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Utica staffing firm, M3 Placement & Partnership, grows its ranks and revenue
UTICA — M3 Placement & Partnership, a Utica–based staffing and placement firm, has more than doubled its revenue in the last year and is poised for more growth, according to owner and CEO Mary Malone McCarthy, who founded the business in 2011. “We’ve been busier than I could have ever imagined,” she says, declining […]
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UTICA — M3 Placement & Partnership, a Utica–based staffing and placement firm, has more than doubled its revenue in the last year and is poised for more growth, according to owner and CEO Mary Malone McCarthy, who founded the business in 2011.
“We’ve been busier than I could have ever imagined,” she says, declining to disclose specific financial figures.
The firm added a fourth employee this fall, and moved into a larger office space situated at 110 Lomond Court in Utica at the end of October, according to McCarthy. The new office is 1,500 square feet, whereas the firm’s former home — located at 4350 Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford — was fewer than 1,000 square feet. The firm simply outgrew the previous location, she says.
M3 Placement & Partnership is leasing the space from Utica–based Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp., which spent 12 weeks renovating the space, McCarthy says.
“The office part is beautiful,” she says. “It was all in great shape, it was just making it fit to what we needed.” She declined to provide the cost of the renovations.
M3 Placement & Partnership held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 3 at the new office.
M3 Placement & Partnership is the firm’s operating name. Its parent company is M3 Business Services, according to McCarthy.
Coming off a strong 2015 performance, McCarthy intends to keep her foot on the gas pedal, with plans to double M3’s revenue again in the next 12 to 24 months. “I know those are aggressive goals, and we want to do that the right way.”
One reason for the firm’s considerable growth is its certification as a woman-owned business enterprise, which it received two years ago from Empire State Development’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development, McCarthy says.
Thirty percent of state contracts are required to go to minority- or women-owned business enterprises, in accordance with efforts by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration to grow such businesses.
In November, M3 Placement & Partnership submitted for a national certification as a woman-owned business with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, according to McCarthy.
McCarthy was taught by her father to go farther for clients than they expect, a philosophy she believes has greatly contributed to her firm’s growth. “The customers are so pleased when you strive to exceed their expectations every day.”
Some of the company’s clients “are referring us to people outside the area,” which has also aided M3’s growth.
The focus moving forward is to take the model M3 has, continue to improve it, and begin expanding its client base throughout the Northeast, McCarthy says.
Developing a close relationship with clients by thoroughly vetting and understanding what kind of employee the firm is seeking is key to M3’s model.
Most clients are seeking to fill a single position, McCarthy explains. In those cases, M3 speaks with the team members of the future employee, that company’s executive team, its search team, and any other relevant people, to identify the attributes of an ideal hire. And McCarthy says she and her team learn from each of their client companies.
Some customers may come to her firm looking to put together an entire team composed of new hires, and McCarthy’s team has a window of time to assemble it for the client. In addition, M3 Placement & Partnership can also provide help with the on-boarding/orientation processes.
McCarthy sees the growth of her company as a microcosm of the area’s business environment. “It just shows the economic livelihood in our region right now,” she says, adding that a lot of executive-level positions have been or are becoming available, making the region more attractive to outsiders.
“This is a great place to relocate to,” is a line that McCarthy says she frequently hears from prospective hires about the Mohawk Valley.
TCAD prefers “homegrown” economic gardening
ITHACA — “TCAD (Tompkins County Area Development) doesn’t spend a lot of time trying to attract new businesses to the area,” avers Michael Stamm, president of the economic-development agency. “Our focus is primarily on developing homegrown businesses. We have a very large base of entrepreneurs and tech businesses supported by a strong higher-education community. [It’s
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ITHACA — “TCAD (Tompkins County Area Development) doesn’t spend a lot of time trying to attract new businesses to the area,” avers Michael Stamm, president of the economic-development agency. “Our focus is primarily on developing homegrown businesses. We have a very large base of entrepreneurs and tech businesses supported by a strong higher-education community. [It’s fair to say] … that Tompkins County is a full-fledged, startup hub with 100 companies forming a vibrant business ecosystem. That makes us unique [in this region].”
The Tompkins County startups represent a wide range of industries. The Ithaca Beer Co. is adding a new bottling line, a new packaging line, a barrel-aging room, and a larger cooler. BinOptics, a technology company that manufactures lasers for data and telecommunications, is renovating and expanding its space. The company was sold last year for $230 million and elected to stay in Ithaca. Incodema 3D, an industrial 3D printing company, opened a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing site this year to produce metal and plastic products primarily for the aeronautical and health-care industries. The business plan anticipates that Incodema 3D will, within a few years, be the largest industrial firm of its type in the country. Kionix, Inc., which manufactures accelerometers, now employs more than 200 people. The founder of Kionix, Greg Galvin, has gone on to found other startups, including Rheonix, Inc.
Other area startups include Ursa Space Systems, a space-systems integration company that provides spacecraft and space-based intelligence data; Rosie Applications, a leading SaaS provider of predictive, online- and mobile-shopping applications; GiveGab, a social network for volunteers; and South Hill Cider, a producer of small-batch, hard cider from the Finger Lakes.
The college scene
“The area is home to Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3),” notes Stamm, “which are all invested in fostering entrepreneurship. The schools encourage students to launch startups and help to turn their technology designs into commercial products. (Most of the startups have a connection to Cornell through research partnerships or facility use.) Last year, Cornell, Ithaca College, and TC3, with funding help from New York State, opened a new downtown incubator called Rev Ithaca Startup Works, which provides both co-working space and resources like networking, mentoring, programs, and events. Rev provides support for all entrepreneurs. In keeping with the community’s goals, anyone can apply to Rev; you don’t have to be affiliated with a school.”
Developing entrepreneurs is not limited to incubators. Ithaca’s mayor, Svante Myrick, wants to build an entrepreneurial environment that is welcoming to all startups. That’s why the mayor promoted a downtown location for Rev. His goal was to attract more local residents. He has also rezoned the city to allow for larger commercial buildings and more mixed-use space to attract entrepreneurs to the city’s downtown district, reduced license fees, and worked to eliminate bureaucratic red tape.
Mission
TCAD was founded in 1964 as a 501(c)(6) corporation to act as the county’s development engine. The mission was to create jobs, strengthen the tax base, and stimulate private-sector investment. “Since 1963, TCAD incentives have stimulated 5 million square feet of new construction and renovation, $800 million of capital investment, and created more than 5,200 jobs,” says Stamm. “TCAD also manages as the county’s industrial-development agency (IDA) where we act as a conduit to the tax-exempt bonds market for not-for-profit projects and act to abate certain local and state taxes. The IDA also offers the City of Ithaca Community Investment Incentive Tax-Abate Program and the Lansing Town Center Incentive Program. Examples of our IDA investments include Harold’s Square, the Carey Building, Advanced Design Consulting, the Downtown Marriott, Dairy One, the Ithaca Beer Co., and BinOptics.
“We also administer a revolving-loan fund of $1.7 million,” continues Stamm, “designed to fill gap-financing for capital projects. Our goal is to add another $300,000 to this fund next year. In 2009, we expanded the program to include loans to high-tech, pre-revenue, startup companies. TCAD typically takes back warrants, [giving us the right to purchase a company’s stock at a specified price within a certain time frame]. Recognizing the inherent risk, the agency has a solid vetting process for each applicant. There has to be a strategic reason for the company to remain in the county, for example, proximity to cutting-edge technology; management must exhibit a strong, personal commitment to staying here; and the company must have the ability to attract and retain a workforce. The agency is also assuming a long-term horizon for these investments, because we need to be patient to increase the [investment] pipeline.”
TCAD works closely with the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board, which is co-located in the same downtown Ithaca office. “We are engaged in a joint venture to study the regional demand for entry-level positions in advanced-manufacturing settings,” notes Stamm. “The goal is to identify and help to train these workers. The private-sector companies teach the technical skills associated with the job, while we focus on soft skills, such as math, teamwork, and how to work independently. Our office is currently conducting a study to create a workforce center for ages 18-45. I expect the study to be completed in the first quarter of 2016.The goal is to ensure that the county has a trained workforce to fill all of the new positions being created. The workforce center would be led and funded by the private sector; our role would be to act as the facilitator.” The office also houses a representative of the Small Business Development Center.
