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Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, tech, marketing, HR, and career tips. SBA @SBAgovShould your business get involved in an awareness campaign? These are just a few ideas for attracting attention to both your business and your awareness cause — http://ow.ly/t25y30mkeuy Melton & Melton, LLP @MeltonandMeltonProductivity for […]

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Some recent tweets that came across the @cnybj Twitter feed, offering various small business, tech, marketing, HR, and career tips.

SBA @SBAgov
Should your business get involved in an awareness campaign? These are just a few ideas for attracting attention to both your business and your awareness cause — http://ow.ly/t25y30mkeuy

Melton & Melton, LLP @MeltonandMelton
Productivity for Small Business Owners https://buff.ly/2KJGYyc #smallbiz #entrepreneur

Get Clients Now! HQ @GetClientsNowHQ
Don’t take #marketing rejection personally. It’s not about you. #sales #smallbiz http://ow.ly/wxJA30m1dP5

Capterra Service @CapterraService
How Small Businesses Can Increase Customer Loyalty Using Data Science http://bit.ly/2RcBFGn

Blue Whale Media Ltd @BlueWhaleMediaL
Use responsive design! Mobile-compatibility is a huge factor for SEO, especially since Google’s mobile first indexing update. #SEO #Tips

myFICO @myfico
Do you know these #tips to protect your computer from cybercrimes? prhttps://bit.ly/2yLxSIl

Webroot @Webroot
35 million U.S. voter records found for sale on the dark web ahead of the midterms. Read the latest #cybersecurity news at http://wbrt.io/ekgec

Mitch Mitchell @Mitch_M
RT @BasicBlogTips Facebook Page Likes – Can They Generate Money for Your Business? http://vcb.bz/2u9e via @Lisapatb

RMS @RMS_Research
How do you tell your brand’s story? @Marketingland shares how disruptive digital narrative mixes creative with intrigue in a nonlinear fashion. Successfully market your ad system story by following these 5 master storyteller principles: https://mklnd.com/2yxYkFY

Allen Ruddock @AllenRuddock
What are you going to do today to lead your business? http://dld.bz/dDQy2 #leadership #smallbiz

Mark C. Crowley @MarkCCrowley
If you have regular meetings with the same team, it’s wise to regularly shuffle where everyone sits. Variety stimulates creativity & leaders who don’t insist on sitting in the same power seat all the time show they have their ego in check!

Infoman, Inc. @infoman_inc
If you’re like most #HR managers, you face several business challenges that compound the time and energy crunch you’re facing. Learn how to ensure accurate and timely #payroll http://bit.ly/2Cwkv41

Robert Half Tech @RobertHalfTech
The 3 most valuable #IT skills that will advance your #career http://ow.ly/AFWb30mgbVw

Tina Hedley @TinaHedley1
If you’re no longer passionate about your #job, it’s entirely possible to change #career paths. The following tips from @KellyServices will help you get started: http://bit.ly/2CUjUIy

Dutchland Plastics begins work in renovated Canastota plant

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Manufacturing & Engineering, Regional News, Small Business, Subscriber Only

CANASTOTA — Wisconsin–based Dutchland Plastics has moved its upstate New York plant from Sherrill to a 50,000-square-foot refurbished building in Canastota, and the village’s mayor is applauding the move. “This Restore NY project is a great example of remediating and revitalizing an abandoned industrial site and bringing it back to life as a value-added economic

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“This Restore NY project is a great example of remediating and revitalizing an abandoned industrial site and bringing it back to life as a value-added economic property in our community,” Canastota Mayor Carla DeShaw said in a Dutchland Plastics news release. “Through the collaborative efforts and perseverance of the governor’s office, Empire State Development, Madison County [Industrial Development Agency], private developer Bowers Development, and the Mayor’s office … new jobs will be created in the Village of Canastota.”

