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

SUNY Poly appoints director of NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence in Marcy
MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) has appointed Jim Staihar, assistant professor of business ethics, as the inaugural executive director of its NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence. SUNY Poly formally opened the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence during a ceremony held on Sept. 19. “I am deeply honored to be named Executive Director […]

Utica to host the 2026 NYS Tourism Conference
UTICA, N.Y. — Utica will host the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference, presented by the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA). The event is set for April 22-24, 2026 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Utica, located at 200 Genesee St. in downtown Utica. It will welcome more than 200 tourism professionals from across

Gillibrand again pushes FAMILY Act for universal paid leave
The proposed Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) and other Democrats in Congress, would guarantee up to 12 weeks of partial income for workers who need to take leave for serious medical and family events. Paid medical and family leave is “especially helpful” for new parents and older

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

Barclay Damon forms practice handling pharmacy matters
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Barclay Damon, LLP says it has a multidisciplinary group of attorneys providing legal services across the pharmacy, pharmaceutical, and health-innovation industries. Its national pharmacy team builds on decades of experience advising retail, specialty, compounding, infusion, long-term care, and 340B pharmacies as well as wholesalers, manufacturers, investors, and startups into a nationally focused,

New York’s inflation-refund checks are on the way
State warns of scammers ALBANY — Inflation-refund checks of up to $400 are coming to 8.2 million households across New York. The process started Sept. 26, and the state is mailing checks directly to eligible New Yorkers, with deliveries to continue throughout October and November, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that day. Residents

Herkimer College names director of campus safety
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer County Community College recently announced it has appointed Michael J. Jory, of Herkimer, as its director of campus safety. Jory has served as chief of police at the Herkimer Police Department since January 2017. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing all police operations, personnel, and resources, setting departmental policies,

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
New York DFS readies for leadership transition
ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) will soon have new leadership. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Sept. 29 announced that Adrienne Harris, who has served as superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) for four years, is leaving the state’s top financial regulatory agency. As for

$200M available in next round of DRI, New York Forward
Nov. 7 application deadline ALBANY — Communities interested in applying for funding through New York State’s signature downtown-revitalization and economic-development programs have until early November to apply. The state says a total of $200 million is available in the next round of funding. That is comprised of $100 million each for round 9 of
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.