Stamm points out another area of concern for TCAD. “The agency is very concerned that our infrastructure matches or exceeds the demand put on it,” observes Stamm. “The county has to be sure our water and sewer capacities are adequate to accommodate our growth. In the area of transportation, the airport is critical to expedite travel. Fortunately, we currently have all three major air carriers — American, United, and Delta — serving the airport. But we need to be cognizant that the industry is moving to 75-seat jets for its regional travel. That means we have to be proactive and help the airlines fill their seats by promoting their service. The challenge of adequate broadband is critical in our high-tech setting, and fortunately the county is in good shape. We do have the proverbial last-mile challenge, but it’s not a major hurdle. Then there is the question of energy. We have established a task force to be sure we can support our growth, with particular attention paid to the shortage of natural gas distributed within the county. And finally, the county is focused on ensuring adequate housing suited to a diverse workforce.”
Revenue model
From its inception, TCAD created an unusual revenue model supported equally by a grant from the county, fee-based income, and investment from local employers. In recent years, the agency came to depend, in large measure, on fees. Judging the funding model to be unsustainable, TCAD, at the direction of the board of directors, turned to the Tompkins County Legislature for a five-year commitment to underwrite one-third of the operational budget. The legislature approved the measure unanimously. The agency then turned to the business community to commit $1.4 million over the same five-year period. The campaign, called Transform Tompkins, was launched in February 2014. The goal was exceeded by $300,000. TCAD’s long-term, revenue projections from fee income is adequate to cover one-third of TCAD’s annual operating budget, which is projected at $782,000 in 2016. The 2014 annual report posted the agency’s total net assets at just under $3 million.
To expand its development efforts, TCAD established a foundation in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) corporation. “We have identified a number of national foundations interested in supporting economic development and workforce training,” states Stamm. “We are ramping up slowly in this area, but have already secured a [$56,638] grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will partially fund the study. The feasibility study, which covers a three-county region, will determine whether the [defined] market warrants setting up a business incubator center serving the food-processing sector. We have already identified two consultants: a food-manufacturing industry expert and a business-incubator expert. The study should be completed by the first quarter of 2016. Our foundation’s study is directed at just one of six, key sectors essential to diversifying the county’s economic development: higher education, manufacturing, technology, food/beverage, tourism, and agriculture. That’s where we see the maximum return on our investments.”
The expanding startup scene is helping to drive a revitalization of Ithaca. In just the past three years, the city has benefitted from $300 million in real-estate development funding, compared to just $150 million over the past decade. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), last year the city enjoyed about $22 million in venture funding. “We need to attract more venture capital (VC),” acknowledges Stamm. “The Cayuga Venture Fund, for example, which invests from the seed to the growth stage [and focuses on businesses in Upstate and those with a significant Cornell–technology connection], does a great job. Cayuga Venture has supported a number of successful area startups, among them Advion, BinOptics, e2e, Ecovation, Kionix, Mezmeriz, and Rheonix. Recently, DFJ (the venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson) made two local investments, which is an indication that Tompkins County is gaining national recognition.” (DFJ, started in 1985 by the three eponymous founders and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, has raised more than $4 billion and invested in more than 300 companies, including foursquare, twitter, tumblr., Tesla, and Netzero.) “While these investments … [highlight] our growing economy here, I recognize that we need to increase our efforts to attract more VC dollars.” (According to PWC, San Francisco and Berkeley raised $5.3 billion last year.)
For an agency with only five employees, TCAD has an ambitious agenda. “We are charged with developing a thriving regional (county) economy that is diverse, attracting local investing, creating an international reputation, all while protecting our natural resources, supporting a vibrant cultural … [scene], and attracting and retaining quality employment opportunities,” exclaims Stamm. “With limited resources, we have to be very careful about how we allocate our investments and monitor the ROI for each project.”
After three decades at the helm of TCAD, Stamm has no illusions about the magnitude of the task. As the county’s chief economic gardener, he is encouraged by the community’s commitment and by the county’s substantial economic growth. His agency’s cultivation efforts are recognized not only locally, but also by numerous accolades from Kiplinger’s, CNN Money, Forbes, Smart Money, and the Huffington Post, among others, as “a great place to live,” the “smartest city,” “best small places for business and careers,” “Top-10 best places for Millennials,” and “prime workforce growth.” Stamm credits his staff and a dynamic board of directors for TCAD’s success, but recognition for the success of the county’s homegrown-business strategy rests largely with the chief gardener.
The CNY business scene was active in 2015
Business moves, acquisitions, construction projects, and job cuts were among the highlights SYRACUSE — Business acquisitions, leadership changes, company moves and expansions, job additions and cuts, and new programs and business construction — The Central New York Business Journal reviews some of the stories that made headlines in 2015. JANUARY (1/5) Syracuse–based Avalon
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Business moves, acquisitions, construction projects, and job cuts were among the highlights
SYRACUSE — Business acquisitions, leadership changes, company moves and expansions, job additions and cuts, and new programs and business construction — The Central New York Business Journal reviews some of the stories that made headlines in 2015.
JANUARY
(1/5) Syracuse–based Avalon Document Services announced in December 2014 that it had acquired Spaulding Law Printing, an appellate printer that operated at 231 Walton St. in Syracuse. The company didn’t release any terms of the acquisition agreement, which closed in late November.
More than 10 years after launching the coffee-roasting business, Café Kubal owner Matt Godard was preparing to open his fifth retail location in the Creekwalk Commons development at 324 W. Water St. in Syracuse. The company is also working to expand its wholesale business as well.
Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling on Dec. 18, 2014, announced that it plans to build a new scrap-processing plant in Owego. The company had originally discussed building the new operation in western Pennsylvania, but opted instead for its home area after the state on Dec. 17 announced a ban on fracking in New York and no casinos in the region, both of which it viewed as bad economic news for the region.
(1/12) Central New York government leaders reacted to the Jan. 1 death of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Flags on the State Office Building in Syracuse flew at half-staff following Cuomo’s death. The administration of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the elder Cuomo’s son, postponed the State of the State Address to Jan. 12.
(1/19) Seaboard Graphics of Clay acquired Liverpool Litho of Salina in a transaction that closed Jan. 2. The two private firms said they were combining to expand print, warehouse, and design capabilities serving the Syracuse and Central New York region. Seaboard Graphics didn’t disclose any financial terms of the agreement.
The State University of New York (SUNY) board of trustees appointed Alain Kaloyeros as the founding president of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly). The State University system formed SUNY Poly through the merger of the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Albany and the SUNY Institute of Technology in Marcy.
(1/26) CEO confidence across upstate New York in 2014 rose nearly 16 points, with each survey component — current, future, and overall — “well above” 100 in Upstate as a whole and is each of the four regions. That’s according to the “Upstate New York Business Leader Survey” that the Siena (College) Research Institute (SRI) issued in partnership with CNYBJ and other Upstate publications. The CEO confidence level reached its “highest point” in the eight years that SRI has been measuring it.
East Syracuse Chevrolet opened a new off-site lot for “economy” used cars, dubbed “East Syracuse Chevy Economy Corner.” The dealership sees “more and more” people coming in looking for “lower-end” used cars, says Gino Barbuto, dealer/operator of East Syracuse Chevy, explaining the move to launch the new venture.
Hercules Gym, which has operated in the Syracuse area for nearly 40 years, is under new ownership and signed a five-year lease to operate in a new location. Rheta West and Pete Knutsen, the new owners, bought the strength-training facility from Joe Dardano and moved it from 2004 Teall Ave. in Salina to 6361 Thompson Road in DeWitt.
FEBRUARY
(2/2) M&T Bank Corp. (NYSE: MTB) and Paramus, N.J.–based Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. continued their long-time efforts to finalize their merger that was first announced in late August 2012. The two banking companies on Dec. 9, 2014, announced their agreement to move the completion date back from year’s end to April 30. The deal eventually was completed later in 2015.
Isca Design Studio of Oswego renewed its contract with a Fortune-100 health-insurance provider for a third consecutive year. Owner Amy Isca declined to name the company for contractual reasons, but the contract generated revenue growth of 147 percent during 2013.
(2/9) The Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives chose Robert Daino, president and CEO of WCNY, the area’s public broadcaster, as the 2015 recipient of the Crystal Ball Award. The organization annually presents the award to a local businessperson who has contributed to the sales and marketing profession and has worked in community development and support.
