Former Bank of America branch in DeWitt sold for $375,000

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DeWITT, N.Y. — A retail building in DeWitt that was formerly home to a Bank of America branch office has been recently sold. OPR Management, LLC purchased the property at 401 Nottingham Road in DeWitt from Bank of America for $375,000. Ed Kiesa, of CBRE Syracuse, helped arrange the sale, according to a news release […]

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New York oat production is forecast to increase nearly 29 percent this year

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Small Business, Subscriber Only

New York farms are expected to produce almost 2.54 million bushels of oats this year, up nearly 29 percent from 1.97 million bushels in 2021, according to a July 1 forecast from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Yield per acre for oats in New York state is forecast to fall 4.4 percent to

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Broome County hotel occupancy increases nearly 16 percent in June

New York News, Regional News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Broome County hotels served more overnight guests in June than the year-ago month as the hospitality industry continued to bounce back from pandemic-deflated numbers. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county rose 15.9 percent to 68.2 percent in May, according to STR, a Tennessee–based hotel

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Onondaga County hotels post 25.5 percent jump in occupancy in June

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County hotels saw an influx of guests in June, continuing a run of business gains this year as the industry rebounds. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in the county rose 25.5 percent to 65.1 percent this June from the year-ago month, according to STR, a

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TCGplayer expects acquisition of Nevada firm to close in the coming weeks

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

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — TCGplayer contends that its deal to acquire ChannelFireball and BinderPOS of Nevada is one that brings together the “most iconic brands in the trading card game (TCG) industry.” TCGplayer of Syracuse, a technology platform for the collectibles industry and operator of the largest online marketplace for trading-card games, on July 11 announced

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TCGplayer of Syracuse, a technology platform for the collectibles industry and operator of the largest online marketplace for trading-card games, on July 11 announced that it has agreed to acquire the Henderson, Nevada–based firm.

TCGplayer is located at 440 S. Warren St. in downtown Syracuse. The company expects the transaction to close “in the coming weeks” and TCGplayer will provide an update on the combined entity’s “go-forward corporate structure as integration plans are implemented.”

Launched in 2009, ChannelFireball established itself as a content provider and events coordinator for the TCG industry, TCGplayer said.

The company provided professional strategy advice to millions of TCG collectors, hobbyists, fans, and players, and hosted large-scale competitive tournaments around the world.

In 2020, ChannelFireball merged with BinderPOS — an inventory management and point-of-sale (POS) product for hobby stores — to create CFB Group. Hundreds of retailers around the world now rely on BinderPOS as an inventory-management product, which processes about $200 million of gross merchandise value on an annual basis, TCGplayer said.

TCGplayer didn’t disclose any financial terms of the acquisition deal. Under the terms of the agreement, TCGplayer will acquire CFB Group’s BinderPOS, its ChannelFireball content arm, the ChannelFireball Marketplace and its ChannelFireball Events operating segment. The combination will “deepen the value” TCGplayer, ChannelFireball, and BinderPOS will be able to offer hobbyists, retailers and collectors, allowing the combined company to “unite and integrate its complementary features for the benefit of the collectibles industry,” the firm said.

Additionally, the transaction will accelerate TCGplayer’s vertical-expansion strategy, taking the company beyond its core trading-card game business and into new hobby collectible categories like comic books and sports cards.

TCGplayer currently employs about 600 people and will add about 40 employees and contractors once the transaction closes, TCGplayer tells CNYBJ in an email.

State Fair hiring to fill jobs ahead of this year’s event

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

GEDDES, N.Y. — The New York State Fair is about a month away and the event has hundreds of temporary positions to fill. The State Fair is looking for prospective employees to work in those roles for this year’s edition, which is scheduled between Wednesday, Aug. 24 and Labor Day on Sept. 5. The State

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GEDDES, N.Y. — The New York State Fair is about a month away and the event has hundreds of temporary positions to fill.

The State Fair is looking for prospective employees to work in those roles for this year’s edition, which is scheduled between Wednesday, Aug. 24 and Labor Day on Sept. 5.

