LEWIS COUNTY — Now through the end of 2023, ongoing economic development projects in Lewis County span from the redevelopment of properties to small business incentives.

The Daily Sentinel reached out to Lewis County Economic Development. Here’s what they have on their plate for the rest of this year.

“Property development initiatives will be big for us in 2023. In 2021, South Lewis Central School consolidated, which left Port Leyden and Glenfield Elementary Schools vacant,” said Brittany Davis, executive director for Lewis County Economic Development (also known as Naturally Lewis).

Davis continued, “Port Leyden was purchased by a local developer (Port Leyden Portal, LLC) and they are currently developing it into housing, lodging and community space. Lewis County purchased Glenfield to house some of their DSS staff while their county buildings are being renovated; we are marketing the building for redevelopment with priority housing and/or lodging. This is in progress.”

The former Glenfield Elementary School

The Martinsburg property is being made available for reuse/redevelopment by the Lewis County Development Corporation, on behalf of Lewis County.

The property was formerly used as an elementary school through the summer of 2021.

“Currently, Lewis County owns the site and is utilizing it for temporary office space until May 2023. With over 40,000 square feet of maintained and usable area, the opportunities are endless. Centrally located in the Black River Valley between Tug Hill and the Adirondacks, the location offers easy access off of NYS Route 12, nearby access to the Black River and direct access to ATV and snowmobile trail systems,” notes project information.

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In other projects, Davis pointed to the upcoming launch of the Vacant Property Revitalization Program, which is geared to incentivize property owners to rehab vacant downtown spaces.

“Lewis County is targeting vacant and potentially unsafe or blighted properties within downtown areas to turn them into usable spaces for business development opportunities,” the information notes.

It is hoped the program will ignite downtown areas by driving business development and bringing residents and tourists into down areas.

“By focusing on bringing these buildings back to life, the community will see an increase in the property tax base, the creation of local construction jobs, future employment within businesses, and an enhanced quality of life,” a statement continues.

Additionally, DBA Lewis County, an entrepreneurship program administered by Naturally Lewis, has taken root and aims to assist aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in Lewis County to launch and grow in the county and beyond.

“By utilizing our local and regional economic development partners and connecting you to local consultants who are experts in their industries to help you leverage opportunities and meet your goals,” program statements note.