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

Soft Landing New York program welcomes 2023 spring cohort
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Soft Landing New York, a partnership between Binghamton University and Cornell University, recently kicked off its spring 2023 cohort with 13 startup

Downtown Ithaca Alliance director Ferguson to retire in June
ITHACA, N.Y. — Gary Ferguson, executive director of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), plans to retire at the end of June. Ferguson has led the
Jefferson County hotel-occupancy rate slips slightly in December
WATERTOWN — Jefferson County hotels registered a slight dip in guests in December, the only monthly decline seen last year. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county fell 0.8 percent to 41 percent in the final month of 2022 from the year-earlier month, according to STR, a Tennessee–based
Oneida County hotels see 1 percent rise in guests in December
UTICA , N.Y. — Oneida County’s hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) rose 1.1 percent to 44.3 percent in December from the year-prior month. That’s according to a recent report from STR, a Tennessee–based hotel-market data and analytics company. Occupancy in the Mohawk Valley’s largest county was up 6.9 percent to

Hochul details CNY-specific projects in budget proposal
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Funding for a “New 15th Ward” public-housing project, projects at Onondaga Community College (OCC), and workforce-development initiatives are part of the 2024 New York State–budget proposal. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Feb. 6 provided details of key proposals for Central New York during an appearance at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown hotel at 100

Applications open for dairy-product innovation contest
ITHACA, N.Y. — Applications are open for the Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition for producers of value-added dairy products. The competition supports food innovators in launching products made from dairy ingredients produced in the Northeast and gives dairy entrepreneurs, including those on organic and small farms, access to entrepreneurial and technical support. Finalists and winners

State comptroller cautions against Thruway toll increases
ALBANY, N.Y. — In the wake of a proposed multi-year schedule of toll increases starting next year on the New York State Thruway, state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli cautioned that toll increases should be the last option. Instead, he encourages the New York State Thruway Authority to first improve operations and maximize non-toll revenues. DiNapoli

Mead family brings back live auctions in Owego
OWEGO, N.Y. — Plans to add live auctions to the former J. J. Newberry building in downtown Owego will help Jim Mead reinvigorate the family auction business, boost his antique business, and help fully utilize the building he purchased a decade ago. Mead operates the Early Owego Antique Center on the first and second floors

Entrepreneur opens new dance studio in Endicott
ENDICOTT, N.Y. — With a desire to start her own business, Dhyani James considered a few options before deciding to open her own dance studio. She thought maybe a food truck, before the thought came to her: “I don’t know why I don’t just teach dance,” she says. James took dance classes for years and

Maple Leaf Market coming to Verona
VERONA, N.Y. — Oneida Nation Enterprises promotes its Maple Leaf Market locations as having “food offerings from regional partners,” along with domestic and imported beers. For example, on its website, Maple Leaf Markets says patrons can enjoy breakfast that includes coffee from the Utica Coffee Roasting Co. Oneida Nation Enterprises on Jan. 30 announced plans
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.