Massena, NY, Mar 30, 2011 — The not-for-profit that has spearheaded the push for an Interstate highway between Watertown and Plattsburgh is under fire. Massena's mayor says the Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena hasn't been audited in 8 years and isn't doing enough to create jobs. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Mar 21, 2011 — The leader of one of the world's largest aluminum producers came to Massena Friday with good news. 115 workers are back on the job after a year-and-a-half shutdown of Alcoa East's three pot lines. Senator Chuck Schumer joined Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld for a hero's welcome. As David Sommerstein reports, the visit brought hope about Alcoa's long-term future in the North Country.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Mar 09, 2011 — A judge has approved a deal between "Old GM" -- the bankruptcy offshoot of the auto giant -- and the Federal Government for the cleanup of contaminated sites across 14 states. As Innovation Trail's Ryan Morden reports, that includes two sites in Upstate New York.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Feb 01, 2011 — The resumption of production at Alcoa's east smelter in Massena is a huge boost to a region that's been battered by the recession. 120 people are back on the pot lines. Alcoa's planning to invest millions of dollars in modernizing the facility.

But there's a sliver of bad news. Alcoa's share of low cost power was going to businesses and farms across the North Country. Yesterday, the New York Power Authority announced those discounts will be phased out. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Jan 18, 2011 — Massena town supervisor Joe Gray's been busy lately. He's been fielding calls from people reacting to his proposal last week to bring a nuclear power plant to the shores of the St. Lawrence River.

Nuclear power has evoked deep divisions in communities across the country. A reactor would bring hundreds of good-paying jobs and a big boost to the tax rolls. But it also raises concerns about radioactive waste and impacts on the health of local residents and the St. Lawrence River.

Joe Gray says he knew the proposal would be controversial. A majority of the feedback he's received he says has been positive. Details are still very sketchy. Gray told David Sommerstein Massena has the resources to go nuclear.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Dec 13, 2010 — Demolition of the former General Motors plant in Massena will begin next month. The project is expected to take nearly two years because of toxic contamination at site. The Innovation Trail's Ryan Morden reports.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Dec 07, 2010 — The concept of an Interstate connecting Watertown and Plattsburgh has been the holy grail of North Country economic developers for decades. It's been so long, the so-called "rooftop highway" can seem more legend than reality.

Supporters are fighting hard to push the project into the reality column. They're calling it by a new name - Interstate 98. And they're urging the state Department of Transportation to begin an environmental review of the project. That would mean charting a precise path for the road. And it would mean studying impacts on wetlands and forests, birds and other animals, and people's homes and properties.

But the DOT isn't on board. It doesn't think an Interstate is needed to begin with. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Nov 30, 2010 — Cough syrup, pain relievers, and nasal sprays are going to bring some relief to Massena's struggling economy. A maker of over-the-counter liquid medicines plans to begin manufacturing in a vacant plant in February. David Sommerstein reports the company's CEO says proximity to Canada was key, and he is pursuing an expansion plan that could employ more than 100 people.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Oct 13, 2010 — Since the 1920s, Slavin's furniture store has occupied an entire block of prime real estate on the Grasse River in downtown Massena. The buildings have been empty and decaying for almost a decade.

Last week after much debate, the village ordered Slavin's demolished. David Sommerstein joined onlookers to watch a bulldozer and crane clean up the wreckage.  Go to full article

Oct 11, 2010 — This has been a year for the record books in Saranac Lake. The Red Storm football team hasn't just gone undefeated.

They've dominated their opponents by a combined score of 266-to-8.

Saturday's game against the Massena Red Raiders was the last home game of the season for the squad. Brian Mann was there and sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article