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners and is certified as an economic developer by the International Economic Development Council.

Her previous employment experience includes serving as vice president of the Development Corporation of Clinton County, a regional economic development organization, and work as the executive director of Friends of the North Country Inc., a non-profit community-development agency in Keeseville. She also served as a planner in both the public and private sectors in Palm Beach County, Fla.

For more information on TAC, visit www.plattsburgh.edu/offices/center/tac or contact Duley at victoria.duley@plattsburgh.edu.

Business mixer
PLATTSBURGH -- The Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce invites community members to Business After Hours on Thursday. The event will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Olive Ridley's.

Co-hosted by the Champlain Valley Business & Professional Women, Olive Ridley's and Eagle County 97.5, this will be a special Mardi Gras-themed After Hours. Attendees will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar catered while they network and make new business contacts. Guests may also enter the free drawing to win great door prizes.

Business After Hours is open to all chamber members and their employees. Not-yet-members are encouraged to contact the chamber for a special-guest pass.

Admission is $3 with a reservation and $4 without. For more information, or to make reservations, call the chamber at 563-1000.

Open house
PLATTSBURGH -- The Adirondack Builders Association will be holding an open house on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the American Legion Post 20 in Plattsburgh from 5-7 p.m.

The open house will feature information on what the ABA is and how they can help you promote your business, plus they will have free appetizers and door prizes. This event is free for contractors of all industries and is open to both members and those interested in joining the ABA or learning more about them.

For more information on this meeting, visit their Web site, www.adirondackbuilders.org.

Auto-assurance program

PLATTSBURGH -- Hyundai Motor America has announced a program to protect consumers in an uncertain economic environment by providing a complimentary vehicle-return program for the first year on every new Hyundai that is financed or leased for owners who experience an involuntary loss of income.

The Hyundai Assurance Program expands the protection offered through The Hyundai Advantage: America's Best Warranty, which has provided 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain protection to Hyundai owners for a decade. The Hyundai Assurance Program is complimentary for one full year, covers all Hyundai models and is available to everyone.

"We understand consumers' hesitance to commit to large purchases in today's economic environment," said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Ten years ago, Hyundai's industry-leading warranty provided peace of mind to consumers about Hyundai's quality and reliability. Today we're extending that peace of mind to cover consumers' employment status and personal finances."

The program allows consumers to walk away from a financing obligation when certain adverse life events occur, providing protection from financial shortfalls that arise from vehicle depreciation (negative equity) up to $7,500.

The program is available to any consumer regardless of age, health, employment history or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months of the financing or lease date for vehicles financed through Hyundai Motor Finance Co. and other third-party lenders and financing sources. Covered circumstances include involuntary unemployment, physical disability, loss of driver's license due to medical impairment, international employment transfer, self-employed personal bankruptcy and accidental death.

Consumers must have made at least two scheduled payments on their loan or lease, be current on all payments and pay for any outstanding balance above the $7,500 benefit amount which results from negative equity. Once the benefit is approved by the Hyundai Assurance administrator and the customer pays any outstanding balance, the customer returns the vehicle to the selling dealer, whose appraisal is factored into the valuation formula, and the consumer avoids further financial obligation or negative impact to his or her credit. The dealer is then able to remarket the vehicle.

For more information, visit www.HyundaiUSA.com or www.HyundaiAssurance.com.

Building seminar
PLATTSBURGH -- Plattsburgh Housing Outlet Inc. will hold a Home Building Seminar Jan. 30 from 6-8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Plattsburgh.

The seminar will offer guidance on topics such as lender requirements, manufactured and modular homes and how to develop a building site.

Experts from all areas of construction will give an overview of the process and participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions during the second hour.

Refreshments will be served during the event and there is no cost or obligation for this service. Participants must RSVP ahead of time, as space is limited.

Anyone interested in attending may call 800-794-6250 or email michelle@plattsburghhousing.com with their name and phone number. A flyer describing the event in more detail is available at www.plattsburghhousing.com.

Participants will receive a "how-to" packet, a free copy of their credit report and a discount coupon for attending the seminar. They will leave with the information they will need to make an informed decision about new construction and home ownership.

Plattsburgh Housing Outlet has been providing North Country families with quality, affordable homes since 1991. They were named Retailer of the Year by the Manufactured Housing Institute for the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region in 2003, one of four companies in the nation.

For more information, contact LaBounty at 563-6250, Ext. 21.

Holiday closure
CROWN POINT -- Crown Point Telephone Corp. will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, a federal holiday.

The company apologizes for any inconvenience and wishes to remind its customers that its answering service is available for all trouble reports and customer-service questions. Crown Point Telephone will reopen at 9 a.m. Jan. 20.

Business After Hours

LAKE PLACID -- The Essex County Business Council will hold its business mixer, Business After Hours, co-sponsored by the

North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross and Champlain National Bank, at the Crowne Plaza, 101 Olympic Dr., Lake Placid, on Thursday from 5:30-7 p.m.

Admission is $2. RSVP to Arlene@lakeplacid.com or call 523-2445, Ext. 133. Make new business contacts and enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beverages and a door prize in the Adirondack Great Room at the Crowne Plaza.

The event is open to members of the Essex County Business Council, the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce and partner chambers.

Not-yet members are encouraged to contact the Essex County Business Council for a special-guest pass.

