Berkshire Bank’s holding company to pay dividend of 18 cents a share on June 1

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Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) — parent company of Berkshire Bank, which has a major presence in the Mohawk Valley region — recently announced that its board of directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of 18 cents per common share. The dividend will be payable on June 1, to shareholders of record as […]

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State awards Crouse Health addiction-treatment services $239K grant for services

Health Care, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Crouse Health’s addiction-treatment services (ATS) will use state-grant funding of more than $239,000 to pursue a certification, recruit clinicians, and purchase equipment. The funding will “increase patient access and engagement while supporting the recruitment and retention of clinicians,” per a Crouse Health release. The funding comes from New York State’s opioid-settlement funds.

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Onondaga County hotels register 8 percent occupancy gain in March

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

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County hotels again produced solid growth in business activity in March, according to a recent report. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county increased 8 percent to 58.9 percent in the third month of the year compared to March 2022, according to STR, a

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Broome County hotel occupancy edges up 1 percent in March

Construction, Design & Real Estate, New York News, Regional News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Broome County hotels posted modest growth in business activity in March. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county ticked up 1 percent to 55.4 percent in the third month of this year compared to March 2022. Two other important indicators of business performance for Broome

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LGS SPOTLIGHT: April Brissette, Chief of Staff, BHG Financial

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Insurance & Financial Services, Nonprofits, People on the Move, Subscriber Only

LGS Class of 2020 Hometown: Syracuse (graduate of Henninger High School) Home today: Tully (commutes daily to Syracuse for work) Pride & Vision What makes you proud to be a Syracusan? Many things: Our city is diverse. We have a strong sense of community. We have a great presence in the arts. We have great

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LGS Class of 2020

Hometown: Syracuse
(graduate of Henninger High School)

Home today: Tully
(commutes daily to Syracuse for work)

Pride & Vision

What makes you proud to be a Syracusan?

Many things: Our city is diverse. We have a strong sense of community. We have a great presence in the arts. We have great entertainment options. We have some of the best restaurants. We enjoy a low cost of living . We are centrally located in the state, giving us the ability for day trips and weekend trips to a number of attractive locations. I could go on….

What is your vision for Syracuse?

A thriving community in Syracuse would be one with more cohesion, new efforts to reduce crime, more community support, and more access to mental-health resources among other things.

About Your Community Work

How do you help strengthen our community?

I am a walking cheerleader for Syracuse. Our city has so much to offer and I often tell people that it’s the most beautiful place in the world, eight months of the year. Winter is still fun, but the other three seasons in Syracuse — I don’t know how you beat them anywhere else.

Causes Supported

What causes, issues, or organizations do you actively support?

I am actively involved in a number of charities through my employer. For example, I recently volunteered for a Make-A-Wish Central New York event. I am most proud of the board seat I have at David’s Refuge. I became the treasurer this year as well. The mission of David’s Refuge is: “To provide respite, resources and support to parents and guardians of children with special needs or life-threatening medical conditions where they will be refreshed, restored and renewed in their role as caregivers.” As a parent of a special-needs child myself, I know first-hand how important this support is. I am honored to serve on the board.

ABOUT LGS

LGS memory: What was the most surprising aspect of your LGS experience?

After growing up in Syracuse my entire life, there was so much I still didn’t know about what our city has to offer, and what areas need support from the community. LGS ignited a new passion in me to explore Syracuse and to get even more involved than I already was.

Utica’s new film commission is off to a busy start

Regional News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — The region is already bearing the fruit of the recently formed Film Utica film commission, which received state approval in March and operates from The Stanley Theatre. The film and television production industries were overlooked when it came to economic development in the area, says Lisa Wilsey, chair of the Film Utica

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UTICA, N.Y. — The region is already bearing the fruit of the recently formed Film Utica film commission, which received state approval in March and operates from The Stanley Theatre.

The film and television production industries were overlooked when it came to economic development in the area, says Lisa Wilsey, chair of the Film Utica board and executive director of the Stanley Theatre.

Having a film commission does more than just legitimize the industry in the region, she says. “It’s a job creator. It stabilizes the economy of the area. It’s a game changer,” Wilsey contends.

