Cuomo: DOT starts latest traffic project near Fort Drum

Get our email updates

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

“With this latest project on Route 26 now underway, New York State continues its longstanding commitment to making significant infrastructure investments that enhance the quality

Syracuse appoints Alford as school’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Nonprofits

Alford’s appointment fulfills a “key priority” of the Chancellor Kent Syverud’s workgroup on diversity and inclusion, which, in 2016, “delivered wide-ranging recommendations aimed at creating

Oswego-Fulton Chamber to use $20K Shineman grant to boost farmers markets project

Health Care, Nonprofits, Small Business

It has invested in the farmers markets because it “believes that vibrant weekly markets in both Fulton and Oswego will enhance those communities and the

SBA names Rickman new deputy district director of Syracuse district office

Banks & Credit Unions, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Small Business

Rickman most recently served as branch manager, supervising the district’s Albany and Elmira offices, the SBA said in a Monday news release. He joined the

Dumac Business Systems appoints chief operating officer

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Manufacturing & Engineering, Technology

“This is an exciting time for Dumac,” Howard McCarthy, CEO of Dumac Business Systems, said in a release. “Joe’s vast experience and decadesof key management

Excellus selects eight CNY nonprofits for spring Community Health Awards

Health Care, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) has chosen eight organizations for its spring Community Health Awards. More than 30 Central New York nonprofits had submitted applications,

Pilot launches helicopter tour business near Ithaca

Regional News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

LANSING — The Ithaca and Finger Lakes region has an abundance of scenic sites to see included waterfalls, gorges, lakes, college campuses, vineyards, and more. Andrew Garcia is betting people will want to gain a new perspective on these attractions from the high-in-the-sky vantage point of a helicopter. The experienced U.S. Air Force search and

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 experienced U.S. Air Force search and rescue pilot and Ithaca College graduate has started Finger Lakes HeliTours, based at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, to take customers up in the air for chopper tours.

Garcia, business owner and chief pilot, has flown large, high-performance helicopters and jet airplanes. He says he started Finger Lakes HeliTours because of his passion for aerospace entrepreneurship and a love of the area. The business had its grand opening on May 1.

Finger Lakes HeliTours’ leased helicopter can travel at speeds up to 130 miles per hour, Garcia tells CNYBJ. “However, the advantage of the helicopter is the ability to hover and fly slowly over scenic spots so at any point our customers get to experience — at anywhere from 30 mph to over 100 mph — a variety of vertical flight regimes unique to helicopter flight,” he says.

Garcia says he can take up to three people up in the air at a time. The business can fly over 28 classic tours (lasting 15-20 minutes each) per day plus an additional 6-12 micro tours (lasting 5 minutes each) every morning. Prices for micro tours are $99 per person and classic tours cost $199 per person, but groups of two or more pay $149 each, per the Finger Lakes HeliTours website. Premium tours, lasting 35-40 minutes, cost $398 a person, or $298 each for groups of two people or more.

Finger Lakes HeliTours’ hours of operation are Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Finger Lakes HeliTours travels within a 25-mile radius of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. Garcia says he rents hangar space and about 150 square feet of office space from Taughannock Aviation Corp. at 66 Brown Road in Lansing. His helicopter is based in that company’s newest 20,000-square-foot hangar facility.

Garcia is currently the only employee of Finger Lakes HeliTours, but he employs a few subcontractors and is talking to other pilots about joining the venture as customer demand increases.

The company’s helicopter “is 400 hours out of overhaul so, virtually factory new. It has all the amenities and creature comforts including premium leather seating, left side sunroof, panoramic bubble windows, and air conditioning. It’s incredibly spacious and comfortable and accessible for virtually all ages,” he says.

Owner’s background

Garcia graduated from Ithaca College with a bachelor’s degree in communications management. After college, he was an early employee at Wayfair, an online, home furnishing retailer, and was director of customer insight & product innovation at EF Education, an international education company specializing in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange.

After that, he started three commercial skydiving companies and then later became a U.S. Air Force combat search and rescue pilot in the New York Air National Guard, according to his LinkedIn page. He currently serves part-time as an HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot in the elite 101st Rescue Squadron of the New York Air National Guard.