The upstate New York operations of Oostburg, Wisconsin–based Dutchland Plastics had previously operated in a smaller space in Sherrill. The office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo had announced the move back in January.

The company also operates a 200,000-square-foot plastics-manufacturing facility in Oostburg, Wisconsin.

Dutchland invested $2.6 million for capital equipment and to customize the new Canastota plant, which was built along the Erie Canal.

Crews started building the new facility earlier this year, and the project received $475,000 in tax credits through the Empire State Development’s (ESD) Excelsior jobs program, Dutchland said. It also used a $1.7 million Restore NY grant, which ESD reallocated for the construction project.

The tax credits are contingent on the company meeting its job commitments.

With the expansion, the company plans to create 42 new full-time jobs over the next two years, Dutchland said. It’ll also move the 23 employees from the Sherrill plant to the new facility.

“We are making a major investment in this community because we believe in the people who work and live in this community,” Randy Herman, CEO of Dutchland Plastics, said. “Over the years, we’ve seen the amazing craftmanship and outstanding work ethic this community has to offer. To support future growth our plans are to continue to invest in this area.”

Dutchland Plastics describes itself as “one of the top five manufacturers of custom rotational molded plastic products in North America.” The company manufactures products that include coolers, kayaks, furniture, tanks, playground equipment, material handling, and specialty equipment.

FMN Creative earns NYS woman-owned business enterprise certification

Regional News, Small Business, Subscriber Only

UTICA — FMN Creative, LLC, a boutique digital marketing agency, announced it has received statewide certification as a woman-owned business enterprise by the Empire State Development’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development (DMWBD). The certificate was awarded for three years and is in effect until Aug. 15, 2021. The division’s minority and women-owned business

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Siena: Upstate, statewide consumer sentiment rise in Q3

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Consumer sentiment in upstate New York was measured at 92.3 in the third quarter, up 1.6 points from 90.7 in the second quarter. That’s according to the latest quarterly survey report of Upstate and statewide consumer sentiment that the Siena Research Institute (SRI) released Oct. 8. Upstate’s overall sentiment of 92.3 was 1.3 points below

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Consumer sentiment in upstate New York was measured at 92.3 in the third quarter, up 1.6 points from 90.7 in the second quarter.

That’s according to the latest quarterly survey report of Upstate and statewide consumer sentiment that the Siena Research Institute (SRI) released Oct. 8.

Upstate’s overall sentiment of 92.3 was 1.3 points below the statewide consumer-sentiment level of 93.6, which rose 4.4 points from the last quarter.

The statewide figure was 6.5 points lower than the third-quarter figure of 100.1 for the entire nation, which was up 1.9 points from the second-quarter measurement, as measured by the University of Michigan’s consumer-sentiment index.

New Yorkers “remain bullish” about the economy and their personal finances this quarter as the index rose by over 4 points, closed the gap between New York and the “traditionally higher” national number, and nearly tied the recent high recorded a year and a half ago, Douglas Lonnstrom, professor of statistics and finance at Siena College and SRI founding director, said in the survey report.

“Driving the strength of the index is increasing optimism towards future conditions enjoyed by every demographic except low income and older New Yorkers who held steady. Especially up were [New York City] residents, Democrats, young residents and those with high incomes,” said Lonnstrom.

In the third quarter of 2018, buying plans rose 2.7 percentage points since the second-quarter measurement to 17.0 percent for cars and trucks; and were up 1.2 points to 41.5 percent for consumer electronics.

Buying plans were down 1.4 percentage points to 26.3 percent for furniture, dipped 0.5 points to 6.9 percent for homes, and declined 2.6 points to 19 percent for major home improvements.

Buying plans for cars and trucks reached 17 percent, the highest since last year at this time, while plans to purchase homes fell slightly but remained strong at nearly 7 percent,” Lonnstrom said.

SRI conducted its survey of consumer sentiment between Sept. 8 and Sept. 17 by telephone calls conducted in English to 802 New York residents. It has an overall margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.

