Chemung Financial to pay dividend of 26 cents a share on July 1

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ELMIRA — Chemung Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: CHMG) recently announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 26 cents a share. The dividend is payable on July 1, to common stock shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 17. At the banking company’s current stock price, the […]

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Triggers to Typewriters: The story of L.C. Smith, Gun Maker

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Guns are not usually associated with typewriters considering their primary purposes are vastly different. However, Syracuse was an exception to that statement. Before the typewriter industry that made him his greatest fame and fortune, Lyman Cornelius Smith was a renown Syracuse gun manufacturer. L.C. Smith was born in Connecticut. At the age of nine, his

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L.C. Smith was born in Connecticut. At the age of nine, his family moved to Lisle, N.Y. — located in Broome County, just north of Binghamton. L.C.’s father was extremely entrepreneurial, making a comfortable living as a general merchant, sawmill owner, and operator and tanner. L.C. Smith moved to New York City when he was age 23, but returned to Lisle penniless within two years.

His father then sent L.C. and his brother, Leroy, to Syracuse to set up a lumberyard on the corner of Burt and South Salina Streets. The lumber business was booming at the time due to the building requirements of the salt making industry. Soon after his arrival in Syracuse, L.C.’s hometown friend, W. H. Baker, convinced him that the future was in the manufacturing of guns, namely his Baker gun. Smith had recently made the acquaintance of Ms. Flora Burns, daughter of former Syracuse Mayor Peter Burns. Smith’s father-in-law had made his fortune in the saddlery business through his lucrative contract with the Union Army. L.C. and Flora eventually wed. Burns soon provided Smith with the necessary funds to purchase a gun-manufacturing plant located near the Armory off Walton Street in 1877. It had a large shooting gallery located on the roof for testing purposes. The company began with eight employees and three milling machines. The gun developed by Baker was a breech loading gun. It was a popular gun and the company grew significantly. Smith and Baker were partners with Smith’s brother Leroy and brother-in-law George Livermore. Another of L.C.’s brothers, Wilbert, also worked in the factory. Despite financial success, Baker realized that he could not work with L.C. and broke from the company. In late 1879, Baker dissolved the partnership and opened the Ithaca Gun Company along with Livermore and Leroy. Wilbert, remained as L.C.’s plant manager. Smith retained the rights to continue to manufacture guns originally patented by Baker.

Smith moved his factory to a building located in the what was once the 100 block of S. Clinton St. The building had previously been the site of a carriage manufacturer. His factory took up most of the block. Gun sales began to drop off and Smith decided that he needed to develop and manufacture a more unique gun.

Fortunately, for L.C.’s sake, an individual by the name of Alexander T. Brown had been hired as a lathe operator in 1878. Brown was a gifted inventor and quickly designed and received a patent to manufacture a new cocking mechanism. This patent was followed by several others, leading to the design of a gun in 1884 that would become an American legend — the L.C. Smith gun, marketed as “the gun that never shoots loose and is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.” Trap shooting was a popular sport and the LC Smith gun received many accolades from trap shooters nationwide. In 1886, Brown patented a design for the hammerless gun. This gun was so advanced for its time that it remained unchanged for more than 60 years.

At its peak, the company employed 175 men, running close to 100 machines. Brown continued to make improvements to his gun patents while also designing and developing other projects including a design for a ‘visible’ typewriter (unlike original typewriter machines, typists were able to immediately see what they were typing). In 1888, L.C. Smith sold his gun manufacturing business to the Hunter Bros. company, which commenced moving the business to Fulton. Hunter took many of the craftsmen and most of the equipment once owned by Smith with him. The L.C. gun, nicknamed the “Sweet Elsie,” continued to be manufactured by Hunter Bros. and other companies for decades.

L.C. Smith and Alexander T. Brown then began their typewriter-company journey that lasted several decades — making millions of dollars due entirely to Smith’s financial acumen and Brown’s mechanical genius. Thanks to these gentlemen, Syracuse became the center of America’s typewriter manufacturing industry and eventually became known in many circles as “Typewriter City.”

