Oct. 8--CANTON -- St. Lawrence County lawmakers have been asked to consider letting the Industrial Development Agency take over the Office of Economic Development, a move that some say could save money and improve the odds for attracting industry.

"The staff of the IDA and Economic Development office are so wrapped up in job assistance programs that it dominates their day. That's not a bad thing, but that's the reality. At the end of the day, that's where their efforts have gone, not into economic development," said Legislator Frederick S. Morrill, D-DeKalb Junction, an IDA board member. "An option is for the IDA to contract with the county to do economic development."

The IDA, Office of Economic Development and Workforce Investment Board share the same staff. Raymond H. Fountain is the agencies' chief executive officer, director and executive director, respectively.

"The Workforce Investment Board is actually where my role is most of the time," Mr. Fountain said. "There is clearly somewhat of a shift at the federal level where we're becoming more involved with education, and as the environment changes, the boards that perform these services on the county's behalf need to look at what they're doing and whether there's a better way."

IDA officials approached the Legislature's leadership two weeks ago with a proposal to take over the county's economic development functions, in exchange for a portion of the county's slot machine revenue from the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. The full Legislature has not yet discussed it.

Mr. Morrill said he thinks having the IDA focus solely on economic development and leaving job programs to departments like Social Services, the Youth Bureau and the Office for the Aging could improve greatly the chances for landing new industry.

"There are other models across the state where the IDA is in charge of economic development," said Legislature Chairman Gregory M. Paquin, D-Massena. "I think the way we do it might be the exception rather than the norm."

Economic Development staff is researching whether the move will save the county money. State and federal money covers much of the Economic Development Office's expenses, but officials project that the county will fund $1,001,990 of the department's $3.2 million budget by the end of the year.

"You pursue anything that has a potential to save money, and that's what it's going to come down to," Mr. Paquin said. "We have to come up with new ways to do business."

Mr. Paquin and Mr. Morrill said they hope a formal proposal can be forwarded before lawmakers approve the 2010 budget. The budget vote is expected Nov. 23.

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