Northeast Information Discovery settles into new Canastota HQ

Regional News, Subscriber Only

CANASTOTA — Northeast Information Discovery (NEID) is conducting operations from its new headquarters located at 3197 Seneca Turnpike in Canastota. The firm, a woman-owned software company, also operates a second facility nearby at 11 Madison Blvd. NEID is focused on the research and development of advanced computer-network operations and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for

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

CANASTOTA — Northeast Information Discovery (NEID) is conducting operations from its new headquarters located at 3197 Seneca Turnpike in Canastota.

The firm, a woman-owned software company, also operates a second facility nearby at 11 Madison Blvd.

NEID is focused on the research and development of advanced computer-network operations and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for the intelligence and defense communities.

The company bought the new building in 2018 and spent about $500,000 to prepare the space for operations, Stephanie Shattuck, program manager at NEID, said in an email reply to a CNYBJ inquiry.

The project represents a “significant milestone” for the technology company, New York State officials say. Founded in 2011 with three employees, the company began work on the new facility in the summer of 2018. It will now be home to more than 40 employees.

The state awarded NEID $974,000 as part of a September 2018 announcement from Gov. Andrew Cuomo about the state’s “further” investment in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry.

The funding given to NEID included $200,000 in a regional council capital fund award; $90,000 in excelsior benefits; and $684,000 from the UAS central job fund, an Empire State Development (ESD)-funded program, per an ESD news release.

NEID also used “some” of the state funding to help prepare the new building, Shattuck noted in her email response.

Officials from ESD and CenterState CEO on May 1 joined the company to formally open the new headquarters building.

“We cannot be more excited to grow our business right here in Canastota, within Madison County and wish to thank all those who have helped us. Still, there is much to do. The mission of NEID is to grow a community-friendly and successful business, where professionals not only advance their careers, but enjoy the rewards of their personal and professional accomplishments,” Kristin Meyer, president & CEO of Northeast Information Discovery, said in the release.

CenterState CEO on April 24 also recognized NEID as a 2019 Business of the Year recipient in the “Less Than 50 Employees” category at its annual meeting. The company was one of five recipients recognized for its “commitment to growth, improving the community and creating tangible impacts on the economy.”

“We are excited to recognize the exceptional growth of Northeast Information Discovery. In addition to its expansion news, its hiring plans represent a more than 150 percent increase in staff for the company. Its focus on solving challenges related to cybersecurity for unmanned systems and its continued success, strengthens the region’s leadership role in the unmanned-services sector,” Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said in the ESD release.

Utica Zoo providing STEAM program for young girls

Subscriber Only

UTICA — The Utica Zoo was scheduled to conduct a STEM/STEAM program for girls ages 12 to 15, starting May 11, believing that it is “essential” that girls get involved in STEM/STEAM activities at a young age. The zoo is targeting that age group “as society and technology advance at a feverish pace,” the Utica

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 zoo is targeting that age group “as society and technology advance at a feverish pace,” the Utica Zoo said in an April 16 news release.

STEM is short for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM is short for those same terms, but also includes an A for arts.

The zoo also believes that young girls should be “exposed to the critical thinking skills and integrated, hands on approach to STEM programs” if they want to eventually pursue a careers in those fields.

The Utica Zoo cites data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey that indicates women make up 24 percent of STEM workers, despite representing 47 percent of the workforce.

As of press time on May 8, the Utica Zoo was scheduled to hold the program, titled “STEAMing the Urban Forest,” on eight consecutive Saturday mornings at the Utica Zoo.

The new program will introduce participants from Oneida and Herkimer Counties to STEM/STEAM-based careers and different aspects of operating a zoo, per its release.

The Utica Zoo is using a $4,500 grant to operate the program. The Women’s Fund of Herkimer & Oneida Counties Inc. awarded the funding.

About the program

The new program is designed to focus on “real-world” problems with the students focused on “open ended exploration and problem solving,” per the news release.

