Griffiss, other Upstate airports awarded federal funding for projects

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Griffiss International Airport in Rome, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, and Watertown International Airport are among the upstate New York airport awarded

AIS wins nearly $12 million software contract from U.S. Air Force

Manufacturing & Engineering, Regional News, Subscriber Only, Technology

ROME, N.Y. — Assured Information Security, Inc. (AIS) has been awarded a more than $11.9 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for Signals Intelligence Tactical Analysis and Reporting Gateway (STARGATE) prototype software. This cost-plus-fixed-fee completion pact provides for research and development improvements to the STARGATE platform, according to a May 7 contract announcement from

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KeyCorp to pay quarterly dividend of 18.5 cents a share in mid-June

Banks & Credit Unions, Insurance & Financial Services, Subscriber Only

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York area — has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 18.5 cents per share of its common stock. The dividend is payable on June 15, to holders of record as of the close of

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Community Bank System to pay Q2 dividend of 42 cents a share in July

Banks & Credit Unions, Insurance & Financial Services, New York News, Subscriber Only

DeWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) recently announced that it has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 42 cents per share on its common stock. The dividend will be payable on July 9 to shareholders of record as of June 15. The dividend is the same amount that Community Bank paid each

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Lockheed Martin’s suburban Syracuse plant wins almost $10M Navy contract modification

Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Subscriber Only, Technology

SALINA, N.Y. — The Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) plant in the Syracuse area has been awarded a nearly $9.7 million modification to a previously awarded contract from the U.S. Navy. The cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to the pact is for the design, prototyping, and qualification testing of submarine electronic-warfare equipment, according to a contract announcement the

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Utica affilated with New Jersey Devils in hockey once again

Regional News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

UTICA — When the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) begin play this fall, it will be their first season as an affiliate of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). But it’s not the first time the city of Utica has had a New Jersey Devils minor-league team. The

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The Comets on May 6 announced a 10-year affiliation agreement with New Jersey. The 10-year deal begins a “new chapter” for the partnership between New Jersey and Utica — a pairing that previously existed from 1987-1993 when New Jersey’s AHL partner was known as the Utica Devils, per a Comets news release.

The Comets have been affiliated with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks since they began play in the 2013-14 season.

Both the Devils and Comets President Robert Esche on May 6 announced that the AHL’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the relocation of the franchise owned by the Devils from Binghamton to Utica, beginning with the 2021-22 season.

“After multiple discussions and evaluating the options available for the future of our American Hockey League franchise, we have agreed to partner with local operating group Mohawk Valley Garden in Utica … led by Comets President Robert Esche, to relocate our AHL franchise starting with the 2021-22 season. We are pleased to announce that this is a 10-year partnership which establishes a mutual commitment between our organization and the city of Utica,” Jake Reynolds, president of the New Jersey Devils, and Tom Fitzgerald, the Devils’ executive VP/general manager, said in the release. “We look forward to creating new memories for the fans as the next generation of Devils’ stars develop their professional careers at the Adirondack Bank Center. Working with Robert and his team will be an exciting opportunity as we look to build upon the passion and enthusiasm that they’ve created in making Utica one of the top markets in the AHL.”

The organization will remain the Utica Comets, with jersey designs and colors to be revealed later this year. “Throughout the process, both parties focused on the Utica community while introducing a new NHL partner into the city; the main component to that was ensuring that the team would still be called the Utica Comets,” per the Comets.

“We could not be happier for the opportunity to partner with the New Jersey Devils, an organization with a rich history not only in the NHL but also in our own community,” Esche said. “The spirit of Comets hockey and the culture our fans have created will continue to grow as it has for decades and evolve through the next 10 years, and we are honored to be a part of that with the Devils.”

Esche also announced that, to commemorate the first day the Utica Devils took the ice in 1987, the Comets will open at home on Sunday, Oct. 17 — exactly 34 years since the Devils’ AHL hockey debut in the City of Utica.

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri issued a May 6 statement in reaction to Comets’ announcement.

“Over the past seven years, the residents of our community demonstrated their love for hockey and made it clear Utica was a viable and appealing option to support an American Hockey League (AHL) franchise. This was evident today as the Board of Governors approved the relocation of the New Jersey Devils AHL franchise from Binghamton to Utica. We certainly thank the Vancouver Canucks for making Utica their home the past seven years and wish them every success in their new location,” Palmieri said.

The AHL franchise owned by the Vancouver Canucks will relocate from Utica to Abbotsford, British Columbia beginning with the 2021-22 AHL season, per the AHL website.

