Skiers, including a goggles-wearing, backpack-riding dog, prepare to descend Mount Pisgah in January 2021. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

LAKE PLACID — Town of North Elba officials announced Friday that they are awarding more than $371,000 to several local organizations through its North Elba Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF). These Round 6 projects were approved at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.

Among the 12 projects getting grants are the Adirondack Carousel, Adirondack Mountain Club, Lake Placid Central School District and Shipman Youth Center.

Criteria used to consider an organization’s funding request includes information about the organization, plans for the proposed project or equipment purchase, budget, and how the proposed project will benefit local communities, residents and visitors to the area. The 10-person LEAF committee, representing businesses and local organizations, reviews each grant submission and presents its recommendations to the North Elba Town Council for final approval.

Projects supported by this round of funding include many that are related to health and safety, such as the purchase of safety gear for young aspiring speedskaters, along with portable emergency equipment at local events, mental health-based first aid training and enhanced training for our local first responders.

Other projects provide for environmental sustainability and local attraction support, such as the proposed energy efficiency initiatives at the Saranac Lake Civic Center, activity surrounding the Adirondack Rail Trail trailhead and snowmaking equipment at Mount Pisgah Recreation Center.

“The projects supported through the LEAF grants showcase the creativity of our local businesses and community leaders, while providing important benefits for our region,” North Elba town Supervisor Derek Doty said in a statement. “Over the past few years, these projects have made some real positive contributions to our communities, benefiting our residents and visitors.”

LEAF grants are available to nonprofit organizations, local governments and public sector organizations within the town of North Elba. The grant funding is derived from a dedicated 2% Essex County occupancy tax, implemented by the Essex County Board of Supervisors in 2020. The occupancy tax is collected when people stay at a resort, hotel, motel, bed-and-breakfast or short-term rental property within Essex County.

“The projects supported continue to enhance experiences within the communities,” Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Chief Operating Officer Mary Jane Lawrence said in a press release. “Those who live here and those who visit benefit from these projects. The goal is to ensure our communities thrive; a healthy community is a great place to live and a wonderful place to visit.”

ROOST is the destination marketing and management organization for Hamilton and Essex counties, Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, the Whiteface Region and Lake Placid.

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Projects

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Below are the projects receiving LEAF grants in the latest round of funding.

¯ Adirondack Carousel, $5,000

¯ Adirondack Mountain Club, $14,400

¯ Adirondack Rail Trail Association, $12,375

¯ Adirondack Speedskating Club, $10,000

¯ Lake Placid Central School District, $30,000

¯ Open Space Institute Land Trust, $50,000

¯ Saranac Lake Civic Center, $35,000

¯ Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad, $28,458

¯ Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, $2,020

¯ Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks, $3,560

¯ Shipman Youth Center, $6,000

¯ Village of Saranac Lake: Mount Pisgah Recreation Center, $175,000

LEAF grants are available for nonprofits (any 501c organization serving the social, cultural, or economic interests of our community); municipalities; public sector organizations; and regional agencies.

For more information about the North Elba LEAF program, visit www.roostadk.com/leaf.