Hochul signs law to boost public-sector workers’ benefits

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 21 signed a legislative package that seeks to strengthen the rights and benefits of public-sector workers in New York state. This package builds upon changes announced earlier this year to “rebuild and modernize” the state and local public-sector workforce as part of the state budget, her office announced. About the […]

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 21 signed a legislative package that seeks to strengthen the rights and benefits of public-sector workers in New York state.

This package builds upon changes announced earlier this year to “rebuild and modernize” the state and local public-sector workforce as part of the state budget, her office announced.

About the laws

One of the laws ensures un-remarried spouses and dependents have access to health insurance after the death of a former state or political subdivision employee who retired with an accidental disability or a performance-of-duty disability pension.

Under “certain scenarios,” the New York State Health Insurance Plan only allows for this in cases where the employee had at least 10 years of service prior to their death. This law will now allow those spouses and dependents of such retirees with less than 10 years of service to carry such insurance.

The package also includes a law that provides rights to employees outside of the competitive class in the case of a reduction in the workforce that is consistent with what is provided to employees in the competitive class. This new law will provide equal reduction and recall provisions in civil-service law to permanently appointed employees in competitive, non-competitive, and labor jurisdictional classifications at all levels of state and local government, Hochul’s office said.

Another law closes the loophole for arbitrations between public employers and employees by requiring a party to make an application to modify or vacate an award within 90 days after delivery of the award. This change will ensure that there is a “more timely” final resolution to matters subject to arbitration, requiring an unsuccessful party to determine whether it intends to comply with an award or will move to vacate or modify an award within the 90-day period, per Hochul’s office.

While a motion to vacate/modify must be brought within 90 days currently, there is a separate right specifically mentioned in the law and only applicable when the other party seeks to confirm the award, meaning the previous law specifically provided the right to challenge on grounds outside of 90 days.

“Governor Hochul has once again proven she stands in solidarity with hard working CSEA members in signing several bills that protect and improve our rights,” CSEA President Mary Sullivan said in a statement. “We are thankful for the governor’s continued support and respect of public employees. Her actions provide meaningful relief to many public workers in our state.”

Sullivan and the CSEA publicly endorsed Hochul in the 2022 election for New York governor in January of that year (https://cseany.org/workforce/?p=10759).

Ask Rusty: Can I Voluntarily Suspend My SS Payments?

Business Mentors, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

Dear Rusty: My wife retired in 2015 and is receiving Social Security (SS). I am past my full retirement age, and I still work. I recently filed for SS benefits and received my first payment earlier this month, and my benefits are around three times my wife’s. I now find that, due to other income,

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Dear Rusty: My wife retired in 2015 and is receiving Social Security (SS). I am past my full retirement age, and I still work. I recently filed for SS benefits and received my first payment earlier this month, and my benefits are around three times my wife’s. I now find that, due to other income, I am having some regrets about filing for Social Security, as the taxes will be complicated. So, my questions are:

1. If I do a “voluntary suspension,” can my wife still apply to get up to 50 percent of my benefits, or do I have to be “actively” receiving SS benefits? In other words, does the “Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015” prevent this?

2. If I do a “voluntary suspension,” how soon could I “restart” my benefits?

Signed: Second Thoughts

Dear Second Thoughts: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 closed a loophole which previously allowed people to file for their Social Security retirement benefit in order for their marital partner to claim a spousal benefit, after which the primary beneficiary could suspend their own benefit and allow it to grow to maximum at age 70. That “file and suspend” option went away in April 2016; thus, your wife cannot claim her spousal benefit while your Social Security retirement benefits are suspended (you must be “actively” receiving benefits for your wife to get benefits on your record).

Nevertheless, because you’ve already reached your full retirement age (FRA), you can voluntarily suspend your benefit payments at any time to allow them to continue growing by simply calling the Social Security Administration (SSA) at your local office (or at the national number: (800) 772-1213) and asking it to do so. Your wife will not receive her spousal benefits for any months your benefits are suspended, but she would continue to get her own SS retirement amount (only the spousal portion of her monthly amount would be suspended).

You will be able to restart your benefits at any time by calling the SSA again and asking that your benefits be resumed. You can suspend and restart your benefits as needed (no restriction on how many times), but the agency will only start/resume the suspension effective with the month following the month you call. And, as you likely already know, for each month your benefits are suspended you will earn delayed retirement credits, resulting in a higher payment amount later.

Just for clarity, voluntary suspension of benefits is only available to those who have reached their FRA but is an excellent way to increase your monthly Social Security payment. Your benefit will grow by 0.667 percent for each month suspended and, if your benefit is still suspended when you turn 70 years old, the SSA will automatically resume payments at that time, at your higher maximum monthly amount.

