Jefferson County > Watertown
Watertown’s economy benefits from the presence of Jefferson Community College and nearby Fort Drum Army base. Its largest nonprofit is Samaritan Medical Center. A new YMCA, funded with grants from the U.S. Defense Department and Empire State Development, opened in 2024.
School districts: Watertown City School District
Libraries: Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library
Hospitals: Samaritan Medical Center
Emergency services: Town of Watertown Ambulance Service, Watertown Fire Department
Fraternal organizations: American Legion, Elks, Lions, Shriners, VFW
State parks: Black River Trail
Not-for-profit cemeteries: Brookside Cemetery, Kendrew Cemetery, North Watertown Cemetery, Parish Cemetery, Sulphur Springs Cemetery
Change agents:
Grants to local organizations have funded a new YMCA community center, animal shelter improvements, wheelchair vans, Thompson Park upgrades, and other initiatives.
Recent grants:
City of Watertown
Federal Emergency Management Agency - Washington, DC - $85,754 (2023)
City of Watertown
NYS revenue sharing (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities) - Albany, NY - $4,703,208 (2023)
Cooperative Extension
Empire State Development - Albany, NY - $94,958 (2025)
Fort Drum Regional Health Planning
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation - New York, NY - $175,000 (2023)
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services - Albany, NY - $70,000 (2024)
North Country Affordable Housing
New York State Homes and Community Renewal - Albany, NY - $200,000 (2023)
North Country Library System
New York Department of Education - Albany, NY - $964,624 (2023)
Watertown
New York State Animal Capital Fund - Albany, NY - $466,292 (2024)
Watertown
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Albany, NY - $41,440 (2024)
Watertown
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Albany, NY - $406,028 (2024)
Watertown
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Albany, NY - $5,000,000 (2023)
Watertown
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Albany, NY - $444,500 (2023)
Watertown
New York State Land Trust Alliance - Albany, NY - $20,000 (2023)
Watertown
NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services - Albany, NY - $739,206 (2023)
Watertown
NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services - Albany, NY - $188,735 (2023)
Watertown
NYS Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program - Albany, NY - $500,000 (2024)
WPBS
Chapel Hill Foundation - Plattsburgh, NY - $5,000 (2023)
YMCA
NYS Dormitory Authority - Albany, NY - $237,209 (2024)
Largest nonprofits in Watertown (by assets) include:
Northern Credit Union
Samaritan Medical Center
Northern New York Community Foundation
Nysarc Inc Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence
Samaritan Senior Village
Young Mens Christian Association of Watertown NY
Childrens Home of Jefferson
Neighbors of Watertown
Faculty Student Association of Jefferson Community College
Samaritan Medical Center Foundation of Northern New York In
North Country Transitional Living Services
North Country Family Health Center
Ives Hill Retirement Community
Samaritan Keep Nursing Home
Credo Community Center for Treatment of Addictions
Watertown Local Development Corporation
IBEW-910 Welfare Fund
Brookside Cemetery Association
Jefferson Community College Foundation
Hospice Foundation of Jefferson County
Hospice of Jefferson County
Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization
Take the Lead
Jane E Deline Foundation
Disabled Persons Action Organizati on
Jefferson County Local Development Corporation