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

DRI to help downtown Norwich get a new boutique hotel
NORWICH, N.Y. — The upcoming Principle Hotel, an $8.3 million boutique hotel in downtown Norwich, is among the projects that the community is developing as part of its funding award in the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Officials in Norwich held an Oct. 23 groundbreaking for the hotel. The Principle Hotel will have 61 rooms […]

Beginnings Credit Union formally opens North Syracuse branch
NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Beginnings Credit Union branch in the village of North Syracuse has transitioned to its new branding. Formerly CFCU Community Credit Union, Beginnings Credit Union on Oct. 21 held a ribbon cutting at the North Syracuse branch, marking the completion of the building’s update. Beginnings Credit Union says it is updating

AmeriCU, Mountain Valley FCU merger expected to get state approval by year’s end
ROME, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Financial Services is expected to issue a final approval of the proposed merger between credit unions in the Mohawk Valley and the North Country by the end of the year. The members of Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union in the northeastern part of New York have

CNY banking leader sees solid area business conditions, outlook
Region is buoyed by Micron project SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Even as stock markets continue to make all-time highs, there has been a lot of chatter about national economic uncertainty this year with slowing job growth and concern about the potential impact of tariffs, continued inflation, and most recently the federal-government shutdown. But current conditions and

Five Star Bank parent reports Q3 net income jumped 52 percent
WARSAW, N.Y. — Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI), parent company of Five Star Bank, recently reported net income of nearly $20.5 million in the third quarter of this year, up 52 percent from almost $13.5 million in the third quarter of 2024. The company, in its Oct. 23 earnings report, cited strong performance in each

Tompkins Chamber names new VP who will help lead key initiatives
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins Chamber recently announced it has chosen Rob Montana to serve as its new vice president. Montana has 25 years of community-focused experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, and organizational leadership, including the last four years as communications manager for Visit Ithaca, a division of Tompkins Chamber. His ability to foster strong

Dominican-style fried chicken restaurant formally opens in Utica
UTICA, N.Y. — Downtown Utica has a popular new fast food, fried chicken restaurant with the formal opening of Equis Pica Pollo. The Dominican-style fried-chicken restaurant officially opened a new location at 1155 Mohawk St., Suite 10, with an Oct. 9 ribbon-cutting event held with the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce. The restaurant opened to

Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO) — the Florida–based parent of Brown & Brown of New York, Inc., which has an office in Syracuse — recently announced that its board of directors has increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by 10 percent. The insurance-brokerage firm will pay a dividend of 16.5 cents per share on

VIEWPOINT: From Startup to Long-Term Success: How SBA Loans Can Help Businesses Grow
The journey to becoming a small-business owner is challenging yet rewarding. Each stage of this endeavor has opportunities and obstacles — from planning and development to launch and expansion. Fortunately, there are valuable resources available to support and empower entrepreneurs along the way. When you’re ready to scale your business, a loan with support from

CenterState CEO recognizes more than 350 companies during Economic Champions luncheon
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — CenterState CEO on Wednesday recognized the efforts of 353 businesses and nonprofits during its annual Economic Champions Celebration at the Nicholas J.
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.