Farm bill with farmer-payment program extended for a year, Schumer says

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U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) on Friday announced that he has secured an extension of the dairy margin coverage (DMC) program that he

Seven-county virtual job fair set for Nov. 28

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UTICA, N.Y. — The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties’ Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness (RADAR) grant project will sponsor a free

Syracuse football fires Dino Babers as head coach, national search for replacement underway

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University Director of Athletics John Wildhack on Sunday announced that Dino Babers will conclude his tenure as head coach of the

Ask Rusty: When Should I Retire and Claim My Social Security Benefits?

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Dear Rusty: I am 64 years old and having difficulty working due to my arthritis, but I can continue part time as a podiatrist. I do not know the best way to determine when to retire. What is the formula or a way to determine which is a better choice? Signed: Undecided Dear Undecided: There

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Dear Rusty: I am 64 years old and having difficulty working due to my arthritis, but I can continue part time as a podiatrist. I do not know the best way to determine when to retire. What is the formula or a way to determine which is a better choice?

Signed: Undecided

Dear Undecided: There is a difference between deciding when to retire from working and deciding when to claim your Social Security benefits. For the former, you should consult with a certified financial advisor, but I’ll inform you on how Social Security fits into your personal circumstances. In deciding when to claim Social Security, you should look at your financial needs, your life expectancy, your work status, and your marital status. There is no one formula right for everyone because everyone’s circumstances are different, but here are some things to help decide what is right for you.

• The Social Security program has an “earnings test” that applies to people who collect Social Security (SS) before reaching their full retirement age (FRA). Your FRA is 66 years and 8 months, and that is the point at which you receive 100 percent of the SS benefit earned from a lifetime of working. If you collect SS before your FRA and continue to work, there is a limit to how much you can earn without jeopardizing your benefits. For example, the earnings limit for 2023 is $21,240, and if that is exceeded, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will take away benefits equal to $1 for every $2 you are over the limit. It “takes away” benefits by withholding future payments until the agency recovers the penalty for exceeding the limit. If your earnings are substantially over the limit, you will be ineligible to collect Social Security until either your earnings are lower, or you reach your FRA.

• If you claim Social Security before your FRA, your benefit amount will be permanently reduced. If, for example, you claim SS to start at age 65 your monthly benefit will be about 89 percent of what it would be at your FRA. That reduced benefit would not change thereafter except for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) usually granted annually.

• If Social Security will be a major part of your retirement income, then waiting to receive a higher monthly benefit may be a prudent strategy for you. The longer you wait to claim the higher your benefit will be. Your SS benefit will continue to grow until you are 70 years old, and at age 70 your monthly benefit will be about 27 percent more than it would be at your FRA.

• Life expectancy is a key factor in deciding when to claim Social Security. If you claim at age 70 instead of at your FRA, you will need to live until you are about age 83 to break even moneywise. If you live even longer than that, then waiting until 70 will yield the highest monthly amount and the most in cumulative lifetime benefits. But if your anticipated life expectancy is lower, claiming earlier may be a better choice.

• If you are married and expect your wife to survive you, consider that the benefit your wife can receive as your widow will be based on your SS benefit when you die. Thus, the longer you wait to claim the more your wife’s benefit as your widow may be. If you predecease your wife, her benefit will be based on the amount you were receiving at your death, if that is more than her personally earned SS benefit.

So, as you can see, deciding when to claim Social Security is a decision to be made after carefully evaluating your personal circumstances, as described above.

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.

Burr Truck launches battery- powered electric truck sales

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Manufacturing & Engineering, Regional News, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

VESTAL, N.Y. — Commercial truck dealer Burr Truck and Trailer Sales has officially launched the sale of battery-powered electric trucks at its 2901 Vestal Road sales and service center. The company held a kickoff event on Nov. 6 to show off its Volvo and Workhorse electric trucks. Burr is the first Workhorse distribution and service

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VESTAL, N.Y. — Commercial truck dealer Burr Truck and Trailer Sales has officially launched the sale of battery-powered electric trucks at its 2901 Vestal Road sales and service center.

