Utica selected as host site of the 2026 NYS Tourism Conference

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UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Tourism (OCT) says Utica will host the 2026 New York State Tourism Conference, presented by the New York State Tourism

Companies from Rome, Binghamton awarded innovation matching grant funds from ESD’s NYSTAR program

Manufacturing & Engineering, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Regional News, Small Business, Southern Tier, Technology

Companies from Rome and Binghamton are among 25 New York–based businesses awarded a total of more than $3 million in grants through the third round

SUNY Oswego president leads delegation’s July trip to Africa, part of SUNY Africa Initiative

Education & Training, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO, N.Y. — The State University of New York sent a delegation to Africa in mid-July as part of the SUNY Africa Initiative — a system-wide effort to deepen strategic educational, economic and cultural partnerships across the continent. Led by SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu, the group traveled to Kenya, Rwanda, and Nwosu’s homeland of

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Led by SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu, the group traveled to Kenya, Rwanda, and Nwosu’s homeland of Nigeria, the school said in its announcement.

The two-week journey included visits to Nairobi, Kigali, and Lagos, “aiming to bolster SUNY’s presence in Africa” by advancing academic collaborations, student recruitment, study-abroad opportunities, joint research initiatives, and workforce development.

The trip’s key goals included formalizing new university partnerships through memoranda of understanding, along with hosting student recruitment and alumni-engagement events.

The goals also included exploring collaborations in technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and cultural industries, as well as supporting U.S. visa success pathways for African students seeking a SUNY education.

Another goal was “elevating SUNY’s global brand, initially, in four high-growth African markets,” SUNY Oswego said.

“This was a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore prospects in rapidly emerging regions with large, youthful populations eager for international education and global opportunities,” Nwosu said. “Returning to my homeland and visiting other places to share stories of success and the opportunities available through SUNY and Oswego was deeply meaningful. Meeting so many bright students, dedicated teachers, and welcoming administrators and officials made the experience unforgettable.”

On the visit, Nwosu was joined by key administrators, including Melur Ramasubramanian, SUNY Provost, executive vice chancellor of academic affairs and president of the SUNY Research Foundation; SUNY Polytechnic Institute President Winston Oluwole (Wole) Soboyejo; and SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison Jr.

Joshua McKeown, SUNY Oswego’s associate provost for international education, was part of the delegation, the school noted.

The visit builds on a strategic white paper to SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr., co-authored by Presidents Nwosu and Soboyejo, articulating a “comprehensive vision” for the State University of New York’s expanded engagement in Africa and its contribution to New York’s global competitiveness, SUNY Oswego said.

Heather Livingston

People on the Move

Heather Livingston joins the Firm as an Administrative Assistant. She brings extensive experience providing administrative and support services, including many years in healthcare and legal

Syracuse women’s basketball coach to keynote Economic Champions event

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SYRACUSE — Those attending the annual CenterState CEO Economic Champions event in late October will hear remarks from keynote speaker Felisha Legette-Jack, head coach of the Syracuse University women’s basketball team. It’s scheduled for Oct. 29 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter. Registration for the event is available

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It’s scheduled for Oct. 29 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter.

Registration for the event is available at: https://centerstateceo.com/events/10/2025/economic-champions-celebration

Legette-Jack, who also played for and graduated from Syracuse University, is a graduate of the Syracuse City School District.

She guided the Orange women’s basketball team to back-to-back 20-win seasons in her first two years and made a postseason tournament in both seasons. The team didn’t qualify for the post season during the 2024-25 season.

CenterState CEO’s Economic Champions event acknowledges hundreds of businesses and organizations that are contributing to the growth of the Central New York economy. The contributions include new jobs, new business openings, expansions and investments, and company milestones.

During the event, Legette-Jack will share her own personal journey of recovery and rebuilding, and how it mirrors Syracuse’s current trajectory.

“I knew the city as a kid, came back for a time as an assistant head coach, and now, after twenty-two years away, I feel blessed to finally be home again,” Legette-Jack said in the CenterState CEO announcement. “In many ways, my own path of growth and recovery runs alongside Syracuse’s story. I’ve seen the loss of businesses and industry, but I also see the exciting possibilities that are ahead for our community. I see hundreds of businesses preparing to embrace the future of My City — Our City, and I’m simply here to celebrate that future with you.”

“Central New York is built on the spirit of turning challenges into fuel for progress. At a time of new growth and possibilities for our region, it’s important to recognize the collective impact and outstanding achievements — large and small — of the business community that are the foundation of that success,” Ben Sio, acting president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said. “We’re thrilled to have Coach Jack joining us as this year’s speaker, to share her enthusiasm and lessons in resilience, recovering from setbacks and preparing for the future, particularly as we look ahead as a region and rally forward toward event greater progress.”

The event will also feature remarks from CenterState CEO President Robert Simpson, and the presentation of the 2025 Community Visionary Award. The award is presented to an organization that embodies a vision of economic opportunity and is creating a significant impact on community prosperity.

