St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency
Human Services Center
80 State Highway 310 Suite 6, Canton, New York 13617-1496
Phone: (315) 379-9806 Fax: (315) 386-2573
Raymond H. Fountain
Chief Executive Officer
BENCHMARK
Project:
Bountiful Harvest
Address:
137 East Main Street, Gouverneur, NY
Start Date:
April 6, 2011
Overview:
Norine Dowling and daughter Rushteen Dowling-Hughes have been operating Bountiful
Harvest since November of 2009. The Bountiful Harvest provides natural foods,
supplements and alternative foods such as gluten free products and almond butter. They
offer healthy alternatives to medicines, including supplements and herbs, and their
knowledgeable staff will give helpful tips and suggestions for healthy living. The store
stocks both dry grocery goods, bulk items and some refrigerated/frozen items including
tofu, kefir, and whole grains. Herbs and fresh produce are available in season. The
store also carries natural personal and pet products, eco-friendly baby and cleaning
products, vitamins and supplements. They offer a selection of books featuring healthy
living choices and the store hosts an herbalist once a month who performs iridology for
customers.
The Bountiful Harvest is seeking funds for inventory, equipment and working capital.
The funds invested will help the owners to better manage inventory and will help improve
sales by increasing inventory in key areas with high customer demand
Actions Taken:
St. Lawrence County Local Development Corporation
Microenterprise Grant Program .............................................................................$19,417
Economic Indicators:

Jobs Maintained and Generated – This project will assist in generating .75 FTE jobs
over the next three years.

Targeted Employment Opportunity – The purpose of the Microenterprise Grant
Program is to create employment opportunities for persons of low-moderate income
(LMI). This project will create 2 part time jobs for persons who meet the LMI
guidelines.

Other Financing Leveraged:
Private Equity ..................................................................................................$16,493
Gouverneur Area Development Corporation...................................................$25,000

Improve Corporate Performance – This project will allow the store to expand their
inventory offering more products to consumers.

Targeted Business – This project is in line with the Microenterprise Grant Program
objective to target assistance to businesses which occupy commercial space, and
that provide specialty goods or services in a community in the County where they
are not currently found. Bountiful Harvest is the only natural foods store within 30
miles.