Chemung Financial to pay Q1 dividend of 31 cents

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ELMIRA — Chemung Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: CHMG) said its board of directors has approved a cash dividend of 31 cents per share of its common stock for the first quarter. The Elmira– based banking company will pay the dividend on April 1, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 18, […]

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Barclay Damon adds Washington, D.C. office through combination

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Barclay Damon LLP is now operating an office in Washington, D.C. after a law firm in the nation’s capital combined with the Syracuse–based firm. Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram (SLS) joined Barclay Damon, effective Jan. 1, per the Jan. 10 announcement. The deal allows both law firms to expand their footprints and client-service offerings,

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SYRACUSE — Barclay Damon LLP is now operating an office in Washington, D.C. after a law firm in the nation’s capital combined with the Syracuse–based firm.

Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram (SLS) joined Barclay Damon, effective Jan. 1, per the Jan. 10 announcement. The deal allows both law firms to expand their footprints and client-service offerings, Barclay Damon noted.

The leadership of both firms in December unanimously voted to approve the deal, citing a “strong belief in the benefits of the combination, which brings the best in legal service together to accelerate growth in each firm’s respective practice areas.”

At the time of the announcement on Jan. 10, Barclay Damon said the 10 lawyers, three paralegals, and four administrative staff of SLS would join the Syracuse–based firm while maintaining operations in their current 11,500-square-foot office space located in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s central business district, a few blocks from Dupont Circle and the White House.

“Our firm has been serving clients in the DC Metro Region for many years, while our long-term strategy has been to develop a fully staffed, established presence in that market. After evaluating many opportunities, SLS was the right fit in terms of top attorneys, complementary practices, and energy industry experience that overlaps with Barclay Damon’s leading practices,” Connie Cahill, Barclay Damon’s managing partner, said in a statement. “We hope to continue growing in the DC Metro Region and are always interested in meeting with talented attorneys looking to expand their breadth of services in a shared culture of collaboration, innovation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

SLS will serve as Barclay Damon’s Washington, D.C. office.

“This is a beneficial move for SLS, as this combination meets the long-term strategic goals of the firm and allows our people and clients to immediately have access to a multidisciplinary approach to legal services as well as a full-service law firm,” Judah Lifschitz, principal and co-president of SLS, said in the Barclay Damon release.

Lifschitz, Steve Schram, and Christopher Mahoney will continue to lead the D.C. office.

“Landing an integrated team of attorneys with corporate, real estate, finance, commercial litigation, and large construction litigation experience with a national profile in the power and energy industry was simply a home run,” Rick Capozza, chief marketing officer and chair of Barclay Damon’s energy practice area, said in the news release. “That the SLS team is located in a strategically significant part of our platform, Washington DC, advances a key strategy of expanding our strong regulatory experience at the federal level.”

Together, the combined firm will have nearly 300 lawyers in nine offices. They include New York offices in Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and New York City, as well as offices in Boston, Massachusetts; New Haven, Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; and Toronto, Ontario.

New York manufacturing index rebounds in February

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

Benchmark stays negative, pointing to continued contraction The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index jumped 41 points in February — bouncing back from nearly a four-year low the prior month — but remained in negative territory at -2.4. The

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Benchmark stays negative, pointing to continued contraction

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index jumped 41 points in February — bouncing back from nearly a four-year low the prior month — but remained in negative territory at -2.4.

The general business-conditions index is the monthly gauge of New York state’s manufacturing sector.

Based on firms responding to the survey, the February reading indicates business activity “edged slightly lower” in the state, the New York Fed stipulated in its Feb. 15 report.

A negative index number indicates a decline in the state’s manufacturing sector, while a positive index reading shows expansion or growth in manufacturing activity.

The Empire State Survey found new orders declined modestly, while shipments edged higher, the New York Fed said. It also found the six-month outlook improved, though optimism “remained subdued.”

Survey details

The new-orders index soared 43 points to -6.3 in February. That still pointed to an ongoing decline in orders, though at a slower pace than the previous month. The shipments index increased 34 points to 2.8, indicating a small increase in shipments, the New York Fed said.

The unfilled-orders index came in at -9.6, a sign that such orders continued to fall. The inventories index was little changed at -9.6, suggesting that inventories fell modestly, and the delivery-times index remained negative at -3.2, indicating shorter delivery times.

