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

Cuomo announces sales-tax-free wine tastings, $350K for hops research
New York consumers can now enjoy sales-tax-free tastings at wineries that charge a nominal per-person fee and which are already exempt from paying a use
Binghamton Univ. sees surge in international grad-student applications
VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University’s Graduate School received a 26 percent increase in applications from international students over the past year, compared to 7 percent
Upstate consumer sentiment, buying plans rise in May
New York consumers’ felt better about economic conditions in May and boosted their plans to buy a range of goods and services. Consumer sentiment in upstate New York rose 6.2 points to 75.4 in May, according to the latest monthly survey the Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI) released June 5. Upstate’s overall-sentiment index of 75.4
ADP: New York state added 10,370 private-sector jobs in May
New York state’s private-sector employers added 10,370 jobs during the month of May, according to the ADP Regional Employment Report issued June 11. Produced by payroll processor and human-resources firm ADP, in collaboration with Moody’s Analytics, Inc., the report measures the change in regional and state nonfarm private employment each month on a seasonally adjusted
Binghamton man bequeaths $10 million to SUNY Broome, school’s largest gift ever
BINGHAMTON — The estate of Binghamton resident Emil Calice has donated $10 million to the State University of New York (SUNY) Broome Community College, the

New York State Bar Association names new executive director
ALBANY — The New York State Bar Association has named David R. Watson to serve as the next executive director of the 75,000-member association. Watson,
EFC approves $5.27 million in low-cost financing to create wastewater system for Verona
VERONA — The board of directors of the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) recently approved and announced almost $5.27 million in zero-interest financing

St. John Fisher College president announces plan to retire in 2015
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Donald Bain, president of St. John Fisher College, today announced his plans to retire as the liberal-arts college’s leader in 2015 after
Schumer wants CSX, Madison County to agree on plan for Canastota bridge project
CANASTOTA — The North Court Street bridge in the village of Canastota is in “critical” need of repair, but CSX, which runs a rail line
Driscoll Foods launches new distribution operations in Mohawk Valley
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. — Clifton, N.J.–based Driscoll Foods has plans to establish its second foodservice-distribution facility in Amsterdam, N.Y., creating 60 jobs. Amsterdam is in Montgomery
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.