NEWS RELEASE
St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency
Announces Naming of “Ernest J. LaBaff Industrial
Building”
Canton, New York, June 17, 2013
The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency at its 2013 Annual Meeting passed a
resolution formally naming its new building at 19 Commerce Lane, Canton as the “Ernest J.
LaBaff Industrial Building.”
The 15,000 square foot building, the first in the new Canton Industrial Park, was completed this
past December. In addition to the IDA’s offices, the facility is home to the St. Lawrence Brewing
Company and currently has approximately 6,000 square feet of mixed use space available.
The naming of the building, a first for the IDA, is a recognition and acknowledgement of the
profound impact that Mr. LaBaff has had on the Industrial Development Agency and on the
economy and quality of life for the citizens and workers of St. Lawrence County
First appointed to the IDA in April of 1977, “Ernie” has served in various capacities, including
Chairman, and is currently the Board’s Vice-Chair.
Mr. LaBaff has a distinguished history of public service, and is a long-time proponent of
economic development for St. Lawrence County. He is President Emeritus of the Aluminum
Brick & Glass Workers International Union and a former member of the St. Lawrence County
Legislature (1974-1980; and 1981-1985).
IDA Chairman Brian W. Staples, in presenting the Resolution, commented, “We are proud to
highlight the more than 35 years of service Ernie has provided as a member of the Board of the
Industrial Development Agency. Ernie’s efforts have benefited not just the IDA, but the overall
economic development efforts in the region and most important, the workers and families of St.
Lawrence County.”
St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators Chair Jon Putney added, “Ernie LaBaff has been a
long time advocate for the North Country and we are all better off thanks to his efforts. It is
fitting that this industrial building be named in his honor. The work that goes on in this building
involves preserving the jobs we have now and working to bring more to St. Lawrence County.
Economic development has been the life’s work of this great man and the Board of Legislators
applauds this accolade to our good friend Ernie LaBaff.”
United States Senator Charles Schumer offered the following comment, "I'm humbled to join all
of St. Lawrence County in formally honoring Ernie for his decades of service to the community
and the St. Lawrence County IDA. I've enjoyed working with Ernie for over 10 years; he still has
the same can-do attitude and passion for the community he had when we first met back in 1998.
I hope this new IDA building, now named after him, will bring about even more good things for
the people of this great county and that Ernie continues to carry his well-known spark and
passion for decades to come."
"I am pleased the St. Lawrence County IDA has chosen to name their new building in honor of
Ernest J. LaBaff", said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "It is a great recognition of Ernie's legacy of
dedicated public service."
“This is a great honor for a man who has tirelessly championed the pursuit of good paying jobs
for North Country workers,” said Congressman Bill Owens. “I congratulate my good friend Ernie
on this well-deserved recognition of his strong support for economic development and working
families in our community.”
“Ernie LaBaff is among the North Country’s most knowledgeable and ardent advocates for
responsible and sustainable job growth. As co-chair of the North Country Regional Economic
Development Council (NCREDC), I value his counsel about the region’s opportunities for
private-public investment,” said Anthony G. Collins, co-chair of the NCREDC and president of
Clarkson University. “Ernie has also been a stalwart fan of the Golden Knights’ Ice Hockey
team at Clarkson through thick and thin. The naming of this facility in his honor is a tribute to his
persistent commitment to make our community a better place for all who choose to live, learn
and work here.”
New York State Senator Joseph A. Griffo said," I find it fitting that Ernie LaBaff has a building
named after him, since he's been a part of the foundation of the Canton and North Country
community for a lifetime of service. No one has been a bigger advocate of St. Lawrence County
and no one knows its people better than Ernie. I commend Patrick Kelly, the Board and Staff of
the IDA, for choosing the best person to name the Industrial Park's anchor building. And I
congratulate my friend, Ernie, on this fine honor."
New York State Assemblywoman Addie Russell stated, “Ernie has dedicated his life to
improving the lives of his fellow workers. His leadership at the IDA has been an important part
of that work. The commitment he has demonstrated to our community and dignity for workers is
inspiring and something we should all work to emulate. This honor is a fitting acknowledgment
of Ernie's strong and enduring impact on us all.
Ronald P. McDougall, President of the Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence County Central
Trades and Labor Council stated, “I am quite pleased to learn that the new IDA building is being
named after a lifelong fellow trade unionist. I applaud Mr. LaBaff’s fellow IDA board members
for acknowledging Ernie’s lifetime work of creating and maintaining jobs for the North Country.”
In addition, Mr. McDougall said, “I only wish Ernie’s biggest supporter, his beloved Gertie, was
still with us to see this much-deserved recognition.”