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

New initiative works to bolster microelectronics and semiconductor industries in New York
Empire State Development (ESD) has announced the launch of the Upstate Defense Initiative. It brings together ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), CenterState CEO, the Griffiss Institute, FuzeHub, and Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families to support workforce development, bolster supply chains, and cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship in the state’s microelectronics […]

State acquires land near Ithaca, creating Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area
LANSING, N.Y. — New York State has purchased a portion of the former Bell Station property in the town of Lansing in Cayuga County and announced its “permanent protection” as the Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The 287-acre Cayuga Shores Wildlife Management Area provides public access to 3,500 feet of shoreline on the east

Former North Country housing authority director and her mother plead guilty to theft
WEST CARTHAGE, N.Y. — A former West Carthage Housing Authority (WCHA) executive director recently pled guilty to stealing more than $48,000 from the organization, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced. Jan Hoffman, who served as executive director of the government-funded apartment complex for low-income senior citizens and individuals with disabilities from 2016-2021,

Herkimer College announces sixth class of police training graduates
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer College graduated its sixth class from its Phase I Pre-Employment Basic Training course at a ceremony held May 30. The course is offered in partnership with the Little Falls Police Department. Seven of the eight graduates have already secured employment with a law-enforcement agency, where they will complete the remainder of

SUNY Poly opens transportation AI lab on campus
MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute has established a Transportation Research AI Lab — dubbed TRAIL — in Donovan Hall to serve as a hub for innovation in smart transportation, sustainability, and equity, as well as traffic operation and safety, the university announced. Founded by Abolfazl Karimpour, assistant professor of transportation engineering, TRAIL is financed

UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health names chief nursing officer
GENEVA, N.Y. — UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health announced it has recently appointed Gregory Hoffman-Fragale as its new chief nursing officer. He joined Finger Lakes Health in June 2023 as associate chief nursing officer. In February of this year, Hoffman-Fragale began serving as interim chief nursing officer. With more than 30 years of nursing-leadership experience,

After renovations, state formally opens Moyer Carriage Lofts on Syracuse’s North side
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The building complex on Syracuse’s North side — known for the shell of a red house on the roof — is now full of apartments. New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), along with elected officials and community leaders, formally opened the $55 million Moyer Carriage Lofts project early Thursday afternoon.

Ithaca startup receives Launch NY funding
ITHACA, N.Y. — An Ithaca–based startup is one of three companies that will receive a seed-fund investment from Launch NY through its InvestLocal financing programs to support scaled-up manufacturing for products that show potential. Caretech Human received $175,000 from Launch NY which includes $75,000 from its nonprofit seed fund and $100,000 from the Launch NY

CABVI announces new board leader, officers
UTICA — The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) said goodbye to a longtime leader and named a new chair of the board of directors at its annual meeting held May 14 at Monarch Banquets in Yorkville. At the meeting, Jim Turnbull IV stepped down as board chair, a role he has
Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties announces grants
UTICA — The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties recently announced it awarded more than $2 million in grants during the first quarter to organizations and initiatives across the Mohawk Valley region. The foundation in February invited nonprofits in Herkimer and Oneida counties to apply for its Education, Health, and Sciences Grant Round, with
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.