The index for number of employees climbed to a level of near zero, suggesting employment levels were “unchanged,” while the average-workweek index came in at -4.7, pointing to a small decline in hours worked, the New York Fed reported.

The prices-paid index moved higher for a second straight month, rising 10 points to 33.0, and the prices-received index climbed 8 points to 17.0, pointing to a pickup in both input and selling-price increases.

New York manufacturing firms expect activity to grow over the next six months, though optimism “remained subdued,” per the survey report. The index for future business conditions edged up 3 points to 21.5.

The capital-spending index was little changed at 11.7, suggesting that capital-spending plans remained “somewhat soft,” the report stated.

The New York Fed distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.

Boeheim honored with name on entry to the Melo Center

Education & Training, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

Also received scholarship, banner SYRACUSE — Syracuse University plans a new scholarship and hoisted a new banner in the JMA Wireless Dome to honor long-time former men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim during a post-game ceremony on Feb. 24. The university also plans to name the entrance to

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Also received scholarship, banner

SYRACUSE — Syracuse University plans a new scholarship and hoisted a new banner in the JMA Wireless Dome to honor long-time former men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim during a post-game ceremony on Feb. 24.

The university also plans to name the entrance to the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center after Boeheim, who concluded his 47-year coaching career following the 2022-23 season.

Those announcements, along with local and state-government proclamations declaring Feb. 24 as Jim Boeheim Day, were part of the ceremony inside the Dome after Syracuse held off Notre Dame, to win 88-85.

Mike Tirico, an SU graduate who handles play-by-play for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, served as the ceremony’s emcee on the Jim Boeheim court.

CNYBJ monitored the event online at ACC Network Extra.

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud and his wife, SU professor Ruth Chen, presented Boeheim a plaque signifying the creation of a new, endowed scholarship in his name.

“The Jim Boeheim ‘66 Central New York scholarship … will be awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need with a preference to students who are residents of the Central New York and Finger Lakes region,” Tirico said in addressing the crowd.

Head coach Adrian Autry and current members of the Syracuse men’s basketball team presented the former coach with a painting they had commissioned that represents “some of the most iconic moments through [Boeheim’s] career,” as Tirico described it.

The ceremony also included a video showing new renderings from the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center, and as Tirico announced, “As a permanent feature, the entry way to the Melo Center will pay homage to Coach Boeheim and forever be known as the Jim Boeheim Entrance to the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center. That means that every recruit and student-athlete who walks through those doors will know the rich history and the expectation of playing basketball at Syracuse.”

John Wildhack, SU’s director of athletics, was then introduced and shook Boeheim’s hand as the university raised a banner above section 309, acknowledging Boeheim’s Hall of Fame basketball-coaching accomplishments between 1976 and 2023, including the 2003 NCAA Championship, five NCAA Final Fours, and 35 NCAA Tournaments.

Government recognition

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon presented Boeheim with a proclamation declaring Feb. 24, 2024 as Jim Boeheim Day throughout the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County.

New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli and New York State Senator John Mannion also presented Boeheim with a resolution from the New York State Legislature that also declared the day as Jim Boeheim Day.

A representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul also presented Boeheim with a proclamation declaring the day as Jim Boeheim day throughout the state of New York.

The ceremony also included a greeting from Gov. Kathy Hochul, a 1980 graduate of Syracuse University.

Boeheim remarks

In his remarks, Boeheim acknowledged his wife Juli; children Elizabeth, Jimmy, Buddy, and Jamie; the current Orange basketball team; and Coach Autry, the coaching staff, and former players who attended the event.

Those players included Boeheim’s former teammate, Dave Bing, who Boeheim called “the greatest player to ever play at Syracuse University who started this all,” which was greeted with applause from the crowd in the JMA Wireless Dome.

He also thanked the fans who Boeheim said come to the games “no matter what.”

“I’ve been forever grateful for that,” he added.

Boeheim then went on to say, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me a life nobody could’ve asked for.”

