Arbor Day Foundation recognizes SUNY Oswego for its tree-planting effort

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OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized SUNY Oswego under its Tree Campus Higher Education program for the school’s “commitment to effective urban forest management.” The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program began in 2008 to encourage colleges and […]

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OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized SUNY Oswego under its Tree Campus Higher Education program for the school’s “commitment to effective urban forest management.”

The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program began in 2008 to encourage colleges and universities to plant trees on their campuses, per SUNY Oswego’s announcement.

Trees on campus and in urban spaces can lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and green spaces for students and faculty, the Arbor Day Foundation said in a news release announcing the distinction (cited in the SUNY Oswego announcement).

In addition, trees improve students’ mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for studying and gathering.

For Earth Month 2024 in April, SUNY Oswego participated in related special events and activities that including Arbor Day plantings, programs, and tree giveaways, along with a maple breakfast using sap harvested on campus, the school said.

Kate Spector, SUNY Oswego’s sustainability director, noted that the connection goes all the way back to the institution’s beginnings, as founder Edward Austin Sheldon was a botanist and known for his love of trees.

The campus in 1961 established the Centennial Arboretum, which was part of acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the institution’s founding. Seventy-four organizations were the original supporters of the Centennial Arboretum, which is located outside Moreland Hall on Washington Boulevard, SUNY Oswego said.

On Arbor Day 2022, SUNY Oswego rededicated the arboretum in a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, Rice Creek Field Station and Oswego Tree Stewards — and continues to add and maintain trees in this space, per the announcement.

The Rice Creek Field Station, located about a mile south of the main campus, is a unit of SUNY Oswego that is “dedicated to the support of academic instruction, research, and public service in all aspects of natural history, especially the natural sciences and environmental education,” per its website.

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Moody’s Ratings gives City of Syracuse A1 credit rating

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Moody’s Ratings has given the City of Syracuse an A1 credit rating, which Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says “solidifies Syracuse’s progress toward fiscal sustainability.” Moody’s Ratings — which was formerly called Moody’s Investors Service and is the bond credit-rating business of Moody’s Corporation — gave the City an A1 rating and a

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SUNY Oswego, three area community colleges partner on Central New York Transfer Collaboration

North Country, Education & Training, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego and three regional community colleges are partnering on the Central New York Transfer Collaboration (CNYTC). The effort seeks to work on “improving the transfer experience,” SUNY Oswego said in its Thursday announcement. CNYTC also includes Onondaga Community College (OCC), Jefferson Community College (JCC), and Cayuga Community College (CCC). SUNY is

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OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego and three regional community colleges are partnering on the Central New York Transfer Collaboration (CNYTC).

The effort seeks to work on “improving the transfer experience,” SUNY Oswego said in its Thursday announcement.

CNYTC also includes Onondaga Community College (OCC), Jefferson Community College (JCC), and Cayuga Community College (CCC).

SUNY is supporting the effort with $85,000 for “yield activities to further strengthen relationships and the transfer pipeline” between the schools. An additional $12,000 in SUNY Transformational Funds over the next two years “will go beyond just these transfer activities to develop a more enduring partnership” among the institutions, the announcement contended.

More than one-third of Oswego’s new baccalaureate students transfer to the university each year after completing coursework or associate degrees at other institutions, SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu said in announcing the collaboration.

“We have the capacity to increase that number, and we are in the process of building a robust infrastructure to make that increase a reality,” Nwosu said. “We have always worked with our community college transfers to make the student experience as straightforward as possible, making us a leader for transfer students; these new efforts will help us continue improving in this space.”

Nwosu went on to say that the SUNY dollars will help the schools involved to partner “to enhance seamless transfer pathways to Oswego for community college students.”

Cory Bezek, SUNY Oswego’s VP for enrollment management, noted that the reality is that the relationship between Oswego and the community colleges involved continues to be more “collaboration than competition.”

“When they do better, we do a lot better, so if we can find ways to support each school and their mission, it’s going to make us stronger,” Bezek said.

Every year, between one-quarter and one-third of incoming SUNY Oswego students are transfers, with many coming from CCC, JCC and OCC, so making the process smoother and more effective helps a significant group, Bezek added.

“The ultimate goals of this coalition are to create an environment where transfer students receive credit for all the classes they’ve taken and to ensure that all their credits count towards the degree they seek,” Nwosu added.

ANDRO receives patent for invention involving AI technologies

Manufacturing & Engineering, Mohawk Valley, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

ROME — ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC announced it received a utility patent, titled Multi-Task Learning Neural Network Framework for RF Spectrum Sensing and Classification, from the U.S. Patent Office on May 28. The patented invention applies artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to multidimensionally capture, process, and classify radio frequency (RF) electronic signals in complex electromagnetic operational environments

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The patented invention applies artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies to multidimensionally capture, process, and classify radio frequency (RF) electronic signals in complex electromagnetic operational environments with increased efficiency and accuracy to enhance military battlespace awareness.