YMCA of Central New York names 2025–2026 association board of directors branch chairs

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — The YMCA of Central New York recently announced the leaders serving as its association board branch chairs for 2025–2026. Each brings a deep commitment to the Y’s mission of strengthening community, promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, the nonprofit organization said. The branch chairs are as follows: Downtown Branch — Jordan

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Downtown Branch — Jordan K. Davis

Born and raised on the South Side of Syracuse, Davis is a husband, father, and business owner dedicated to giving back to his community. His passion lies in educating others about finance and business ownership, helping to create pathways to economic empowerment for families across Central New York.

Manlius Branch — Patti Giancola Knutsen

A lifelong Central New Yorker, Knutsen brings nearly three decades of philanthropy experience to her role as Manlius Branch chair. She served 13 years at Syracuse University and nine years with the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, where she was instrumental in the creation of the East Area Family YMCA.

Hal Welsh East Area Family Branch — Pat Floyd-Echols

Floyd-Echols has served as East Branch board chair for the past three years and brings both personal and professional dedication to the YMCA. A retired school principal, she has long valued the Y as a safe place for her children to grow, learn to swim, and connect after school.

Southwest Branch — Shawn Edie

Edie, director of student orientation, leadership, and engagement at Onondaga Community College, combines his professional expertise in education with his passion for community service. In addition to leading the Southwest Branch, he serves as VP of the Marcellus School Board, is an active leader in scouting, and supports the Longhouse Council – Scouting America.

Arts & Education Branch — Carol Radin

A member of the Arts & Education Branch board for three years, Radin brings a wealth of experience from her career at Syracuse University and Cazenovia College. In retirement, she continues to uplift the community through volunteer work with the Interfaith Community Collective and contributes articles to CNY 55 Plus magazine.

Northwest Family Branch — Beth Greene Monaco

Greene Monaco is a project manager for new product development at Belden Inc. A graduate of Clarkson University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Greene Monaco has held various roles in her career, including design engineering, quality assurance, and product management. She is dedicated to community engagement, volunteering her time with the YMCA of Central New York and serving as a youth ice-hockey coach.

MVCC names dean of School of Public and Human Services

Education & Training, Mohawk Valley, Subscriber Only

UTICA — The Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) announced it has recently appointed Laura Goff as dean of the School of Public and Human Services. In this role, she will provide strategic vision and operational leadership to foster intellectual engagement, academic integrity, and achievement within the school, MVCC said. Goff will guide the development of

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Syracuse apartment rent prices for one-bedroom units rise more than 7 percent in August

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — The median rental price for most apartments in the Syracuse metro area increased just over 7 percent in August from a year earlier and rose more than 2 percent from the prior month. That’s according to the latest Zumper National Rent Report, issued on Aug. 26. The median rental price of one-bedroom apartments

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Onondaga County hotel indicators mixed in 1st half of 2025

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — The first half of 2025 was mixed for Onondaga County hotels when it comes to three key indicators of business performance. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in Central New York’s largest county slipped 0.7 percent to 58 percent in the first six months of this year, compared

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Airports in Syracuse, Oswego County, Ithaca to use funding for projects, equipment

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — More than 20 airports around New York state will utilize federal funding for improvement projects and equipment, and they include facilities serving Syracuse, Oswego County, Rome, Watertown, and Ithaca. The awards are part of more than $66 million announced for 22 New York state airports, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and

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The awards are part of more than $66 million announced for 22 New York state airports, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) announced on Aug. 26.

This federal funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program and Airport Infrastructure Grant program, the lawmakers noted.

In addition to these newly announced grants, the FAA announced congressionally directed spending that the senators had previously secured as part of the 2024 fiscal year funding package, including $6 million for Syracuse Hancock International Airport and $1.5 million for Ithaca Tompkins International Airport.

Those grants will pay for projects that enhance safety measures and help “ensure a more reliable and comfortable passenger experience.”

Airport funding awards, projects

Syracuse Hancock International Airport will use more than $8.3 million for taxiway renovations and signage and lighting replacement, over $3.4 million for terminal apron expansion, and more than $1.5 million for runway renovations.

Watertown International Airport in the town of Hounsfield was awarded more than $3 million for terminal construction, nearly $2.9 million for runway and signage renovations, more than $1.3 million for acquiring more than five acres of land to protect the runway approach, and over $192,000 for removing trees and other structures identified as obstructions.

Oswego County Airport in the town of Volney will use a funding award of more than $94,000 for airfield signage and lighting reconstruction.

Griffiss International Airport in Rome was awarded nearly $204,000 for wildlife fencing reconstruction.

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport in the town of Lansing will use a more than $3.1 million grant for site clearing and preparation for new snow removal, aircraft rescue, and firefighting facilities.

In the North Country, Adirondack Regional Airport in the town of Harrietstown (near Saranac Lake) will use nearly $711,000 for taxiway renovations. Also, the Plattsburgh International Airport in the town of Plattsburgh was awarded more than $1.8 million for security-camera installations and mechanical-gate operator reconstruction.

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Airport funding awards, projects

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