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

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 three key indicators of business performance in October. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms

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,

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

SUNY appoints next president of Corning Community College
CORNING, N.Y. — The SUNY board of trustees voted Friday to name Terence Finley as the eighth president of Corning Community College. Finley — who

Hartwick provost to become school’s next president in July 2026
ONEONTA, N.Y. — The VP for academic affairs and provost at Hartwick College in Oneonta will become the school’s 13th president in mid-2026. The college’s board of trustees on Nov. 10 said it chose Laurel Bongiorno, who will assume the presidency on July 1, 2026. Bongiorno will succeed James Mullen, Jr., who has served as

Renzi estate donates $12M to CNY Community Foundation
HOMER, N.Y. — The estate of Nicholas and Agnes Renzi of Cortland has donated $12 million to the Central New York Community Foundation (CNYCF). The bequest will combine with their lifetime giving fund to create two endowed funds at the Community Foundation, ensuring charitable support for Cortland County residents continues for generations. The Nicholas and
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.