Plattsburgh recognized as positioned for growth

PLATTSBURGH -- Plattsburgh has been named one of the top 10 micro cities of the future by a global foreign direct-investment publication.

The April/May edition of fDi Magazine ranked Plattsburgh ninth among all micro cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico "in terms of its position for future progress and growth," according to a press release from the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce.

"This is recognition of all that is happening in the Plattsburgh-North Country region," said Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas. "For a prestigious magazine that serves the international investment markets to look across North America and single us out as one of the top 10 up-and-coming micropolitan areas is just incredible.

"It once again confirms that we and our economic-development partners have been doing the right things to position us for the future. But more importantly, it now confirms that the international marketplace is taking notice."

Plattsburgh also ranked third for best human services and fourth for most cost-effective location.

This is the first year that fDi, part of the London-based Financial Times Group, has ranked cities within North America.

Cities were ranked in four size categories, with micro cities defined as those with fewer than 100,000 people.

Rankings were based on economic potential, cost effectiveness, human resources, quality of life, infrastructure, development and investment promotion and business friendliness.

Douglas said the recognition "will become another powerful marketing tool" for the area.

He credited the entire team of local, state and federal officials and economic-development partners, including the chamber, The Development Corporation, the City of Plattsburgh Community Development Office, PARC, Empire State Development, OneWorkSource and others.

Plattsburgh's continuing relationship as Montreal's "U.S. suburb" and its position as a gateway hub to the Quebec-New York Corridor also helped earn the recognition, Douglas said.

"The most amazing thing about this recognition is that it is an assessment of our future and not just a snapshot of the past."