TSA wants to hire officers at airports across upstate New York

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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has job openings to fill at airports across upstate New York and is seeking applicants to become TSA officers. The airports include Syracuse Hancock International, Ogdensburg International, Ithaca Tompkins International, Greater Binghamton, and Watertown International within the next few months. The TSA is also hiring at the airports serving Albany, Buffalo, and […]

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Syracuse lays out rules for winter outdoor dining

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The City of Syracuse has recently issued some requirements for restaurants and bars to “safely and comfortably” serve customers outdoors during the winter months. Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Nov. 15 announced the release of an updated winter-dining guide. The city is extending the season for outdoor café seating and allowing the

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The City of Syracuse has recently issued some requirements for restaurants and bars to “safely and comfortably” serve customers outdoors during the winter months.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Nov. 15 announced the release of an updated winter-dining guide.

The city is extending the season for outdoor café seating and allowing the placement of outdoor vestibules and enclosures through the winter.

“Syracuse has proven we are a city that embraces winter. When business and government work together, we can make it possible for people to enjoy outdoor dining all year long,” Walsh said. “Our updated guidelines allow restaurants and bars citywide to use the public right-of-way creatively to serve more customers.”

Winter outdoor dining became a thing in Syracuse last winter as the city and restaurant owners sought to boost business amid the pandemic.

The city developed the updated winter-dining guidelines and updates handbook in a partnership with city’s central permit office, Department of Public Works (DPW), and Department of Neighborhood and Business Development in consultation with local businesses.

The rules also include Syracuse Fire Department requirements for portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances (patio heaters). All café seating, parklets, or enclosure items require permits and proper documentation on file with DPW and the Central Permit Office, Walsh’s office noted.

About the guidelines

The new rules stipulate that restaurants and bars with approved outdoor sidewalk café permits can continue to offer outdoor café seating on sidewalks and the public right-of-way until further notice.

Businesses are also responsible for clearing all snow from their sidewalks around café seating and ensuring that pedestrians have a minimum six feet path clear of snow and ice “at all times that café-seating materials are set on the sidewalk.”

The guidelines also allow businesses to continue the use of parklets — the outdoor seating areas in parking spaces outside establishments. DPW will request businesses remove and store the parklets for the season prior to the first major snow event.

To enable more outdoor seating, the rules allow the placement of temporary outdoor vestibules — membrane structures (domes or other) — and awnings installed no earlier than Oct. 15 and removed by March 31 the following spring.

Proper sidewalk space is required around the enclosures and snow clearance must be completed at all times. DPW must review all plans and drawings.

Businesses need to obtain proper approvals from the city and must contact the central permit office at (315) 448-8600 to continue the use of café seating and parklets and to add outdoor enclosures in the right-of-way.

Complete guidelines are available online at the City of Syracuse website.

New York home sales slide in October; CNY sales mixed

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York realtors closed on the sale of 13,867 previously-owned homes in October, down an even 10 percent from the 15,401 homes they sold in October 2020. That’s according to the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) October housing-market report issued Nov. 22. It’s the second straight month that closed sales

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ALBANY, N.Y. — New York realtors closed on the sale of 13,867 previously-owned homes in October, down an even 10 percent from the 15,401 homes they sold in October 2020.

That’s according to the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) October housing-market report issued Nov. 22.

It’s the second straight month that closed sales have declined after a 13-month streak of sales gains. Pending sales in October also fell — by more than 6 percent — indicating that closed sales may also decline in forthcoming months.

“Closed sales have continued to drop across the Empire State while home prices have risen for 18 consecutive months,” NYSAR said to open its October housing report.

New York sales data

Pending sales totaled 14,108 in October, a decrease of 6.4 percent from 15,069 in the same month in 2020, according to the NYSAR data.

Housing inventory continues to be tight. The number of homes for sale totaled 41,093 in October, a decline of 23.1 percent from 53,468 homes available last October.

The months’ supply of homes for sale at the end of this October stood at 3.1 months, down 34 percent from 4.7 months of supply a year ago, per NYSAR’s report. A 6 month to 6.5 month supply is considered to be a balanced market.

Amid the constrained supply of available homes for sale, housing prices continued to shoot up. The October 2021 statewide median sales price rose 10.1 percent to $370,000 from $336,000 a year earlier.

Central New York data

Realtors in Onondaga County sold 524 previously owned homes in October, down 8.7 percent from the 574 homes sold in the same month in 2020. The median sales price rose 7.6 percent to $185,000 from $172,000 a year ago, according to the NYSAR report.