ANDRO’s Marconi-Rosenblatt AI Innovation Lab, under the direction of Anu Jagannath and Jithin Jagannath, spearheaded the concept development for the patent. The lab continues to make contributions in advancing technologies using AI, leading to products and solutions that have both military and commercial applicability. The lab has additional specialized inventions in the patent pipeline related to novel and efficient RF signal/spectrum exploitation that focus on developing innovative and compact solutions.

“The MR AI Lab team excels in harnessing the potential of even the smallest software-defined radios, simultaneously extracting diverse signal descriptors for multidimensional analysis and understanding,” Jithin Jagannath said in a news release.

Several members of the lab team — including Zackary Kane, Noor Biswas, Sabarish Krishna Moorthy, Swatantra Kafle, and Haolun Li — are developing products derived from the patent.

The lab also holds a suite of radio frequency machine learning utility patents pending approval and received a notice of publication for its provisional filing, Signal Intelligence System to Integrate Spectrum Prediction with Emitter Classification and PNT, which is anticipated to soon enter into the utility patent stage.

According to ANDRO President Andrew Drozd, electronic intelligence is at the forefront of developing radio frequency machine learning solutions for military customers and can potentially serve the needs of civilian customers or applications.

ANDRO has provided research, engineering, and technical services to defense and commercial industries since 1994, focusing on the research, development, and application of advanced computer software and hardware solutions for secure wireless communications, cognitive software defined radio networking, software waveform development, advanced multisensory data fusion, and sensor resource management. Along with its headquarters in Rome, ANDRO operates a recently opened field office in San Diego, California, to support its West Coast customers.

Broome County sets plans for 40th annual Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally in early August

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

DICKINSON, N.Y. — The Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally turns 40 this year and takes place Aug. 2-4 at Otsiningo Park in the town of Dickinson, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and event organizers announced on May 29. Attracting more than 100,000 people to the region, the three-day event is considered one of the top

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Recapping the Greater Binghamton Chamber’s annual meeting and awards

Southern Tier, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce held its 60th annual dinner and meeting on May 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Water Street, honoring a slate of award recipients. Tanya Williams, owner of Caribbean Patty World, was honored as the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year for her leadership and entrepreneurial skills,

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce held its 60th annual dinner and meeting on May 21 at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Water Street, honoring a slate of award recipients.

Tanya Williams, owner of Caribbean Patty World, was honored as the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year for her leadership and entrepreneurial skills, according to a chamber news release. Her entrepreneurial portfolio includes upwards of 10 businesses ranging from beauty service and supplies to food and beverage. Williams has prioritized diversity in employment with more than
60 people on her payroll.

Stephanie Krummenacker, owner of MediaBrush Marketing, was honored with the 2024 Small Business Person of the Year Award for the growth her business has seen over the past three to five years, the Greater Binghamton Chamber said. The full-service marketing and advertising agency opened in 2019 with Krummenacker as the sole employee, working from her home. Today, MediaBrush Marketing has eight full-time employees, one part-time employee, and four part-time interns — along with an office in the Kilmer Building. Revenue at the agency has grown from year to year, and today it serves more than 40 clients across the country.

The 2024 Distinguished Chamber Volunteer of the Year award went to Kelly Grace, firm liaison and certified payroll specialist with Davidson Fox & Company, LLP, for her work with the chamber’s ambassadors group including helping with monthly luncheons, setting up job fairs, taking photos at job fairs, and selling raffle tickets at the annual clambake.

Amy Howard, executive director of ACHIEVE, received the Greater Binghamton Chamber’s 2024 Civic Leader of the Year Award, which honors those who have had a long-term beneficial impact on the community. With more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Howard leads ACHIEVE in its mission of advocating for an enhanced quality of life through skill advancements, inclusions, integrations, and independence of persons with intellectual developmental disabilities. The organization serves more than 2,000 individuals and provides services in Broome, Chenango, and Tioga counties.

New York egg production drops in April

Energy, Environment & Sustainability

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Clinton’s Ditch plans $40M expansion of Cicero plant, adding nearly two dozen jobs

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

CICERO — The Cicero company that markets itself as “The Pepsi Place” will soon become a bigger place. Clinton’s Ditch Co-Operative Company, Inc. plans to add 100,000 square feet to its existing 274,000 plant on Pardee Road in the town of Cicero. It’s part of a $40.7 million expansion of the current facility, the office

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CICERO — The Cicero company that markets itself as “The Pepsi Place” will soon become a bigger place.

Clinton’s Ditch Co-Operative Company, Inc. plans to add 100,000 square feet to its existing 274,000 plant on Pardee Road in the town of Cicero.

It’s part of a $40.7 million expansion of the current facility, the office of Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced May 7.

