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

VIEWPOINT: IRS Clarifies 403(b) Plans’ Obligations to Part-Timers
On Oct. 3, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released important guidance on the obligations of 403(b) plan sponsors to their part-time employees. Under recently passed legislation that is effective Jan. 1, 2025, a long-term, part-time (LTPT) employee — one who works 500 or more hours in each of two consecutive years — must be […]

New York soybean production forecast to have jumped nearly 16 percent this year
Farms in New York state are estimated to have produced nearly 20.1 million bushels of soybeans in 2024, up 15.8 percent from more than 17.3 million bushels the prior year. That’s according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop-production report issued on Nov. 8. The total soybean yield per acre in New York

VIEWPOINT: Strategies for Success: Top 5 Audit & Compliance Challenges
For financial institutions The regulatory compliance environment is becoming increasingly complex for financial institutions. A multitude of challenges — ranging from representment fees and fair-lending practices to AI privacy concerns, adjustable-rate mortgage compliance, and interest-rate risk management — demand meticulous attention from internal audit and compliance teams. Here are several strategies that financial institutions can

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is encouraging shoppers across New York state and the nation to think of local businesses during this weekend’s Small

Exit 31 study council plans public meeting in Utica on Dec. 3
UTICA, N.Y. — The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Council (HOCTC) will present improvement options for the Exit 31 interchange of I-90 at a public open house

Barclay reelected as New York Assembly minority leader
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Assembly Republican Conference this week unanimously reelected Will Barclay (R–Pulaski) as leader of the minority conference. The leadership vote was held at the Capitol in Albany in advance of the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Barclay represents the 120th Assembly District, which includes Oswego County as well as parts of Jefferson and

Town of Manlius Police announce retail crime task force focused on Fayetteville Towne Center
FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y. — The Town of Manlius Police Department on Tuesday said it has formed a retail crime task force to address robberies and other

VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University says it is a key partner in a new federally funded institute that’s focused on the use of “digital twins” to improve domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Semiconductor Research Corporation Manufacturing Consortium Corp. (SRC) recently announced that they’re negotiating for the department to

Tompkins County announces initiatives to bolster homeless-shelter options
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County has announced plans to purchase the property at 227 Cherry St. in Ithaca to develop a long-term emergency-shelter facility. The

Upstate Medical University inks articulation agreements with North Country schools
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University says it has signed a new articulation agreement with SUNY Potsdam and renewed its agreements with SUNY Adirondack and SUNY Canton. In signing the pacts, the three North Country SUNY schools are providing a “seamless pathway” for their students to continue their education in the health professions at Upstate
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.