Five Star Bank parent company to pay Q1 dividend of 30 cents a share on April 2

Banks & Credit Unions, Regional News, Subscriber Only

WARSAW, N.Y. — Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI), parent company of Five Star Bank, announced that its board of directors recently approved a quarterly cash dividend of 30 cents per share of its common stock outstanding. The banking company will pay the first-quarter dividend on April 2, to shareholders of record on March 15. At

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KeyBank parent company has a new director of investor relations

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

Brian Mauney is the new director of investor relations at KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent company of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York region. He started in the position on March 1. Mauney, who has more than 25 years of experience in the financial-services industry,

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Port of Oswego CNY Agricultural Center wins ACEC award

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO — The Port of Oswego Authority’s Central New York Agricultural Center, a project handled in partnership with C&S Companies, has received a silver award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), New York Chapter. “Oswego is home to the largest facility of its kind on Lake Ontario and the most technologically advanced handling

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“Oswego is home to the largest facility of its kind on Lake Ontario and the most technologically advanced handling system in New York State and on the Great Lakes and has an on-site USDA lab,” William Scriber, executive director and CEO of the Port of Oswego Authority (POA), said in announcing the award. “The grain handling capacity and conveyance improvements from this project have helped propel the Port to its highest level of business in years. We applaud C&S for being recognized for this award, and for the great job they did on the project.”

The $15 million project involved the construction of a centralized control building with dedicated spaces for electrical controls, the air-compressor system, and the automated silo-controls center. Installation of a new 4,000-amp electrical service powered the new silo. It also entailed setting up a fiber-optic network, implementing security upgrades, and executing drainage improvements.

The POA selected C&S Cos. to design and oversee the construction of its Grain Handling Capacity and Conveyance Improvements Project. For decades, the POA stored grain from local farmers on the ground under aging, timber-domed buildings, it said. The authority manually loaded it out for shipment by ship or rail. Recently, the POA began exporting grain internationally. To maintain its USDA export license, the Port of Oswego needed a modern silo and conveyance system, per the release. The new system is automated and includes a 21,000-metric-ton silo, an unloading pit for trucks and rail, and load-out systems for railcar, truck, and ship. Additionally, two on-site laboratories were upgraded: one for USDA inspectors to verify exports and one for SUNY Oswego to test inbound grain.

“We have more than 100 local farmers who deliver grain to the Port. This system can unload a truckload of grain (35,000 lbs.) in less than a minute, and it can load a railcar (100 tons of grain) in just minutes. This reduced unloading time allows farmers the ability to flow more grain into the facility,” Scriber said.

ACEC New York represents and supports engineering professionals in New York state. It advocates for them with its clients and all levels of government. It also offers education, inclusion, partnering, and knowledge sharing.

The Port of Oswego says its strategic location at the crossroads of the Northeastern North American shipping market, puts it less than 350 miles from 60 million people.

Ask Rusty: Can One Work While Collecting SS Disability?

Business Mentors, Subscriber Only

Dear Rusty: If a person is collecting Social Security (SS) disability benefits, can he, at any point, work at all? If he can, what is the maximum he can earn and still keep the disability benefit? I am asking because my husband is still young, but his injuries will not allow him to go back

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Dear Rusty: If a person is collecting Social Security (SS) disability benefits, can he, at any point, work at all? If he can, what is the maximum he can earn and still keep the disability benefit? I am asking because my husband is still young, but his injuries will not allow him to go back to the job he had prior to his injuries and surgeries. He does not just want to sit at home doing nothing.

Signed: Concerned Wife

Dear Concerned: Actually, the Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages those collecting SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits to attempt to go back to work and it provides considerable leeway for them to do so. The monthly earnings limit for those collecting SSDI benefits in 2024 is $1,550. As long as your husband earns less than the limit while working, his SSDI benefits will not be in jeopardy. Your husband should contact Social Security’s Ticket to Work program directly to protect his disability status and discuss returning to work while collecting SSDI benefits.

The Ticket to Work program assists those now receiving SSDI benefits who wish to test their ability to return to work without putting their SSDI benefits at risk. The program provides considerable assistance — including new career-training opportunities and connection to potential employers — and it is voluntary and costs nothing. More information on Social Security’s Ticket to Work program is available at: https://choosework.ssa.gov/

It’s not mandatory for your husband to enroll in the Ticket to Work program but, in addition to other available assistance, he can request a trial-work period, which would allow for nine months, over a rolling five-year period, during which he can earn any amount (even over the normal monthly limit mentioned above) without risking his SSDI benefits. Within the trial-work period, only those months he earns over the normal monthly SSDI limit would count as a trial-work month. So, for example, your husband could work part time regularly earning under the normal monthly limit and if, in some months (up to nine), he earned more it wouldn’t affect his SSDI benefits.

