Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Stewart’s Shops opens second Utica store
UTICA, N.Y. — Stewart’s Shops — an employee and family-owned convenience store chain that has more than 330 shops across upstate New York and southern

State finishes $8 million bridge replacement on I-81 in Tully
TULLY — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Oct. 27 announced the completion of an $8 million project to replace the northbound and southbound

New York’s weekly jobless claims decline again in latest week
The number of people filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits in New York state dipped 4 percent to 15,159 in the week ending Oct. 29

Tompkins Financial boosts quarterly dividend
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Financial Corp. (NYSE: TMP) recently announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in its quarterly cash dividend to

New York’s weekly jobless claims decline in latest week
The number of people filing initial claims for unemployment benefits in New York state fell nearly 7 percent to 15,911 in the week ending Oct.

State finishes $8 million bridge replacement on I-81 in Tully
TULLY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of an $8 million project to replace the northbound and southbound bridges

Community Bank to acquire Vermont bank for $304 million
DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) today announced it will acquire Merchants Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBVT), the largest statewide independent bank in

New York’s weekly jobless claims rise again as layoffs increase
The number of people filing first-time applications for unemployment benefits in New York state rose significantly for a second straight week, signaling a recent rise

Tioga State Bank warns about phishing scam using its name
SPENCER, N.Y. — Tioga State Bank, which has 11 branch offices in the Southern Tier, today warned consumers about scammers using its name. “Over the

CNY Best Places to Work Awards event honors 25 companies
ONONDAGA, N.Y. — The 2016 Central New York Best Places to Work Awards breakfast on Thursday morning recognized 25 area organizations. A crowd of about