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

Hochul announces $40 million to launch Empire AI Beta supercomputer
ALBANY, N.Y. — Empire State Development (ESD) has approved $40 million to launch Empire AI Beta, the second phase of the supercomputer powering New York’s Empire AI (artificial intelligence) initiative. SUNY and Cornell University are among the seven founding members of Empire AI, and the group also includes CUNY (City University of New York), Columbia […]

Instacart, Wegmans launch pilot of AI-powered smart carts
DeWITT, N.Y. — Instacart (NASDAQ: CART), a grocery-technology company, says Caper Carts, the company’s AI (artificial intelligence)-powered smart carts, are now available at the Wegmans store in DeWitt. It marks the first deployment of Caper Carts at Wegmans, as part of an initial in-store program offering customers a “smarter, more seamless way to shop in-store,”

New York municipalities required to use “.gov” website domain by year-end
Legislation passed early this year amends New York general municipal law and requires that all municipal websites use a “.gov” domain name. The change, which goes into effect on Dec. 21, 2025, also requires that all municipalities with a population of 1,500 or more establish and maintain an official website. The website must be updated

Upstate’s mobile mammography van reaches 5,000 mammograms milestone
ELBRIDGE, N.Y.— Upstate University Hospital’s mobile mammography van in mid-June provided its 5,000th mammogram, which Upstate called an “important milestone.” Anna-Marie Peters, of Elbridge, was welcomed with balloons and a bouquet of flowers when she arrived at the van, which was parked outside the Jordan Elbridge Medical Center. “It was wonderful, and I loved it,”

Survey: Half of managers use AI to decide who gets promoted, fired
A new Resume Builder survey of 1,342 U.S. managers with direct reports, found a majority of those using AI at work are relying on it to make high-stakes personnel decisions, including who gets promoted, who gets a raise, and who gets fired. According to the survey, six in 10 managers deploy AI to make decisions

SEDCO, ANCA, Broome County Council of Churches awarded food-access grants
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) will use a state grant of more than $1.7 million to renovate and reopen the vacant

United States Trustee Program closes Utica field office
UTICA, N.Y. — The United States Trustee Program closed its Utica field office on Tuesday, July 1, according to a notice from the U.S. Department of Justice posted on its website. The U.S. Trustee Program is responsible for overseeing the administration of bankruptcy cases and private trustees. The national program’s mission is to promote the

New York expands Veterans Tuition Awards program
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State has expanded the Veterans Tuition Awards program, which will enable more veterans to access financial aid for college. Under

Barclay pushes for NYPA to develop a new upstate nuclear-power plant in Oswego
New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R–Pulaski) believes Oswego would be the “ideal site” for a new nuclear-power plant. The lawmaker issued a June 23 statement after Gov. Kathy Hochul said she wants the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop and construct a zero-emission, advanced nuclear-power plant somewhere in upstate New York.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges serve as legacy institution for Wells College
GENEVA, N.Y. — Hobart and William Smith Colleges are now serving as the legacy institution for Wells College, which closed in 2024, citing financial difficulties. The colleges reached a legacy agreement, which has been submitted to New York State Supreme Court in Cayuga County. It transfers stewardship of Wells’ records, endowment and some historical materials
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