Five Star Urgent Care changes name to WellNow Urgent Care

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Five Star Urgent Care has rebranded and changed its name to WellNow Urgent Care. The organization describes itself as “one of New York’s fastest growing urgent-care providers.” “Effective immediately and over the next couple of months,” the transition will apply to all existing and future Five Star Urgent Care locations, the company said in a news

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New York manufacturing index posts small increase in October

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

The Empire State Manufacturing survey general business-conditions index rose 2 points to 21.1 in October, signaling some acceleration in the pace of growth in New York’s manufacturing sector. The October reading is “pointing to a slightly faster pace of growth than in September,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in the survey report

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The Empire State Manufacturing survey general business-conditions index rose 2 points to 21.1 in October, signaling some acceleration in the pace of growth in New York’s manufacturing sector.

The October reading is “pointing to a slightly faster pace of growth than in September,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in the survey report issued Oct. 15.

The latest month’s result is a rebound from the 7 point decline in September, which indicated a slowing of manufacturing growth.

A positive reading in the general business-conditions index indicates expansion or growth in state manufacturing activity, while a negative number shows a decline in the sector.

The survey found 36 percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 15 percent said that conditions had worsened.

Survey details

The new-orders index and the shipments index both showed “strong growth,” with the first index moving up 6 points to 22.5 and the second climbing 12 points to 26.3. Unfilled orders decreased, inventories “held steady,” and delivery times “continued to lengthen,” the New York Fed said.

The index for number of employees came in at 9.0 and the average-workweek index fell to 0.2, “indicating a modest increase in employment levels and no change in the length of the workweek.”

Price increases slowed somewhat but remained “elevated.” The prices-paid index fell 4 points to 42.0, and the prices-received index edged down to 14.3.

New York manufacturing firms remained “moderately optimistic” about the six-month outlook.

The index for future business conditions was “little changed” at 29.0, and the indexes for future new orders and shipments “pointed to continued solid growth.”

Respondents expected employment to increase in the months ahead, and the indexes for future prices “remained elevated.” The capital-expenditures index came in at 16.0, and the technology-spending index was at 9.2.

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.

Giovanni’s Big Cheese Pizzeria in Oneida formally opens under new ownership

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Regional News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

ONEIDA — Giovanni’s Big Cheese Pizzeria in Oneida recently formally opened under new ownership. The business, led by new owners Giovanni and Rosalinda Purpura, held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event at its 118 Phelps St. location on Oct. 9 with the Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce. The new owners took over in the spring,

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Loretto preps for future dementia care with $11 million project

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DeWITT — Citing data from the Chicago, Illinois–based Alzheimer’s Association, Loretto is preparing for the time when more people will require memory care and memory-care facilities. The organization has plans for an $11 million project involving renovations and new construction to “expand and enhance” dementia care at three of its locations. They include the Nottingham in

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DeWITT — Citing data from the Chicago, Illinois–based Alzheimer’s Association, Loretto is preparing for the time when more people will require memory care and memory-care facilities.

The organization has plans for an $11 million project involving renovations and new construction to “expand and enhance” dementia care at three of its locations.

They include the Nottingham in DeWitt, along with the Heritage and the Cunningham buildings on Loretto’s main campus in Syracuse, Loretto said in a news release.

“Loretto is the only organization in Central New York that can support all dementia levels and all income levels. Through this initiative, we are investing even more in the care that we provide as the need grows and this disease evolves,” Dr. Kimberly Townsend, president and CEO of Loretto, contended.

The organization announced the project during an Oct. 19 news conference and groundbreaking ceremony at the Nottingham.

Loretto in its release cited data from the Alzheimer’s Association indicating that the number of Americans age 65 and older living with memory loss is projected to jump from 5.1 million in 2016 to 16 million in 2050. Nearly 18 percent of that growth will happen in New York.

The memory loss would be the result of Alzheimer’s and other dementia conditions, Loretto noted.

