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

People news: Key Private Bank names King sales manager
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Key Private Bank announced that it has named John H. King sales manager for the Central New York market. King, a VP

New York manufacturing index remains in negative territory in September
The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index inched up 2 points but remained below zero at -2.0 in September. The results of the September

SBA adds veterans’ business outreach center near Albany
WATERVLIET, N.Y. — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a veterans’ business-outreach center (VBOC) in Watervliet in the Capital region. The VBOC at

Bonadio Group appoints construction team leaders in Rochester, Syracuse
ROCHESTER & SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Bonadio Group announced it has appointed partners Michael Parrinello and Jeffrey Trubia to serve as construction team leaders in

NBT Bancorp hires Walsh as finance manager
NORWICH, N.Y. — NBT Bancorp announced it has hired Rebekah Walsh as VP and finance manager. In this position, she will assist with management of

People news: Syracuse University names Sipley director of financial aid
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University announced it has promoted Michele (Shelly) Sipley to director of financial aid. She will oversee daily operations in the Office

Meet the Southern Tier’s master juggler, Mike Krusen
STEG rolls out new development plan ELMIRA — Juggling usually involves the simultaneous manipulation of multiple objects, such as rings or clubs. It is an activity most often associated with entertainment. Mike Krusen — president of Southern Tier Economic Growth (STEG), Inc., the economic-development agency for Chemung County — is a master juggler, although that’s not
State money helping Wayne County technology firm expand R&D ops
ONTARIO — Optimax Systems Inc. is expanding its research and development operations with some help from New York state government. To encourage Optimax to expand in the Finger Lakes region, Empire State Development (ESD) offered the tech company a grant of up to $250,000 in return for job-creation commitments. The expansion will enable the optics

Clarkson manufacturing incubator, Tug Hill land trust win grants
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, on Sept. 2 announced $1.8 million in economic-development grants for eight upstate local governments and not-for-profit organizations. The winners included these two projects: Clarkson University — Expansion of Manufacturing Incubator Clarkson will receive $250,000 to help fund conversion of Damon Hall into light-manufacturing incubator space, creating new spaces for startups.

M. Griffith Investment Services has promoted MELISSA LUCIANO to sales assistant II. She joined the firm in 2014 and is the executive assistant for Scott George, president and CEO of M. Griffith’s Retirement Plans Division. Luciano graduated from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After graduation, she worked in the Retirement Services Division
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.