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.

VIEWPOINT: 7 tips for choosing your health benefits in 2024

Business Mentors, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Subscriber Only

As inflation in the U.S. remains high, you may be looking to adjust your lifestyle and spending habits. But when it comes to health care, it’s important to keep your budget and well-being in mind. This year’s open-enrollment season is a good chance to review how you’re using health services and decide whether you’ll stick

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

As inflation in the U.S. remains high, you may be looking to adjust your lifestyle and spending habits. But when it comes to health care, it’s important to keep your budget and well-being in mind.

This year’s open-enrollment season is a good chance to review how you’re using health services and decide whether you’ll stick with the plan you’ve got or switch to another being offered. It’s also an opportunity to assess your overall care costs to help ensure you choose a plan that will work best for next year’s budget.

Enrollment timing: For people with coverage from their employer, open enrollment typically happens during a two-week or three-week period between September and December. For those eligible for Medicare, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. Coverage selections made during the fall will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Here are seven tips to consider when choosing a plan that may help lead you to better health and cost savings:

1. Consider all your options. Take time to understand and compare the benefits, services, and costs of each plan available to you, so you can figure out which will be the best fit. Pay attention to more than just the monthly premium — like what out-of-pocket costs, including the deductible, copays. and coinsurance, you may be responsible for.

Medicare members and caregivers: As you weigh your options, ensure you’re familiar with the difference between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. If you need a review, visit MedicareEducation.com — an online resource with answers to questions about eligibility, plan choices, cost basics, prescription coverage and more.

2. Learn the language. If you’re overwhelmed by or unsure about certain health-care terms, there are resources to help. As a start, check out UnitedHealth Group’s Just Plain Clear Glossary (https://justplainclear.com/en) (in English, Spanish and Portuguese) to help you make informed decisions.

Medicare members and caregivers: There’s a lot to learn about Medicare and Medicare Made Clear can help you understand the basics, the complexities and everything in between.

3. Help prevent financial surprises. Visiting doctors that are in-network is one way to help keep your costs lower. So before selecting a plan, check to see if your doctor is in your health plan’s provider network. Also, make sure your medications will be covered by the plan you choose next year — even if you don’t expect to change plans. Look into filling your prescriptions at a participating network pharmacy or with home delivery by mail — two more potentially money-saving options.

Medicare members and caregivers: You may be surprised to learn original Medicare doesn’t generally cover prescription drugs. Consider adding Part D or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription-drug coverage to help keep your medication costs in check.

4. Check for mental-health coverage. In addition to in-person mental health care, you may have access to a large virtual network of therapists and psychiatrists. Some health insurers also offer advocacy services to help you find the right type of behavioral health care.

Medicare members and caregivers: Look for plans that offer virtual mental health care with a $0 copay.

5. Don’t forget about specialty benefits. Additional benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, or critical illness insurance, are often available and may contribute to overall well-being.

Medicare members and caregivers: You may be surprised that original Medicare doesn’t cover most dental, vision and hearing services, but many Medicare Advantage plans do.

6. Look into wellness programs. Many health plans offer incentives that reward you for taking healthier actions, such as completing a health survey, exercising, or avoiding nicotine.

Medicare members and caregivers: Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer gym memberships and wellness programs for members at no additional cost.

7. Explore virtual-care services. If you’re busy or just prefer connecting with a doctor from the convenience of your home, consider choosing a plan that includes 24/7 virtual care. You may have access to virtual wellness visits, urgent care, and chronic condition management.

Medicare members and caregivers: Most Medicare Advantage plans provide access to virtual care, which can be an easier, more affordable way to talk with doctors about common health issues on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Junior Harewood is CEO of UnitedHealthcare of New York.

D5 Consulting says DEI training is key to workplace culture

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Regional News, Small Business, Subscriber Only

ENDICOTT, N.Y. — Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training might not be on every employer’s to-do list, but it should be, according to a Binghamton–area consulting firm that offers a variety of trainings. Diversity, equity, and inclusion, at its heart, means appreciating and valuing individual differences and unique attributes including ethnicity, gender, age, and more,

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, at its heart, means appreciating and valuing individual differences and unique attributes including ethnicity, gender, age, and more, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Most people associate DEI with race, says Amira Davis of Endicott–based D5 Consulting Group, LLC, but it’s about much more than race. It also includes LGBTQ, religion, and disabilities, and even recognizing that not everyone celebrates the same holidays. It also means respecting those differences.