Upstate University Hospital earned certification as a “comprehensive stroke center” from Milford, Ohio–based DNV GL Healthcare Inc. (DNV), a hospital accreditation organization. DNV notified the hospital of the designation Jan. 16, and the hospital held a ceremonial event to acknowledge the certification on Jan. 20.
Le Moyne College and the St. Joseph’s College of Nursing said they would use additional grant funding in their partnership that results in a bachelor’s degree for nurses. The collaboration, which started about a decade ago, also now includes several partners using the same education model around New York state. The model involves partnerships between four-year and two-year programs.
(2/16) CenterState CEO on Feb. 2 formally opened the Tech Garden II on the ground floor of the AXA Tower Two at 120 Madison St. in downtown Syracuse. The more than 18,000-square-foot space is an expansion of the Tech Garden, which operates in a 33,000-square-foot space at 235 Harrison St., adjacent to the AXA Towers. The organization also used the event to announce $425,000 in Grants for Growth funding to seven companies.
The Cayuga Economic Development Agency (CEDA) announced it was working to develop a new business accelerator for small companies in need of flexible manufacturing space to develop their products. Andrew Fish, executive director of CEDA and the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce, envisioned a 30,000-square-foot facility for what is being called the Innovation Business Accelerator. The planned launch date was set for June 2016.
Empire Brewing Company on Feb. 10 announced the launch of a new brew called Two Dragons beer, made with tea from China in collaboration with a Chinese company. Empire Brewing announced the partnership with JingWei Fu Tea Company during its news conference at its establishment at 120 Walton St. in Syracuse’s Armory Square area. The partners didn’t disclose financial terms of the deal.
CNY Computer Repair opened an 800-square-foot location at 612 Oswego St. in the village of Liverpool, near the intersection with Tulip St. Company owner Kevin Fairbanks launched the business in 2010. He had been conducting similar work under the name Fairbanks Computer Technologies since 1997.
(2/23) CenterState CEO’s Grants for Growth program will use $1.5 million in state funding to manage technology commercialization and pre-seed stage company investment. The money, from the New York State Innovation Venture Capital Fund program, will leverage the “support, mentoring and commitment” of the state-funded Innovation Hot Spots in Central New York, the North Country, and Southern Tier regions.
The Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) on Feb. 13 formally unveiled its new destination brand for the Greater Syracuse area, with the slogan: “Syracuse. Do Your Thing.” The Syracuse CVB, itself, has also rebranded and now goes by the name, Visit Syracuse. Visit Syracuse indicated that the “Syracuse. Do Your Thing” brand is a nod to the variety of things visitors can do during their stay in the area, and energy and individuality of the region. The brand comes with a new logo, video, and song.
Taste of Europe, a Binghamton restaurant serving Ukrainian, Slovakian, and American cuisine, on Jan. 21 formally opened at its new larger — and newly renovated — location at 440 Court St. in Binghamton. The restaurant first reopened for patrons at the new site last Sept. 17 in time for Binghamton Restaurant Week to help boost turnout, the owners said.
A Shade Different, a Liverpool–based sole proprietorship that provides custom window treatments for residential and commercial customers, had its “best year ever” in 2014, says company owner Diana Keene. A Shade Different in 2014 expanded its product offerings to include custom draperies, roman shades, cornices, swags, valances, and cascades.
Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) announced Feb. 24 it had agreed to acquire Oneida Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ONFC), parent of Oneida Savings Bank, for about $142 million in a mix of stock and cash. Community Bank, based in DeWitt, said it would become the fourth largest bank in the Syracuse metro area, ranked by market share, following the acquisition.
MARCH
(3/2) Fresh Prints, a New York City–based, student-run company that sells custom T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other apparel, has a branch at Syracuse University that generated about $137,000 in revenue in two years. Shaan Baren, the company’s campus manager at Fresh Prints and a Syracuse senior, said the company services several fraternities and sororities.
(3/9) Mary Jo Beach, who retired as the VP and general manager of Townsquare Media’s four radio stations in the Mohawk Valley, opened Oneida County’s first winery (Villa Verona Vineyard) back on Dec. 19, 2014. Beach spent 28 years in media and opening the winery fulfilled a dream, she says.
Utica College President Todd Hutton announced plans to retire on Aug. 1, 2016, the 18th anniversary of his appointment as president. Hutton is Utica College’s eighth president and longest-serving CEO.
A new trampoline park called Get Air Syracuse was under construction at Circle Road Plaza on Frontage Road in Cicero and getting ready to open.
Accelerate Sports Complex, a 96,000-square-foot, multi-purpose indoor sports facility, opened at 5241 Judd Road in Whitesboro. The facility includes a soccer field, three basketball courts, a running track, and indoor batting cages, according to David Kleps, VP of design-build at the Charles A. Gaetano Construction Corp. of Utica.
(3/16) Loretto readied plans to move PACE CNY’s Catherine McAuliffe Center to a new facility at 115 Creek Circle, across from the East Syracuse Fire Station No. 2 in June. The 38,000-square-foot building sits on a 10-acre property that will include parking for 30 shuttle buses and 130 cars. The center has operated at Loretto’s main campus on Brighton Avenue in Syracuse since 2000.
Empire Farmstead Brewery, Inc., a division of Syracuse–based Empire Brewing Company, announced plans to operate under the START-UP NY program. It creates tax-free areas associated with colleges and universities across the state to spur economic growth.
O’Brien & Gere acquired Schuyler Engineering, a Long Island–based firm, in a move to further expand and grow its business in the New York City metropolitan area. The Syracuse–based engineering firm announced the acquisition March 2. It did not disclose any financial terms of the deal.
Areas of the North Country were waiting to find out if the U.S. Army’s budget cuts would impact Fort Drum, home to the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, the largest single-site employer in New York. It was one of nine Army bases nationally that could lose as many as 16,000 troops. Such a cut could lead to of a loss of more than 4,700 additional off-post civilian jobs in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties, according to the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization’s economic model.
Independent Medical Evaluation Company, LLC (IMEC) was hoping to generate additional contract work after becoming certified as a minority and women-owned business enterprise in New York. The firm handles independent medical evaluations on workers’-compensation claims, no-fault liability cases, and other issues, says Amy McEathron, owner and president of IMEC.
(3/23) Welch Allyn, Inc. signed a lease to use the former Mustad Manufacturing and Assembly building at 247 Grant Ave. (State Route 5) in Auburn. The medical-device manufacturer needs the 54,000-square-foot facility for additional warehouse and shipping space, the company said in a statement it issued to CNYBJ on March 10.
Madison County was scheduled to break ground later this year on a 2.4 megawatt solar array, hoping to “significantly reduce energy consumption and pursue renewable-energy sources for all the county’s municipal electric needs.” The nearly $5 million, solar-photovoltaic system is the “cornerstone” of a proposed agriculture and renewable energy business park in the town of Lincoln, just east of Chittenango.
(3/30) The idea of veterans operating their own business “is a noble cause.” Retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste used the phrase in opening his remarks as the keynote speaker at “Operation: Start Up and Grow — 2015 Veteran Business Conference,” the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8th annual business conference held March 19 at SRC Arena on the Onondaga Community College campus.
The SBA a few days earlier announced the launch of “InnovateHER: 2015 Innovating for Women Business Challenge,” a nationwide competition for entrepreneurs focusing on products and services that will benefit women and their families. Both Syracuse and Utica hosted local competitions.
Tully Rinckey PLLC, an Albany–based law firm that operates an office in Syracuse, named Donald Kelly managing partner of the local office. Kelly, who joined the firm in 2012, had previously operated the Kelly Law Office, a sole proprietorship in Syracuse for about 11 years.
APRIL
(4/6) Potbelly Corp. (NASDAQ: PBPB), parent of Chicago–based restaurant chain Potbelly Sandwich Shop, announced plans to enter the Syracuse market in 2015 and was reviewing franchisee inquiries. Potbelly said it targeted Central New York for expansion because of its mix of attractive residential and “growing” business communities.
Baldwinsville–based Seneca Savings Bank disclosed plans to move its Liverpool branch, located at 105 2nd St., to a former NBT Bank building it acquired on Dec. 3 at 7799 Oswego Road in Clay. The bank, previously named Seneca Federal Savings & Loan Association before changing it in 2014, purchased the property for $285,000, according to Onondaga County’s online property records.