Karen Y. Cooney is support services administrator at the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) in Syracuse.

Flex-Hose, Cryomech plan to expand their operations

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Two area firms — Flex-Hose Co. Inc. and Cryomech Inc. — plan to expand in Onondaga County. The companies are expecting to spend a combined $20 million and add 70 new jobs between their respective projects, the office of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon recently announced. Flex-Hose Co. plans to relocate from its current location

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Two area firms — Flex-Hose Co. Inc. and Cryomech Inc. — plan to expand in Onondaga County.

The companies are expecting to spend a combined $20 million and add 70 new jobs between their respective projects, the office of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon recently announced.

Flex-Hose Co. plans to relocate from its current location in DeWitt to a bigger space in Clay. The company manufactures metal pump connectors, industrial hose, expansion loops, and metal expansion joints.

Cryomech Inc., which manufactures high-performance cryogenic equipment, is expecting to relocate to a new facility within the town of DeWitt. Crews have yet to build the new location.

Expansion details
Flex-Hose currently operates in buildings at 6801 and 6809 Crossbow Drive in DeWitt, Joanna Carter, the company’s senior VP, says in an email response to a CNYBJ inquiry. Both buildings cover about 22,000 square foot, Carter noted. Flex-Hose plans to relocate to a 38,000-square-foot space in the former Wine Merchants warehouse at 4560 Buckley Road in Clay, she adds.

The projected $3 million project will help retain 32 jobs and create another 50 positions, per Onondaga County. Flex-Hose says the expansion is needed to “adequately and sufficiently” support the company’s current customer demand.

Cryomech wants to relocate into a new facility to be constructed on a 14-acre vacant site on Moore Road in DeWitt. It currently operates at 113 and 127 Falso Drive in DeWitt. The new 76,500-square-foot building would house the company’s new manufacturing plant and office space. The firm anticipates that construction on the new building will begin this summer.

As part of its move, Cryomech would add about 19 new jobs. The employee-owned company employs about 125 people now, including office staff, engineers, researchers, skilled manufacturing workers, and others.

“The best opportunity for economic growth will always be with those companies whose roots are right here in Onondaga County and Flex-Hose and Cryomech are perfect examples of local successes stories,” McMahon said in a news release. “We are excited by the progress, potential and investments being made by these companies and most importantly for the new jobs that will be created right here in Onondaga County.”

N.Y. manufacturing index climbs in May to highest mark in six months

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

Manufacturing activity in New York state gathered momentum in May, according to a recent report. The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index rose 8 points to 17.8 in May, its highest level since last November. The index also rose 6 points to 10.1 in April after falling 5 points to 3.7 in March. The

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Manufacturing activity in New York state gathered momentum in May, according to a recent report.

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index rose 8 points to 17.8 in May, its highest level since last November.

The index also rose 6 points to 10.1 in April after falling 5 points to 3.7 in March.

The May reading, based on firms responding to the survey, indicates “business activity picked up significantly in New York,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its May 15 survey report.

A positive index number indicates expansion or growth in manufacturing activity, while a negative reading points to a decline in the sector.

The survey found 36 percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 18 percent said that conditions had worsened, the New York Fed said.

Survey details
The new-orders index rose 2 points to 9.7, indicating an increase in orders. The shipments index jumped 8 points to 16.3, pointing to a strong pickup in shipments.

Unfilled orders inched higher, delivery times were little changed, and inventories were “somewhat below” last month’s levels, the New York Fed said.

The index for number of employees fell 7 points to 4.7, a level indicating that employment increased “only to a small degree.” The average-workweek index held steady at 4.4.

Price increases were similar to those seen last month. The prices-paid index was little changed at 26.2, as was the prices-received index at 12.4.

Manufacturing firms were “significantly more optimistic” about the six-month outlook than they were last month, the New York Fed said.

The index for future business conditions shot up 18 points to 30.6. The indexes for future new orders and shipments climbed to similar levels.