By using the elements of STEAM, students will work together as a group to solve problems. The program will also expose them to STEAM-based careers and methods. Students will explore and inventory a section of the North Trek Urban Forest; research the needs of a given animal in the Urban Forest; work with animal care and veterinary staff to learn what constitutes a healthy habitat; enhance the environment for the benefit of their chosen animal; develop interpretive and informational materials; and present their findings to family, friends, and Zoo staff.

In addition, female representatives from various supporting organizations will serve as guests to introduce the girls to STEAM-based careers, the Utica Zoo said.

Construction work starts at Lake Placid’s Olympic ski-jump complex

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

LAKE PLACID — Construction contracts have been awarded and crews have started work on more than $9.3 million in renovation and construction projects at Lake Placid’s Olympic ski-jumping complex. The renovation and construction projects began this spring and are expected to be complete this fall. They are part of the preparation for the recently awarded

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

LAKE PLACID — Construction contracts have been awarded and crews have started work on more than $9.3 million in renovation and construction projects at Lake Placid’s Olympic ski-jumping complex.

The renovation and construction projects began this spring and are expected to be complete this fall. They are part of the preparation for the recently awarded 2023 Winter World University Games, to be held in Lake Placid.

The projects include a new frost rail and gate system for both the 90-meter and 120-meter ski jumps, according to the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). Frost rails are designed to maintain a consistent and reliable jumping surface, the organization said. Crews are also installing additional underground infrastructure, along with a new design for the outrun landing hills. By re-grading the landing hills, the venue will not require as much snow to achieve the desired profile, the ORDA contends.

The project to install the frost rails and gates will cost nearly $1.25 million, Jon Lundin, ORDA director of communications, tells CNYBJ in an email.

Construction crews are also removing the current chairlift and transport system, making way for a new eight-person, “state-of-the-art” gondola. Once completed, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant gondola will carry athletes, coaches, officials, equipment, and visitors from the Olympic jumping complex’s base lodge to the base of the 90-meter and 120-meter ski-jump towers. It will also take guests to the new zipline launch deck.

From there, they will have access to the tower’s newly renovated glass enclosed elevator. This elevator will offer “breathtaking panoramic views” of the Adirondack High Peaks and surrounding area, according to the ORDA.

The gondola-installation part of the project will cost more than $3 million, Lundin says. The price tag for the elevator improvements will total nearly $1.1 million.

The zipline park, which will cost nearly $3 million to install, is designed for all levels of adventurers to simulate what the Olympic ski jumper would experience in competition, according to the ORDA. The most “extreme” of the four courses is expected to reach speeds of 60 miles-per-hour, have a 30-degree decline, and navigate its way along the ski jumps.

Crews have also started replacing the curtain wall and window for the 120-meter ski jump tower, which will cost more than $1.3 million, according to Lundin.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $70 million appropriation for the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority for capital improvements is funding the construction ad renovation projects at the Olympic jumping complex.

“The projects modernize the facility and improve our ability to host events and training for athletes. The venue’s guests will enjoy the new gondola, glass enclosed elevator and zip lines too,” ORDA president and CEO Mike Pratt said in a news release.

With last year’s completed renovations to the base lodge, which cost $1.9 million, the ORDA has seen a nearly 30 percent increase in both visitation and revenue, according to Lundin.

While ORDA manages the overall project, the Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, a manufacturing company based in Austria, was awarded the contract to produce and install the gondola and transport system.

Terra-Nova, LLC — of Coalville, Utah — is designing and installing the zipline course, along with all its features.

Friend Commercial Contracting Corp., based in nearby Malone, is overseeing the elevator upgrades, as well as the elevator tower’s curtain wall and window replacement.

Established in 1982, the Olympic Regional Development Authority was created by the New York State to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates the Whiteface, Belleayre, and Gore Mountain ski areas; the Olympic sports complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg; the Olympic speed skating oval; Olympic jumping complex; and Lake Placid Olympic Center, which includes the Herb Brooks Arena. As host to international and national championships, the ORDA says it has brought millions of athletes, spectators, and participants to the region, resulting in “significant economic development.”

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

Annual Nonprofit Conference 2026

Tompkins Chamber Small Business Roundtable

Tompkins Chamber Business After Hours

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