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Koffman Southern Tier Incubator member companies created nearly 200 jobs during 2025
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Member companies of the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator in Binghamton created 199 new jobs last year. That’s according to Koffman’s 2025 Year in Review report, which the organization released on Thursday, Jan. 8. The report reflects annual metrics reported from member companies. The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator is part of Binghamton University. […]
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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Member companies of the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator in Binghamton created 199 new jobs last year.
That’s according to Koffman’s 2025 Year in Review report, which the organization released on Thursday, Jan. 8. The report reflects annual metrics reported from member companies.
The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator is part of Binghamton University.
The Year in Review report also indicates that Koffman Incubator member companies have generated an $817 million impact since 2017, created more than 800 jobs, and raised $655 million in capital in the period.
The incubator supports early-stage and growth-oriented companies across the Southern Tier through business and clean-energy incubator programs, accelerators, mentorship, and workforce-aligned training. The Koffman Incubator currently supports 65 member companies, with 46 companies having graduated from its programs since its launch in 2017. The incubator also houses 24 co-working tenants, providing shared workspace for entrepreneurs and startups.
“The economic impact reflected in this report goes far beyond the numbers,” Bandhana Katoch, executive director of the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, said in the announcement. “What we’re seeing is sustained, long-term company growth that translates directly into jobs, investment and innovation here in the Southern Tier. Our focus is on building companies that stay, scale and contribute meaningfully to the region’s economy.”
The Koffman Incubator views its clean-energy incubator program as a “major contributor” to its growth. The program supports 43 startups developing clean-energy and climate-technology products. It provides access to expert mentorship, industry networks and advanced laboratory facilities to help founders commercialize new technologies.
It also supports clean-energy companies that include Bridge Green Upcycle, which is developing a process to extract critical minerals from end-of-life batteries; and KLAW Industries, which manufactures a recycled-glass concrete additive that reduces carbon emissions and removes carbon dioxide during production.
In addition, Carbonix, an international battery-materials company, has entered the U.S. market through the Koffman’s Soft Landing New York program and plans to establish production near Binghamton as its customer base expands.
The organization’s business-incubator program supports 22 early-stage companies across sectors including software, health care, food/agriculture, and e-commerce. Members receive one-on-one mentorship, access to technical resources, and guidance on funding and commercialization.

SUNY awards funding to help students deal with mental-health issues
ALBANY, N.Y. — Binghamton University, Onondaga Community College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and SUNY Oneonta are among the campuses that will receive funding through SUNY’s

Ask Rusty: I’m on SSDI; Should I Switch to Regular Social Security?
Dear Rusty: Should I take my Social Security now at age 62, or wait until I am 65? I have been collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to health issues and was curious if I should wait or claim my regular Social Security (SS) retirement benefits now. Signed: Disabled but Wondering Dear Disabled but
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Dear Rusty: Should I take my Social Security now at age 62, or wait until I am 65? I have been collecting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) due to health issues and was curious if I should wait or claim my regular Social Security (SS) retirement benefits now.
Signed: Disabled but Wondering
Dear Disabled but Wondering:
If you are now collecting SSDI benefits and you are still disabled, it would be a disadvantage to claim your SS retirement benefits at this time (age 62), or even at age 65. That’s because your SSDI benefit is the same as your full retirement age (FRA) amount, as calculated for you at the point you became disabled. Born after 1959, your FRA is age 67, but you are already receiving your FRA benefit while on SSDI even though you have not yet reached your full retirement age. That full SSDI benefit will automatically convert to become your SS retirement benefit when you reach your FRA.
If you were to claim your normal SS retirement benefit any earlier than your SS full retirement age of 67, the amount you get would be reduced for claiming early. At your current age, you would likely receive between 75 percent and 80 percent of what you are now receiving on SSDI (depending on your exact age in the month you claim), and at age 65 you would get about 87 percent of what you are now receiving on Social Security disability.
In other words, as long as your disability continues and you remain eligible for SSDI benefits, you should not switch to your normal SS retirement benefit, because you would get less money. And the resulting benefit reduction would be permanent.
Russell Gloor is a national Social Security advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). The 2.4-million-member AMAC says it is a senior advocacy organization. Send your questions to: ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.
Author’s note: This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained, and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). The NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any other governmental entity.

Wendy’s plans new eatery in Destiny USA’s Canyon area
SYRACUSE — Destiny USA will soon be home to a new location of Wendy’s restaurant near the Dick’s Sporting Goods location in the complex’s Canyon area. Additional details, including the fast-food restaurant’s official opening date and ribbon cutting, will be announced soon, according to a Destiny USA announcement. Wendy’s is known for its made-to-order square
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SYRACUSE — Destiny USA will soon be home to a new location of Wendy’s restaurant near the Dick’s Sporting Goods location in the complex’s Canyon area.
Additional details, including the fast-food restaurant’s official opening date and ribbon cutting, will be announced soon, according to a Destiny USA announcement.
Wendy’s is known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, salads, and menu items that include the Baconator, Dave’s Single, spicy chicken sandwich, Frosty dessert, and new chicken tenders.
Besides the upcoming Destiny USA location, Wendy’s operates six area restaurants that include 2100 Park St., not far from Destiny USA; 3260 Erie Blvd. East in DeWitt; 3798 James St. in DeWitt; 3508 Brewerton Road in Cicero; 598 W. Genesee St. in Camillus; and 7925 Oswego Road in Clay in the Seneca Mall, per the Wendy’s website.
The Wendy’s Company (NASDAQ: WEN) was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Today, Wendy’s and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide (about 6,000 in the U.S.).
In early November, Wendy’s announced it would be closing approximately 5 percent of its U.S. restaurants by the end of 2025, amid a sales slump. The Wendy’s stock price has declined by more than 45 percent over the 12 months.

GROW Wealth Partners has announced the promotion of Craig Amidon to chief operating officer, along with his formal addition as a partner in the firm. He

Christian Snyder, CPA has been admitted into the FustCharles partnership. Snyder is a partner in the firm’s tax department with more than 25 years of

Mary Ellen Romagno, CPA has been promoted to principal in the audit department of FustCharles. Mary Ellen provides accounting, audit, and advisory services to many

Michael W. Hartwell, CPA has been promoted to principal in the tax department of FustCharles. He provides income-tax planning, compliance, and advisory services to proprietorships,

Erin’s Angels of CNY announced that Britani Ingison has been appointed to the executive committee of its board of directors as treasurer. Britani serves as

Syracuse University has $1.8 billion impact on CNY economy, study finds
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) contributed $1.8 billion to the Central New York economy and supported 35,132 jobs across the five-county region in fiscal
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.