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CenterState CEO recognizes more than 350 companies during Economic Champions luncheon
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — CenterState CEO on Wednesday recognized the efforts of 353 businesses and nonprofits during its annual Economic Champions Celebration at the Nicholas J.

Strengthen Every Layer of Your IT Security with Usherwood’s Expanded Managed IT Services
Usherwood has announced an expanded portfolio of IT services, including Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC), Cybersecurity, and Co-Managed IT. These new offerings are designed to

Colgate says students with family income up to $175K can attend tuition free
HAMILTON, N.Y. — Colgate University says students with a total family income up to $175,000 can now attend the school tuition-free. In addition, those students

Utica University president Pfannestiel to step down at year’s end; successor named
UTICA, N.Y. — Utica University President Todd Pfannestiel has submitted his resignation and will step down at the end of the year. At the same

Rochester company acquires Utica engineering firm
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Joseph C. Lu Engineering, PC, a Rochester–based engineering firm with offices in the Syracuse area and Binghamton, has acquired Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering, P.C., an engineering firm based in Utica. With Lu Engineers expanding its presence to Utica, the firm will “gain stronger access to local and municipal markets and increase capacity
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Joseph C. Lu Engineering, PC, a Rochester–based engineering firm with offices in the Syracuse area and Binghamton, has acquired Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering, P.C., an engineering firm based in Utica.
With Lu Engineers expanding its presence to Utica, the firm will “gain stronger access to local and municipal markets and increase capacity to support projects throughout the Utica region,” per the Lu Engineers announcement.
The acquisition closed on Oct. 19, Lu Engineers tells CNYBJ in an email. The firm didn’t disclose any financial terms of the purchase.
Prior to the deal, Lu Engineers had 102 employees and is adding eight staff members from Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering.
Eisenbach & Ruhnke brings a team of engineers, scientists, specialists, energy managers and auditors who provide advanced energy and environmental engineering solutions in areas that complement Lu Engineers’ established strength in civil/site, transportation engineering and environmental consulting. The acquisition enables Lu Engineers to pursue “larger and more complex” projects throughout New York state and to diversify projects to include mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering services.
“We’re a small firm but a mighty firm that keeps growing every day. The acquisition is a strategic opportunity for us and impactful to our growth,” Cletus Ezenwa, president and CEO of Lu Engineers, contended in the announcement. “Lu Engineers has a great reputation for transportation and environmental projects, and expanding our capabilities to support mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) services will enable us to serve on a broader scale and deliver even greater value to our clients.”
Lu Engineers is a veteran-owned, New York State-certified Disadvantaged and Minority-owned Business Enterprise. For more than 45 years, Lu has provided engineering, technical, and operational services to federal, state, and local governments, as well as private industries and developers.
“We are excited to become part of Lu Engineers; a firm committed to quality and serving its clients,” Jack Eisenbach, former CEO of Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering, P.C., said in the announcement. “Eisenbach & Ruhnke Engineering has been in existence for almost 40 years, and we have worked with many engineering firms. Our staff is committed to maintaining the quality of service for the clients of the combined firm.”
Eisenbach also tells CNYBJ that the transaction represents a succession plan after 39 years of owning the business, but he plans to continue working for two years part time as a senior associate.
Besides Rochester, DeWitt, and Utica, Lu Engineers also has offices in Buffalo and New York City.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Syracuse University, Le Moyne College, Cornell University, and Clarkson University are among 35 private colleges and universities awarded state funding for projects.

Syracuse police warn city businesses about fake invoice scam
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Police Department is warning Syracuse businesses about a scam involving fake zoning invoices. The fake bills have been sent to

ShoppingTown Mall property to soon have a new developer, McMahon says
DeWITT, N.Y. — The proposed project to redevelop the former ShoppingTown Mall property in DeWitt into District East will have a new developer once the

MVHS imaging department moves to downtown Utica
UTICA, N.Y. — The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) imaging department is opening a new MVHS Imaging Center at the Medical Office Building located at

Former Avis employee at Syracuse airport accused of stealing 47 cars
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Syracuse man who used to work at the Avis Budget Car Rental location at Syracuse Hancock International Airport is accused by
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.