New York manufacturing index dips in May but still shows solid growth

Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Subscriber Only

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index dipped two points in May to 24.3, but still showed the industry is generating significant growth while emerging from the pandemic. The index — the monthly gauge on New York’s manufacturing sector — had climbed 9 points in April to 26.3, a “multi-year high.” The May reading

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The index — the monthly gauge on New York’s manufacturing sector — had climbed 9 points in April to 26.3, a “multi-year high.”

The May reading of 24.3 — based on firms responding to the survey — indicates business activity “continued to grow at a solid clip” in New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its May 17 report. The result also was close to economists’ expectations.

A positive index number indicates expansion or growth in manufacturing activity, while a negative reading on the index shows a decline in the sector. Manufacturing activity in New York has grown for 11 straight months.

The survey found 37 percent of manufacturer respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 13 percent said that conditions had worsened, the New York Fed said.

Survey details

The new-orders index moved up 2 points to 28.9, a “multi-year high,” and the shipments index climbed 5 points to 29.7, pointing to “another month of strong gains” in orders and shipments, the New York Fed said.

Unfilled orders increased. The delivery-times index moved down 5 points, but at 23.6, it held near its record high from last month, pointing to “significantly longer” delivery times. Inventories moved somewhat higher.

The index for number of employees held steady at 13.6, while the average-workweek index climbed 6 points to 18.7, indicating ongoing gains in employment and hours worked.

Both price indexes reached record highs. The prices-paid index rose 9 points to 83.5, and the prices-received index edged up 2 points to 37.1.

The index for future business conditions was little changed at 36.6, suggesting that firms “remained optimistic” about future conditions.

The indexes for future new orders and shipments also held at similar levels. The indexes for future-prices paid and future-prices received remained elevated. Firms on net expect to increase employment “significantly” in the months ahead.

The capital expenditures index came in at 25.7, and the technology spending index was 22.1.

The New York Fed distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.

CNY, MV businesses asked for input on broadband service

Regional News, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

The Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB) is asking residents and businesses in Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego counties to take part in a survey that will identify areas that lack access to reliable broadband internet. Madison County completed a similar study in 2019, CNY RPDB said. At the same time, Oneida

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Madison County completed a similar study in 2019, CNY RPDB said.

At the same time, Oneida and Herkimer counties are also urging residents and businesses to participate in an online survey that will help to assess broadband needs and advance availability.

CNY RPBD survey

ECC Technologies, LLC — a private consulting firm based in Rochester — is helping with the study. The firm has a history of working with counties and municipalities across Upstate to identify and solve broadband-internet-access issues, according to CNY RPDB.

“As the past year has shown us, reliable access to broadband internet is no longer a luxury. Covid-19 forced many aspects of our day-to-day lives online; virtual learning, working from home, online shopping, telemedicine, and simply staying connected with those we care about. It has also shown us how prevalent the digital divide is in our community,” CNY RPDB said in a release about the survey.

Those interested can take the survey from any computer or mobile device at www.cnyinternet.com. The survey continues through July 31. Hard copies may be available at your local library and municipal office. People may also contact CNY RPDB at (315) 412-5966 for assistance completing the survey or to have a survey sent to their home, the board said.

The broadband-internet study involves both identifying physical infrastructure and conducting a public survey.

Fieldwork to inventory and map broadband facilities in each county — including existing fiber and coaxial cabling and tower sites — is nearing completion.

ECC Technologies has developed a website and survey material that will allow CNY RPDB to collect data about broadband access in the region, called the Broadband Availability and Adoption Toolset (BAAT). CNY RPDB is using the BAAT survey to reach residents and businesses to learn about their current internet-access issues, service reliability, and the affordability of their internet-access options.

The confidential information collected from this survey will be used to identify areas in the region most in need of improved internet-access service. The information will also provide the basis for developing a plan that will help improve broadband-internet access in the region. CNY RPDB said it will complete the plan by October.

Oneida and Herkimer survey

The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD) is hosting the survey, per an Oneida County news release.

“This survey is the first step in bridging the digital divide in Oneida County,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. said “It has never been clearer than during this pandemic how vital reliable access to broadband is to our residents and businesses. From remote learning to online meetings to virtual health care to ordering products and supplies, being connected to the internet has become an absolute necessity. We must ensure that all of our communities are on equal footing.”

The survey is available at www.mveddbroadband.com until Aug. 7. Participants will find separate surveys for residents and businesses of each county, as well as an internet-connection speed test.

Oneida and Herkimer counties, MVEDD, and the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties have partnered to fund a “Broadband Availability and Adoption Campaign,” which, in addition to the survey, includes an assessment that establishes an inventory of broadband infrastructure.