Companies expected solid increases in employment but no change in the average workweek in the months ahead. The capital-expenditures index was little changed at 26.2, and the technology spending index came in at 22.8, up slightly from April’s reading.

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 state. On average, about 100 executives return responses.

Broome County hotel occupancy rate jumps nearly 9 percent in March

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON — Hotels in Broome County were significantly fuller in March than in the year-ago month, according to a recent report. The hotel occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county rose 8.9 percent to 56.1 percent in March from 51.5 percent a year earlier, according to STR, a Tennessee–based

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The Cake Shop CNY specializes in high-end cakes, treats

Business Mentors, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

Stacey Lorraine is the owner, cake artist, office manager, and dishwasher — yes, she does it all — at The Cake Shop Central New York, located in Skaneateles. Born and raised near Washington D.C., Lorraine got her start working at a local bakery when she was 16. From that point on, she fell in love

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Stacey Lorraine is the owner, cake artist, office manager, and dishwasher — yes, she does it all — at The Cake Shop Central New York, located in Skaneateles.

Born and raised near Washington D.C., Lorraine got her start working at a local bakery when she was 16. From that point on, she fell in love with everything baking, going on to become a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. While she spent a short stint working in restaurants, Lorraine found her true passion in making custom cakes.

Like many well-versed entrepreneurs, Stacey’s education extended well beyond the classroom. She has had the opportunity to travel to, work for, and learn from some of the best cake shop owners and managers in the country. Following an internship at Mark Joseph Cakes in New York City, she spent four years decorating cakes at Betty Bakery and Cheryl Kleinman Cakes in Brooklyn.

Stacey has also competed professionally, constructing her custom cakes on multiple Food Network shows. In 2011, she was awarded 2nd place on “Food Network Challenge” for a Renaissance-themed cake. Six years later, she returned to win the 1st place prize on “Cake Wars,” alongside Kristina Serfass, her former boss, and owner of “Baked. Custom Cakes” in Seattle.

After many cake-based adventures, Stacey got married and settled down in Central New York. It was then, that she decided to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. She had more than a plateful of knowledge and experience in baking, but she found that she was lost when it came to the business side of her dream.

Lorraine decided to reach out to the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for assistance on how to get started with her startup in 2017. “I really didn’t have an idea where to begin when starting a business” she recalls. “As a new business with tight capital, having free resources that could help guide me in the right direction was an amazing opportunity.”

I worked with Stacey to develop her business concept and put it into action. That included helping to connect her to a banker, accountant, insurance agent, lawyer and other professionals that could help her get started as a small business. We also discussed the dos and don’ts of business, including the intricacies of the food industry.

From not knowing where to begin in 2017, to her success now in early 2019, Stacey’s experience and enthusiasm has led her business to grow rapidly. The Cake Shop now has a brick and mortar location at 35 Fennel St. in Skaneateles.

The Cake Shop is a studio that offers custom orders by appointment only. Stacey Lorraine creates wedding cakes, custom cakes, and a small variety of bite-sized treats for all occasions to the Central New York area. Everything is made from scratch in-house and with locally sourced ingredients when possible.

Stacey is a talented small-business owner who took the time and patience to learn the business side of her venture, to make her dreams come true. She takes that same time and patience to give every one of her client’s orders the care and attention it deserves, making every client’s dessert dreams come true, too.

For more information on The Cake Shop, visit https://www.thecakeshopcny.com/wedding-cake.

Advisor’s business tip: Make sure to build your professional network and educate yourself on all aspects of your business. These things will create a solid foundation for growing your business.

Keyona Kelly is a certified business advisor at the SBDC, located at Onondaga Community College. Contact her at k.r.kelly@sunyocc.edu

Cortland family business among SBA Small Business Excellence Award winners

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DeWITT — A privately owned family business in Cortland was among the area companies honored recently with a Small Business Excellence Award. Forkey Construction and Fabricating Inc., located at 3690 Luker Road in Cortland, was among 17 companies that the Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognized from around Central New

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DeWITT — A privately owned family business in Cortland was among the area companies honored recently with a Small Business Excellence Award.

