2023 – Delivered at the CKIC Annual Meeting, January 24, 2024

New Policies and Procedures

  • Financial Review Committee established to verify the account with financial statements (Jan)
  • Molly Marris, CCC Executive Director approved to fill the board term of Karen Ostinett (Jan)
  • Strategic Plan Developed in Spring. Committees: Communications, Development, Finance, Governance, Operations, Projects, Recreation
  • Approved Finance Committee’s recommendation of a Procurement Policy and a Procurement of Funds Policy
  • Finance Committee Charter Updated (July)
  • Communication Committee developed CKIC talking points and “elevator speech”; met with Matt Brockett of Brockett Creative to begin exploring an enhanced community website and a re-established Welcome Wagon-type committee
  • Development Committee developed case for supporting CKIC and coordinated year-end solicitation, including justification for hiring an executive director to research and write grant proposals, manage an enhanced website, and manage communications (tentative job description developed)
  • Adopted process for future board nominations, including having the Governance Committee manage the nominations process
  • Recreation Committee began exploration of having Clinton Kirkland designated as a “Walk Friendly Community”
  • Adopted MailChimp for mailing database

2023 Projects/Highlights

  • Presented at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
  • Ad Hoc Signage Committee. Developed a series of initial recommendations, but tabled most in light of the DoT roadwork scheduled for Summer 2024.
  • Initiated and managed the refurbishment of the “Welcome to Clinton” signs on 12B
  • Received challenge grant to spur fundraising
  • Worked with MV EDGE to get Phase 1 Environmental Review of brownfield site in the designated DRI zone
  • March 2 – Cooperstown Announcement of DRI grant!
  • Three CKIC board members selected for DRI Local Planning Committee that evaluated and then recommended projects to the governor for funding.
  • Met with board member and executive director from the Partnership for Community Development in Hamilton, N.Y.
  • CKIC agreed to serve as the sponsor for the DRI Small Projects Fund should it be approved by the Governor as part of the Clinton Kirkland Strategic Improvement Plan; Steve Grimm agreed to lead this effort
  • CKIC participated in the Shoppers Stroll as a way to increase awareness and visibility
  • Continued to have representation at Mohawk Valley EDGE meetings and DRI Capacity-Building Webinars

Looking Ahead

  • Manage Small Projects Fund (assuming state approval)
  • Provide input on funded DRI projects and consider other means for support for those not selected to receive DRI funding
  • Sponsor grant seminar with representative from the NY State Office of Planning, Development and Community ahead of the deadline for the Consolidated Funding Application
  • Solicit major funding from community businesses, nonprofits, and legislative bodies
  • Coordinate welcome signage in conjunction with DoT street improvement project
  • Update Strategic Plan and committee activity in Clinton and Kirkland, including along the Rt. 5 corridor and in Clark Mills
  • Continue increasing community awareness of CKIC as a resource for community enhancement
  • Continue development of CKIC mailing database
  • Maintain a project list for future funding opportunities, planning initiatives and implementation.  This list would comprise those suggested by the community at large, planning documents from the Village and Town, local businesses and local non-profits.
  • Expand Board membership (i.e., Mike Klapmeyer, Jim Nolan, Tom Owens)

Prior to 2023

  • Sent a survey to local business owners in the summer of 2020 to assess their needs
  • Matched Hamilton College students with businesses to establish websites or social media strategies
  • Supplied masks, sanitizers, and test kits
  • Worked with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce to allow the Farmers’ Market to take place in spite of COVID-19 restrictions
  • Submitted three Downtown Revitalization Initiative grants seeking $10 million in state investment; our current proposal is pending – 2019, 2021 and 2022 (winning year)
  • Worked with the owners of a vacant brownfield site and Mohawk Valley EDGE to repurpose the property for development and add to the tax rolls