Broadband access includes not only making sure that people have access to “reliable and high quality” internet services by ensuring adequate build out of physical infrastructure, but also making sure that residents can adopt these services into their life once they are available, the counties say.

“For a small rural community like Herkimer County, the expansion of broadband is crucial for economic, educational and health advancement,” Herkimer County Chairman Vincent Bono said.

The information collected from the survey will be kept confidential. Organizers will use the survey results to help develop a plan for improving internet access throughout the region and provide the basis for securing federal and state grants to implement the plan.

Those who would like to participate, but do not have internet or cellular phone access, can contact MVEDD at (315) 838-5398 for assistance.

School-district treasurer in Otsego County gets no jail time for $34K theft

Health Care, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Regional News, Subscriber Only

MORRIS, N.Y. — A former treasurer for the Morris Central School District in Otsego County will not serve any jail time after admitting to stealing $34,000 from her employer over a six-year period. On May 13, a federal court sentenced Kristina Hand, 47, of Morris, to two years of probation and ordered her to serve

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MORRIS, N.Y. — A former treasurer for the Morris Central School District in Otsego County will not serve any jail time after admitting to stealing $34,000 from her employer over a six-year period.

On May 13, a federal court sentenced Kristina Hand, 47, of Morris, to two years of probation and ordered her to serve 50 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay $34,000 in restitution, according to a news release from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli

Hand could have faced up to 10 years in prison, a maximum $250,000 fine, and up to three years of post-imprisonment supervised release, DiNapoli’s office said in a prior announcement in early January.

Hand pled guilty last September to two counts of federal program theft, for stealing from a school district that received federal funds, the comptroller said.

The Morris Central School District is a small rural district, located in the village of Morris in the Butternut Valley of Otsego County. It has a school population of about 300 students, housed in one building for students from Pre-K to 12th grade. The district has about 100 employees.

In her role as treasurer at Morris Central School District from 2014 through February 2020, Hand stole about $24,000 by depositing checks payable to the school district into bank accounts that she controlled. She also admitted to taking at least $10,000 more by using the school district’s Amazon account and credit cards to purchase items for her personal use.

“Ms. Hand took advantage of her position as treasurer and thought she could get away with stealing from the school district to fund her personal shopping,” DiNapoli said. “She was wrong and now she must face the consequences of her actions. My thanks to Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York Antoinette T. Bacon and the FBI for their continued partnership in the fight against public corruption.”

This case was investigated in partnership with the FBI and the New York State Police and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District.

SU gets another $8M JPMorgan Chase grant to support military veterans

Banks & Credit Unions, Health Care, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) will use an additional $8 million grant from JPMorgan Chase to support its national training and research programs over the next three years. The grant announcement comes a decade after JPMorgan’s original grant to “enhance” the post-service lives of veterans and military families through

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The grant announcement comes a decade after JPMorgan’s original grant to “enhance” the post-service lives of veterans and military families through the university’s IVMF, per a Syracuse news release.

This latest grant will enable the IVMF to continue delivering national programs to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses who may be facing disproportional impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one-third (31 percent) of veteran spouses responding to 2020 IVMF survey reported experiencing long-term unemployment, which was three times higher than the civilian long-term unemployment rate, Syracuse said.

Research conducted in collaboration with IVMF has shown meaningful employment can ease the transition, ultimately helping mitigate negative outcomes for veterans and their families, the school added.

“JPMorgan Chase understood immediately the IVMF was positioned to meet the unique challenges facing veterans and their families,” Mike Haynie, vice chancellor of strategic initiatives & innovation at Syracuse University and executive director of IVMF. “Over the past decade, they have contributed $34 million to IVMF programs and research that have empowered, advocated for, and improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families nationwide.”

The timing of the grant renewal comes as both the IVMF and the JPMorgan Chase’s office of military and veteran affairs observe 10 years of focusing on the post-service lives of military families. Since 2011, IVMF training and programs have directly impacted more than 150,000 transitioning service members, veterans, and military families. The figure includes more than 70,000 who have benefited from entrepreneurship training, Syracuse said.

IVMF programming for the military community includes offering no-cost career and entrepreneurship training, working with communities and nonprofits to enhance service delivery to veterans and their families through collaboration and technology, and conducting actionable, applied research to deliver insights and shape national policy discussions. IVMF contends, “this has improved and expanded opportunities for more inclusive workplaces and networking for underrepresented communities of people of color and women.”

The grant announcement also comes during National Small Business Month, the university noted.

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