The company held a kickoff event on Nov. 6 to show off its Volvo and Workhorse electric trucks. Burr is the first Workhorse distribution and service provider in New York.

“The demand is there now with the incentives that are out there,” Burr’s director of sales Mark Stone says of why the dealership felt now was the right time to add battery electric trucks to its lineup. Burr sells trucks in classes 3-8, ranging in size from local delivery trucks to heavy duty and semi-trucks and has electric options across its portfolio.

It’s really that class 4 size, the local delivery trucks, that Stone thinks will really take off with battery electric sales. “It’s last mile delivery,” he says, so businesses like UPS, Amazon Prime, or any company that runs local, daily delivery routes.

In a truck with a diesel engine, those engines are putting out a lot of emissions as those trucks constantly run and idle during deliveries.

With a battery-powered electric truck, there are no emissions, he notes. No burning through fuel at $3.70 or more a gallon. A fully charged truck has a range of 150 miles and will easily handle a daily route. “Then they can come back to home base and slow charge overnight,” Stone says. At between 58 cents and 60 cents per kilowatt, it costs an average of $35 to fully charge, compared with about $200 to fill the gas tank, he contends.

Burr Truck and Trailer Sales’ electric trucks also average just one-third of diesel truck maintenance costs, Stone adds.

With the state’s strong push towards cleaner fuels, Burr wanted to get into the game early, Stone says of the battery-powered electric trucks. The demand is already there in the state’s more urban markets and is only going to grow.

“We saw this as an opportunity for us to solve a problem,” he says. Along with helping the environment, getting on board now also helps clients as there are currently a lot of incentives to help companies make the switch to battery electric, he notes.

Even Burr was able to benefit from those incentives, getting reimbursed for 80 percent of the company’s cost to upgrade its facility to battery electric trucks and adding a public level 3 fast-charge station. That public charger has at least eight customers a day, he adds.

It took Burr Truck and Trailer Sales about a year to complete all the necessary training to become certified as a battery electric dealer along with the site work, which included upgrading the facility’s electric panel and adding an additional transformer.

Stone points out that with all the work Burr did to write grant applications for various incentives, the dealership offers that expertise to customers as they add battery electric vehicles to their own fleets.

“We are the strategic partner for the customers,” he says. “We help soup to nuts.”

Looking ahead, Stone expects that battery-powered electric sales will equal about one-third of Burr’s business within five years. For 2024, he projects the dealership will have battery electric sales well over $2.5 million.

Burr Truck, founded in 1967, is a third-generation, family-owned commercial dealership offering sales, leasing, and service.

TTM to expand in DeWitt with $130M manufacturing plant

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only, Technology

DeWITT, N.Y. — TTM Technologies, Inc., a California–based firm with operations in DeWitt, has chosen the Syracuse suburb for an upcoming high-tech manufacturing facility that will create an estimated 400 jobs. TTM Technologies, a global manufacturer of technology products, intends to invest up to $130 million to build the new plant, Gov. Kathy Hochul and

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TTM Technologies, a global manufacturer of technology products, intends to invest up to $130 million to build the new plant, Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) announced on Nov. 1.

TTM Technologies is a manufacturer of technology products including mission systems, radio frequency (RF) components/RF microwave/microelectronic assemblies, quick-turn and technologically advanced PCBs, or printed circuit boards.

TTM stands for time-to-market, “representing how TTM’s time-critical, one-stop manufacturing services enable customers to shorten the time required to develop new products and bring them to market,” per the announcement.

TTM’s upcoming new facility will produce ultra-high density interconnect PCBs, which are described as TTM’s most advanced PCBs that will primarily be used for U.S. military applications and will also be “crucial to the U.S. semiconductor industry,” per the announcement.

The new plant will be co-located on 24 acres adjacent to TTM’s existing production facility at 6635 Kirkville Road in DeWitt. TTM Technologies is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California and acquired Anaren Inc. of DeWitt in 2018.