And the bottom line is that it’s simply good business to train employees when it comes to DEI, Davis contends.

“You’re making an investment in your employees,” she says. “You’re making an investment in your company.”

A corporate culture that embraces DEI first has to start from the top down, she notes, and is a safe and respectful environment where all employees are treated the same.

Failure to do so can result in lower morale, employee resentment, and even higher turnover, Davis says. “People stay where they feel like they are valued.”

To help foster such an environment, Davis recommends companies ask their employees what they need. A simple way to do that is to send out a survey, and then really pay attention to the responses, she adds.

“Paying attention to your staff is really one of the biggest things,” says Davis, but other efforts can include starting a DEI group among leadership, fostering active listening, and forming an employee-resource group.

Companies can also hire firms such as D5 to come in and provide in-person training, which is Davis’s preference. The conversations surrounding DEI can be difficult and uncomfortable, and a pre-recorded video training can’t always adequately walk participants through those, she says.

The concepts behind DEI really aren’t new, but it’s important to remind people, she says. A lot of it is just reminding people to have respect for each other. “If we respect each other, we can listen to other perspectives,” Davis says.

Whether it’s through in-house initiatives or bringing in outside training, company leaders should understand that creating an inclusive culture doesn’t happen overnight.

D5 Consulting can collaborate with organizations to come up with a plan to reach DEI goals through coaching and support.

“What we’re trying to do is make sure it’s not just a buzzword,” Davis says. “It should just be built into the culture of a company.”

Owned by Sammy and Amira Davis, D5 Consulting offers training on DEI, cultural competency, group facilitation, train the trainers, drug and alcohol awareness, leadership and situation awareness, workplace violence (active shooter), and sexual harassment to businesses and school districts.

Launch NY to use $1M MetLife investment to promote upstate entrepreneurship

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Insurance & Financial Services, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Regional News, Small Business, Subscriber Only

“MetLife Foundation’s investment enables us to create opportunities for talented entrepreneurs who will encourage growth and economic prosperity in Upstate New York,” Marnie LaVigne, president and CEO of Launch NY, said in the MetLife release. “We value their commitment to the region and look forward to building on our successful partnership.” MetLife Foundation says its

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

MetLife Foundation says its strategy centers on “driving inclusive economic mobility and strengthening the communities” where MetLife has a presence through three portfolio areas. They include economic inclusion, financial health, and resilient communities.

With MetLife employees living and working in the Utica area, the commitment by MetLife and the foundation will provide “ongoing support” to the community and residents.

“As a company founded in New York, we are proud to be part of the state’s fabric and believe we have an important role in the communities we serve,” Michel Khalaf, president and CEO of MetLife, said in the release. “The commitment by MetLife and MetLife Foundation seeks to build upon existing efforts in Utica and the surrounding area to help all New Yorkers thrive.”

Other grants

In addition to its Launch NY investment, the MetLife Foundation says it has already made more than $1.4 million in grants to upstate New York nonprofits.

They include the Food Bank of Central New York, which will use its funding to address food insecurity through the expansion of their weekend meal program for school-age children and mobile food pantry.

The funding recipients also include the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, which will use its funding “bridge the gap” between the community and resources through workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, and resident engagement.

In addition, Munson of Utica will use its grant to broaden access to its gallery spaces by making them accessible to visitors with mobility limitations. The funding will also target summer workshops for local children and teens at no cost.

Founded in 1868 and headquartered in New York City, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and says it holds leading positions in the U.S., Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to handle MetLife’s corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its inception, MetLife Foundation has contributed more than $1 billion to strengthen communities where MetLife has a presence.

North Country nurses can pursue doctorate program remotely

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, New York News, Nonprofits, Regional News, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — North Country nurses can pursue an advanced degree remotely through a collaboration between Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and SUNY Canton. Representatives from both colleges recently signed an agreement allowing Upstate Medical’s College of Nursing to offer its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree remotely through SUNY Canton’s Margaret D. Sovie School

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — North Country nurses can pursue an advanced degree remotely through a collaboration between Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and SUNY Canton.

Representatives from both colleges recently signed an agreement allowing Upstate Medical’s College of Nursing to offer its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree remotely through SUNY Canton’s Margaret D. Sovie School of Nursing.

The partnership allows both institutions to help broaden access to higher-education options, Michele Snyder, dean of the SUNY Canton School of Science Health and Criminal Justice, said in an Upstate Medical University news release.

“This extends Canton’s partnership with Upstate to offer stronger opportunities locally and regionally for students interested in pursuing advanced credentialing in the nursing field,” Snyder said. “It creates more access opportunities for those in the nursing discipline and bolsters the health care education pipeline.”

SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran said the new arrangement will present “more opportunities” for area nurses to advance their careers.

“We created this partnership to help address the critical shortage of highly trained and expert nurses in our immediate area,” Szafran said in the Upstate Medical release. “As an added benefit, it elevates the prestige of our nursing program and will offer more advanced degree options for our graduates.”

Upstate Medical University’s DNP degree is for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and others who play a “pivotal role in the future of health care.” It prepares a candidate for future leadership, health policy, and advocacy roles, emphasizing interprofessional practice and information technology, Upstate said.

“We’re pleased to partner with our SUNY Canton colleagues to offer this important degree program to area nurses,” Tammy Austin-Ketch, dean of the College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University, said. “The doctor of nursing practice degree program provides nurses with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in preparation for leadership positions in a rapidly changing health care field.”

SUNY Canton will offer learning and teaching space for students in Upstate Medical’s DNP program. Previously, students would have to travel or commute to Syracuse to participate in the program, Upstate Medical noted.

Upstate Medical University will access SUNY Canton’s distance and online learning strengths to provide classes. Upstate Medical will offer classes at Canton on an as-needed basis to DNP students from the North Country area.

To apply to the program or to view its requirements, please visit Upstate Medical’s College of Nursing website (https://www.upstate.edu/con/programs/doctor-nursing-practice/apply-now.php).

VIEWPOINT: 10 Make or Break Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Consider

Business Mentors, Small Business, Subscriber Only

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

We [recently] celebrated entrepreneurs with National Entrepreneurs Day on Nov. 25. This [marked] an excellent time for entrepreneurs around the country to take a moment to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate. While they get caught up in the daily life of what it takes to start a business and keep it running, it’s essential also to celebrate the act of being an entrepreneur. There are also crucial lessons that all those who start their own business should consider to get the most out of their experience.

I get it and realize that we are busy all year long, but when National Entrepreneurs Day comes around, we need to take a small break to reflect and celebrate. We need some encouragement from time to time, so take some time to give yourself a silent, or not so silent, toast for the occasion.

According to NorthOne, there are around 582 million entrepreneurs globally, with 31 million in America. Each year, millions of people in the U.S. open a business. Some make it, some do not, but every one of them was the effort of someone bold enough to give something a try. They put themselves out there to offer the world a service or product.

When someone gets serious about starting a business, they begin learning. All along their journey, there are lessons that they learn that help them navigate the field. These can be powerful messages for others wanting to deepen their understanding of the business world.

Here are 10 make-or-break lessons that every entrepreneur should consider:

• Act. It is easy to put things off and think that one day, you will start the company, do something to grow it, or offer a new product or service. There is no better time than the present. Putting it off will keep entrepreneurs from having a first position. The timing will never be better than now, so don’t hesitate.

• Evolve. Be open to your ideas changing and taking a new shape. That’s how a company grows. This is how you hone your product or service to improve, so be open to new ideas and improvements.

• Trust. It is often difficult for entrepreneurs to trust others and let them into their business. Any business that wants to grow needs to trust others because you can’t do everything alone. Finding the right people to hire, trust, and empowering them is essential, and then get out of their way so they can help you.

• Forgive. Learning to forgive will be crucial because mistakes and failures will happen. They are all learning lessons, so take what you can from them, forgive, and move on. Try to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

• Connect. It is vital to find people you jell with and connect with them. Look for those who share your work style, who do what they say they are going to do, and who have creative ideas.

• Accept. Getting caught up trying to ensure everything is perfect is the enemy of making progress. Perfection does not exist, and chasing after it is exhausting and futile. Put your best effort forward and accept that change happens and things are imperfect. Do not let that imperfection hold you back.

• Focus. Mindfulness is the key to happiness. Forget focusing on what has already happened and what lies ahead. Each day, focus on that day, so you can make it the best it can be.

• Learn. There are lessons to learn along the way as an entrepreneur. Be willing to push the ego aside and accept that you don’t know everything. Being a success means you can accept learning new things and will be resilient during challenging times.

• Risk. Be willing to take risks. As the old saying goes, if you take a risk and win, then you will be happy. If you lose, then you will be wise. Either way, the experience will enrich your life and you can’t ever win without taking the risks.

• Persist. Being a successful entrepreneur means sticking it out for the long haul. There will be setbacks and bumps in the road, but only those who stick with it during those times will become successful.

There is no doubt that entrepreneurship is hard. If you are an entrepreneur, take time to celebrate your accomplishments, even if it’s only for a few moments.

