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

WNY health insurer affiliates with MVP Health Care
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — A Western New York health plan is affiliating with Schenectady–based MVP Health Care. Independent Health will join MVP’s family of companies, subject to regulatory approvals. The boards of directors of both organizations unanimously approved the transaction, per MVP’s Nov. 18 announcement. Neither health insurer released financial terms of their agreement. In their […]

DEC announces land acquisition to preserve more than 3,300 acres in Herkimer County
SALISBURY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on Oct. 22 announced the acquisition of 3,387 acres of forest and wetlands located in the towns of Salisbury and Norway in Herkimer County. The parcel, purchased from the Open Space Institute (OSI), will be managed for forest products, expanded recreational access, protection
Oneida County hotel business benchmarks improve in October
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County hotels posted an increase in a trio of key indicators of business performance in October. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold
Onondaga County hotels see nearly 5 percent increase in occupancy
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County hotels hosted more guests in October, as two other key indicators of business performance also rose during the month. The

Utica First Insurance Company readies for leadership transition
UTICA, N.Y. — Utica First Insurance Company will have a new president and CEO when the calendar turns to 2026. Ryan Fleming will succeed retiring president and CEO Scott Shatraw. The firm announced Fleming’s appointment on Sept. 16. Fleming joined Utica First Insurance in 2024 as VP of marketing and agencies and has “demonstrated his

Fire crews battle another fire at Novelis plant in Scriba
SCRIBA, N.Y. — Fire crews from across Oswego County responded to another fire at the Oswego operations of Novelis in the town of Scriba. Atlanta,

MMRI, MVHS, SUNY Poly form Mohawk Valley Biotech Collective
UTICA, N.Y. — Three Mohawk Valley Institutions on Wednesday formed the MV Biotech Collective, which is designed to “position the Mohawk Valley as a leader in biomedical innovation.” Representatives from the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) signed a memorandum of agreement to formally establish

UTICA, N.Y. — The City of Utica is seeking state funding for downtown-improvement projects from two New York programs focusing on such projects. The city

Tompkins Financial Advisors’ chief investment officer to retire
ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins Financial Advisors announced that Geoff Blyth, senior VP and chief investment officer, has decided to retire in early 2026 from his role — after nearly seven years in the position. Tompkins Financial Advisors is the wealth-management arm of Tompkins Financial Corp. (NYSE: TMP), an Ithaca–based financial services holding company that is

Point Place Casino formally opens new hotel, restaurant, event space
SULLIVAN, N.Y. — The Oneida Indian Nation on Monday formally opened the newly expanded Point Place Casino Hotel in the Bridgeport area of the town
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.