SRC deploys surveillance radars to southern border to support USCBP program

Get our email updates

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

CICERO, N.Y. — SRC, Inc. says it has formed a partnership with Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE) to upgrade previously deployed mobile video surveillance systems (MVSS) along the southwest U.S. border with Mexico. The effort is part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border (USCBP) Surveillance Systems program, SRC said. Benchmark has already begun integrating […]

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

The effort is part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border (USCBP) Surveillance Systems program, SRC said.

Benchmark has already begun integrating SRC’s SR Hawk radar system onto the MVSS systems in high-risk border regions, seeking to “enhance border security effectiveness and efficiency.”

Based in Cicero, the nonprofit SRC is a defense research and development company. Benchmark Electronics, Inc., based in Tempe, Arizona, is a firm focused on engineering, design, and manufacturing services.

The addition of SRC’s SR Hawk radar on the MVSS-R program — “-R” indicating the addition of radar — introduces a “powerful force multiplier,” extending surveillance capabilities to 7.5 miles, providing “persistent, real-time, 360-degree wide-area situational awareness,” per the SRC announcement.

The radar detects and tracks moving ground vehicles, individuals on foot, and littoral targets in the “most extreme environments.”

By enabling remote data transmission from tactical devices, SRC says the SR Hawk radar boosts border agents’ ability to detect and respond to threats more efficiently while reducing the need for manual oversight. Once a threat is detected, the data is automatically sent to a command station where it can be assessed.

Adding the SR Hawk to the MVSS systems “aligns with the evolving needs” of the USCBP for efficient solutions that meet the challenges of today’s borders, SRC said.

The company went on to say the SR Hawk is designed for rapid deployment and ease of use, offering autonomous functions to simplify operation and strengthens agents’ ability to execute the border security mission.

“SRC is proud to partner with Benchmark, a leader in border surveillance technology, to improve their proven MVSS system,” Kevin Hair, president and CEO of SRC, said in the announcement. “The SR Hawk is the most competitive radar in its class, offering superior performance with best-in-class value. The addition of the SR Hawk radar into MVSS deployments represents a significant step forward in enhancing the security of our southern border and we are proud to support this mission.”

Utica Zoo celebrates new interactive dinosaur exhibit

Mohawk Valley, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Featured, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Technology

UTICA, N.Y. — The Utica Zoo is launching its new Dino Discovery presented by The Flemma Group at Baird animatronic dinosaur exhibit this weekend.

Oneida County executive proposes new sports and recreation facility in 2025 county address

Featured, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Technology

VERONA, N.Y. — A proposal to build a 400,000-square-foot indoor sports and recreation facility at Griffiss International Airport is just one of the goals outlined

SUNY ESF launches $40 million campaign to support students, campus, research

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) on Wednesday launched the Campaign for ESF, describing it as the “most ambitious fundraising initiative in the College’s history.” The campaign seeks to raise $40 million — double the goal of the College’s last capital campaign — and has already secured $35 million

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Utica to celebrate opening of Harbor Point on June 5

Mohawk Valley, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

UTICA, N.Y. — The City of Utica and the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the grand opening of Harbor Point on June 5

Syracuse airport to hold final master-plan update open house

New York News, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Education & Training, Manufacturing & Engineering, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) will hold its final master-plan update open house on Wednesday afternoon, May 21. The event is

Caring Gene to help eligible students in Le Moyne College’s FNP master’s program

Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, Health Care, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Le Moyne College says it’s working with the Caring Gene career pathways training program (CPT) to help students in its family nurse practitioner (FNP) master’s degree program. The partnership is meant to “address healthcare workforce shortages in the Central New York region,” per the Le Moyne announcement. The collaboration also seeks to

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Le Moyne College says it’s working with the Caring Gene career pathways training program (CPT) to help students in its family nurse practitioner (FNP) master’s degree program.

The partnership is meant to “address healthcare workforce shortages in the Central New York region,” per the Le Moyne announcement. The collaboration also seeks to reduce barriers to career advancement and support individuals seeking to become professionals in the health-care industry, the school added.

Caring Gene Healthcare Career Pathways Training Inc. — based in Clifton Park in Saratoga County — is a nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the Iroquois Healthcare Association. It is dedicated to helping people start and grow their health, behavioral health, and social-care careers in New York. This program is part of a collaboration with the New York State Medicaid program, per the Caring Gene website.