TTM’s new plant will be “one of the first in the nation” to specialize in manufacturing PCBs and advanced packaging. TTM will also invest in research and development that will further integrated-circuit substrate and HDI PCB technologies across the U.S.

To support the construction of TTM’s proposed facility, Empire State Development (ESD) will provide up to $17 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs tax credits in exchange for the creation of 400 new jobs and the retention of more than 600 existing jobs in DeWitt.

As with all Excelsior Jobs projects, TTM will receive the credits after demonstrating that it has met its job and investment commitments, per the announcement. Additionally, ESD has awarded TTM a $5 million capital grant from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative for reimbursement for machinery and equipment.

TTM expects the planned facility to bring “disruptive capability” for the ultra-HDI PCBs. It is expected to be one of the largest PCB manufacturing sites in North America. It will have an “advanced, highly optimized” process to allow for shorter lead times, faster delivery, and a significant increase in domestic capacity for ultra-HDI PCBs, which are smaller and lighter than other PCBs and offer more reliable signals at higher speeds.

In addition, this facility will be TTM’s “most sustainable” site in North America, the company says. The circuit boards are a key component of the microelectronics industry, supporting the growth of the domestic semiconductor industry that is being boosted by the CHIPS & Science Act.

“We expect the investment and standup of this capability to be another step toward creating a secure, trusted, and resilient national microelectronic supply chain,” Catherine Gridley, executive VP of TTM Technologies and president of the aerospace & defense sector, said in a release. “Selecting Central New York for this proposed high-tech site further demonstrates TTM’s support for New York State and the NY SMART I-Corridor, and continues to solidify TTM and Central New York’s place as a leader in microelectronics.”

“CenterState CEO worked for nearly two years with TTM’s executives and consultants to make a strong case for their project to be located in Central New York, Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said in a separate Nov. 1 statement. “We partnered closely with Empire State Development, Senator Schumer’s office and Onondaga County on the successful attraction effort.”

In another statement reacting to the announcement, U.S. Representative Brandon Williams (R–Sennett) said TTM began with an assessment of the entire contiguous U.S., looking at all counties and narrowing its assessment down to 27 markets in 16 states, and ultimately deciding the “new Silicon Empire in Central New York was the right choice for them.”

“Central New York is the new Silicon Empire — companies continue to make strategic and long-term investments in our region,” Williams contended. “TTM Technologies has been an incredible partner in ensuring that we have domestic production for our US Aerospace and Defense industrial base, promoting national security and good-paying local jobs.”

Tuthill named chef de cuisine for NY Rec & Social Club

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, New York News, People on the Move, Regional News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

VERONA, N.Y. — Turning Stone announced that it has named Dustin Tuthill the chef de cuisine of the soon-to-open NY Rec & Social Club sports lounge and nightclub. Tuthill, who has been with Turning Stone for 19 years, previously served as the chef de cuisine at 7 Kitchens buffet. “When we were developing the menu,

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Bassett set to open new school-based health center in Cherry Valley

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Health Care, Nonprofits, Regional News, Subscriber Only

CHERRY VALLEY, N.Y. — Bassett Healthcare Network is ready to soon open its 22nd school-based health center in the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District in Otsego County. Bassett’s school-based health program serves students in 18 districts across four counties and has more than 7,000 students enrolled. Services are available to all students in the covered

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CHERRY VALLEY, N.Y. — Bassett Healthcare Network is ready to soon open its 22nd school-based health center in the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School District in Otsego County.

Bassett’s school-based health program serves students in 18 districts across four counties and has more than 7,000 students enrolled. Services are available to all students in the covered districts regardless of income with no out-of-pocket costs.

“Expanding the reach of Bassett’s school-based health centers to even more communities helps our young people become healthy adults,” Bassett President/CEO Tommy Ibrahim said in a news release announcing the new location. “Nothing could be more important.”