The State Fair, a division of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, needs employees in the areas of guest relations, security, safety, and transportation (tram conductors). The State Fair is also looking to hire superintendents for the talent showcase youth talent event located at the talent-showcase stage, as well as for the demonstration kitchen and arts and crafts, both located in the Fair’s Art & Home Center.

Brief descriptions of each role are provided in the application on the Fair’s website.

“Each year, we are grateful to have about 1,600 employees help us throw one of the biggest and most fun events in New York State,” Sean Hennessey, interim director for the New York State Fair, said in a statement. “There’s no way that we could showcase the best that our state has to offer without our temporary and summer employees. There are still plenty of opportunities to join our team.”

Candidates interested in any of the positions should complete an online application. Work hours, rate of pay, and duration of employment varies per assignment, and the State Fair may need certain positions to start working before the Fair begins, the Department of Agriculture and Markets noted.

Those interested can find out more at https://nysfair.ny.gov/about/employment/

Superintendent roles

The superintendent for the talent showcase is tasked with scheduling acts to perform in a youth-talent competition, which takes place every day during the Fair at the talent showcase stage.

The demonstration kitchen superintendent will serve the demonstration kitchen — which is located in the Art & Home Center — by scheduling chefs and demonstrators at various times during the Fair’s 13-day run.

Working in the Art & Home Center, the arts and crafts superintendent will oversee all the arts and crafts entries, starting in early August, with deliveries to the State Fairgrounds. The superintendent will organize and judge entries and set up the winning entries for display before he Fair starts. The individual will also coordinate the return of entries to exhibitors after the Fair.

Additional information about the superintendent roles is posted at the State Fair’s website: https://nysfair.ny.gov/about/superintendent/.

Treadwell to retire as Operation Oswego County director

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

Has served for nearly 40 years OSWEGO, N.Y. — He’s been a voice and advocate for economic development since joining Operation Oswego County in 1983, and executive director L. Michael Treadwell is in his final months in that role. Treadwell plans to retire at the end of this

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Has served for nearly 40 years

OSWEGO, N.Y. — He’s been a voice and advocate for economic development since joining Operation Oswego County in 1983, and executive director L. Michael Treadwell is in his final months in that role.

Treadwell plans to retire at the end of this year, the economic-development organization said in a July 6 announcement.

Besides leading Operation Oswego County, Treadwell also serves as the CEO of the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The IDA is a public-benefit corporation that the Oswego County Legislature established in 1976, which has functioned as a “major economic partnering agency in the county.”

Treadwell’s achievements along the way have included the Exceptional Commitment Award from the Greater Oswego Chamber of Commerce in 1996 and the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council in 1996. In addition, the New York State Economic Development Council named Treadwell the Economic Developer of the Year for New York State in 2004.

“It is my pleasure to have served on the board of Operation Oswego County and to have worked alongside Mike Treadwell,” Ellen Holst, president of the Operation Oswego County board of directors, said. “His goal has always been to assist, expand and support economic and business development across Oswego County. The knowledge and experience that he has brought has been invaluable to the growth and development of our county and our business partners.”

Throughout his time at Operation Oswego County, Treadwell has been active on numerous boards and with organizations that impact the Oswego County and Central New York economies. They include Oswego County Workforce Development Board, New York State Economic Development Council, Northeastern Economic Developers Association, International Economic Development Council, Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board, and the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council, co-chair of the Local Planning Committee for both the Oswego and Fulton Downtown Revitalization Initiatives, and SUNY Oswego Start-Up NY advisory council, per the Operation Oswego County announcement.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside Michael Treadwell on the County of Oswego IDA and Operation Oswego County boards. Michael has admirably served Oswego County, our business community and the region’s economic development organizations for nearly four decades and his knowledge and experience will be profoundly missed,” Gary Toth, chair of the County of Oswego IDA and former member of the Operation Oswego County board, said.