Collar’s B’ville Pickle Deli, a new eatery serving hot sandwiches, homemade soups, and salads, held its formal opening on St. Patrick’s Day. John Collar and his wife, Cindy, opened the 530-square-foot deli after more than two months of planning.
The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) announced that president Larry Leatherman planned to retire at the end of 2015. Leatherman had served in the role for a decade.
(4/13) LeChase Construction Services, LLC announced it had acquired C.W. Brown, Inc. of Westchester County to help boost its growth in the downstate area. The contract terms took effect April 1. C.W. Brown will operate as a division of LeChase, which is headquartered near Rochester and operates several office in upstate New York.
A Camillus Byrne Dairy store was one of several local businesses where scammers or unknowing customers presented counterfeit cash to buy goods. The crime is on the rise in the area, including the spread of fake $100 bills, according to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.)
Howard Zemsky, the new president and CEO of Empire State Development (ESD), on April 2 spoke at the annual meeting of CenterState CEO at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter. Zemsky accepted his new role, saying he has “great respect” for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “collaborative” approach to economic development.
CenterState CEO also used the event to introduce its partnership with the new Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (MEA). Edward Cuello, president of MEA’s board of directors, said demographics are changing across the country as he delivered remarks to the gathering at Oncenter.
(4/20) The Asia Food Market at 1449 Erie Blvd. E. held its grand opening on March, and six weeks later, had generated about $300,000 in sales. That’s according to Qing Li, who co-owns the new market with his business partner, Rockey Ren. Li says the store averages more than 1,000 customers on weekdays and 1,500 to 2,000 customers on weekends.
Crouse Hospital unveiled plans to renovate and expand its emergency room in a $35 million project that was in the design phase. The project was to include relocating its PromptCare urgent-care service from its current location across Irving Avenue to the space that the existing emergency department currently occupies.
CORE, a new fast-casual, “active lifestyle” eatery, planned to open in early May at the former location of Jolime Fresh Garden Café in the town of Clay. The opening of CORE at 7265 Buckley Road, its first location, was to follow renovation work at the former Jolime location, which closed late last year.
(4/27) The Watertown City Council on April 6 finalized more than $9 million in construction contracts after voting in favor of a $10.3 million project for the reconstruction and expansion of the Watertown Municipal Arena.
The SBA’s Boots to Business program has trained 25,000 transitioning service members. Maria Contreras-Sweet, SBA administrator, made the announcement on April 21 at Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Boots to Business is the entrepreneurship track of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program. Contreras-Sweet earlier that day spoke at the 13th annual WISE Symposium at the nearby Carrier Dome.
For the Health of It Foods, LLC of Syracuse, which does business as Avocadough, and Daughter for Hire, LLC of Whitesboro were the local winners of the SBA’s InnovateHER: 2015 Innovating for Women Business Challenge, a nationwide competition for entrepreneurs who are developing products and services that will “enhance” the lives of women and their families.
MAY
(5/4) Carubba Collision Corp., an auto-collision repair shop, on April 27 opened its first Central New York location, a 14,000-square-foot facility at 7313 Northern Boulevard, near the corner of East Taft Road in the town of Cicero. Local manager Yves Pierre-Louis says Carubba, which operates several locations in Western New York, had been planning the expansion “for a couple years.”
The fundraising efforts of the Foundation for Upstate Medical University ranked 5th of 64 schools in the SUNY system during fiscal year 2013-14. That’s according to a report that the SUNY administration published and distributed to the various campus presidents. The report combines gifts from individuals, corporations, alumni, and friends.
NBT Bank renovated a branch office on Marshall Street, adjacent to the Syracuse University campus and surrounded by a plethora of health-care providers. The 900-square-foot office serves as a model for the digital, retail branch of the future. The office relies on self-service technology combined with interaction by knowledgeable staff, the bank said.
Actor Ron Perlman on April 27 visited and toured the Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries, where he planned to locate a movie-production studio. The DeWitt facility will specialize in providing advanced visual-production research and education to support upstate New York’s film and television industry.
(5/11) General Super Plating Company of DeWitt closed March 31, bookending a month that saw all 95 of its employees lose their jobs. The job cuts began at the end of February and continued throughout March, says Michael Rusinek, a staff representative with the IUE-CWA labor union, which represented all of the company’s factory workers, or 84 employees.
Norwich Pharmaceuticals, Inc. on April 28 held a groundbreaking for an expansion at the Norwich plant. Charlie Andrews, Norwich Pharma’s VP of operations, noted that “this is the first addition since the facility was built in 1976.” The $26 million expansion was scheduled to add 26,000 square feet to allow for the acquisition and installation of new processing equipment.
Housing Visions Consultants, Inc. and New York State Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) on May 1 held a ceremony at 900 North McBride St. to mark the beginning of work on Salina Crossing, a mixed-use development that will create 49 housing units for low-income households and nearly 6,000 square feet of commercial space.
CH Insurance Brokerage, Inc. of Syracuse said it was partnering with Long Island–based Kreative Health Solutions, Inc. to include its health and wellness program in its employee-benefit offerings.
(5/18) Lynn Pietroski, president and CEO of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, announced plans to leave the organization in early July to become the new COO of the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center (JRC), effective July 6. JRC is a chapter of NYSARC, Inc., a statewide advocacy organization for people with disabilities.
The Syracuse law firm of Cambareri & Cambareri, LLP absorbed the law practice of Robert A. Durr and moved to a larger office space down the street. Durr was appointed the new Onondaga County Attorney.
Syracuse–based Empire Brewing Company on May 8 broke ground on its Farmstead Brewery, an expansion project at 33 Rippleton Road in Cazenovia. David Katleski, president and founder of Empire Brewing, is targeting the end of 2015 to have the brewery “up and operating and in business.” Empire Brewing is expanding its operations under the START-UP NY program, and Morrisville State College is sponsoring the tax-free area under which the Farmstead Brewery will operate.
Organizers of Binghamton Restaurant Week, which ended April 2, say the participating eateries sold 21,164 meals, breaking the event’s previous high set last year. BingSpot, a web-based directory and lifestyle guide to downtown Binghamton and part of Restaurant Week organizing group, issued the final numbers for the 11th edition on the community event on May 8.
CenterState CEO announced the initial group of six teams to compete in Germinator, which it calls the region’s “largest and most comprehensive annual business competition.” The teams include Euphony, Inc.; Life Source Health, Inc.; Sarita; Trainer Engine; Volu, Inc.; and Voss Vertical. The Germinator is a two-year competition for startups with funding rounds every six months.
(5/25) Sunnking Inc., a 15-year-old Brockport–based, electronics-recycling firm, acquired Coast 2 Coast Electronics Recyclers Inc. of Syracuse to give it a brick and mortar presence and grow its business in Syracuse. The cash deal closed on April 6.
Oneida Savings Bank, a unit of Oneida Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ONFC), planned to eliminate 61 back-office positions from its offices in Rome and Oneida between July 17 and July 30. The banking company in late June disclosed it would delay those cuts until late October through a notice on the website of the New York State Department of Labor. The cuts are a result of the impending acquisition of Oneida Financial by DeWitt–based Community Bank System Inc. (NYSE: CBU), parent of Community Bank, N.A.
The Syracuse campus of Bryant & Stratton College launched an occupational-therapy assistant (OTA) program. The program, which has 18 students enrolled, started May 6. The students are working toward earning their degrees in December 2016.
The nonprofit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) awarded F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse a grant of nearly $15,000. F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse will work with HealtheConnections, the Southwest Community Center, and Upstate Medical University to develop a Central New York Citizen’s Aging Research & Action Network (CNY-CAN).
St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center and Livonia, Michigan–based Trinity Health began work on the transition phase after the two organizations on April 28 signed an agreement to have the Syracuse hospital join the Catholic Health system. Trinity Health replaced the Sisters of St. Francis of Neumann Communities as the local, nonprofit sponsor of St. Joseph’s.
JUNE
(6/1) A woman who helped lead an Oswego Health retirement-community affiliate for the past 15 years has also reached retirement. Teresa Ferlito, Oswego Health VP and COO of Springside at Seneca Hill, retired. Springside operates in the town of Volney.
