Fort Drum Day Shines Spotlight on $2.5 Billion in Economic Impact and 40 Years of Community Contributions

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (May 7, 2025) – A regional economic engine is taking centerstage at the State Capitol today, teaching New York leaders about the organization’s significance to national defense and its economic impact. As representatives from Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division caravan to Albany to showcase the division’s operations, Advocate Drum – the strongest champion and steadfast supporter of the Fort Drum community – is proud to be one of the community partners joining forces to advocate for, educate about, and celebrate Fort Drum’s continued success.

Advocate Drum is one of more than a dozen North Country partners headed to Albany this morning to shine a spotlight on Fort Drum’s contributions to our community and broader defense framework. While the men and women of Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division protect civilians, Advocate Drum works to protect and strengthen Fort Drum’s positive impact on the North Country and beyond by promoting the installation’s economic and cultural significance.

“Fort Drum Day is more than a celebration—it’s a powerful reminder of the vital role the 10th Mountain Division plays in our national defense and in the heart of our community. It’s a chance for all New Yorkers to recognize the service, sacrifice, and economic strength Fort Drum brings to the state,” said Mike McFadden, executive director for Advocate Drum and 32-year veteran of the U.S. Army.

Economic Impact: A dedicated champion of the Fort Drum community, the non-profit is proud to be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In four decades, it’s estimated that Advocate Drum has helped secure 24,238 jobs directly and indirectly (supported by Fort Drum). Plus, the organization’s efforts have pumped more than $2.5 billion back into the North Country economy.

Advocate Drum’s earliest efforts were instrumental in the Army’s decision to station the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. The organization advocated by helping community leaders – including state and local officials – understand the impact by weighing in on community development plans and increased demands on local community assets, making recommendations to address housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure improvements.

Fort Drum Day started in 2012 by State Senator Patty Ritchie to raise awareness among policymakers about the base’s strategic role in national defense. The tradition has grown significantly in 13 years, featuring opportunities for the legislature to interact personally with the troops and recognize soldiers for their service to the State of New York and the United States of America.

While Fort Drum Day puts Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division on New York State’s stage once a year, Advocate Drum works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure the spotlight shines all year long. Today, McFadden will meet with multiple legislators, discussing the many ways it’s helped the area over the years.

McFadden understands the impact that Fort Drum has in a personal way.

“Our work is very close to my heart, too. My children benefited from the Interstate Compact for Military Children Act. Over my military career, I spent nearly 10 years – a little less than one third of my career – on assignments at Fort Drum, so being able to continue to serve the North Country by speaking up for our neighbors is an honor and full circle experience for me,” said McFadden. “Our goal is to ensure continued sustainability and prosperity for generations to come.”

Advocate Drum will also have a table set up with displays along with 12 of their neighbors and community partners, and will have a presence at a luncheon, scheduled for 12 p.m. (A complete list of participants is provided below).

Here at home, Advocate Drum acts as a bridge between Fort Drum and the community by educating civilians, celebrating Fort Drum’s contributions, and advocating for its continued success. Advocate Drum’s voice is consistently relied on to be part of important conversations in our community – often leading the efforts – to enhance the quality of life for all. In four decades, the organization has made lasting contributions to the North Country in transportation, education, and economic development:

• From a transportation perspective, Advocate Drum secured funding for a variety of important projects over the last 20 years, including improvements to I-781, expanded rail access, and improved connectivity to Wheeler Sack Army Airfield.
• The organization’s education contributions are also significant: Advocate Drum facilitated New York State’s adoption of the Interstate Compact for Military Children Act, which helped students experience smoother school transfers and fewer interruptions when moving between states because of their parents’ service. It also helped streamline the certification and professional licensing process for military spouses, including those needing teaching certifications.

• Champions for Economic Development, Advocate Drum led a successful campaign against proposed troop cuts to save nearly 16,000 positions in 2015! Then, seven years later, it secured Fort Drum as the preferred site for a Multi-Domain Task Force. The significance of this 2022 contribution will be fully realized by the end of this year, by which time 1,500 new troops – and their families – would have moved to the area.

Advocate Drum provides support to everyone who is dedicated to making the North Country a welcoming, thriving, dynamic community. This includes active military members, veterans, civilians, and families.

With more than 180 volunteers and 50 members, Advocate Drum continues to expand its membership and invites individuals, businesses, and organizations that share their commitment to strengthening the North Country support for Fort Drum to consider joining its ranks.  If your values align with advocating for soldiers and families, promoting Fort Drum, and its key role in defending the nation, please contact Nancy Datoush, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 315-836-1531.

Additional information Advocate Drum can be found here, on the organization’s website.

List of North Country Organizations Participating in Fort Drum Day:

• Advocate Drum
• Carthage Central School District
• Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County
• Development Authority of the North Country
• Drum Country
• Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO)
• Fort Drum-Northern New York Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
• Indian River Central School District
• Jefferson Community College
• Next Move NY
• Tug Hill Commission
• Watertown Family YMCA

About Advocate Drum

As the strongest champion and steadfast supporter of the Fort Drum community, Advocate Drum provides support to all who are dedicated to making the North Country a welcoming, thriving, and dynamic community—including active military members, veterans, civilians, families, and more. Its goal is to ensure continued sustainability for generations to come, and its focus is on three key words: Advocate, Educate and Celebrate. Established first as the Fort Drum Steering Council in 1985, Advocate Drum’s earliest efforts were critical in the U.S. Army’s decision to station the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. In 1990, the steering council became known as the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization (FDRLO) before formally changing its name to Advocate Drum in 2018. The organization proudly promotes the installation’s economic and cultural significance and serves as a bridge between Fort Drum and the community, educating civilians to ensure its long-term viability. In 40 years, it’s estimated Advocate Drum has helped secure more than 24,000 jobs directly and indirectly and pumped an estimated $2.5 billion back into the North County’s economy.