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

Lockheed Martin executive, a Clarkson graduate, dies
Michele Evans, a Clarkson University graduate who was serving as aeronautics executive VP at Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT), died on New Year’s Day, the

Syracuse University delays start of spring semester until Feb. 8
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University has decided to begin its spring semester and residential instruction on Feb. 8 and continue through May 21. The new

Barclay Damon elects Cahill as its first woman managing partner
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Barclay Damon LLP announced that Connie Cahill has been elected managing partner of the law firm’s 475-person organization, effective Jan. 1. She

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