Donation

The work at the Nottingham will include a new building, which will be called the Borer Center for Aging Excellence.

Frank and Patti Borer and their family have pledged $1 million to Loretto’s RememberMe Capital Campaign in support of the memory-care initiative.

The campaign’s goal is $5 million, Julie Sheedy, VP of marketing and the Foundation, tells CNYBJ in an email.

Loretto is already over the $3.6 million mark in the RememberMe Capital Campaign, “thanks to the Borers and others who have already contributed to this campaign,” per the release.

For their donation, Loretto honored the Borers with its Legacy Award during its annual luncheon held Oct. 18.

Project details

Providence, Rhode Island–based Gilbane Building Co., which has a Syracuse office, is the contractor for the project, according to information that Sheedy provided CNYBJ.

QPK Design of Syracuse is providing architectural and civil-engineering services. John P. Stopen Engineering, also of Syracuse, is handling the structural-engineering work.

The Center for Aging Excellence at the Nottingham will include a new living community for residents living with dementia. The facility will “enable residents to maintain their independence for as long as possible without jeopardizing their safety,” Loretto said.

The Nottingham Center for Aging Excellence will also provide classrooms, offices, and common spaces to support continuing education for staff and family on the care and treatment of those with dementia.

The Heritage will undergo renovations to incorporate the latest designs and technology to support residents with dementia. Loretto describes the Heritage as the “first residential program of its kind in Central New York created to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.”

The Cunningham, which houses a dedicated dementia floor for the most advanced-stage residents, will also undergo renovations to implement the latest designs and technology to meet the needs of those in the late stages of the disease. The renovations will include upgraded window treatments to optimize use of natural light.

It’ll also include new technology, such as headphones and computers, to provide various options for residents to benefit from calming music and interactive games to stimulate memory and reduce agitation.

Northern Credit Union converts to state charter

Banks & Credit Unions, Regional News, Subscriber Only

WATERTOWN — The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has approved Northern Credit Union’s application to convert its charter to conduct business to a New York State charter, effective Oct. 18. Prior to the conversion, Northern Credit Union operated as Northern Federal Credit Union, the DFS said in an Oct. 1 news release.

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Prior to the conversion, Northern Credit Union operated as Northern Federal Credit Union, the DFS said in an Oct. 1 news release.

In addition to the charter conversion, Northern Credit Union announced it has broken ground on a new branch office in Adams.

Northern Credit Union currently serves about 30,000 members through seven locations across the North Country and through an online and mobile-banking program.

Charter conversion

With the charter conversion, the credit union will now be able to expand its community-based field of membership to serve people, businesses, and other legal entities in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Oswego, Clinton, Franklin, Onondaga, and Madison counties.

Northern’s current field of membership includes Jefferson, Lewis and parts of St. Lawrence counties and the credit union has assets of $244 million.

“As the need for increased accessibility to financial options grows within our communities, so does our commitment to Northern and Central New York,” Dan St. Hilaire, president and CEO of Northern Credit Union, said in the DFS release. “Becoming a state-charted credit union and expanding our field of membership will enable the progression of our core mission of providing personalized service and banking solutions to enhance the financial well-being to a greater number of families and individuals. We look forward to a long-lasting, mutual value partnership with DFS, our communities, and members.”

New York currently has a total of 139 state-chartered commercial banks, savings banks and bank-holding companies; 15 state-chartered credit unions; 84 foreign branches; 10 foreign agencies; and 27 representative offices, with assets totaling more than $1.8 trillion.

Adams location

Northern Credit Union’s new building is located on County Route 178, just off Interstate 81. The credit union says it will provide “easier access” to southern Jefferson County members and those who frequently travel on I-81.

The upcoming branch is replacing the existing office along Route 11 in Adams, Northern said in an email response to a CNYBJ inquiry. The credit union didn’t provide a cost figure for the project.