NYSAR also said that realtors sold 197 homes in Oneida County in October, down 7.5 percent compared to the 213 they sold during October 2020. The median sales price increased 15.6 percent to $185,000 from $160,000 a year before.

Realtors in Broome County sold 185 existing homes in October, down 8 percent from 201 a year ago, according to the NYSAR report. The median sales price rose 8.6 percent to $156,000 from more than $143,600 a year prior.

In Jefferson County, realtors closed on 170 homes in October, up 6.3 percent from 160 a year before, and the median sales price of $185,000 was down 9.1 percent from more than $203,400 a year ago, according to the NYSAR data.

All home-sales data is compiled from multiple-listing services in New York state and it includes townhomes and condominiums in addition to existing single-family homes, according to NYSAR.

KeyCorp boosts dividend to 19.5 cents a share for Q4

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

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York area — has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 19.5 cents per share of its common stock for the fourth quarter. The dividend is payable on Dec. 15, to holders of record as of the

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Those interested in “Syracuse Surge” workforce programs have until Dec. 6 to apply

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SYRACUSE — Those interested in getting involved in “Syracuse Surge”-led workforce-training and advancement programs have until Dec. 6 to apply. The programs seek to guide applicants toward in-demand, local careers in high-tech manufacturing. Programs include electrical-mechanical technician and surge-advanced manufacturing, each with opportunities for training, career exploration and networking, as well as connections to employers.

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SYRACUSE — Those interested in getting involved in “Syracuse Surge”-led workforce-training and advancement programs have until Dec. 6 to apply.

The programs seek to guide applicants toward in-demand, local careers in high-tech manufacturing. Programs include electrical-mechanical technician and surge-advanced manufacturing, each with opportunities for training, career exploration and networking, as well as connections to employers.

Individuals interested in these programs can apply online by Dec. 6. More information is also available on Facebook @syrsurgeworkforce. It is free to apply and participate. Rosters for the training programs will be announced Dec. 20. All applicants must attend an information session and finalists will be selected for interviews.

Successful applicants must reside in Syracuse; be at least 18-years old; be authorized to work in the U.S.; be able to read, write, and speak English; have their general-education diploma or high-school diploma; and be able to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Participants are expected to attend the full training program.

The City of Syracuse, CenterState CEO, Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, OCM BOCES, and Onondaga Community College are collaborating with local employers on the efforts, CenterState CEO said in a news release.

“The manufacturing industry is becoming more agile because of technology and with programs like these we are investing in a workforce that can do the same,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said. “Syracuse Surge enables us to compete and design a better ecosystem that connects employers to a trainable workforce and in a way that creates opportunity for all.”

About Syracuse Surge

Syracuse Surge includes a series of investments in tech infrastructure that will position Syracuse as “one of America’s ‘smartest’ cities and a global leader in the New Economy,” the city contends.

Surge was initiated by the City of Syracuse, which, in collaboration with Onondaga County and leading local institutions, is working to “ensure inclusive growth in the New Economy” through talent and workforce development, minority, women, veteran and disabled-owned (XBE) business development and community engagement.

These programs are funded by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation and the American Rescue Plan Act, which is administered by the City of Syracuse and “in line” with Walsh’s commitment to invest in jobs and economic recovery.

All participants will receive a stipend while in the program, along with access to a “Surge Career Navigator” to help guide them into their chosen career. This support includes help with résumé writing, interviewing skills and best practices, and how to successfully manage the application process.

About the training programs, career opportunities

The Electrical Mechanical Technician program is a three-week, middle-skilled paid training experience co-led by Onondaga Community College and OCM BOCES.

It includes on-the-job training with area employers including Giovanni Foods and Anheuser-Busch.

The program’s focus is to prepare skilled workers for careers in mechanical or electrical maintenance, general factory maintenance, and servicing large industrial equipment. Candidates should have a pre-assessed knowledge of electrical/mechanical basics.

Entry-level wages for these careers range from about $18-$25 an hour.

The Surge Advanced Manufacturing program is a two-week introductory paid training program at SUNY EOC.

It will prepare people for careers in clean high-tech advanced manufacturing. The program covers blueprint reading, industrial math, technical skills, professional development and networking with employers including NexGen Power Systems, Chimera Integrations, and ICM Controls.

Entry-level wages range from $14-$18 per hour with overtime “frequently available.” These careers “typically have significant opportunities for advancement.”

Baldwinsville native supports Navy task group countering Russian undersea threats

Business Mentors, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

Chief Petty Officer Thomas Werth, a native of Baldwinsville, will support the U.S. Navy’s new Task Group Greyhound while serving aboard USS Thomas Hudner. The task group was established to ensure warships in the Western Atlantic are continuously ready to accomplish a full range of on-demand missions including missions to counter Russian undersea threats to the

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“It is important to maintain not only our presence with our capabilities, but to also keep our skills sharp in case the need ever arises that we need to utilize them,” said Werth.

