CenterState CEO annual meeting offers awards, speeches on AI, CNY economic future

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Business of the Year Awards and remarks on artificial intelligence (AI) and Central New York’s economic vision and future were all part of Thursdayafternoon’s annual meeting of CenterState CEO. The event attracted more than 800 business and community leaders to the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter, CenterState CEO said. In […]

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The event attracted more than 800 business and community leaders to the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter, CenterState CEO said.

In the Business of the Year Awards, the economic development and chamber of commerce organization recognized Crouse Health in the “More than 50 Employees”category. The finalists in the category also included Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC; Tompkins Community Bank; and Woodford Bros., Inc.

Drakos Dynamics prevailed in the “Fewer than 50 Employees” category. The additional finalists in that grouping included 325 Productions; Potter Heating & AC – Perrone Plumbing Services; and ResilienX.

CenterState CEO recognized Food Bank of Central New York in the “Nonprofit”category. The additional finalists included Catholic Charities of Onondaga County;ConnextCare; and Housing Visions.

SGTR LLC was honored with the “Minority-owned Business” Award, which CenterState CEO presented in partnership with the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance. Additional finalists in the category included Brackens Financial Solutions Network;Cocoa’s Candle Bar; and La Liga.

In addition, CenterState CEO recognized NBT Bank with the “Community Involvement” award. The category’s additional finalists included CPS Recruitment, Inc.; Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa, CPA, P.C.; and Novelis, Inc.

Simpson remarks

CenterState CEO President Robert Simpson talked about the opportunity for Central New York to “think bigger about its own economic future and to shape the growth that is coming.”

“As humans, we are so deeply rooted in what we’ve known … stagnation, population loss, progress that can sometimes feel glacially slow. But the moment we have now entered is entirely different,” Simpson said as he addressed the gathering at the annual meeting. “In a world of data, it’s an outlier, a full standard deviation or two from our past and even recent experience. Don’t believe me? Consider this: by the end of this decade there will be more people living in Central New York than at any other time in history. Over the next 15 years, projected job growth with Micron’s investment alone will drive our population by nearly 8 percent, create as many as 50,000 new jobs. Can anyone tell me the last time we had 50,000 more jobs in this community than we have today? Of course not. It’s a trick question. We’ve never had 50,000 more jobs in this community than we have today.”

Keynote address

Prior to Simpson’s remarks, Elizabeth Kelly, CEO of the U.S. AI Safety Institute at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), delivered the keynote presentation, speaking about the positive power of AI and the need for safeguards.

“First and foremost, AI holds transformative potential. We would not be having any of the conversations we are having today if we did not recognize the tremendous potential and want to harness it. The number of positive uses for AI truly has no limit but the human imagination.”

She then elaborated using Syracuse as an example. She pointed to chemical manufacturing, one of Syracuse’s earliest industries.

“Today, AI holds the potential to revolutionize chemical discovery and engineering processes. It has the ability to digitally synthesize tens of thousands of different chemicals and then choose among them [to] select the best one for the job. That makes chemical [research & development (R&D)], like other types of R&D, go a lot faster,”Kelly said in her remarks.

NIST is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, which Kelly said works to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness and advancing AI safety is a “key part of that.”

Munson breaks ground on landscaping project

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Featured, Mohawk Valley, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — Munson broke ground Thursday, April 11 on a new 49,000-square-foot park and community space, transforming the green space from 324 Genesee St. to Cottage Place, according to the museum’s online publication Munson Bulletin. Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. also shared pictures from the event on his Facebook page. The project,

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Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. also shared pictures from the event on his Facebook page.

The project, which received $800,000 in Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding from Utica, will also create an accessible entrance to the museum from Genesee Street.

“Right now, you have to journey around the block for an accessible entrance,” Munson President/CEO Anna D’Ambrosio said in the publication. “Transforming the sunken garden across from Kaepernick Park into an attractive, inviting, and level entrance will not only allow easy access to the museum and amenities but also help forge even more connections with the community and events like the Levitt Amp summer concerts and Munson’s annual arts festival.”

Sue Steel Landscape Architecture LLC of Rochester designed the project, which includes features such as granite benches along with native trees and plants.

“The Genessee Street project is another way Munson can continue to be a welcoming, inspiring space for residents and visitors alike,” D’Ambrosio said. “We’re excited to enhance a green space that will encourage even more experiences that bring our community together.”

The overall project also includes work to restore the museum of art building, designed by architect Philip Johnson, to its original intended look. Originally, the building was to appear as if it was floating above the ground, according to the publication, but that effect was lost with the installation of a chain-link fence and hedge along the front façade.