(6/8) New York officials formally designated the SUNY Oswego Metro Center in the Atrium building in Syracuse as a branch campus of the university. The New York State Education Department’s Board of Regents first approved the designation in January, SUNY Oswego said in a news release issued June 1. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Education Department later OK’d the designation in May.
CenterState CEO said it would use a $40,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) to establish an export-catalyst pilot program. It will target the region’s middle-market businesses, according to CenterState CEO. The program will match specialists with area companies to provide analysis and support for export growth.
Kinney Drugs opened its newly relocated Chittenango store on May 27. The new and expanded store is situated in a shopping plaza at 540 Genesee St., about two blocks from Kinney’s previous location at 703 E. Genesee St. The company says it has operated in the Chittenango market for the past 20 years.
The Centers at St. Camillus completed a multi-phased, capital-renovation project as crews finished their work in early April. As the industry moved toward more community-based services, the improvements helped the facility “make things better” for the residents who live there, says Christine Kearney, VP of rehabilitative services & organizational development.
Rsignia, Inc., a Maryland–based cybersecurity technology company, opened a new satellite lab at Griffiss Institute at 725 Daedalian Drive in Rome in early April. Rsignia established the 240-square-foot lab to gain a foothold in upstate New York, according to Nancy Dillman, Rsignia’s president, CEO, and majority owner, citing the region’s “great talent pool” and business opportunities as decisive factors.
(6/15) The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) said it was seeking to buy a property it would lease to Onondaga Community College for the school’s Food Innovation Center, a program the school is developing to train students in food-business management. The property is one of two adjacent parcels at 435 and 437 North Salina St., respectively, according to an OCIDA document. The Greater Syracuse Land Bank owns both properties.
Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) said it expects its Syracuse-area plant (town of Salina) will be among those working to support the MEADS program that the defense contractor will provide for Germany. MEADS is short for medium extended air-defense system. MEADS will replace Patriot air-defense systems initially fielded in the 1980s, Lockheed Martin announced on June 9. Media reports said it could be worth up to $4.5 billion total for the companies involved.
Performance Systems Development, an Ithaca–based firm that develops tools and provides services to improve energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings, was awarded $1 million by the U.S. Department of Energy on May 5 to pilot a new program called OpenEfficiency Initiative. It seeks to improve the energy efficiency of commercial and multi-family buildings nationwide by helping standardize the different incentive program offered to building owners to invest in using higher-efficiency building models.
Rochester–based LaBella Associates, D.P.C., an architectural and engineering firm, on June 1 launched a new division that focuses on power systems. LaBella operates local offices in the Syracuse Tech Garden and at 202 The Commons in Ithaca.
(6/22) Hill-Rom Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HRC) announced plans to acquire Welch Allyn Inc. for about $2.05 billion in cash and stock. Hill-Rom, a medical-technology company, has corporate offices in Chicago and Batesville, Indiana, according to its website. The transaction represents a “compelling opportunity” for Welch Allyn with the “right partner” in Hill-Rom, which appreciates the company’s history, strengths, and strategy, Steve Meyer, president and CEO of Welch Allyn, said.
Bates Troy Healthcare Linen Services of Binghamton unveiled a new cogeneration system at the Laurel Street plant on May 27. It is the first micro-grid system installed in the region and is capable of producing enough power for the company to operate its plant completely off the electric grid, even during sustained power outages, says Brian Kradjian, company president.
Mohawk Valley Health System revealed it is cutting 48 jobs and making service changes at its two Utica hospitals after losing $1.7 million in more than a year of operating under an affiliation agreement. MVHS is an affiliation of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center, both of Utica. The two organizations teamed up in March 2014.
Green & Brenneck PCs, which has branded itself as Team Green Lawyers, PLLC, is a growing local criminal-defense law firm of local, former prosecutors. Attorneys Tim Green and Scott Brenneck are the co-managing partners of the firm, which they launched in May 2014.
(6/29) The board of directors of Welch Allyn Inc. decided to sell the Skaneateles Falls–based manufacturer of medical-diagnostic equipment to Hill-Rom Holdings Inc. to get more “scale and relevance” in a consolidating health-care industry. That’s according to Eric Allyn, co-chairman of the Welch Allyn board of directors and a Welch Allyn founding family member.
James Reed, senior VP of sales and marketing at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, added to his duties when he became regional president. Reed previously held the regional president position from 2008 to 2009. He replaced Dr. Arthur Vercillo, who retired from the position effective July 1, the nonprofit said. Vercillo said he would continue to devote his time to his local surgical practice.
Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud on June 19 announced he had selected Mark Coyle as the next athletics director of the Orange. Coyle came to Syracuse from Boise State. The school on June 22 introduced Coyle during an event in the George R. Iocolano and William C. Petty Football Wing of Manley Field House.
The Ogdensburg International Airport (OGS) needs a bigger runway so Allegiant Air (NASDAQ: ALGT) can land its planes when it starts providing air service there in November 2016. Allegiant Air decided in 2014 to offer flights from Ogdensburg. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) said he wants the Federal Aviation Administration to approve federal funding so the airport can extend its runway.
Global Resource Options Inc., which does business as groSolar, said it was preparing to build a 1 megawatt solar project on a site that the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority owns in St. Lawrence County. The firm, which has main offices in Columbia, Maryland and White River Junction, Vermont, also designed the project and will operate it.
JULY
(7/6) Empire State Development on June 18 joined CenterState CEO in the local announcement of Genius NY, a business competition that the Syracuse Tech
Garden will host. Genius NY, which will invest $3 million in participating companies, is short for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York.
The Hotel Syracuse, which opened in 1924, will become the Marriott Syracuse Downtown when crews finish the renovation work in 2016. Hotel owner Ed Riley announced the facility would become part of Marriott International’s (NASDAQ: MAR) flagship Marriott Hotels brand during a June 25 news conference inside the hotel.
New York awarded more than $13 million in state funding to the Verona Beach and Green Lakes state parks for improvement projects at each location. The funding is part of the NY Parks 2020 initiative.
Construction got underway on a five-story addition to the Carey Building, a two-story building in downtown Ithaca. The addition includes one floor specifically meant for current tenant Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, a business incubator, which will double its space. Rev: Ithaca is a collaboration between Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College.
(7/13) Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, PC (SOS) unveiled plans to open a 6,000-square-foot office for its orthopedic and sports-therapy (OST) group at 5417 West Genesee St. in Camillus. SOS OST specializes in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries, sports-related injuries, and post-surgical care.
The Syracuse–based law firm DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers said it would move to a new building it seeks to construct at 6739 Myers Road in DeWitt. The firm has operated at 121 East Water St. in Syracuse since it was founded in 2002.
Jeffrey Gural, the owner of Tioga Downs Casino Racing & Entertainment in Nichols in Tioga County, submitted the only proposal at the July 6 deadline for a fourth gaming license in the Southern Tier. Gural spoke about his plans at the facility on July 7. He had announced on Jan. 16 that he’d pursue the fourth casino license that the New York State Gaming Commission agreed to reconsider.
JADAK, LLC merged with Bedford, Massachusetts–based General Scanning Printer Technologies, a firm that JADAK parent GSI Group Inc. also owns. JADAK is a Cicero–based manufacturer of machine vision, radio-frequency identification (RFID), and bar-code products for health care and life-science industries.
Anheuser-Busch announced plans to invest $4.5 million in its Baldwinsville-area plant, part of an overall $1.5 billion investment in the firm’s U.S. brewing, agriculture, packaging, and distributing operations by 2018. The facility, located on Route 31 in the town of Lysander, will use the $4.5 million to increase “capabilities required to deliver” some Anheuser-Busch products.
(7/20) Construction of a new Hampton Inn & Suites, proposed to replace the soon-to-be-shuttered Syracuse Ramada at 1305 Buckley Road in Salina, moved one step closer to the launch pad. The existing Ramada location will be demolished and its 74 jobs lost, according to Anthony Mangano, who co-owns the 150-room Ramada and five other hotels with his cousin, Carmen Emmi, Jr. Mangano estimates a project cost of between $15 million and $16 million.
The Digital Hyve, a digital-marketing agency that started as CNY Marketer in 2010, settled into a new space at Plum Court at 528 Plum St. in Syracuse’s Franklin Square. The firm moved there from its previous location at 499 S. Warren St. in early May and shares space with Mooney Marketing Group, says Jeff Knauss, president and managing partner of the Digital Hyve. Jacob (Jake) Tanner, the firm’s CEO and managing partner, launched the company in 2010.