The Utica area got its first taste of film production with the commission in place when an Apple TV+ show recently filmed at Union Station in Utica.

While Wilsey can’t name the show or the actors, word soon got out the show was “Severance” and actors including Ben Stiller and Christopher Walken were in town.

That production brought between 150 and 180 people to town, Wilsey notes. “They ate, they drank, they stayed,” she says.

Italian restaurant Tavolo, located at 131 N. Genesee St., took to its social-media pages after Stiller visited the restaurant.

“We had a visitor today!” the restaurant posted on its Facebook page along with a picture of the actor and some employees. “Thanks for dining with us and being so cool!”

The Mohawk Valley region is known to the entertainment industry. The John Krasinski movie “A Quiet Place” filmed some of its opening scenes in Little Falls. Often, however, the representation has been by name only without any actual filming taking place here. On the television show “The Office,” fictional company Dunder Mifflin had an office in Utica. Netflix series “Orange is the New Black” was set at a fictional prison in the Herkimer County town of Litchfield. Neither show filmed locally.

Now, with more projects lining up, people may see glimpses of Utica and the surrounding areas on the screen, Wilsey says.

“We have a film coming in at the end of the year,” she notes. Producers of the holiday comedy were looking for a place where they could film snow and people bundled up against the cold, she adds.

The film commission provides various types of support to productions to make the process as seamless as possible. This can include help with location scouting, permits, and helping find professionals for casting, talent, and post-production work.

The Stanley Theatre is a New York State Qualified Production Facility, which means there are tax credits available for productions that utilize the stage. With the new budget, the state increased those tax incentives from $420 million to $700 million and increased the credit percentage from 25 percent to 30 percent. The changes will increase the program’s stability, help attract productions to the state, and provide an overall boost to the state’s film industry, Gov. Kathy Hochul contended. Since 2014, a total of 1,502 projects applied to participate in the incentive program, creating more than 1.7 million hires and $35 billion in spending across the state.

“The timing couldn’t have been more serendipitous,” Wilsey says of Film Utica’s launch. The tax incentives combined with the area’s accessibility — right off the Thruway and just four hours from New York City — and four-season natural beauty make it a gem.

She hopes as more productions come to the region, a true industry is built that not only provides a spot for movies and shows to film, but also provides opportunities for the area’s talent.

“We’re actually building an industry that’s never existed in Utica,” Wilsey says. “I’m just very excited where I see things going.”

Film Utica was created by legislation introduced by Utica Common Council President Michael Galime in June 2021. The film commission’s board includes Wilsey; Paul Buckley, Utica’s film commissioner; and David DeCole, business agent for the Independent Theatrical Employees of America (ITEA) Stagehands Local 1.

Neil Reilly, deputy director of the governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development at Empire State Development Corporation, gave final approval for the commission.

Micron community-engagement committee to advise on firm’s commmunity investments

Manufacturing & Engineering, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Micron community-engagement committee has the task of supporting the company’s community-investment strategy. The group includes representatives from both Central New York and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU). Gov. Kathy Hochul and Micron officials spoke during an April 28 event at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter. The committee will

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Micron community-engagement committee has the task of supporting the company’s community-investment strategy.

The group includes representatives from both Central New York and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU).

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Micron officials spoke during an April 28 event at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter.

The committee will work with Micron, Empire State Development (ESD), local governments, and regional stakeholders to develop a community priorities document. That document will provide a “guiding strategy” for investing funding allotted in the Micron Community Investment Framework into existing and new opportunities for residents, including “specific priorities for underrepresented communities,” Hochul’s office said in a news release.

Melanie Littlejohn and Tim Penix have been selected as the committee co-chairs due to their proven public service track records and expertise, and will assist in the management of this fund to better the lives of Central New Yorkers.

Littlejohn is VP for New York customer and community management at National Grid. Penix is VP of the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center.

In her remarks, Littlejohn called it a “transformative moment” and said both she and Penix are honored to lead the new committee.

