Ashley McGraw Architects acquires Boston–area firm

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Ashley McGraw Architects of Syracuse announced it has acquired studioMLA Architects, a 15-person architecture and landscape design firm headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts, near Boston. Founded in 2006, studioMLA Architects focuses on the design of early-education facilities along with nature-inspired playscapes for young children. Ashley McGraw didn’t include any financial details of the […]

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Founded in 2006, studioMLA Architects focuses on the design of early-education facilities along with nature-inspired playscapes for young children.

Ashley McGraw didn’t include any financial details of the acquisition agreement in its announcement.

As part of the acquisition, studioMLA Architects will become the early-childhood education studio within Ashley McGraw Architects. In addition, Mike Lindstrom, studioMLA founder, will become the seventh partner of Ashley McGraw.

“As we emerged from the challenges of COVID, a vital component of our strategic plan was to build a more resilient business by diversifying our markets,” Matthew Broderick, president and CEO of Ashley McGraw Architects, said. “We aimed to build one of the best community-focused design practice in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, expanding our capacity to make an impact and creating more opportunities for staff. This strategic acquisition provides Ashley McGraw a Boston–based office and a national practice centered on early childhood education, expanding our demographic diversity to include a much younger age group and anchoring our geographic diversity in New England.”

As the founding principal of studioMLA Architects, Lindstrom has more than 30 years of experience and specializes in the design of play and learning environments for children. He has been a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and regularly presents at the group’s annual conferences nationwide.

“We are excited about the new opportunities and resources that this strategic partnership provides to our clients and to the studioMLA team,” Lindstrom said in reaction to the acquisition. “Given the similarities in cultures and shared focus on high-quality design, I anticipate a seamless transition and look forward to a host of new possibilities.”

The acquisition furthers Ashley McGraw Architects’ geographic footprint in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, the firm said. The new Boston–area office joins the firm’s headquarters in Syracuse and its office in Washington, D.C. to bring Ashley McGraw Architects’ total employee count to 79.

Schumer applauds U.S. for tariffs on steel shipped from Mexico that was made elsewhere

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The U.S. and Mexico have taken joint action to prevent China and other countries’ steel and aluminum exports from evading tariffs before entering the U.S.

AIS to sign mentoring agreement with aerospace company

Mohawk Valley, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

ROME, N.Y. — Assured Information Security (AIS) and Paterson Aerospace Systems (PAS) have formed a mentor-protégé agreement under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program, the companies announced. The strategic partnership will leverage AIS’s experience and expertise to foster the growth and development at PAS, enhancing its capabilities and competitive edge across the aerospace industry.

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Hochul appoints LaFave as State Fair director, removing interim tag

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GEDDES, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday appointed Julie LaFave as director of the New York State Fair. LaFave had been serving as the interim director since the state announced the departure of previous director Sean Hennessey back in February. LaFave served as the State Fair’s operations director in 2023, managing the day-to-day operations

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GEDDES, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday appointed Julie LaFave as director of the New York State Fair.

LaFave had been serving as the interim director since the state announced the departure of previous director Sean Hennessey back in February. LaFave served as the State Fair’s operations director in 2023, managing the day-to-day operations of the Fairgrounds, including the oversight of contracts, budgets, more than 50 buildings spread across 375 acres, and over 100 full and part-time staff.

Prior to joining the State Fair in 2023, LaFave was commissioner of the department of parks, recreation, and youth programs for the City of Syracuse

LaFave was selected for the position after a nationwide search that “attracted a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates,” Hochul’s office said.

“Julie’s experience as Operations Director and Interim Director, coupled with her creativity and knowledge, are incredible assets to the long-term growth and vitality of The Great New York State Fair,” Hochul said in the announcement. “I am proud to officially welcome her as the Director of one of our most beloved traditions, and look forward to working with her as we continue to invest in and grow this extraordinary showcase of New York’s farmers, products, culture, and diversity.”

As the interim director, LaFave has led the planning of the 2024 State Fair. The state contends her efforts will result in a Fair with “one of its most diverse, dynamic, and family-friendly entertainment lineups with shows ranging from acts geared toward children to Grammy winning artists and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame performers.”

Additionally, LaFave has worked to develop several attractions that demonstrate the importance of the state’s agricultural initiatives in boosting New York’s economy, tourism efforts, and educational endeavors, Hochul’s office said.

This year’s State Fair opens Aug. 21 and continues through Labor Day on Sept. 2. Admission, parking, and tickets to the Fair’s midway are now on sale and can be purchased by visiting the State Fair’s website.

State DOT project to add traffic signal and additional turn lane from Thruway onto North Genesee Street in Utica

New York News, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Manufacturing & Engineering, Mohawk Valley, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

UTICA, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun a $2.3 million project to enhance public safety along North Genesee Street

SU, Hamilton College, other private schools awarded state funding for capital projects

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) and Hamilton College in Clinton will each use a $3 million state grant for capital projects on their respective campuses. SU will use its funding for the creation of the Quantum Technology Center in the school’s Physics Building. The project will “renovate an entire floor into modern research laboratories

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Regional small businesses win New York SBDC awards, “Roadshow” presentations scheduled

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Businesses in Lowville, Utica, Oneonta, and Hogansburg in Franklin County are among those that will be recognized in the weeks ahead as

Partners finalize operating agreement for upcoming combination of Harris Beach, Murtha Cullina

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, Insurance & Financial Services, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The partners in Rochester–based Harris Beach PLLC and Murtha Cullina LLP on Tuesday have approved an operating agreement that will govern the upcoming combined firm of Harris Beach Murtha. Harris Beach has offices in Syracuse, Ithaca, and other locations in New York. Murtha Cullina has offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and White Plains

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Cornell food science professor wins $50K research grant

Nonprofits, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, New York News, Subscriber Only, Technology

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University Professor Carmen I. Moraru received a $50,000 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Collaborative Research Grant in honor of Marcel Loncin. The funding provides research funding for conducting basic chemistry, physics, or engineering research applied to food processing and improvement of food quality, according to a press release from the university.

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Cayuga Health now offers lab services at The Shops at Ithaca Mall location

Health Care, Construction, Design & Real Estate, New York News, Nonprofits, Southern Tier, Technology

LANSING, N.Y. — Cayuga Health says laboratory services are now available at its location at The Shops at Ithaca Mall at 40 Catherwood Road in

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