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ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- The North Country Economic Development Council is on its way. The 20 person group had its first public meeting Friday at SUNY Potsdam.

The group, led by Clarkson University President Anthony Collins and North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas, has started to create a plan for where they are headed.

This is just one of ten councils working together to help make a five year plan to spur job creation in New York State. The councils will be competing for a share of $1 billion set aside for the effort.

Many at the meeting Friday are optimistic about what it accomplished.

Clarkson University President Anthony Collins said, "I thought it was very positive. There are no surprises. Many of us have been thinking and talking about the same issues for a long time here about what the opportunities are and what the challenges are."

Local Steel Workers Union President David LaClair Jr. said, "Enlightening to see that they are looking at economic activity in Upstate New York from Upstate New York. This isn't being done in Albany, they're actually up here."

The regional councils are due to hold meetings over the next few months.