Northern Credit Union expects contractors to complete construction by late spring 2019.

GYMO Architecture, Engineering, & Land Surveying of Watertown is the site architect and engineer, and Hueber-Breuer Construction Co. Inc. of Syracuse is the general contractor on the project.

The new branch will have a self-service area with two “personal tellers” with “ATM functionality.” The exterior will offer three drive-thru lanes including three “personal tellers” that members can also use as ATMs.

The branch interior will offer an automatic coin machine; two offices to connect members directly with lenders and advisors through secure video chat; a conference room that features the same technology; a children’s play area and refreshment zone; and a tablet-equipped waiting area.

“We’re elated to make this significant investment for members in southern Jefferson and northern Oswego counties and hope they will enjoy their modern relationship center and convenient new location,” St. Hilaire said in a credit union news release.

SBA announces FY 2018 small-business loan data, top regional lenders

Banks & Credit Unions, Small Business, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Oct. 11 released its fiscal year (FY) 2018 lending report, with 670 7(a) and 504 loan approvals valued at $177 million across the 34-county Syracuse district. “Small businesses in upstate New York are accessing the affordable capital they need to start and expand with SBA-backed loans,”

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“Small businesses in upstate New York are accessing the affordable capital they need to start and expand with SBA-backed loans,” Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the SBA Syracuse district office, said in a release.

Paprocki also announced the most active lenders in the Central New York and Southern Tier regions for federal fiscal year 2018 that ended Sept. 30. In Central New York, Buffalo–based M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB); Pittsfield, Massachusetts–based Berkshire Bank; and Utica–based Adirondack Bank had the highest number of 7(a) approvals in their respective categories, based on asset size.

In the Southern Tier, M&T Bank; Five Star Bank, which is based in Warsaw in Wyoming County; and Tioga State Bank, which is based in Spencer in Tioga County, had the highest number of 7(a) approvals in their respective categories, based on asset size.

The 7(a) loan program is the most widely used access-to-capital SBA program, with flexible use of proceeds and a loan maximum of $5 million.

The SBA’s 504 program offers long-term, fixed-rate financing for major assets such as land, building, and equipment with a loan maximum of $5 million.

Overall lending

For the 12th straight year, M&T Bank topped all large commercial banks in the Central New York region and the entire 34-county Syracuse district in small-business lending, the SBA said. M&T Bank in fiscal year 2018 assisted small businesses in Central New York with 58 loans at a value of $3.3 million and district-wide with 102 loans totaling $7.8 million.

For the fourth year in a row, Berkshire Bank was the most active large community lender in the Central New York region and the entire Syracuse district. Berkshire Bank approved 45 loans to Central New York businesses, valued at $4.2 million and 92 loans district-wide worth $10.2 million.

Adirondack Bank was the top small community lender in Central New York with 12 loan approvals valued at $6.3 million.

For the 12th year in a row, M&T Bank topped all large commercial banks in the Southern Tier, per the agency’s news release. M&T Bank in fiscal year 2018 assisted small businesses in the Southern Tier with 33 loans at a value of $3.5 million.

Five Star Bank was the most active large community lender in the Southern Tier for the fourth year in a row, with 20 loans valued at $723,800.

For the second year in a row, Tioga State Bank ranked the top small community lender in the Southern Tier with five approvals worth $409,400.

“Strong relationships with our lending partners and streamlined application processes will continue to help more … entrepreneurs use SBA financing to create jobs and invest in their businesses and communities,” Paprocki said in describing the activity in both the Central New York and Southern Tier regions.

The SBA doesn’t make direct loans to small businesses, but the agency says its use of its guaranty authority enables commercial lenders to make loans to small businesses they would otherwise not have made.

The SBA Central New York region encompasses the 13 counties of Cayuga, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and St. Lawrence.

The SBA Southern Tier region covers the 10 counties of Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins.

The other 11 counties in the 34-county Syracuse District are in the Capital region.

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