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

New York State fined noncompliant tax preparers nearly $4 million in 2020
Nearly 20 noncompliant tax preparers have paid New York State nearly $4 million in fines during 2020. Each year, tax-return preparers must register with the

New director of security appointed for Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs
NICHOLS, N.Y. — Tioga Downs Casino Resort has named Robert Otto as its regional director of security, overseeing security operations at both Tioga Downs Casino
CNY jobless rates remain higher than a year ago amid significant job losses
Unemployment rates in the Syracuse, Utica–Rome, Binghamton, and Elmira regions were mostly below 6 percent in November 2020 but remained higher compared to a year ago amid the continuing negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions on business activity. Bucking the trend, the jobless rate in the Watertown–Fort Drum area was lower this past

Health-benefit costs rose 3.4% in 2020 for firms with 50-plus employees
Total health-benefit costs rose 3.4 percent, on average, in 2020, reaching $13,674 per employee among all U.S. employer health-plan sponsors with 50 or more employees. That’s according to the annual Mercer “National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans 2020,” which the firm released Dec. 8. The 3.4 percent figure represents “the lowest annual health-cost increase in over two

SUNY provost appointed acting president of SUNY Poly
MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) begins the new year with new leadership. The SUNY board of trustees on Dec. 29 appointed SUNY Provost Tod Laursen as SUNY Poly’s acting president. His appointment is effective immediately. A search for a permanent SUNY Poly president will begin “shortly,” SUNY said in a news release.

Briggs & Stratton offers some MVCC students employment following welding internships
UTICA, N.Y. — Some students at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) have secured positions with the Sherrill location of Briggs & Stratton Corp. following their welding internships. MVCC says it partnered with Briggs & Stratton for the welding internships. Briggs & Stratton — headquartered in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin — says it is the world’s largest manufacturer

Insurers mandated to suspend preauthorization requirements
The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) on Dec. 13 issued a letter directing insurers to suspend certain preauthorization and administrative requirements to help hospitals implement New York’s “surge and flex” protocol. The protocol — which mandates all hospitals to begin expanding their bed capacity to prepare for a COVID-19 surge — is part of

New Yorkers can use new paid sick-leave benefits under new state law
New Yorkers can begin using sick-leave benefits under the state’s paid sick-leave law that took effect Jan. 1. The new law secures paid sick leave for workers at medium and large businesses and paid or unpaid leave for those at small businesses, depending on the employer’s net income, the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Dec. 29.
VIEWPOINT: From Employee To Entrepreneur: Becoming Your Own Boss in 2021
Maybe you have dreamed of launching your own business for years but couldn’t summon the nerve — or the capital — to pull it off. Perhaps 2020 proved disastrous to your career aspirations when the company you worked for downsized or shut down altogether — and out the door you went. Either way, 2021 could be
VIEWPOINT: Ask Rusty: I’m 66. When Should I Claim Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I’d like to get advice on when I should begin taking my Social Security benefit. I turned 66 in October 2020. Signed: Pondering Retirement Dear Pondering: Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefit is a personal choice which should consider several factors, most importantly: • Your need for the money at this time • Your
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.