Bassett will hold a ribbon cutting on Dec. 7 to celebrate the center’s opening in Cherry Valley.

The Cherry Valley-Springfield center provides easy access from both inside and outside the school. It includes a dedicated examination room, a dual-purpose room for dental and primary-care visits, a mental-health clinician’s office, practitioner’s office, conference room, laboratory, utility area, bathroom, and reception area.

The Cherry Valley-Springfield school-based health center “was possible due to Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School’s commitment to the health of their students and their strong collaboration and partnership with Bassett in planning the health center space,” Jane Hamilton, Bassett’s school-based health practice manager, said. “They have been incredible partners from early discussions to now as we eagerly anticipate the opening of this beautiful facility.”

She added that Bassett’s school-based health program exists due to generous donations. “We are deeply grateful to the generosity of the donors, especially Ginny Joslin Hastings, who have made this possible,” Hamilton said.

With almost one in five children in New York state living at or below the poverty level, Bassett works through its school-based clinics to ensure access to health care. Services provided include comprehensive physical exams, sports physicals, vaccinations, acute care with diagnosis and treatment of common childhood illnesses, chronic care for long-term health conditions, preventive and restorative dental services, and mental-health services.

“Bassett’s school-based health model offers a unique opportunity for communities and school districts to meet the health needs of their underserved students by achieving the same vision, that all children will be healthy and ready to learn,” Chris Kjolhede, co-director of the program, said.

Headquartered in Cooperstown, Bassett Healthcare Network provides services to a 5,600-square-mile region through five corporately affiliated hospitals, community-based and school-based health centers, skilled-nursing facilities, and other health partners.

Chemung Financial reports Q3 profit increase of 17 percent

Banks & Credit Unions, Insurance & Financial Services, New York News, Regional News, Subscriber Only

ELMIRA, N.Y. — Chemung Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: CHMG), the parent company of Chemung Canal Trust Company, recently reported third-quarter net income of $7.6 million, or $1.61 per share, up nearly 17 percent from $6.5 million, or $1.37 a share, in the year-ago quarter. When adjusted for non-recurring items, Chemung Financial posted quarterly earnings of $1.21

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When adjusted for non-recurring items, Chemung Financial posted quarterly earnings of $1.21 per share, which beat the Zacks Equity Research consensus estimate of $1.18 a share. It is the fourth time in the past four quarters that Chemung Financial has beaten the estimate.

“The company again demonstrated solid financial performance in the third quarter,” Chemung Financial president and CEO Anders M. Tomson said in the banking company’s late October earnings report. “As evidenced by our loan growth, we are continuing to support our customers while competitors in the marketplace have reduced their lending activities. This customer-focused approach has served us well through our 190-year legacy.”

Commercial loans at Chemung Financial rose 9.9 percent as of Sept. 30 versus Dec. 31, 2022.

Net interest income dropped more than 5 percent to $18 million in the third quarter from $19 million in the year-ago quarter, due primarily to an increase of $8.9 million in interest expense on deposits, offset by increases of $7.4 million in interest income on loans, including of fees, and $600,000 in interest and dividend income on taxable securities.

Non-interest income at Chemung Financial was $7.8 million in the third quarter, up 56 percent from $5 million in the same quarter last year. That was primarily due to the recognition of a $2.4 million employee-retention tax credit during the quarter. Chemung Financial filed amended prior-period tax returns that reflected the credit during the third quarter.

Chemung Financial’s total assets stood at $2.71 billion as of Sept. 30, up from $2.65 billion on Dec. 31, 2022.

Chemung Financial Corporation subsidiary Chemung Canal Trust Company, a full-service community bank, operates 31 branches in New York and Northern Pennsylvania. It is also the parent company of CFS Group, Inc., a financial-services subsidiary offering non-traditional services including mutual funds, annuities, brokerage services, tax preparation, and insurance, and of Chemung Risk Management, Inc., a captive insurance company based in Nevada.

