New York Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito recently announced that one Mohawk Valley business has been certified as a service-disabled veteran-owned business (SDVOB).

The New York OGS Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development (DSDVBD) issued the certification to Leatherstocking Professional Services LLC, based in Frankfort in Herkimer County. The company provides estimating and project management services. 

Leatherstocking Professional Services was one of six newly certified business announced by OGS on July 12. The other five businesses are all located downstate. The DSDVBD was created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2014 through enactment of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act. As of July 12, a total of 678 businesses have been certified.

The law promotes and encourages participation of SDVOBs in New York State public procurements of public works, commodities, services and technology to “foster and advance economic development” in the state.

For a business to receive certification, one or more service-disabled veterans — with a service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or from the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs for National Guard veterans) — must own at least 51 percent of the business. Other criteria include: the business must be independently owned and operated and have a significant business presence in New York, it must have conducted business for at least one year prior to the application date, and it must qualify as a small business under the New York State program. Several more requirements also need to be met. 

After a steep decline in June, the Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index rebounded 13 points to climb to 4.3 and emerge from negative territory in July.

The general business-conditions index had plummeted 26 points to -8.6 in June, representing its “largest monthly decline on record.”

The July reading of 4.3, based on firms responding to the survey, indicates “business activity rebounded modestly in New York,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its July 15 report. That beat economists’ expectations of an index number of 0.5, according to Econoday, a company that tracks economic reports.

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

The survey found 30 percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 26 percent said that conditions had worsened, the New York Fed said.

Survey details

The new-orders index rose, but it remained negative at -1.5. The shipments index moved slightly lower to 7.2, “pointing to a small increase in shipments,” the New York Fed said. 

Unfilled orders declined for a second straight month. Delivery times were “somewhat longer,” and inventories fell.

After falling below zero last month, the index for number of employees slid further, dropping 6 points to -9.6, “pointing to a decline in employment levels.” The average-workweek index, at 3.8, signaled somewhat longer workweeks. 

The prices-paid index edged down 2 points to 25.5, suggesting a slightly slower pace of input price increases than last month. The prices-received index was little changed at 5.8, pointing to ongoing modest selling price increases.

Indexes assessing the six-month outlook were “generally somewhat higher” than they were last month. 

The index for future business conditions increased 5 points to 30.8, and the index for future new orders also moved higher. Firms expected increases in employment levels but no change in the average workweek in the months ahead. 

After posting a “substantial” decline last month, the capital-expenditures index rose 9 points to 19.0, and the technology-spending index inched up to 14.6.

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.        

HORSEHEADS — Baskin-Robbins, which says it’s the world’s largest chain of specialty ice-cream shops, on July 12 unveiled a “Moments” concept store near Horseheads. 

The new restaurant, located at 3317 Chambers Road in the town of Big Flats, is the first of its kind in New York state. Baskin-Robbins says the “Moments” store concept is designed to deliver on its commitment to giving customers “great flavors and memorable moments.” 

The 2,700-square-foot Horseheads location showcases the brand’s U.S. “store of the future, with an atmosphere purposefully designed to make it easier than ever to connect with people over ice cream,” according to Baskin-Robbins news release.

Manish Patel, CEO of Bapa Ice Cream, LLC, is the franchisee for this new Baskin-Robbins restaurant. Krunal Patel is the franchisee and operator. The Patel family has been a franchisee of Dunkin’ locations in four states including the Dunkin’ store near Horseheads for more than 25 years. This marks the first Baskin-Robbins store for the Patel family, which has plans to open several others in the future, according to Baskin-Robbins, which is a unit of Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN).

The new Baskin-Robbins restaurant’s key elements include a modern design with bright colors; new ice cream dipping cabinets; a modernized menu including new items like chocolate-dipped bananas, individual Polar Pizza slices, ice cream bars, smoothie bars and hand-dipped waffle cones; and a custom wall mural featuring artwork to celebrate the key attributes of each local community. The restaurant also has more flexible and comfortable seating and upgraded digital menu boards, the release stated. 

Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday, the new Baskin-Robbins restaurant will employ about 12 people. It is located close to the Elmira/Corning Regional Airport.      

CAZENOVIA — Cazenovia College announced recently that Kenneth C. Gardiner, partner at Dannible & McKee, LLP, has assumed the role of chair of the college’s board of trustees. 

He joined the board in 2016 and has served on the finance and investment committees. 

Gardiner, has worked in accounting for more than 35 years. He is the partner-in-charge of assurance services and quality control at Dannible & McKee. His area of expertise is providing audit and accounting services to the construction industry. He also offers services for architects, engineers, and manufacturing companies and has extensive experience with audits of employee-benefit plans, according to a Cazenovia College news release.

Joining Gardiner on the executive committee are John A. Bartolotti as vice chair, John McCabe as treasurer, and Jeffrey H. Heath as secretary. Recent board chair Richard L. (Dick) Smith has been awarded trustee emeritus status, Cazenovia College said.