Forkey Construction and Fabricating Inc., located at 3690 Luker Road in Cortland, was among 17 companies that the Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognized from around Central New York.

The agency presented Small Business Excellence Awards during a luncheon held May 6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, near Carrier Circle in DeWitt. The event was part of National Small Business Week.

Charlie Forkey Jr. and Charlie Forkey III, the owners of Forkey Construction and Fabricating Inc., called it “very humbling to be selected for this award.”

“The opportunity to work as a family to build our business, create career opportunities for our team, and have a positive impact on our community is priceless. We are thankful to our customers and our hardworking team, and we appreciate NBT Bank’s partnership and support as we have grown over the years,” the Forkeys said in an SBA news release.

NBT Bank had nominated the firm for the excellence award. “I began working with the Forkey family in 2007. As their banker, I have always been impressed by their financial success and their vision for the future. The Forkey family and their company are proof that the American dream is alive and well, and NBT Bank is honored to be part of their journey,” Kellyanne Truesdale, an NBT Bank VP who nominated the business, said in the SBA release.

Small businesses are selected for the awards based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity, and community contributions.

The New York Business Development Corporation, area lenders, and economic developers joined the SBA in honoring the businesses during the luncheon.

“The 21st Annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon gives us the opportunity to celebrate our business community leaders for their small business successes,” Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA Syracuse district director, said in a news release. “Small-business owners develop deep community connections, provide the critical backbone of our economy, employ local residents, and contribute to the vibrancy and innovation of our nation.”

Besides Forkey Construction, the honorees include four businesses in Onondaga County; two each in Oswego, Cayuga, Madison, and Jefferson counties; and one each in St. Lawrence, Tompkins, Broome, and Oneida counties.

Onondaga County
Property Management Consulting Services, Inc. was honored with an excellence award. Solvay Bank nominated the business, which is owned by Tracy Newman and Rebecca Newman and located at 829 W. Genesee St. in Syracuse.

Recess Coffee and Kitchen LLC, owned by Jesse Daino and Adam Williams, was also recognized during the luncheon. Berkshire Bank nominated the company, which is located at 114 Boss Road in Syracuse.

Another winner was Ashley McGraw Architects, D.P.C., which Citizens Bank nominated for an excellence award. The firm, which is owned by Edward McGraw, Matthew Broderick, Nicholas Signorelli, Sandra March, Andrew Schuster, and Susanne Angarano, operates at 125 E. Jefferson St. in Syracuse.

The recipients also included Whelan & Curry Construction Services, Inc., which is owned by Christopher Corfield. M&T Bank nominated the firm, which is located at 4103 New Court Ave. in DeWitt.

Oswego County
Man in the Moon Candies, owned by Amy Lear, was honored with an excellence award. The New York Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Oswego nominated the company, which is located at 192 West First St. in Oswego.

The honorees also included Bardy’s 4 Seasons Tire & Auto Repair, Inc., which is owned by David Bardeschewski and Lisa Hall and located at 5963 S. Main St. in Sandy Creek. Operation Oswego County, Inc. nominated the company for the excellence award.

Cayuga County
Lilly Plumbing and Heating, which is owned by Greg and Kathy Gallinger, was recognized during the luncheon. Five Star Bank nominated the company, which is located at 4974 Rockefeller Road in Auburn.

Active Physical Therapy Solutions PC, owned by Dr. Dale Buchberger, was also honored with an excellence award. New York Business Development Corporation nominated the business, which is located at 91 Columbus St. in Auburn.

Madison
Ray Brothers Barbeque, owned by Tucker Ray and Colin Ray, was recognized during the luncheon. NY SBDC Onondaga nominated the company, which is located at 6474 Route 20 in Bouckville.

WISE Women’s Business Center presented a 2019 Small Business Excellence Award to Devine Gardens LLC, owned by Tina Jacobs and located at 4015 Ryan Road in Morrisville.

Jefferson County
In Jefferson County, the honorees included DNJ Management LLC, which is owned by Damon Draught and Sonja Draught. NY SBDC Watertown nominated the business, which is located at 26475 Johnson Road in Evans Mills.

