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

Brown & Brown Insurance boosts quarterly dividend by nearly 9 percent
Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), the Florida–based parent of Syracuse–based Brown & Brown Empire State, recently announced that its board of directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 9.25 cents a share. The dividend is payable on Nov. 18 to shareholders of record on Nov. 4, the insurance agency said in a news […]

Rome man arrested for charging more than $1,600 with a stolen debit card
ROME — The New York State Police recently announced that they arrested a Rome man for charging more than $1,600 at various stores on a stolen debit card. State Police in Lee arrested Patrick M. Morrissey, age 36, for 4th degree criminal possession of stolen property and 2nd degree identity theft, both felonies. On Oct.

Madison County fines two businesses for violating state mask order
WAMPSVILLE, N.Y. — The Madison County Health Department on Monday announced that for the first time it has cited two businesses for violating New York

OCRRA institutes residential recycling fee, citing “skyrocketing” costs
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) has instituted a new residential recycling tip fee of $34 per ton. The fee

Recent Onondaga County sales-tax payments help avoid staff cutbacks
SYRACUSE — The two sales-tax payments that Onondaga County received during the week of Oct. 5 provided the county a big financial shot in the arm, helping it avoid staff cutbacks during October and November. “Between Monday’s payment [and] today’s payment, we’re not going to have any disruptions to our workforce for the months of

Dannible & McKee to hold virtual manufacturing conference on Oct. 22
SYRACUSE — Syracuse–based accounting firm Dannible & McKee, LLP is set to host its annual manufacturing conference as a virtual event on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Described as an “industry-focused” conference, participants will hear from Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY, the Manufacturers Association, on the outlook of the manufacturing industry
VIEWPOINT: Asset Sales, Changes in Ownership, and the PPP Loan
VIEWPOINT The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) recently issued compre- ensive guidance and procedures for borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans regarding changes in the borrower’s ownership or sales of their assets. The guidance went into effect on Oct. 2, 2020 and is available here: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–Procedural-Notice–PPP-Loans-and-Changes-of-Ownership.pdf. Importantly, prior to the closing of any change-of-ownership

Gillibrand pushes law for VA benefits for toxic exposures
SYRACUSE — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) on Oct. 9 stopped in Syracuse to discuss a proposal to “streamline the process” for obtaining U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits for burn pit and other “toxic exposures.” The proposed legislation is called the “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins

Bowers & Company CPAs adds tax partner
SYRACUSE — Bowers & Company CPAs, PLLC has announced the addition of Richard Smith as a tax partner in the firm. With more than 19 years of experience in public accounting, Smith joins the firm as a tax specialist in the Syracuse office. Smith’s experience includes corporate and multistate tax services for public and privately
VIEWPOINT: COVID-19 Changed Everything, including Fraud and IT Risks
VIEWPOINT: With the fast-paced evolution of Technology and continuously shifting business landscape, it’s always been a challenge for business leaders to identify and manage the various risk factors that threaten their business, employees, and customers. The methods of fraud and cyberattack have now changed again as businesses quickly pivot to withstand the impacts of COVID-19,
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.