The award, funded by the federal economic stimulus package, will save Crouse more than $100,000 per year in energy costs, Dr. Paul Kronenberg, CEO of Crouse Hospital, said in a news release.

The contract is from the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement unit. SRC will establish and maintain a security operations center under the deal that will help protect IT infrastructure against cybersecurity threats.

The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled in 2009 that a number of Chinese manufacturers and their U.S. distributors violated Pass & Seymour's patent rights. The appeals court has affirmed the earlier rulings in the case of seven of the nine manufacturers involved.

The Utica-Rome area lost 400 construction jobs while the Binghamton area lost 100 construction jobs during the same 12-month stretch.

The store is the first for the chain in Auburn and the grand opening is set for Friday. The 12,500-square-foot location offers La-Z-Boy chairs, sofas, cocktail tables, and accent pieces including lamps, area rugs, wall art, and accessories.