“Tim and I beyond thrilled to work with this exceptional group of community leaders who together with Micron … Empire State Development and leaders throughout Central New York, our commitment is to ensure opportunities this project will create will be accessible to local residents, including the traditionally underrepresented communities,” Littlejohn said.

The formation of this group is a “critical component” of the community investment framework agreement made between New York State and Micron in October 2022, Hochul’s office noted.

“Micron’s historic investment in Central New York will bring transformational growth to the region and to our state, and for a project of this magnitude, it is critically important that local residents have a seat at the table,” Hochul said in the release. “The committed educators, advocates, and community leaders who make up the Micron Community Engagement Committee represent the very best of Central New York and will work to ensure that Micron’s investment — including the $500 million Community Investment Fund — meets the needs of this community. I look forward to a continued partnership with Micron, the committee, and all of our local, state, and federal partners as we work to build a global chip-making hub in New York State.”

Micron plans to invest of up to $100 billion over the next 20-plus years to construct a new megafab in the town of Clay. It is expected to help create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, was made possible by the governor’s Green CHIPS program and the anticipated federal grants and tax credits from the CHIPS and Science Act, per Hochul’s office.

Committee members

In addition to the co-chairs, Hochul’s office says the members of the committee include the following people:

• April Arnzen – senior VP and chief people officer, Micron

• Karen Belcher – executive director, Food Bank of Central New York

• Donna DeSiato – superintendent, East Syracuse Minoa School District

• Bishop Ronald Dewberry – senior pastor, New Life Temple of Praise

• Kristi Eck – chief of staff, SUNY Oswego

• Courtney Geduldig – corporate VP, global public and government affairs, Micron

• Mark Hall – president and CEO, Syracuse Community Health

• Jasenko Mondom – employment specialist, refugee assistance program at Syracuse City School District

• Meg O’Connell – executive director, Allyn Family Foundation

• Hazel Powless – Haudenosaunne environmental task force, Onondaga Nation

• Kerry Quaglia – founder and CEO, Home HeadQuarters

• Sheena Solomon – executive director, The Gifford Foundation

Ex-officio members

• Rob Beard – SVP and general counsel, Micron

• Kevin Younis – COO and executive deputy commissioner, Empire State Development

• Isabelle Harris – director of strategic initiatives, Onondaga County

• Sharon Owens – deputy mayor, City of Syracuse

• Damian Ulatowski – supervisor, Town of Clay

SBA Upstate district honors veteran-owned business in DeWitt

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, New York News, Nonprofits, Small Business, Subscriber Only

DeWITT, N.Y. — The Upstate New York District of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized the veteran-owner of a company located in DeWitt. The SBA has awarded its 2023 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year Award to Michael Bower, owner of Eagle Metalcraft at 3550 Burnett Ave. in DeWitt, across from Lotte Biologics. Bernard

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DeWITT, N.Y. — The Upstate New York District of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recognized the veteran-owner of a company located in DeWitt.

The SBA has awarded its 2023 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year Award to Michael Bower, owner of Eagle Metalcraft at 3550 Burnett Ave. in DeWitt, across from Lotte Biologics.

Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the SBA Upstate New York district recently presented the award to the business as part of National Small Business Week, held this year from April 30 through May 6. He was joined at Eagle Metalcraft by Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon.

Paprocki said the SBA Upstate New York district selected Bower for the recognition after he acquired Eagle Metalcraft, a precision sheet-metal fabrication business. After the acquisition, Bower led “strong” business growth as general manager during the pandemic, doubling sales and the number of staff.

Bower also gives back as a SCORE mentor and works with the Syracuse City School District P-TECH students; transitioning servicemembers; and the apprenticeship program at MACNY, the Manufacturers Association.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Bower “learned the value of hard work” growing up on a farm in Arkansas and serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, the SBA said in a release.

With a “strong belief in the region’s entrepreneurial spirit,” he sought support from the Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in 2020 to purchase and run a business in Central New York. Bower began working as general manager for Eagle Metalcraft in the worst sales month of the pandemic and began making improvements “immediately” while working on the business acquisition, the SBA noted.

