“Our goal is to develop this park to be both a destination for people who love history and a place to honor our veterans who have participated in all foreign and domestic wars,” Cashman notes. The project connects to the Empire State Trail, positioning Plattsburgh as a key stop for cyclists exploring New York. With views of historic Crab Island and Valcour Island, the development transforms previously limited public access into a regional attraction that celebrates natural beauty and national heritage. OPEN FOR BUSINESS Plattsburgh’s economic advantage starts with a simple fact: the town charges no property tax. Combined with strategic infrastructure investments and streamlined development processes, this creates an environment where businesses thrive. “Last year we did 444 building permits and reviewed approximately 1.4 million square feet of development valued at about $54.5 million,” Cashman reports.“We have legacy companies that have been with us for 40-plus years and new investments coming in every year.” The municipality backs this growth with serious infrastructure commitment. Over the past several years, Plattsburgh invested $24 million in water and wastewater improvements.“Local government’s backbone is infrastructure,”Cashman emphasizes.“We continue to invest significantly not only to upgrade our infrastructure but to put new infrastructure in, allowing new veins of opportunity for manufacturing, hotels, and housing.” Major employers have taken notice. Schluter Systems established its North American headquarters here, other titans companies are Norsk Titanium, Monaghan Medical Corporation, Medisca, BETA Technologies and Micro Bird and a growing cluster of 52 aerospace and transportation equipment manufacturers. The sector supports 8,500 well-paying jobs, one-third of the county’s total employment. “We serve as a footprint for many international businesses having their North American headquarters here,” Cashman notes. Cole highlights the town’s comprehensive support system.“We have a fully staffed planning department and codes office that understands our regulations and meets regularly and early with projects to identify any roadblocks,” he explains. The town launched WeArePlattsburgh.com as a digital gateway for economic development, walking prospective businesses through the development process. Partnerships with the Clinton County Industrial Development Agency and Adirondack Economic Development Corporation provide additional resources. “Investment in staff knowledge matters too; I was just in Denver at the National Planning 55 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06 PLATTSBURGH, NY
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