Appointment announced

ST. ALBANS, Vt. -- A.N. Deringer Inc., the international logistics service provider, has announced that Robert DeCamp, director of regulatory affairs and consulting, has been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The committee is a 20-member advisory council that advises the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on trade compliance, facilitation, the securing of the supply chain and other trade and security issues of mutual concern.

The select committee is jointly chaired by the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. DeCamp's application and appointment was supported by Rep. John McHugh of New York's 23rd District.

During its 11th two-year term, the committee is expected to consider such issues as enhanced border and cargo supply-chain security, CBP modernization and automation, informed compliance and compliance assessment, account-based processing, commercial enforcement and uniformity, international efforts to harmonize customs practices and procedures, strategic planning, northern and southern border issues, agricultural inspection, import safety and the CBP mission.

Since becoming licensed as a U.S. Customs broker in 1976, DeCamp has held a variety of strategic corporate positions including vice president of operations, regulatory affairs, and has also served as president of a trade-consulting service. In 1999, He joined the A.N. Deringer Inc. team as director of regulatory affairs and consulting.

In addition to leading the Deringer Logistics Consulting Group, he is a member of the Advisory Council of the School of Business and Economics at the State University of New York.

New officers
PLATTSBURGH -- The North Country Workforce Investment Board has announced its officers for 2009. The board is a business, education and community board empowered to lead workforce-development activities in Clinton, Essex, Hamilton and Franklin counties.

Serving as an intermediary for workforce-development activities and resources, board members represent private industry, labor, education, economic development and community-based organizations. Representatives for private industry comprise 51 percent of the board.

The newly elected officers are Chairperson John VanNatten, VP, Glens Falls National Bank; Vice Chairperson Susan Manning, manager, Human Resources, NYCO Minerals; Second Vice Chairperson Joseph Riccio, communications director, Adirondack Medical Center; Secretary Patty Bashaw, director, Office for the Aging, Essex County; and Treasurer John Bernardi, executive director, United Way.

"The Workforce Investment Board is looking forward to being a major factor in helping the North Country regional economy continue to grow by fulfilling its dual role of helping jobseekers find self-sustaining employment and in helping businesses find qualified employees," VanNatten said. "The challenges are significant, but the North Country is economically better positioned than most regions of the state and the Workforce Investment Board is optimistic about the future," VanNatten said.

Scenic byways
PLATTSBURGH -- Community leaders and owners of businesses and attractions along the east-west travel corridor designated the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway -- which begins in the Rome area, traverses communities in Oneida, Herkimer, Hamilton, and Warren Counties, and terminates in the Glens Falls area -- have a powerful, cost-effective resource for economic development and community enhancement, according to The Adirondack North County Association.

ANCA is launching its 2009 Scenic Byways Marketing Project to help stakeholders of the Central Adirondack Trail gain the most from the many benefits of the byway designation and its relationship to the New York State Scenic Byways program. While the Scenic Byway designation is mainly focused on the tourism economy, almost all businesses in byways communities benefit. ANCA encourages business owners, Chambers of Commerce and civic groups, tourism representatives, community planners and local government officials to get involved.

On Jan. 21, at the Old Forge/Arts Center on Route 28 in Old Forge from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway will be the focus of the first of several workshops ANCA is offering throughout the region over the next several months. The workshop will be repeated on Jan. 28 in North Creek to ensure stakeholders in communities all along the touring route are able to participate.

At the Jan. 21 meeting, stakeholders will learn how the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway program can positively impact economic and community development. They will take away strategies on how to best use their Central Adirondack Trail byway community label to better appeal to and connect with travelers, including those using bikeways and waterways. They will also have an opportunity to learn how to make the most of their byway designation.

The workshop will provide overviews of tourism trends, including outcomes of ANCA's just completed Market Trend Assessment of Scenic Byway Visitors, that have positive potential for the Adirondack North Country region. Participants will learn the advantages of regional collaboration, branding, marketing techniques and resource interpretation to establish and use the byway image to promote local and regional resources and attractions. Information on ANCA's Scenic Byways Web site, in development, will be provided. The objective is to empower communities and business owners to achieve marketing goals identified in the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byways Corridor Management Plan completed in 2006.

Susan Fuller, of Fuller Communications in Malone, will facilitate the sessions. Fuller facilitated similar byways sessions for ANCA for the Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway and the Olympic Trail Scenic Byway in 2007-08. Under contract with ANCA, Fuller will develop the marketing strategies, promotional materials and Web visibility that will build consumer awareness of byway communities in the North Country and Tug Hill Regions along the Central Adirondack Trail, and the Adirondack Trail and Olympic Scenic Byways.

The New York State Scenic Byways Program, created by the legislature in 1992, fosters cooperative efforts among citizens, local groups and local and state governments. The objective is to designate specific roadways for economic development and resource conservation. These scenic roadways feature natural, recreational, historical and cultural attractions that travelers, including visitors to New York State, residents of the state and citizens of local communities can experience and enjoy.

RSVP for the Jan. 21 meeting in Old Forge by Thursday and the Jan. 28 meeting in North Creek by Jan. 22. All interested parties are invited to contact Sharon O'Brien, ANCA's Scenic Byway coordinator, to find out how to join the planning effort by calling 891-6200 or anca-obrien@northnet.org.

For more information about ANCA, visit www.adirondack.org .