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

NBT Bancorp hires Sparks as general counsel
NORWICH, N.Y. — NBT Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: NBTB) has hired M. Randolph (Randy) Sparks as executive VP and general counsel. In this position, Sparks will

Mohawk Valley officials praise elimination of broadband installation fee
“I am pleased to see that state lawmakers heeded our call and came to their senses on this irrational and restrictive fee,” Picente said in

Entrepreneurship celebration returns to Cornell University in late April
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University will honor Tiffany Norwood, a 1989 graduate who has launched seven startups, as Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 during

Racker recognized as a certified living-wage employer in Tompkins County
ITHACA, N.Y. — Racker was recently certified as a “living wage employer” by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center. The living wage in Tompkins County is

Upstate Medical University to acquire Crouse Health in combination of two big Syracuse hospitals
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University on Thursday announced plans to acquire the operations of Crouse Health, which would become part of the Upstate Medical
Oneida County’s hotel occupancy jumps in February
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County’s hotels saw an influx of guests in February compared to a year ago as they continue to bounce back from the pandemic. The county’s hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) increased 23.4 percent to 52.6 percent in February from the year-prior month. That’s according to a
Jefferson County hotels were fuller in February
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Jefferson County hotels attracted more overnight guests in February compared to the year-prior month, as the hospitality industry continued to come back from the pandemic’s effects, according to a recent report. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county jumped 22.9 percent to 43.5 percent in

Cheese cave, milk and cookies bar planned at Utica bakery
UTICA, N.Y. — Changes including a milk and cookies “bar” and an artisanal cheese cave are coming to the historic Hemstrought’s Bakery under its current owner. Dan Dowe, who is also executive chairman of Artisanal Premium Cheese, purchased Hemstrought’s in 2019. His plans will combine both businesses into the Utica location, which he also seeks

Upstate, statewide consumer sentiment decline in Q1
Consumer sentiment in upstate New York fell 3.4 points to 60.6 in the first quarter of this year from the last measure of 64.0 in the final quarter of 2021. That’s according to the latest quarterly survey of upstate and statewide consumer sentiment that the Siena College Research Institute (SRI) released April 7. Upstate’s overall

Rock City Centre offers co-working space in Little Falls
LITTLE FALLS, N.Y. — Rock City Centre opened its doors in Little Falls last November, providing co-working space to individuals, businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to utilize shared office space. “The whole concept is to get different companies in here together, sharing that co-working space, bouncing ideas off each other,” says building manager Dean Gaylord. The
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.