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

Tompkins County to use $300K grant to launch microenterprise-assistance program
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County will use a $300,000 grant to support microenterprise development in the area. The New York State Office of Community Renewal’s

Tops Markets completes merger with Price Chopper / Market 32
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Tops Markets has completed its merger with Price Chopper / Market 32 in a deal that brings together two upstate New York–based

Clarkson University to host inaugural technology showcase and competition Tuesday at Turning Stone
VERONA, N.Y. — Clarkson University will host its inaugural technology showcase and competition on Tuesday afternoon from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Turning Stone

Airtonomy looks ahead after winning Genius NY’s top prize
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A business from Grand Forks, North Dakota recently captured the $1 million grand prize in round five of the Genius NY accelerator competition. Genius NY stands for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York. The firm called Airtonomy, which was started in 2018 and has 25 employees, enables anyone to collect

Rampage Strength & Conditioning finds permanent home
EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Less than a day after seeing the potential permanent home for Rampage Strength and Conditioning for the first time, Ben Rayland, business owner and personal trainer, put in an offer. Rayland signed a seven-year lease on the 6,000-square-foot facility at 6519 Basile Row in East Syracuse in June and has been

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: A Restaurant and an Instrument for Hope
SALINA — When Matthew Cullipher opened the Hope Café and Tea House in 2017, he had two missions that he was trying to accomplish. The first mission was to provide a variety of delicious food and beverages that replicated the taste and feel of countries such as Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, and Italy. That mission has

Businesses can apply for mini grants in Southeast Gateway Initiative
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Interested businesses and property owners have until Nov. 19 to apply for mini grants through CenterState CEO’s Southeast Gateway Initiative. The organization will invest $15,000 in small business real-estate development and property-improvement projects, per its news release. CenterState CEO will award three $5,000 grants to small business and/or mixed-use property owners to

$15 minimum wage phase-in continues as labor shortages drive up wages
New York’s $15 minimum wage phase-in will continue with the next stage taking effect on Dec. 31 of this year. The announcement follows a required report by the state Division of the Budget that found “evidence of pressure for wages to rise in the midst of a pandemic-driven labor shortage,” the New York State Department

Oneida County hotel occupancy jumps 24 percent in September
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County’s hotels generated another rebound in guests in September compared to a year prior as the recovery from the pandemic’s punishing

People news: Syracuse names DeBoue women’s basketball director of operations
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University Athletics announced Monday that Ashleigh DeBoue has joined the Syracuse women’s basketball team as director of basketball operations. DeBoue will
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.