In addition, Katie Clough-Perin, DDS, PC was honored. Watertown Savings Bank nominated the business, which is located at 1340 Washington St. in Watertown.

Additional recipients
Among other winners, 3 Bears Gluten Free Bakery and Café of St. Lawrence County won an excellence award. The NY SBDC Canton nominated the business, which is owned by Christopher Durand and Faye Ori and located at 51 Market St. in Potsdam.

Shortstop Deli, which is owned by Chuck Dong and located at 200 W. Seneca St. in Ithaca, was also honored. Tompkins Trust Company nominated the business for an excellence award.

NY SBDC Binghamton nominated two businesses that won an excellence award: 205 Dry and Uncorked Creations. Alise Willerton owns both businesses, which are located at 205 State St. in Binghamton.

Another honoree was Clinton Pet Vet, nominated by NY SBDC Mohawk Valley. The business, which is owned by Dr. Jessica Price, is located at 60 Dwight Ave. in Clinton.

Rickman begins new role as deputy district director of SBA Syracuse district office

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SYRACUSE — Daniel Rickman has started his new role as the deputy district director for the Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). He succeeds Cathy Pokines, who retired in January. Rickman most recently served as branch manager, supervising the district’s Albany and Elmira offices, the SBA said. He’ll continue overseeing those

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SYRACUSE — Daniel Rickman has started his new role as the deputy district director for the Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

He succeeds Cathy Pokines, who retired in January.

Rickman most recently served as branch manager, supervising the district’s Albany and Elmira offices, the SBA said. He’ll continue overseeing those offices until the SBA hires a replacement branch manager.

“That person will then report to me now in my current role,” he noted in a May 20 telephone interview with CNYBJ.

Rickman joined the SBA and the Syracuse district in 2013 as an economic-development specialist.

As deputy district director, Rickman’s duties will include supervising district staff. He’ll also assist the district director, Bernard J. Paprocki, in overseeing SBA programs and services in the 34 counties that the Syracuse district office serves. Rickman will also continue to work with community leaders, lenders, and small-business stakeholders on the SBA’s various programs to help small businesses obtain loans and assistance to grow their business.

The SBA often has special initiatives and projects on which the deputy district director will take the lead, says Rickman. They could involve working with other federal agencies on initiatives.

“One of the things I’m taking the lead on is a series of events and activities across the district to highlight how our programs … in partnership with the [U.S. Department of Agriculture], can impact rural communities,” says Rickman.

Additionally, his role could also involve “other duties as assigned,” which could include supporting staff on SBA programs, its lending and government-contracting programs, along with overseeing programs on counseling and small-business training.

Prior to joining the SBA, Rickman served as president of the Payroll Guy, LLC in Lubbock, Texas, a company he founded in 2009, according to Rickman’s LinkedIn profile. Before launching his own business, Rickman previously worked as a business-sales consultant at Wells Fargo’s business-payroll services unit, also located in Lubbock. He also volunteered as a mentor and trainer with that community’s SCORE chapter, the SBA said.

A Rochester–area native, Rickman enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000 and served in combat operations during the Iraq War. He now resides in Cayuga County.

New Hartford Farmers Market to open June 4 at new site

Regional News, Subscriber Only

NEW HARTFORD — The 2019 edition of the New Hartford Farmers Market has a new day of the week and a new home. It will debut Tuesday, June 4 at 3 p.m. in its new location at Sherrill Brook Park on New Paris Road (State Route 12), the New Hartford Chamber of Commerce announced. Last

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NEW HARTFORD — The 2019 edition of the New Hartford Farmers Market has a new day of the week and a new home.

It will debut Tuesday, June 4 at 3 p.m. in its new location at Sherrill Brook Park on New Paris Road (State Route 12), the New Hartford Chamber of Commerce announced.

Last year, the chamber restarted its farmers market in the New Hartford Shopping Center parking lot on Wednesdays.

This year’s New Hartford Farmers Market will continue every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through September and will coincide with the Picnic in the Park Food Truck Festival taking place at the same time, per a chamber news release.