SBDC business advisor Mark Pitonzo guided Bower through the business-valuation process, helped him write a business plan, and connected him with Citizens Bank in Syracuse. Citizens Bank approved an SBA 7(a) loan for Bower in 2021 to purchase Eagle Metalcraft.

“I’ve moved a lot for jobs, and I’ve never seen a community come together like Syracuse does,” Bower said in the SBA release. “The best part of business ownership is job creation. I am surrounded by hard working and smart people, and being part of their growth is more rewarding than I could have imagined. I believe in the old aphorism, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’ Supporting and promoting growth of my team translates to our company growing and taking better care of our customers.”

2023 Sales and Marketing Awards Event Supplement

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Click here to read the entire Sales and Marketing Supplement

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CNYSME to recognize Mower’s Crockett as latest recipient of Crystal Ball Award

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As the 46th recipient of the Crystal Ball Award from the Central New York Sales & Marketing Executives (CNYSME), Stephanie Crockett knows she’s joining a list of past recipients who are well known and prominent names in the CNY business community. “The list is really incredible,” says Crockett. “To be in that

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“The list is really incredible,” says Crockett. “To be in that same company is again an honor. It’s extremely humbling.”

Crockett is now president and CEO of Syracuse–based Mower, an advertising, marketing, and public relations firm. She spoke with CNYBJ on May 5.

She went on to say that she’s “grateful” to the people who have “been in my corner and in my network.”

“The colleagues that I work with every day that give me the opportunity to do what I do,” Crockett added. “It’s a pretty incredible opportunity for the [Mower] agency to be recognized for everything that this awesome team does every day.”

Mower is headquartered inside the Jefferson Clinton Commons at 211 W. Jefferson St. in Syracuse. The agency has offices across the nation.

In her work duties, Crockett is responsible for growth, planning, culture, and leading all external activities of the Mower agency. She also leads the client-leadership team at Mower, as well as the agency’s energy & sustainability practice.

Drawing on her 25 years in marketing and communications, Crockett has led complex marketing communications for key clients including National Grid, Turning Stone Resort Casino, Crouse Health, Community Bank, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, FirstEnergy, Exelon, Avangrid, LG, and Bausch & Lomb.

CNYSME will present the award during the annual Crystal Ball and Sales & Marketing Excellence Awards presentation and celebration, which is set for May 18 at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.

“If there is a continuing thread over 46 years of CNYSME’s Crystal Ball Awards, it is the recognition of one, exceptional individual each year who strives to make our Central New York Community a far better place to live and to work. Quite appropriately, this year the recognition goes to Stephanie Crockett in light of her notable professional accomplishment and her engaged civic leadership,” Eric Mower, executive chairman of Mower, said. “Stephanie is inspirational. She aspires to excellence in all she does and, in doing so, she engenders ambition in others. That is evidenced by the tangible, beneficial impact she has every day with her clients and co-workers as well as numerous area organizations including United Way of Central New York, Landmark Theatre and CenterState CEO among others. I salute CNYSME on their well-considered selection and I salute Stephanie Crockett on her well-deserved recognition.”

Mower also won the Crystal Ball Award, in 1984, per the CNYSME website.

“An enduring symbol of the organization’s mission,” the CNYSME annually awards the Crystal Ball to a local businessperson or group of businesspeople in recognition of their contributions to the sales and marketing profession and for their endeavors in the areas of community development and support.

The criteria for Crystal Ball recognition includes but is not limited to: a person whose visibility impacts the progress and prosperity of Central New York, a leader who demonstrates commitment to superior quality and professionalism, a person who fosters excellence in their industry, local involvement in community and civic organizations, and demonstrates and practices an appreciation of the sales and marketing industry.

Recent past CNYSME Crystal Ball recipients include Ed Riley of Brine Wells Development/Marriott Syracuse Downtown in 2022; Laura Serway, philanthropist and former owner of Laci’s Tapas Bar in 2021; Mark Re of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in 2019; Howard Dolgon, owner, president, CEO, and team governor of the Syracuse Crunch minor-league hockey team in 2014; and Peter Belyea, president of CXtec and TERACAI in 2013.

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