The Delmonico Insurance Agency, an independent, family-owned firm, unveiled plans to move to a larger office in the fall. The agency was also interviewing to add staff even before the move. The firm planned to relocate its headquarters from its 2,000-square-foot space at 901 Lodi St. in Syracuse to a 3,500-square-foot space in the office building at 906 Spencer St. near The Gem diner.
(7/27) Northern Safety and Industrial, a Frankfort–based company that sells safety and industrial supplies, expects significant growth with its pending acquisition by Germany–based Wirth Group. CEO and owner Salvatore Longo decided to sell following a “lengthy and comprehensive process” to find a partner company to invest in it, according to Neil Sexton, company president.
Lockheed Martin on July 20 announced its acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. for $9 billion. Sikorsky, which specializes in the design, manufacture, and service of military and commercial helicopters, is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), the parent company of Carrier Corp., which has operations in DeWitt.
Finger Lakes on Tap, a new bar preparing to open at 35 Fennell St. in Skaneateles, is expected to feature beers made by the state’s growing farm-brewer population. Owner Thomas Ierardi says Finger Lakes on Tap will have 51 taps for beers produced in the state, and another nine taps for craft beers from out of state.
Construction-site work on the planned $30 million UHS Comprehensive Orthopedic Center is underway at 4433 State Route 434 (the Vestal Parkway) in Vestal. UHS expects the 68,000-square-foot facility, which crews are building next to UHS Vestal, to open in late 2016.
AUGUST
(8/3) Ceramics Corridor, a Southern Tier economic-development agency, on June 30 changed its name to IncubatorWorks, a d/b/a of the parent company Alfred Technology Resources Inc. (ATRI). ATRI is a nonprofit that promotes economic development in the region. ATRI is also developing a new facility at the Elmira Airport Park, offering manufacturing space and support services for startups.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner on July 23 announced a $10 million state grant that the city will use to investigate water-main breaks “where we believe we have had weaknesses.” Miner’s office of innovation is working with the departments of water and public works on the project targeting infrastructure improvement, maintenance, and repair.
The St. Lawrence Health System (SLHS) neared the start of construction on a 56,000-square-foot medical facility off U.S. Route 11 in the town of Canton. The project is expected to cost $33.7 million, including the $900,000 price of the 270-acre plot acquired last year by the SLHS, according to David Ackers, CEO of SLHS and president and CEO of Canton-Potsdam Hospital.
(8/10) Coyne International Enterprises Corp., a Syracuse–based commercial laundry-service company, recently filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors as it reorganizes its finances. The firm, which does business as Coyne Textile Services, submitted the filing as it also works to complete three planned sales of its operating units, which will cut 95 jobs in other markets.
Construction crews started work on #BLVD404 at 404 University Ave., a student-housing project near the SU campus. The project cost is about $18 million. Jared Hutter, managing principal of BLVD Equities, said he expects crews to have the structure ready for student living in the fall of 2016.
Associated Medical Professionals of NY, PLLC, is renovating part of its main clinical office in Syracuse, located at 1226 East Water St. It freed up space by moving 45 administrative staff to a new corporate headquarters in the town of Salina earlier in the summer. Its new headquarters is in an office building at 100 Metropolitan Park Drive in a space topping 8,000 square feet, according to Christopher Williamson, the firm’s COO.
The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) on July 31 announced an average health-insurance rate increase of 9.8 percent by insurance carriers in the small-group market. The DFS-approved rate increase was 32 percent below the insurance carriers’ average rate-increase request of more than 14 percent, DFS said.
(8/17) Randy Yerden, CEO of BioSpherix, Ltd., reorganized the Oswego County–based company into two divisions: BioSpherix Lab and BioSpherix Medical. The change is in response to the growing demand in the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated industries by focusing the divisions’ research, sales, and marketing efforts to align with their respective markets.
Finger Lakes Business Services Inc. (FLBS), a firm that operates answering services for businesses, expanded its headquarters in Auburn, moving into space a neighboring tenant had vacated. FLBS also acquired the telephone-answering service operations from Watertown–based S.T.A.T. Communications Inc. and launched an answering-service call center in Watertown.
A Syracuse startup called BitReady, Ltd. developed an online currency exchange and purchasing service that allows online consumers to swap dollars for the digital currency bitcoin at the point of sale for online purchases. The service was set to launch in mid-August.
(8/24) A chemical plant in Syracuse, owned by Toronto–based Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund, is installing a new cleaning system that it says will reduce the nitrogen oxide gases in its air emissions by about 90 percent. The Chemtrade plant, located at 1421 Willis Ave., produces sodium nitrite, which it sells to a variety of other industries, according to plant manager Robert Amend.
The Fulton Companies — a business based in the Oswego County town of Richland that engineers, manufactures, and sells commercial and industrial heat-transfer equipment — is moving its commercial heating division to Onondaga County. The division, known as Fulton Heating Solutions Inc. (FHS) plans to shift many of its services to a building it recently acquired in the town of Cicero, situated at 6298 Running Ridge Road, says Erin Sperry, director of commercial heating products at FHS.
Liberty Electric Sales Inc., a DeWitt–based manufacturer’s representative agency, acquired Empire State Sales Co. of Saratoga Springs. The transaction closed Aug. 1, says Edward (Ed) McMahon, president and sole owner of Liberty Electric Sales. He declined to disclose the acquisition cost.
(8/31) U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) introduced the “Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Company Act of 2015,” a bill that seeks to create and keep “high-paying, high-skilled” manufacturing jobs in the U.S. The Democrat promoted the bill during a stop at the headquarters of JADAK, LLC at 7279 William Barry Blvd. in Cicero.
Empire State Development (ESD) recognized the entrepreneurial-assistance program (EAP) at the South Side Innovation Center (SSIC) as one of its 2015 Award for Excellence recipients. The recognition was part of the recent Entrepreneurial Assistance Program Conference. The state also recognized EAPs in the Capital Region and Finger Lakes.
Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney proclaimed the Lakeview Amphitheater, a new area performing-arts center built at a price tag of $50 million, ready to host concerts. She held the certificate of occupancy as she spoke with reporters Aug. 25 on the Geddes hillside above the amphitheater that overlooks Onondaga Lake. The venue hosted its first concert with country music star Miranda Lambert two days later.
Galaxy Communications formally opened its new headquarters in the renovated Landmarc Building in downtown Utica. The company’s Utica office was previously located at 39 Kellogg Rd. in New Hartford. Syracuse–based Galaxy Communications operates radio stations in both the Utica and Syracuse markets. It also has divisions that focus on events and sports marketing.
RealtyUSA, which says it is the largest independent real-estate agency in upstate New York, began constructing a three-story office building at 5110 West Genesee St. in Camillus. The new facility — almost 16,000 square feet in size — will be RealtyUSA’s Central New York division headquarters.
SEPTEMBER
(9/7) More than a dozen upstate New York companies won funding awards in the 14th round of CenterState CEO’s Grants for Growth program. The organization announced a total of $676,000 in funding awards during an Aug. 27 event at the Syracuse Tech Garden. The winners included LC Drives, a firm located at the Clarkson University incubator center in Potsdam, which won an award of $125,000.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Sept. 1 announced a $50 million redesign plan for the New York State Fairgrounds, which will include a new multi-purpose exposition center, larger midway, and a 400-site recreational vehicle (RV) park. Cuomo wants the Fairground property to serve as a “year-round, premier multi-use facility that can attract more events and visitors from across the nation.”
(9/14) Seal & Design Inc., headquartered in the Buffalo area, bought the assets of Higbee Inc., a Syracuse-area manufacturer of gasket and sealing products. The cash deal, which closed on Aug. 31, also includes a consulting contract and non-compete agreement. The parties did not use a broker in the transaction. The new corporate name is Seal & Design, Higbee Division.
The man who has served as dean of Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs since 2011 is into his final months in that role. James Steinberg recently announced that he’ll step down from the position following the 2015-16 academic year.
Snug Planet, LLC — an energy-efficiency company based in Enfield, west of Ithaca — grew its revenue 40 percent in 2014 compared to the previous year. The firm projects 20 percent revenue growth in 2015, says Jon Harrod, who co-owns Snug Planet, along with this wife, Elisabeth.