Prior to joining Operation Oswego County, Treadwell worked for the South Carolina State Development Board from 1973-1983. In that time, he served as a research and marketing analyst in the planning and research division between 1973 and 1979. Then, between 1979 and 1981, he served as the administrator of economic-development research for the planning and research division; and from 1981 to 1983, he served as an industrial representative in the economic-development division.

Treadwell graduated from the University of Georgia in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in geography, the University of South Carolina in 1973 with a master’s degree in geography, and the University of South Carolina in 1981 with an MBA.

He also graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute in 1977, Operation Oswego County said.

To select Treadwell’s successor, a committee is working with the St. Louis, Missouri–based Next Move Group and posted the opening for the position on June 21. The committee working on the national search includes members of the executive committee of the Operation Oswego County board, the County of Oswego IDA, legal representation, and the Oswego County Legislature, Operation Oswego County said.

N.Y. Cracks Down on “Gifting,” Other Unlicensed Sales of Cannabis

Business Mentors, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Subscriber Only

Many clients eager to start a recreational cannabis business have asked us when they can start selling adult-use cannabis to consumers. Although the possession and use of cannabis is now legal in New York state, that does not mean retail sales of cannabis are legal as well. New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has yet

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New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has yet to release regulations governing the application process for retail dispensary licenses. Still, many businesses across the state have taken to “gifting” cannabis. This occurs when a customer buys an unrelated product or membership and is given cannabis for free. Businesses are attempting to profit off newly legal recreational cannabis before its sale is officially regulated. However, on Thursday, July 8, OCM publicly posted cease-and-desist letters that were sent to 66 cannabis storefronts calling for the end of “gifting” and other similar unlicensed sales methods.

The letters — a sample of which can be found at: https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/06/enforcement_letter_generic_0.pdf — specifically state that unlicensed sales of cannabis are illegal, including the practice of “gifting.” OCM warned of potential monetary and criminal penalties should unlicensed sales continue. The letters were intended to serve as a warning, but Tremaine Wright, chair of the Cannabis Control Board (CCB), said last month that the CCB would not continue to “play nice” forever.

Some storefronts have argued that “gifting” is permitted under Article 222 of the New York Penal Code, which permits the transfer of up to 3 ounces of cannabis to a person over the age of 21. However, when the transfer of cannabis only happens upon the purchase of something else, it is unlikely that state cannabis regulators will see this activity as anything other than a sale of cannabis itself.

Clients looking to start a recreational cannabis business in New York state should proceed with caution. New York is still months away from its first retail sale of cannabis and such sales are prohibited unless properly licensed. Bond’s cannabis attorneys continue to closely monitor developments to the rules and regulations surrounding this state’s cannabis industry.

Dustin M. Dorsino is an associate and Jeffrey B. Scheer is a member (partner) at the Syracuse–based law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. Contact Dorsino at ddorsino@bsk.com, and contact Scheer at jscheer@bsk.com. This Viewpoint article is drawn and edited from Bond’s website.

Marquardt expands into the drone industry, adding local jobs

Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only, Technology

CAZENOVIA, N.Y. — Marquardt, an electro-mechanical component designer and manufacturer with a plant in the Cazenovia area, recently announced it has entered into the drone technology industry, which will bring new manufacturing business and jobs to the area. Marquardt, which has been in Central New York for 41 years, said is a major supporter of

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Marquardt, which has been in Central New York for 41 years, said is a major supporter of GENIUS NY, a $3 million business-accelerator competition focused on uncrewed systems, Internet of Things, robotics, and big-data startups. Marquardt is offering its expertise and experience in manufacturing to companies in this competition, which includes access to its 115,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. Earlier this year, Marquardt secured a partnership with the 2021 GENIUS NY grand prize winner, Airtonomy — a company focused on drone-data management.

To continue to support new business opportunities along with its other current projects, Marquardt said it is now actively hiring for several jobs, including engineers, production associates, and business-development roles.

“We’re looking to hire people who are passionate, innovative, and want to be involved with shaping the future of drone technology and high-tech manufacturing in Central New York,” Steve Maloney, Marquardt’s director of human resources, said in a June 14 release.