So, your younger disabled husband can, indeed, work while on Social Security disability, for as long as he wishes while earning under the monthly SSDI limit (the SSDI earnings limit changes yearly). He may also wish to enroll in Social Security’s Ticket to Work program for assistance with developing a new career. Plus, he can take advantage of using trial-work months in the event his work earnings will, at times, exceed the monthly SSDI limit. If your husband earns over the SSDI limit for more than the nine trial-work months and his benefits are consequently stopped, he can — within the 5-year trial-work period — have his benefits reinstated (without again going through the full application process) if his disability, once more, renders him unable to work full time.

For starters, I suggest your husband contact Social Security’s Ticket to Work program directly at (833) 889-0108 to discuss returning to work part time. The SSA will guide him through the entire process.

Russell Gloor is a national Social Security advisor at the AMAC Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC). The 2.4-million-member AMAC says it is a senior advocacy organization. Send your questions to: ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.

Author’s note: This article is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). The NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity.

Watertown Airport’s new approach lighting system is certified

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Regional News, Subscriber Only

HOUNSFIELD — A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight-inspection team from Atlantic City, New Jersey on Feb. 21 certified the approach-lighting system at the Watertown International Airport. The new navigation aid is designed to help pilots who are landing aircraft in “poor visibility conditions,” said officials from the airport, which is located in the town of

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New network aims to connect farms, agribusiness to resources

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Subscriber Only

MOHAWK — Last fall, the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD), in partnership with Schoharie County, launched the Mohawk Valley Farm and Agribusiness Network (MVFAN) as a clearinghouse for farms and agribusinesses to provide information, resources, networking, and more. The network is the next iteration of the former Mohawk Valley Food Action Network, formed in

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The network is the next iteration of the former Mohawk Valley Food Action Network, formed in 2010 by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and other partners to strengthen the local food system and promote efforts that increased food-system business opportunities.

The group went by the wayside, says MVEDD Deputy Director Heather Devitt, but a roundtable session last year in Schoharie County revealed that farmers and agribusinesses really needed a place where they could get information about resources such as loans and grants available to them.

Since MVEDD still owned the www.mvfoodaction.org URL, Devitt says the district decided to create MVFAN as a subcommittee and revive that website. The new site launched in October 2023.

“For the most part, it’s a clearinghouse,” says Devitt. It lists information on loans and grants, other programs, state and county resources, and even includes links to things like local farmer’s markets.

“Everyone wants to support farmers,” Amanda Whalen, MVEDD clean energy community coordinator, says. MVFAN is a way to give that support and provide vital information.

The best part, she says, is that MVFAN has already done the work, researching what funding is available for what projects and providing links to more information or online applications.

Farmers and other agribusinesses can access the site during their own time, taking what information from it they need. But they can also reach out to MVEDD if they need more help, Whalen notes.

“I don’t know how to farm, but I can help people fill out paperwork,” she quips.

Beyond just providing information on the website, MVFAN is taking even more steps to not only provide information, but also present educational and networking opportunities. Last year, it hosted a workshop on becoming “New York State Grown and Certified.”

“This was our way to connect the farmers … to funding,” Devitt notes. Along with providing all the information on how to become certified, the organization also provided information about funding available to help in that process.

On Wednesday, March 6, MVFAM is hosting a free “Field To Fork Forum” in the town of Jefferson in Schoharie County, in conjunction with the New York State Restaurant Association for restauranteurs and farmers to discuss locally sourcing food. The goal is to help farmers learn what they need to do in order to supply local restaurants and to help eateries learn about the local food options available to them.

“There’s going to be restaurants there,” Devitt says. “There’s going to be farmers there. There’s going to be a panel discussion.” There will also be a question-and-answer session and networking opportunities.

“It helps the farms,” she says. “It helps the restaurants. It helps the Mohawk Valley economy.”

The Mohawk Valley area was known as the breadbasket during the Revolutionary War because of its rich agricultural opportunities, and agriculture remains a large component of the area’s economy today, Devitt notes.

“I think this is the time really for the resurgence of local farms,” she concludes.

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Benchmark stays negative, pointing to continued contraction

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Also received scholarship, banner

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Boeheim remarks

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