Chemung Canal Trust Company marked its 190th anniversary on Oct. 22. Established in 1833, it is the state’s oldest independent community bank. It was formed after the Chemung Canal opened and a bank was necessary to support the growing community.

“The story of Chemung Canal Trust Company is fascinating,” Tomson said in a statement about the anniversary. “The waterway began just footsteps from our current main office, at the intersection of today’s Water Street and Clemens Center Parkway. This is a significant milestone, and we are proud to celebrate this journey, but we remain focused on anticipating and meeting the needs of our customers and communities for many years to come.”

The bank’s first office is now home to the Chemung Valley History Museum.

2024 Winter Fair hopes to attract thousands to Expo Center

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GEDDES — It’s become an annual event that provides a taste of summer in the middle of winter at the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds. Winter Fair 2024 is scheduled for Feb. 2-4 and its promoter says he hopes the fair will attract 20,000 people to the venue in the town of

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GEDDES — It’s become an annual event that provides a taste of summer in the middle of winter at the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Winter Fair 2024 is scheduled for Feb. 2-4 and its promoter says he hopes the fair will attract 20,000 people to the venue in the town of Geddes.

This is the 5th edition of the event that includes the food, rides, music, and entertainment that people enjoy throughout the summer.

Advanced-sale tickets are available now at www.nyswinterfair.com. Advanced tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for teens/pre-teens and seniors. Children 10 and under will be admitted free of charge.

At the door, admission is $7 for adults and $5 for teens/pre-teens and seniors. Children 10 and under will be admitted free of charge. Parking is free, courtesy of AmeriCU.

“We want to give people a chance to have some summer fun,” Steve Becker, owner and president of Premier Promotions and the promoter of Winter Fair 2024, said in a news release announcing the event. “It’s great to have an event for all ages, where you can bring your friends and family to. The New York State Fairgrounds have great year-round events and Winter Fair has become an annual tradition.”

The Winter Fair is also seen as an “economic boost” for the region, bringing in people from across New York state, other states, and Canada.

As Winter Fair “continues to get bigger and better each year, this fun-filled February weekend will once again bring together people from throughout the region,” Danny Liedka, president and CEO of Visit Syracuse, said in the release. “With so much to see and do, the three-day family-friendly event provides tremendous value alongside boundless opportunities for delivering lasting magical memories. We are truly fortunate to work with the team at Winter Fair to promote this annual event far and wide.”

Legends, support, & entertainment

Besides its traditional components, Winter Fair 2024 will also include the Legends of Syracuse University Athletics from football, basketball, and lacrosse.

“Legend Athletics works with current and past players so they are able to market their own name, image, & likeness with apparel, events, branding but most importantly being able to work with their branding with the university’s/colleges they played for. We are bringing back to Syracuse for the 2024 Winter Fair the Syracuse 8, Michael Owens, Robert Drummond, John Wallace, Lawrence Moten, Pearl Washington’s family, and many more once confirmed,” Patricia Mussi, owner of Legend Athletics, said in the release.

Onondaga County will be presenting the Winter Fair fireworks display on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3 at 8:45 p.m. by the Expo Center.

“From great entertainment and delicious food to a mini midway and spectacular fireworks show, there is something for everyone,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. “Our community is fortunate to host such great events like the Syracuse Winter Fair and I look forward to another successful year.”

“This is a great opportunity to experience the fun of the summer in the heart of winter in Syracuse,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said. “The Winter Fair has become an annual tradition that brings local businesses, nonprofits and Winter Fair favorites together for a memorable weekend for all.”

Winter Fair 2024 will include entertainment on and by the Amazon Winter Fair stage. Music performers will include the following: Austin Jimmy Murphy, Custom Taylor Band, and Prime Time performing on Feb. 2; Jess Novak; The BlackLites, an award winning funk, pop and R&B band; and classic rock from Dangerous Type on Feb. 3; and the lineup on Feb. 4 will include a 60-minute gospel Sunday program under the direction of Cora Thomas and the R&B/funk/soul group Brownskin, as well as Joe Driscoll.

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