BD: I said before that Lewis County will always be home – and that is also the case for many ‘Lewis County born and raised’ who live outside of Lewis County or in differ- ent states or countries. People like to keep tabs on what is happening back in their hometown, and naturallylewis.com is a great way to do that. We showcase their friends, family, and neighbors and their successful business ventures, the beauty of our county, and the many reasons why you should live, work and play here. “We’re 40 miles from Canada, a short drive to several major interstates, and anywhere between a two and six hour drive to Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Binghamton, Toronto, Montreal, Boston and New York City.”
If you are looking for the perfect place to raise your family Lewis County is the place for you. You can live in walkable villages where it is safe for your kids to walk to school, where there are plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities to accommodate the four seasons, where your neighbors are friendly and helpful, and where a supportive business climate and county government are waiting to help you. The people of Lewis County are famously extremely inviting to new residents and businesses. It really is the perfect spot for anyone who has in mind the homegrown business approach. You will find the support you need to grow and expand your business organically in Lewis County. “It’s our aim to continue to inspire young people to live, work, and play here in Lewis County.” The Lewis Economic Development Council has put in place some very tempting incentives for entrepreneurs and businesses to set-up shop in the County – care to tell the readers about those opportunities? BD: Absolutely. The Lewis County Economic Development Council and the Industrial Development Agency offer various tax incentives for new business and/or business expansions. These incentives include: payment in lieu of taxes, sales tax exemptions, and mortgage tax exemptions. We also offer IDA sale-lease back transactions, and manage a small business revolving loan fund. We are currently in the process of acquiring multiple spaces for business growth and expansions around the county, such as a commerce park and vacant buildings. Because they will be owned by a governmental agency, the lease options could be very affordable for new businesses or expanding businesses. Can you please tell the readers more about recent infra- structure development and projects in Lewis County like the Lyon Falls Mill Revitalization and Commerce Park? EV: We have been in the process of developing the County’s first commerce park to spark business growth. Many of our local businesses are in need of expasions, but it may not be feasible for their current location. Providing location oppor- tunities for not only our established businesses, but new businesses as well, is vital to growth of Lewis County. We are currently embarking on the fourth and final stage of demolition of the old Lyons Falls Paper Mill site in Lyons Falls, New York. The nine-acre property falls under the Brownfield Opportunity Area, which could allow for poten- tial tax credits in the future, but is also a spectacular water- front property on the Black River – and is directly adjacent to a hydroelectric facility, which could produce inexpensive power for a business. Lewis County is always eyeing infra- structure improvements in our county to support business and residential growth for our communities. How far and wide is the “Naturally Lewis” brand known?
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DECEMBER 2018 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
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