Marquardt manufactures complex systems in the automotive, off-road, and home industries — partnering with companies such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, John Deere, and Stanley Black & Decker. The company makes a wide range of products and solutions, including wireless-communication systems, electronic components, and e-mobility technology.

Marquardt contends that it has evolved throughout the years to stay competitive and is not afraid to pursue business opportunities outside of its traditional lines of business. Marquardt said it “sees a big future in drone technology.”

New York State has invested heavily over the past five years to create a 50-mile uncrewed autonomous systems corridor and advanced air mobility proving grounds, commonly known as the “Drone Corridor” between Syracuse and Griffiss International Airport in Rome, Managed by NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc). Marquardt’s facility, located on Route 20, is just a short drive from this massive testing range, the company noted.

“Central New York has the potential to be the ‘Silicon Valley’ of drone technology. As these new drone start-ups look to build their businesses in our area, Marquardt’s goal is to help them launch products with a precise blueprint for success,” Chris Berry, Marquardt’s business-development manager said.

In addition to local partnerships, Marquardt has extended its outreach to drone companies on a national level. Marquardt recently attended the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2022 conference in Orlando, Florida, an annual event that attracts top minds and unmanned aerial system industry leaders. Marquardt noted that it made several new connections at the show and is hoping to attract these companies to the Central New York area in the near future.

Marquardt, headquartered in Germany, has more than 10,500 employees in 21 locations worldwide. Marquardt’s U.S. Division is comprised of its North American headquarters, near Cazenovia. The company also has an office in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

VIEWPOINT: Ask Rusty: How Does SSDI Work with Private Disability Insurance?

Business Mentors, Subscriber Only

Dear Rusty: If someone is collecting long-term disability through his/her company and the company states the employee also must apply through Social Security, how does this work? Does the amount of Social Security decrease from the amount that the person would normally receive upon retirement? Is long-term disability for life, or just until you are

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Dear Rusty: If someone is collecting long-term disability through his/her company and the company states the employee also must apply through Social Security, how does this work? Does the amount of Social Security decrease from the amount that the person would normally receive upon retirement? Is long-term disability for life, or just until you are of retirement age?

Signed: Concerned

Dear Concerned: It’s common for private long-term disability (LTD) insurers to require that you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Typically, the private LTD benefit will be offset (reduced) by the federal SSDI benefit.

The SSDI benefit amount, if awarded, will be the full Social Security benefit earned up to the point the recipient becomes disabled and unable to work. That means that people on SSDI before full retirement age (FRA) gets their FRA amount earlier (FRA is somewhere between age 66 and 67, depending on the year of birth). The SSDI benefit will be based on the disabled person’s lifetime earnings history, unreduced for claiming earlier than full retirement age. SSDI will automatically convert to regular Social Security retirement benefits at the same amount when FRA is attained. Thus, getting SSDI doesn’t detract from individuals’ FRA benefit amount; rather they get their FRA amount earlier.

Social Security disability benefits last for as long as you remain disabled, or up to your full retirement age. To be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and the disability must render you unable to perform significant work. You must also have worked recently (usually at least 5 of the last 10 years) to maintain eligibility, and you must have contributed Social Security FICA payroll taxes (or self-employment taxes) from your work earnings. Only very limited work earnings are allowed when collecting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, and the Social Security Administration may periodically require confirmation of continued SSDI eligibility.

Applying for SSDI is a relatively easy process that can be done online at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability, or by calling Social Security directly at (800) 772-1213. Depending on the nature of the disability, it usually takes three to five months to obtain a determination and, if SSDI is approved, there is a five-month wait for benefits to start. If the SSDI application is initially denied (about 65 percent of all initial applications are turned down) you can exercise several levels of appeal, starting with simply requesting a reconsideration by the Social Security Administration, followed, if necessary, by a hearing with an independent administrative law judge, a review by the SSDI Appeals Council, or even an appeal to federal court. Hopefully, if the applicant is now on private long-term disability, the SSDI application will be initially approved.

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.

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