The Town of New Hartford has built two new pavilions in Sherrill Brook Park specifically for the farmers market. The new pavilions have electrical outlets for vendors requiring power and will provide a shaded area for several vendors, the release stated.

As of May 21, a total of 30 vendors had registered to participate in this year’s New Hartford Farmers Market, according to the chamber’s website. The vendors include Blue Sky Ranch, Christine’s Cookie Shoppe, Grey Fox Felting, Heidelberg Bread, Kaili’s Bakery, Quarry Brook Farms, Savicki’s Farm Market, and Three Sisters Creations.

Picnic in the Park New Hartford also takes place on Tuesdays in Sherrill Brook Park — it started May 21 — from 4-8 p.m. A wide variety of food trucks will be staged in the parking lot adjacent to the main playground. Picnic in the Park is presented by the Utica Food Truck Association, which also sponsors Picnic in the Park Utica on Friday nights at the Parkway Center.

The New Hartford Chamber plans to host live musical entertainment as part of the Tuesday festivities and is seeking solo acts and bands who wish to contribute sets or full concerts to the community, the release stated. The chamber is also seeking sponsors who wish to help bring paid performances to the town park on Tuesdays. Signup information is available at NewHartfordChamber.com

Vendors interested in participating in the farmers market are not charged regular vendor fees, but instead asked to join the chamber membership, the release stated.

How Will I Know if my Startup is a Good Idea?

Business Mentors, Subscriber Only

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill As a business coach, people often tell me their fantastic idea of a new business startup. It is exciting to hear the passion in their voices as they are thrilled to share their business idea. Maybe it

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“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

As a business coach, people often tell me their fantastic idea of a new business startup. It is exciting to hear the passion in their voices as they are thrilled to share their business idea. Maybe it is the curse of operating a successful business for 40 years that makes me cautious when hearing of their new and improved business idea.

The only purpose of a business is to solve a problem for a customer. For example: an urgent-care facility is solving the problem of someone who needs non-life-threatening medical care.

I ask people what problem they are solving for their customers. I tell them it doesn’t matter what you think about your product or service. The only thing that matters in a business is what the customers think, want, and need. Will your solution of your new exciting business idea solve their frustrating problem and are they willing to pay you for your product or service?

As a startup, you need to find out who your customers are, learn everything you can about them, and what are their biggest frustrations. Find out what these customers are currently buying to solve their problems or if they currently have no solution available to help them. Everything in your business should be structured around your customers, your products, or your services. Your customers are only interested in how you can solve their problems.

To determine if your product or service is viable in the marketplace, you need to; as quickly as possible; deliver a minimum viable product (MVP) . Build a product or service that puts a prototype into the hands of your customer. In 1999, Nick Swinmurn put together his MVP, based on selling shoes online. In 1999, this was unheard of and he had no history to determine if his startup idea was viable or a dud. Instead of investing $150,000 in shoes, renting a warehouse, hiring a bunch of people, he realized it was most important to determine his business idea’s viability. Would people buy shoes online and could he make a profit?

Nick made an offer to local shoe stores, asking if they would let him take pictures of their shoes, inventory their shoes, sell them online, and pay the shop owner the price listed on the shoes. The shoe stores agreed; they had nothing to lose. The beauty of Nick’s MVP was all the customer data he picked up from this experiment. Then he finetuned his business model.

Nick learned that people would buy shoes online. He also learned the critical business information about handling customer orders, complaints, shoe returns, shipping costs, and packing orders. Was Nick successful? This shoe company’s name is Zappos and it reached $1 billion in sales in 2008, before being sold to Amazon in 2009.

So, keep up your excitement about your business idea. Build your MVP, get your prototype out to real customers, and measure the results to see what needs to be changed. Follow your dream, do your homework, test it, make the changes necessary to succeed, and just do it.

James McEntire, of Camden, is owner of Boomers Startups and helps baby boomers jump start their startup plans. Contact him at james.r.mcentire@gmail.com or (315) 225-3536.

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