The expansion will allow the firm to retain nearly 300 jobs and to create nearly two dozen additional positions.

The proposal also calls for the creation of a new 19,520-square-foot truck-repair facility, along with wastewater improvements.

“Clinton’s Ditch has been a staple in our local business community for nearly 60 years. While there is plenty to celebrate with all of the new investments taking place, it is important that we continue to support our local companies such as Clinton’s Ditch.” McMahon said in the announcement. “This planned expansion will not only allow the company to grow their number of employees, but further build upon their already impressive growth. I applaud and thank the team at Clinton’s Ditch for their partnership and commitment to Onondaga County and Central New York.”

Founded in 1967 as a New York State cooperative, Clinton’s Ditch started as an independent bottler of Pepsi Cola, following its groundbreaking in 1968 on the 150th anniversary of the Erie Canal.

Originally, it was launched by 18 independent New York Pepsi-Cola bottlers with the goal of producing Pepsi in aluminum cans, eventually expanding to bottling, per McMahon’s office. With successive expansions, the plant grew from 47,000 square feet to 274,000 square feet, becoming a major producer of carbonated soft drinks, seltzers, energy drinks, and purified water.

The company uses “The Pepsi Place” marketing moniker on its website and some of its signage.

Structured as a cooperative, Clinton’s Ditch operates under a unique model where customers are also owners. All profits, except those necessary to meet debt obligations, are annually returned to the owners.

While four of the owners are multi-generational family businesses, the fifth, PepsiCo, Inc. maintains no direct affiliation beyond being a supplier, with no potential for assistance from the corporation, McMahon’s office said.

Le Moyne’s athletic complex to get a $45 million overhaul

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Education & Training, Subscriber Only

It’s a five-year project for the new Division I program SYRACUSE — Le Moyne College says it plans to renovate and expand its Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex in a $45 million project spanning five years. The college also notes that it will use $12 million in state funding to help pay for the

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It’s a five-year project for the new Division I program

SYRACUSE — Le Moyne College says it plans to renovate and expand its Thomas J. Niland Jr. Athletic Complex in a $45 million project spanning five years.

The college also notes that it will use $12 million in state funding to help pay for the project. The planned expansion comes as the Le Moyne Dolphins just completed their first year in NCAA Division I athletics, as a member of the Northeast Conference, after previously competing in Division II. Colleges and universities often make significant facility upgrades when stepping up in class.

Besides improvements to Le Moyne’s existing facilities, the effort will include the addition of a track and field and tennis complex, a team community center including locker rooms and sports-medicine facilities, a strength and conditioning facility for student-athletes, and the addition of a new fitness center.

The Vincent B. Ryan, S.J. Pool will also undergo improvements as part of the project, Le Moyne said in its announcement.

The college notes that New York Assemblymember Pam Hunter (D–Syracuse) led the effort to secure a two-year, $10 million commitment from the state to “renew and expand” Le Moyne’s athletic facilities, which will be available to the community in addition to Le Moyne’s Division I athletes, students, and employees.

Hunter secured $5 million in capital funds this year to design and construct a tennis and track and field facility with another $5 million to follow in 2025 to renovate the Recreation Center and other public-facing facilities, Le Moyne said. In addition, New York State Senator John Mannion (D–Syracuse) secured $2 million for the project. Le Moyne is likely to use that funding to renovate the pool and supporting facilities, as well as other facilities that could be used by the public, per the announcement.

“As a neighbor of Le Moyne College, Pam Hunter understands the recreational desert that exists in the neighborhoods surrounding our campus,” Le Moyne President Linda LeMura said in the school’s announcement. “John Mannion has been an advocate for the vital role educational institutions play in supporting communities. We are extraordinarily grateful to both Pam and John for this funding, which follows the recent commitments Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and the Common Council have made to improving the Salt Springs neighborhood.”

LeMura also said that Le Moyne is raising private and corporate funds to complete the
$45 million project.

Hunter recognized other members of the Syracuse delegation for its support of this project including Assemblymembers Al Stirpe (D–Cicero) and Bill Magnarelli (D–Syracuse), and New York State Senator Rachel May (D–Syracuse) in addition to Mannion. Hunter also expressed her gratitude to Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie, whose support for this project allowed it to move forward.

The Le Moyne pool is currently used by a number of outside groups, including high schools, the Syracuse Chargers Swim Club, and others. Once the facilities are renovated and completed, the college will be offering free summer sports camps and other educational programs to neighborhood groups.

A number of entities have already indicated interest in using the new and upgraded facilities, including residents of Springfield Gardens and Swiss Village, Tillie’s Touch, Clear Path for Veterans, On Point for College, the North Side Learning Center, Elmcrest Children’s Center, as well as participants of Le Moyne’s ERIE21 program, the school said.

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It’s a five-year project for the new Division I program

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