Dan O’Toole is CEO of Arrive (formerly Dronedek), which offers smart mailboxes that accommodate most deliveries, including food, medication, and other items needing protection from porch pirates or adverse weather conditions. Deliveries are put into the weather-proof box via drone; nobody besides the rightful owner can access it. Arrive’s smart mailboxes also enhance public safety by aiding emergency services in locating homes that have placed 9-1-1 calls.

KeyCorp to pay fourth-quarter dividend in mid-December

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent company of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York region — has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20.5 cents per share of its common stock for the fourth quarter of this year. The dividend is payable on Dec. 15 to

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Jefferson County hotels post nearly 10 percent decline in guests in October

Regional News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Jefferson County hotels registered an almost 10 percent drop in overnight guests in October, but two other indicators of hotel-business performance were mixed. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county slipped 9.6 percent to 53.1 percent in the 10th month of 2023 from October 2022,

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Grow-NY recognizes firms from Ithaca, Poughkeepsie, and beyond

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Regional News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — This year’s Grow-NY business competition awarded prize money to businesses from Ithaca and Poughkeepsie, two from Ontario, and companies from Georgia and the United Kingdom as well. Grow-NY is focused on “enhancing the emerging” food, beverage, and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier. The

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Grow-NY is focused on “enhancing the emerging” food, beverage, and agriculture innovation cluster in Central New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Southern Tier.

The office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the winning firms following the competition’s conclusion on Nov. 15 in Binghamton.

Now in its fifth year, the program awarded a total of $3 million to seven finalists participating in the business-development accelerator and two-day pitch competition at the Grow-NY Summit this year held in Binghamton.

Both Clean Label Solution of Ithaca and Mush Foods of Poughkeepsie won $250,000 prizes. Cattle Scan of Toronto also won a $250,000 prize, and SomaDetec of Thornhill, Ontario, (north of Toronto) won $500,000 in the contest. In addition, MycoLogic of Kennesaw, Georgia was awarded $250,000 and Crover of Edinburgh, United Kingdom also won a $500,000 prize.

Hypercell Technologies of Peachtree Corners, Georgia won the $1 million grand-prize.

The competition also featured a “Wegmans Audience Choice” award, selected by the public, for the startup that had the most standout and promising pitch. Big Yield Growers of Endicott received $10,000 in prize money sponsored by Wegmans.

The winning teams must commit to operating in the participating regions for at least one year, while providing Grow-NY with a small equity investment stake in their entity. The competition is administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement, Hochul’s office noted.

“The winners of this year’s Grow-NY competition represent some of the most innovative and forward-thinking entrepreneurs from around the world that will take our state’s food and agriculture sector to the next level,” Hochul said in a news release. “Through Grow-NY and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, my administration is doubling down on its commitment to driving economic growth in every part of our state, sparking innovation, and creating the jobs and opportunities that will move New York forward.”

About the winning firms

Clean Label Solution of Ithaca has proprietary technology that improves protein and fat digestibility and reduces carbon-dioxide emissions and energy consumption in the production of soy-based animal feeds for livestock such as dairy cattle, poultry, deer, and fish farms, as described in the state’s news release.

Mush Foods of Poughkeepsie “harnesses the power and intelligence” of mushrooms with its edible mushroom mycelium, creating a “groundbreaking, sustainable, animal-free” protein for the food and beverage industry.

MycoLogic of Kennesaw, Georgia is a “comprehensive solution” for starting or expanding a specialty mushroom-cultivation business. They provide hardware and software for the semiautonomous cultivation of specialty mushrooms, as well as biological support and consultation, per the release.

Crover of Edinburgh, United Kingdom is “on a mission to help” grain-storage operators reduce losses and maintain “optimum” storage conditions, “efficiently and remotely monitoring and maintaining the quality of grain bulks through its ‘grain swimming’ robotic technology.”

SomaDetect of Thornhill, Ontario says its “cutting-edge” sensor and software system provides farmers with the information they need to make the “best milk possible,” offering dairy producers “automatic and reliable” milk-based data directly from their milking line to streamline day-to-day operations of dairy farms, the state said.

Cattle Scan of Toronto, Ontario says its cattle-monitoring bolus allows dairy farmers to “facilitate real-time monitoring” of individual cattle, “improving overall herd health, increasing production efficiency, and helping advance business sustainability and operational excellence,” according to the release.

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Get our email updates

What's New

Upcoming Events

Project Homecoming Job & Career Fair 2025

Annual Nonprofit Conference 2026

2026 CenterState CEO Economic Forecast Breakfast

CNYBJ Job Board

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get our email updates