MASSENA - Jason A. Clark is starting his own consulting firm.

Mr. Clark’s last day as the Business Development Corporation for a Greater Massena’s executive director is today, his 38th birthday. He resigned last month after serving over five years; BDC President Daniel S. Pease said Mr. Clark and the board agreed it was time for a new direction for the entity.

Mr. Clark filed paperwork with the state Department of State on Monday to establish Clark Consulting Group, LLC. The company will provide public relations, fundraising, grant writing and project management services for municipalities and not-for-profit entities statewide and in Southern Ontario, with a particular focus on the north country.

“The bulk of the action is going to be in the north country to start with,” Mr. Clark said. “Working in the private sector will better allow me to accomplish some of the goals I had when I moved back in the north country in the first place. You’re better able to pick your own projects based on what interests you.”

Clark Consulting will initially be based out of Norfolk, where Mr. Clark lives. He will be its only employee and will retain independent contractors as his workload picks up.

Mr. Clark said he will continue his role as chairman of the Northern Corridor Transportation Group, the entity which has spearheaded the effort to site an interstate between Plattsburgh and Watertown. Much of the money raised for the I-98 marketing campaign has been through Mr. Clark’s efforts.

“I enjoy it. I’ve had a lot of success with it,” he said of his fundraising skills. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity in the north country for different organizations that need additional funds to either expand or move into new areas.”

Prior to joining the BDC, he worked for sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry for 11 years. He unsuccessfully ran for New York State Assembly in 1996 and said he is not currently considering running for political office again.

He will initially work on three different projects, but declined to comment Wednesday on what those efforts will be.

“There are a lot of projects out there that organizations need assistance with,” Mr. Clark said. “If I can help them to make a difference, then this will be a fulfilling venture.”

Mr. Clark said his consulting firm will ramp up operations in September.

“It’s going to be very exciting,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be working on the things I’m going to be working on.”

The BDC will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 4:30 p.m. today.

Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.

You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:

• Watertown Daily Times
• The Ogdensburg Journal
• Daily Courier-Observer