The fence and hedge will be replaced with a clear, low-visibility railing that provides the same security function while allowing visitors to experience the view of the building as originally intended.

As part of the new landscaping, the museum will also reinstall the museum’s Three Arches sculpture by Alexander Calder.

Munson expects to complete the project by late fall. This summer, the annual Arts Festival Sidewalk Art Show from July 13–21 will move to the Museum of Art’s Root Court.

The organization continues to seek sponsors for naming aspects and other parts of the project.

People news: CNY Health Home Network hires new CFO

Health Care, Mohawk Valley

UTICA, N.Y. — Central New York Health Home Network (CNYHHN) has hired Amy Osborne as its new chief financial officer (CFO), the organization announced. In

Lockheed Martin lands Navy helicopter technology contract

Manufacturing & Engineering, Featured, Subscriber Only, Technology

OWEGO, N.Y. — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced Monday it will work with Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC), and Altera, an Intel company, to support the Stimulating Transition for Advanced Microelectronics Packaging (STAMP) program for the U.S. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). Lockheed Martin will develop a low

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Lockheed Martin will develop a low size, weight, and power (SWaP), sensor open systems architecture (SOSA) aligned airborne electronic–defense system, utilizing Altera’s multi-chip package (MCP2) for expected use on the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter.

For STAMP, the work will be performed at Lockheed Martin’s Owego plant. Lockheed Martin is a global defense-technology company.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division strategic and spectrum missions advanced resilient trusted systems other transaction agreement vehicle awarded the contract, while the National Security Technology Accelerator will manage it, per the announcement.

“We are excited to work with Intel, Altera, and OUSD to provide a revolutionary leap in defense-systems capabilities, utilizing high-performance U.S.-built semiconductors,”Deon Viergutz, Lockheed Martin VP of spectrum convergence, said in a statement. “In the modern battlespace, against modern threats, this technology will be essential to the evolution of legacy systems and development of new systems that keep service members safe by controlling the electromagnetic spectrum and staying ahead of the threat.”

As a STAMP awardee, Lockheed Martin will advance the progression of technology to enable a defense system that detects and identifies threats with greater speed and accuracy at a significantly reduced SWaP and cost, freeing space for equipment to support other missions. While initially designed for the Sikorsky MH-60R helicopter, STAMP technology applies to platforms across all domains including air, land, and sea. It’s based on Altera’s Agliex 9 SoC FPGA Direct RF-Series, which enables the defense system by providing advanced digital and analog capabilities while reducing the system’s size, weight, power, and cost.

Over the next 18 months, Lockheed Martin will integrate its latest SOSA technology with Altera’s semiconductors with the intent to ultimately implement, test, and complete production through the Navy’s MH-60R helicopter program.

SRC wins more than $12 million Air Force contract modification

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only, Technology

CICERO — SRC Inc. was recently awarded a nearly $12.4 million modification to a previously awarded U.S. Air Force contract for Multi-Domain Agile Condor enhancements, software prototype, and hardware for innovative tools development and demonstration. The contract adjustment is for computing design, development, hardware acquisition, and real-time flight demonstration, according to a March 14 contract

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FOCUS adds three new board members

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SYRACUSE — FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen-driven organization that seeks to bring about change in Central New York, recently announced three new board members to drive community engagement. Joining the board are Lisa A. Hart, public health analyst/grants manager at the Syracuse Housing Authority; Rev. Lynnessa H. Joyner-Robinson, good neighbor community navigator

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Pathfinder Bancorp boosts quarterly dividend by 11 percent

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO — Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBHC), the bank holding company of Pathfinder Bank, has declared a cash dividend of 10 cents per share of its common stock. The first-quarter 2024 dividend is payable on May 10 to all shareholders of record on April 19, according to an announcement from James A. Dowd, president and

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A.O. Fox Hospital, BOCES partner on nursing program

Education & Training, Health Care, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

ONEONTA — A.O. Fox Hospital, part of the Bassett Healthcare Network, and Otsego Northern Catskills Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ONC BOCES) have announced a new partnership that brings the BOCES practical nursing-certification program to the hospital. The comprehensive 10-month program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in

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A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta and ONC BOCES have partnered on a practial nursing certification program.
PHOTO CREDIT: ONC BOCES FACEBOOK PROFILE

The comprehensive 10-month program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in nursing roles in various health-care settings. The curriculum covers nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, growth and development, maternity and pediatrics, and other essential areas.