Cortland Research, LLC is developing a technology called the Pounce system, which the company says can help control a building’s energy use. Pounce, which Cortland Research trademarked, is an acronym for point-of-use, network-controlled, energy-management system, says Steve McMahon, majority owner of Cortland Research.
(9/21) The Texas–based company Movie Tavern, a movie cinema chain that provides full-service dining inside its theaters, broke ground on its first New York location at Township 5 in Camillus. The 48,020-square-foot facility will feature 11 theaters, from which moviegoers can order food and drinks, including wine, beer, and cocktails, before and during a movie.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield says it “had no indication” that a cyberattack on its information-technology systems had occurred until a cybersecurity firm it had retained discovered it. That’s according to Elizabeth Martin, VP of communications at Excellus. Martin provided responses to CNYBJ follow-up questions in an email after the health insurer announced the cyberattack in a news release on Sept. 9. Rochester–based Excellus, Central New York’s largest health insurer, said it first learned about the breach on Aug. 5. However, the company’s investigation revealed that the initial attack occurred on Dec. 23, 2013. The breach may have affected the personal information of about 7 million Excellus customers. The same attack may have impacted an additional 3.5 million customers of additional affiliates of the Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Excellus’ parent company.
Eric Mower + Associates (EMA), Central New York’s largest advertising, marketing, and PR firm, announced plans to combine with Boston-area based HB Agency in a transaction that closed Aug. 31. EMA didn’t disclose financial terms of the transaction. The combination became effective Oct. 1.
Welch Allyn Inc.’s new owner eliminated 80 jobs companywide, including 50 positions at the medical-device manufacturer’s facility in Skaneateles Falls. The layoffs represent about 3 percent of the firm’s global work force of 2,500, and about 4 percent of its employee count in Skaneateles Falls, Alton Shader, Welch Allyn’s new president, said.
(9/28) Inficon, Inc. plans to work with SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Poly CNSE) on a research and development (R&D) partnership focusing on advanced semiconductor-manufacturing technology that could lead to 50 jobs at SUNY Poly facilities. Switzerland–based Inficon has operations at 2 Technology Place in DeWitt.
Law firms in Rochester and New York City filed a class-action suit on behalf of three customers against Excellus BlueCross BlueShield following the data breach it reported on Sept. 9. Rochester–based Faraci Lange Attorneys and New York City–based Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. filed the suit on behalf of Matthew Fero, Shirley Krenzer, and Erin O’Brien, says Hadley Matarazzo, a partner at Faraci Lange.
BlueRock Energy prepared to introduce a new subsidiary called BlueRock Energy Solar, which will organize the design, sale, financing, and installation of solar-energy systems for residential homes and small- to medium-sized businesses. BlueRock Energy Solar was expected to be up and running by the end of October.
More than 1,200 people registered and attended a job fair at the Oncenter to fill more than 200 openings at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the new name of the former Hotel Syracuse. The hotel is scheduled to reopen under the new name next spring. Fairfax, Virginia–based Crescent Hotels & Resorts, which will operate the hotel, hosted the six-hour event on Sept. 16.
The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce will be moving its office on Jan. 1 to the Landmarc Building (formerly the HSBC Bank Building) at 118 Columbia St. Its current office is located just down the block at 200 Genesee St.
OCTOBER
(10/5) Staff Leasing, a Salina–based professional employer organization, is preparing for “substantial” growth, says co-founder Thomas Boell. The company made “sizable” capital investments in its information-technology infrastructure. Over the next five years, Staff Leasing will more than double its current employee level from
just under 3,000 to a projected 7,000 to 9,000 employees. Editor’s note: CNYBJ is a client of Staff Leasing.
SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), Le Moyne College, and Nectar Partners announced a partnership to create the Clean Tech Innovation and Commercialization Hub in Onondaga County. In addition to the commercialization-hub project, the partnership agreement calls for Nectar Partners to provide Le Moyne with “a percentage” of its revenue, which the school will use to create endowed professorships, endowed chairs, and create new programs, says James Joseph, dean of the Madden School of Business at Le Moyne College.
The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA) plans to move forward with the first phase of its more than $25 million runway extension at Ogdensburg International Airport. The OBPA will use more than $7.5 million in federal funding to pay for the first phase, which involves extending the runway at the St. Lawrence County facility. The office of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) announced the federal funding.
A building in disrepair located at 138 Court St. in the city of Watertown should see new life after a business owner neighboring the three-story structure was chosen to renovate it by the city council on Sept. 21. Stephen Bradley — co-owner of Abbey Carpet of Watertown, Inc., situated at 150 Court St., with his wife, Joyce Bradley — received a unanimous vote from the city council, and now has until March 2016 to decide whether he will purchase the nearly 1,350-sqaure-foot building from the city for $30,000.
(10/12) Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI) plans to establish an onsite behaviorial-health program and related facility improvements at its Pulaski Health Center (PHC), the organization’s administrative headquarters. It will use a funding award of $1 million through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase access to behavioral-health services. The money comes from the Affordable Care Act’s (or Obamacare’s) health-infrastructure investment program (HIIP).
Incodema 3D, a division of the Incodema Group and the first company accepted into the STARTUP-NY program, moved from Ithaca to nearby Freeville in January. It currently employs 15 people as it begins a $40 million capital investment over five years in additional 3D printers. Its business plan projects the firm will add another 70 employees to the current 15.
TCGPlayer, a fast-growing digital marketplace that sells game cards and related products through its website, says it expects to add about 20 full-time employees in each of the next five years. The Syracuse–based company has added more than 60 employees since the start of 2013, when it had just 12 workers, according to owner and president Chedy Hampson. It currently employs 75 and should be above 80 before the end of October, he adds.
(10/19) The new owners of Panini’s restaurant, a quick-service eatery in downtown Syracuse, were planning renovations and a menu makeover. Steven and Joanne Bianco acquired the 75-seat restaurant on April 17, and took over its operations three days later, Steve Bianco says. He declined to disclose terms of the sale.
Syracuse–based POMCO Group on Oct. 9 announced it cut about 50 positions in a business unit the firm created under a contract with Health Republic Insurance of New York (HRINY), which is being shut down by insurance regulators. The employee-benefits firm also indicated that more job cuts could be coming with the upcoming closure of HRINY.
Kenneth Kavajecz, dean of SU’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management, unveiled Consurtio during an Oct. 1 event at the school. Consurtio is a student-run company that Whitman is describing as an “experiential learning venture.” Students will work on internal operations and individual accounts for client businesses in Central New York and across the country.
(10/26) The CNYREDC on Oct. 6 announced it submitted its proposal to New York State as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative competition. It’s a statewide, economic-development initiative awarding up to $500 million to three of seven competing upstate regions. The CNYREDC titled its submission “CNY Rising,” which seeks to create nearly 6,000 new jobs over five years. [In December, Central New York learned it was one of the three winners in the competition, dubbed the “Upstate Hunger Games.”]
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC, Central New York’s largest law firm ranked by number of area attorneys, on Sept. 30 announced it would be combining with Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, effective Jan. 1. The combination with the Jaeckle firm is the biggest deal in Bond’s history, likely making it the fourth largest law firm in Western New York.
Dr. G. Randall Green, director of cardiac surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center and an attorney, joined the Centolella Lynn law firm of Syracuse as of counsel in a part-time capacity in the firm’s health-care practice group. His work as a surgeon will continue, Green says.
NOVEMBER
(11/02) Binghamton University’s Integrated Electronics Engineering Center (IEEC) will continue as a New York State Center for Advanced Technology (CAT). Empire State Development’s (ESD) division of science, technology, and innovation (NYSTAR) extended the designation for an additional 10-year term, Binghamton University said.
The Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) backed more than $207 million in loans in its 34-county area during fiscal year 2015. The dollar figure is the total of 870 loans in both the 7(a) and 504 loan programs, the SBA said.
A new farm brewery in the town of Onondaga, called Red Hawk Brewing Ltd., was set to open its doors to beer enthusiasts for regular hours in November. Co-owners Kathleen Dodge and her husband, Robert, started developing the project in 2012, she says.
