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

Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) — the Florida–based parent of Brown & Brown of New York, Inc., which has an office in Syracuse — recently announced that its board of directors has increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by 10 percent. The insurance-brokerage firm will pay a dividend of 16.5 cents per share on […]

Colgate says students with family income up to $175K can attend tuition free
HAMILTON, N.Y. — Colgate University says students with a total family income up to $175,000 can now attend the school tuition-free. In addition, those students

Rochester company acquires Utica engineering firm
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Joseph C. Lu Engineering, PC, a Rochester–based engineering firm with offices in the Syracuse area and Binghamton, has acquired Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering, P.C., an engineering firm based in Utica. With Lu Engineers expanding its presence to Utica, the firm will “gain stronger access to local and municipal markets and increase capacity

Syracuse police warn city businesses about fake invoice scam
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Police Department is warning Syracuse businesses about a scam involving fake zoning invoices. The fake bills have been sent to

Community Bank parent declares Q4 dividend of 47 cents a share
DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Financial System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) — parent company of Community Bank, N.A. — recently announced that it will pay a quarterly cash dividend of 47 cents per share of its common stock for the fourth quarter. The dividend will be payable on Jan. 12, to shareholders of record as of Dec.

Former Durhamville Fire Dept. treasurer admits to $92K theft
DURHAMVILLE, N.Y. — Sentencing is set for Nov. 21 for the former treasurer of the Durhamville Fire Department in Oneida County, who recently pled guilty to stealing more than $92,000 from the fire department over a seven-year period. As part of the plea, Kimberly Simchik, 62, of Durhamville will pay restitution of just over $92,000

State audit finds improved accuracy in Thruway toll collections
ALBANY, N.Y. — When it comes to Thruway tolls, the New York State Thruway Authority is generally accurate with its billing process, although a recent review identified some exceptions and recommended better monitoring and corrective actions. That’s according to an audit that New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released Sept. 23. “The Thruway Authority has

VIEWPOINT: Why New York’s Health Premiums Keep Going Up
New Yorkers continue to face some of the costliest health-insurance premiums in the U.S., and the insurance industry’s recently finalized rate applications shed light on why that is. In summaries filed with the state regulators, insurers attributed their price hikes to rising costs — including state-specific factors, such as insurance taxes and coverage mandates, as
Excellus offers customer support at new community resource center in Clay
CLAY, N.Y. — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s new community resource center is now operating in the Glenn Crossing Plaza at 7421 Oswego Road (Route 57) in the town of Clay. The Rochester–based health-insurance provider formally opened the CNY Liverpool Resource Center on Sept. 12. The new center is designed to provide personalized, in-person support for individuals

Tompkins Financial appoints CFO to its Central New York market board
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Financial Corp. (NYSE: TMP) recently announced that Matthew Tomazin, its executive VP, chief financial officer (CFO), and treasurer, has been appointed to its market-based board serving the Central New York region. His expertise will help ensure that Tompkins continues to effectively reach its regional clients and deepen its commitment to the
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.