Through this partnership, eligible New York state residents and residents of certain bordering states receive full coverage of tuition, books, and academic fees while pursuing education in 13 health care, behavioral, and social-care fields. Those eligible include full-time students in Le Moyne’s MS FNP program, the college said.

The program — administered by the Iroquois Healthcare Association and funded by the New York State Department of Health — supports both new health-care workers and current professionals seeking career advancement. Upon graduation, FNP students who participated in the CPT program are required to make a three-year service commitment to Medicaid providers that serve at least 30 percent Medicaid members and/or uninsured individuals, Le Moyne said.

Due to grant-funds requirements, as of now, the program is only available to accepted students who are beginning classes as new students in the full-time M.S. FNP program in the fall 2025 semester at Le Moyne. Students must complete the FAFSA and TAP applications and accept all grants offered through those programs, the school noted. Students must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen, and must reside in New York state. To submit an interest form and learn more about the eligibility for the funding, visit the Caring Gene website at www.CaringGene.org.

Le Moyne is accepting applications for admission to the full-time MS family nurse practitioner program this fall. The next admission deadline is June 15. Those interested can visit the program website to learn more about the curriculum and submit a free application for admission, the college said.

DASNY program to finance nearly $36 million in new medical equipment for Upstate Medical University

Health Care, Banks & Credit Unions, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, Insurance & Financial Services, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Nonprofits, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) on Friday announced the closing of $35.88 million in tax-exempt lease financing

FOCUS Greater Syracuse appoints new executive director

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The board of directors of FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. has appointed Alicia Ernest as the organization’s new executive director. Ernest tells CNYBJ in an email that she started in her new role on May 9, succeeding Rita Reicher, who had served as acting executive director since 2020 while concurrently serving as president

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The board of directors of FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. has appointed Alicia Ernest as the organization’s new executive director.

Ernest tells CNYBJ in an email that she started in her new role on May 9, succeeding Rita Reicher, who had served as acting executive director since 2020 while concurrently serving as president of the FOCUS Greater Syracuse board of directors. With a new executive director in place, Reicher continues serving as the board president, Ernest tells CNYBJ.

Ernest has been the FOCUS Greater Syracuse program director for the past two years. As executive director, she will guide strategic planning, oversee day-to-day operations, and champion the nonprofit’s mission to foster informed civic engagement.

Her priorities include strengthening program effectiveness, deepening community relationships, and increasing long-term organizational sustainability.

“Alicia is the perfect choice for Executive Director,” Reicher said in the announcement. “Over the last 2 years, Alicia has demonstrated her passion for our mission as well as the ability to juggle the many responsibilities that fall on staff of small organizations. Our Board unanimously and enthusiastically supports her appointment.”

“I’m honored to lead an organization that values community-based learning and collective action,” Ernest said in the announcement. “FOCUS is a space where people can come together around the issues that matter most to Central New Yorkers. “In a time when understanding and civic connection are more important than ever, I’m excited to enhance our capacity to carry out our mission with purpose and integrity.”

As executive director, Ernest plans to expand FOCUS’ community reach, grow its public programming, and strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability through increased engagement and support.

In her previous role as program director, Ernest helped facilitate dozens of public forums, led the Citizens Academy, and worked to ensure that resident input “remained at the center” of FOCUS’ work.

With a background in nonprofit leadership and community collaboration, she is “well-positioned” to lead the organization into its next chapter, FOCUS Greater Syracuse said.

Founded in 1998, FOCUS Greater Syracuse describes itself as a nonpartisan, citizen-driven nonprofit that “connects people to information, ideas, and one another to strengthen Central New York.” Through free public forums and community-driven programs, FOCUS says it empowers residents to engage with local issues and take part in shaping the region’s future.

Cornhill Empowerment Center plans for June 18 formal opening

Mohawk Valley, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Nonprofits

UTICA, N.Y. — The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Mid-Utica Neighborhood Preservation Corporation (MUNPC), and the City of Utica will celebrate the opening

Get our email updates

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

Get our email updates

What's New

Upcoming Events

Project Homecoming Job & Career Fair 2025

Annual Nonprofit Conference 2026

2026 CenterState CEO Economic Forecast Breakfast

CNYBJ Job Board

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get our email updates