“ONC BOCES is thrilled to offer this pathway into the nursing profession,” ONC BOCES District Superintendent Catherine Huber said in a Bassett news release announcing the partnership. “Our partnership with Bassett Healthcare Network allows students to learn in a dynamic clinical setting, providing invaluable hands-on experience alongside expert healthcare staff and instructors.”

The organizations are currently accepting applications for the next session, which starts in August, and are prepared to accept an entering class of 30 or more students. Scholarships and financial aid may be available for eligible candidates.

At a time when Bassett is hiring for clinical positions across the eight-county region it serves, the program will help provide qualified candidates, the organizations contend.

“We are very excited to partner with ONC BOCES,” Bassett Healthcare Network Chief Nursing Executive Dr. Angela Belmont said. “As we support them through the educational process, they will provide a pipeline of employment candidates for Bassett Healthcare Network. We are investing in our future and assisting to increase the health-care workforce. It’s a win-win situation.”

More information about the program is available online at: www.oncboces.org/PracticalNursingProgram.

ONC BOCES provides educational and workforce-development programs to individuals in Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, and Greene counties.

Bassett Healthcare Network includes five corporately affiliated hospitals along with community-based health centers, school-based health centers, and skilled-nursing facilities.

Broome County hotel occupancy inches down in February

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON — Broome County hotels saw slightly fewer guests in February, while two other key indicators of business performance improved. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county dipped 0.7 percent to 50.4 percent in the second month of 2024 versus February 2023. Revenue per available room (RevPar), an

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Binghamton University to pursue AI research and development

Education & Training, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only, Technology

Uses “landmark” $5 million donation VESTAL — Binghamton University graduate Thomas Secunda is providing the school a financial gift that it

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Uses “landmark” $5 million donation

VESTAL — Binghamton University graduate Thomas Secunda is providing the school a financial gift that it calls a “landmark” donation.

Secunda — a 1976 graduate who later earned his master’s degree from Binghamton in 1979 — is the co-founder of Bloomberg L.P.

Binghamton University will use the $5 million donation to attract, recruit and retain tech talent, creating a pipeline for students to participate in the artificial intelligence (AI) economy of the future.

“As a Binghamton University alumnus, I’m proud to champion novel tech advancement and AI infrastructure at my alma mater,” Secunda said in the school’s announcement. “Embracing AI will not only unlock new opportunities for New York, but it will also catalyze the emergence of innovative jobs in uncharted industries with the potential to make our state the Silicon Valley of AI development. I urge the legislature to support opportunities for New York’s students to lead responsible AI research that will have the tremendous potential to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”

Binghamton University notes that the funding is “contingent upon the passage” of Empire AI in the 2025 New York state budget and would support the SUNY school’s participation in Empire AI research and development.

Empire AI — which Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed and included in the Senate and Assembly one-house budget proposals — will establish a state-of-the-art AI computing center in Buffalo.

“Binghamton University sees tremendous potential for exciting research, education and economic development opportunities related to the Empire AI initiative,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said. “We are thrilled that Tom Secunda is choosing to support Binghamton so generously within this transformational area of research. Tom visited campus recently with Governor Hochul and met with faculty studying how to use AI to solve important societal issues ranging from healthcare to information security. His gift will advance Binghamton’s research efforts and Empire AI will provide essential links to other institutions across the state.”

Empire AI will be the “first project of its kind in the country, with research geared toward the public good and overseen by educational institutions, placing New York in the driver’s seat for future AI development,” Binghamton University said in its announcement.

University researchers are already working on a number of projects that use AI to tackle important societal issues. They range from protecting power systems from malicious attacks to developing a robotic seeing-eye dog for people who are blind.

“This generous commitment from groundbreaking leader and SUNY alumnus Tom Secunda is a testament to the results, promise and potential of research at Binghamton University,” SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. said in a news release. “SUNY’s university centers, including Binghamton, are at the forefront of researching and designing artificial intelligence applications to advance the public good. We are excited about the opportunities Empire AI will create for SUNY to lead on AI – from healthcare to climate resilience, and from educational interventions for students with disabilities to ethics and information integrity.”

About Empire AI

The Empire AI consortium includes SUNY (including Binghamton University), the City University of New York, Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Flatiron Institute.

It will lead the development for responsible AI that is “focused on serving the people of New York first.” New York’s leading institutions will use the center to promote responsible research and development, create jobs, and unlock AI opportunities across the state, Binghamton University said.

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Uses “landmark” $5 million donation

About Empire AI

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