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

Assembly minority leader Barclay tests positive for coronavirus
PULASKI, N.Y. — Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R–Pulaski) on Monday evening announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus. Barclay represents the 120th New

U.S. Air Force awards ANDRO contract targeting advanced radio communications
ROME, N.Y. — ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC (ANDRO) will use a $3.2 million research and development contract from the Air Force Research Lab in Rome

People news: Reagan Companies hires new sales manager
MARCELLUS, N.Y. — Reagan Companies — a Marcellus-based insurance, risk management, and wealth advisory firm — announced it has hired Bill Virker, Jr. as the

Onondaga County reports 149 cases Friday, highest single-day amount; Cuomo to discuss micro-cluster
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Friday reported 149 additional cases of COVID-19, the highest single-day amount during the pandemic, to

Walsh to quarantine following potential exposure to COVID-19
“Consistent with health privacy requirements,” the City of Syracuse is not releasing the identity of the employee who tested positive. Walsh doesn’t have any symptoms

Greater Oneida Chamber switches to virtual model
ONEIDA, N.Y. — The Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce has recently closed its small office in Oneida and moved to a virtual model to serve members. “The concept of a virtual model for the chamber came to fruition via a sequence of events,” Kim M. Caro president of the Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce board
Mercer survey: Health-benefit costs expected to grow 4.4 percent in 2021
Employers expect their health-benefit costs to increase 4.4 percent, on average, in 2021 compared to 2020. That’s according to early results from Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans 2020. The increase — based on 1,113 employer responses since early July — is “largely in line” with the average annual cost growth over the past six

SOS promotes two to management roles at one-day surgery center
DeWITT, N.Y. — Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) on Oct. 19 announced two recent promotions within the management team of the Specialists’ One-Day Surgery Center (SODS). Geoffrey Smith, who previously served as SODS administrator, has been named executive director, while Michele Flavin has been promoted to CFO of SODS. The surgery center is located at 5801
VIEWPOINT: 5 Tips to Help Employees Make the Most of Health Benefits
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many companies in New York state and nationwide to operate differently, presenting new challenges and requiring some to respond to a newly at-home workforce. Whether employees are working remotely or in-person, this fall’s open-enrollment season for health benefits will likely be different than in the past. In fact, a recent

State introduces regs on insurance for mental health and substance-use disorders
“This regulation provides important protections so that New Yorkers receive the coverage and benefits they need. It is particularly critical now as more people experience increased stress from the three simultaneous crises in public health, the economy, and civil rights,” Linda Lacewell, New York State Superintendent of Financial Services, said in a statement. “DFS is
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.