(11/09) KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) agreed to acquire First Niagara Financial Group Inc. (NASDAQ: FNFG) in a cash and stock transaction valued at about $4.1 billion. Cleveland, Ohio–based KeyCorp is the parent company of KeyBank, while Buffalo–based First Niagara Financial Group is the parent company of First Niagara Bank. Each bank is ranked in the top 5 in deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York area. KeyCorp expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2016.
Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC announced that its members (partners) elected Kevin Bernstein to chair the firm’s management committee, effective Jan. 1. Bernstein, elected to four-year term, will succeed Richard D. Hole, who served two four-year terms as Bond’s management committee chair. Hole will continue his practice counseling clients on business and corporate law, employee benefits, and health law.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded the WCNY Broadcast and Education Center a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) platinum certification. WCNY Public Media, Central New York’s public-media organization, operates in the facility is located at 415 W. Fayette St. on Syracuse’s Near Westside.
Soraa, a firm that specializes in light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, unveiled plans to relocate its manufacturing and research and development operations from Fremont, California to DeWitt and create 420 jobs. The state plans to build the firm an 82,000-square-foot facility on Collamer Road next to the CNY Hub of Emerging Nano Technologies in DeWitt.
(11/16) Barclay Damon, LLP plans to move into Onondaga Tower in downtown Syracuse, a building that will bear the law firm’s name. Barclay Damon’s Syracuse office and its 158 employees will move from One Park Place at 300 State Street to what will become Barclay Damon Tower in July 2016, the Syracuse–based law firm said.
Uber Technologies, Inc. projects that its ridesharing service would create more than 700 new jobs in Syracuse during its first year of operation. That’s according to the company’s Syracuse economic-impact report. Uber NY officials on Nov. 10 visited Dinosaur Bar-B-Que where it held a job fair for area residents interested in driving and discussed its Syracuse economic-impact report with local reporters.
(11/23) Chocolate Pizza Company, Inc. has opened its brand new production and retail facility at 3774 Lee Mulroy Road (N.Y. Route 175) in Marcellus between the Ultimate Goal Indoor Sports complex and a NAPA Auto Parts store. The new 8,500-square-foot location opened the first week of October. The growing company previously operated in a 3,500-square-foot space at 60 E. Main St. in the village of Marcellus.
Eastern Shore Associates Insurance (ESA) recently added 2,500 square feet of office space to its headquarters in Fulton. The new space at 100 Cayuga St. adds to the firm’s current offices at 101 and 102 Cayuga St. ESA works with more than 30 insurance carriers to offer personal, commercial, public entity, and construction insurance.
Steve Case, who most recently worked as a leasing director with his mentor Robert (Bob) Doucette at Paramount Realty Group, LLC, struck out on his own earlier this year, launching his own real-estate firm. Case’s company, Acropolis Development, LLC, operates in a 1,500-square-foot space at 247 W. Fayette St. in the Hogan Block building, a structure that Doucette owns and Case manages. Case started Acropolis Development in early 2015.
(11/30) Ronald Casciano, who has served as president and CEO of PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR) since 2013, will retire on Jan. 1, 2016. The company’s board of directors chose Karen Sammon, president of ParTech, Inc., the firm’s largest subsidiary, to succeed Casciano as the firm’s president and CEO, at the start of the New Year.
ConMed Corp. (NASDAQ: CNMD) on Nov. 16 announced it would acquire privately held SurgiQuest, Inc., a Connecticut–based surgical-device maker, for $265 million. ConMed said that it would finance the transaction through a combination of cash and borrowings under a new credit line. The company expects the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2016.
Davidson Automotive Group recently broke ground on a new location on Route 31 in Clay that will feature a Ford dealership, a Davidson Collision Center, and a Precision Car Wash — all on one campus. Davidson Automotive Group’s current Ford franchise in Fulton, the former Fred Raynor Ford, will move to the upcoming Clay site once it is completed by next May, according to Dwight Davidson, one of the company’s four principal owners. He declined to disclose the cost of the project, saying only that it’s “a substantial investment … in the market and the community.”
Utica–based Strategic Financial Services on Oct. 29 reached $1.03 billion in assets under management, up from $850 million two years ago. “Our investment and wealth-management group is now $860 million,” says Alan R. Leist III, manager and principal. “and corporate retirement planning is $170 million.”
Trinity Valley, LLC in Cortland County will use federal grant funding of more than $190,000 to expand the customer base for line of fluid milk and milk products it produces and processes at the family. The U.S. Department of Agriculture allocated the funding through its value-added producer grant program, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Nov. 16.
DECEMBER
(12/7) Cowley Associates Inc., a 40-year old advertising, marketing, and public-relations firm, is finishing up its first year in the agency’s new home at 407 S. Warren St. in Syracuse. The business, which previously operated at 235 Walton St. in Syracuse, moved to its new location in January after spending the fourth quarter of 2014 searching for potential operating spaces.
Congressional lawmakers agreed to restore funding for mass-transit systems, such as Centro, in a federal transportation bill. Centro would receive $12 million over the next six years in the transportation bill, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said in his remarks during a visit to the Centro Transit Hub at 559 S. Salina St. in downtown Syracuse on Nov. 30.
Feldmeier Equipment, Inc., a manufacturer of heat exchangers, vessels, and other products, is planning to move its headquarters from 6800 Townline Road in DeWitt to a larger facility at 7643 Edgecomb Drive in the town of Clay. Feldmeier Equipment is expected to close on the 130,000-square-foot building in mid-December, according to its VP of sales and marketing, David Pollock. Georgia–based Kloeckner Metals Corporation is selling the property to Feldmeier for $2.8 million.
Some upstate New York employers estimate their health-benefit cost per employee would rise 6.5 percent if they made no changes to their current plan. However, they expect to hold their cost increase to 5.3 percent by making alterations to plan design and/or plan vendors. That’s according to the National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, that Mercer, a health-care consulting firm, conducts annually.
(12/14) The Raymond Corp., a global provider of lift trucks, forklifts, and material-handling products based in Chenango County, has seen it sales explode in the last half decade. Timothy Combs, the firm’s president for sales and marketing, says sales are up 300 percent since late 2010. To keep up with orders for its forklift trucks, Raymond completed a 47,000-square-foot expansion at its Greene plant.
Ames Linen Service, a family-owned, commercial-laundry company, used an acquisition this past spring to add employees and 400 accounts to its customer list. Ames Linen purchased another “independently operated laundry” company and brought all the work to Cortland, says Johanna Ames, president of Ames Linen
Service and the 4th generation of her family to lead the business. The firm operates in a 42,000-square-foot building at 67 Huntington St. in Cortland.
The Central New York Sales and Marketing Executives (CNYSME) has chosen Allen Naples, senior VP and regional president of M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), as the winner of the 2016 Crystal Ball Award. CNYSME bestows the award annually to a local businessperson for contributions to the sales and marketing profession as well as work in community development and support. The organization will present Naples with the award at the 40th Annual Crystal Ball/Sales & Marketing Excellence Awards Ceremony set for April 21, 2016 at the newly renovated Marriott Syracuse Downtown, the new name of the former Hotel Syracuse.
Greater Binghamton Chamber president Lou Santoni to retire in late April
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Lou Santoni will retire April 30, 2016 as president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, the chamber announced Wednesday.
Binghamton, Ithaca firms among 16 latest companies to join START-UP NY program
Companies in Ithaca and Binghamton are among the 16 latest businesses to join the START-UP NY program in tax-free areas associated with colleges and universities
Company news: Dupli launches MoreWithPrint.com
DeWITT, N.Y — Dupli, a local printing services company, has launched a new business venture, called MoreWithPrint.com. The new website will allow businesses and organizations
Volney Sunoco ethanol plant to use state grant in construction of barley-malting facility
VOLNEY, N.Y. — Sunoco’s ethanol-manufacturing plant in Volney will use a state grant of $700,000 to help pay for a new $9.1 million barley-malting facility.
City of Syracuse sues COR Development following Inner Harbor tax deal with Onondaga County
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The City of Syracuse is suing Fayetteville–based COR Development Company, LLC after it secured a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes deal with the Onondaga County Industrial
Report: Growth of New York agricultural sales outpaces national average
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that growth of agricultural product sales in the state outpaced the national average, with cash receipts up
C&S Companies opens new Albany office
SALINA, N.Y. — C&S Companies, a Salina–based design and construction firm, has opened an office in Albany as it grows its client base in the
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