Undersea security is a major concern in the Atlantic because adversaries are closing the gap in the undersea domain, according to Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic. He joined Rear Adm. Brian Davies, commander, Submarine Group Two and deputy commander, 2nd Fleet, formally introducing Task Group Greyhound at an event held at Naval Station Mayport (in Jacksonville, Florida) aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner on Sept. 27.

“Task Group Greyhound provides us a way to increase continuity between training and operating against high-end competitors in a dynamic environment,” McLane said. “These destroyers are now designated under Task Group Greyhound in the western Atlantic on watch 24/7 ready to practice, integrate, and operate at a moment’s notice.”

The Task Group is a reference to the World War II destroyers, or “Greyhounds of the Fleet,” that patrolled the seas in the “Battle of the Atlantic.” The modern version is similar to how readiness is maintained aboard Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Spain.

The first two ships participating will be USS Thomas Hudner and USS Donald Cook. Additional ships will be added as the initiative reaches Final Operational Capability in the summer of 2022. Serving in the Navy means Werth is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances, and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy provides a world wide presence, maintaining friendly relationships with our allies and partners, all the while keeping our adversaries in check,” said Werth.

For Werth, training and preparing for missions in the U.S. Navy runs in the family. “Serving in the Navy is a family tradition,” he said. “I am proud to carry on my heritage through three generations.”

Chicago firm wins $1M grand prize in Grow-NY competition at the Oncenter

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A company based in Chicago, Illinois is the winner of the $1 million grand prize in the third round of the Grow-NY food innovation and agriculture technology business competition. Every Body Eat makes, markets, and sells food that is free from corn, sugar, and the most common 14 allergens, “so that people

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A company based in Chicago, Illinois is the winner of the $1 million grand prize in the third round of the Grow-NY food innovation and agriculture technology business competition.

Every Body Eat makes, markets, and sells food that is free from corn, sugar, and the most common 14 allergens, “so that people can enjoy it, together, regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences,” the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a Nov. 17 news release announcing the winner.

Every Body Eat was one of eight finalists to take home prize money during the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit’s awards ceremony held Nov. 16-17 at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse.

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

“We are absolutely honored to be selected — from such an incredible pool of food and agriculture startups — as this year’s $1 million top prize winner at Grow-NY,” Nichole Wilson, co-founder and president of Every Body Eat, said in the release. “We look forward to leveraging this award and all of the connections we have made in the region to take our company to the next level, expand our market, and hire more talent.”

The winning teams must commit to operating in the Central New York, Finger Lakes, or Southern Tier regions for at least one year, while providing Grow-NY with a small equity investment stake in each entity. Funding for the competition, which is administered by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement, is provided through the state’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

The competition attracted a group of startups from around the globe to compete in its two-day pitch competition and symposium.

Additional funding winners

In addition to the $1 million top prize, two $500,000 prizes and four $250,000 prizes were also awarded at the finals event.

Ascribe Bioscience from Ithaca secured one of the $500,000 prizes. That firm uses naturally occurring signaling molecules from the soil microbiome to produce a novel class of broad-spectrum, non-toxic biopesticides that prime plants’ immune systems to enhance resistance to pathogens and increase crop yields.

Neupeak Robotics of Surrey in British Columbia, Canada, won the other $500,000 prize.

Companies from Webster in Monroe County; Buffalo; Houston, Texas; and Copenhagen, Denmark won the $250,000 prizes, Hochul’s office said.

“By creating new jobs and sharing new ideas, the winners of the first two rounds of the Grow-NY food and ag competition have made an important difference in our region’s food and ag ecosystem in less than two years,” Jenn Smith, program director of Grow-NY, said. “We’re confident that this year’s winners will continue that growth. The quality of the startups vying for awards this year was incredible — congratulations to all the winners!”

The 20 finalists received dedicated mentorship from hand-selected regional business advisors leading up to the competition.

In all, 330 startups applied from 32 countries including Singapore, Israel, and Switzerland.

In the U.S., 23 states were represented, including 138 entries from New York.

Grow-NY also noted that 44 percent of applicants had a female founder and 51 percent included a founder from an underrepresented minority group, which is a “significant” increase from last year’s applicant pool.

About the summit

For year three of the Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit, more than 1,200 people registered for the event and audiences had the option to attend either in-person at the Oncenter or virtually.

The in-person event featured panel discussions on the biggest issues facing the food and agriculture industry, a summit showcase of vendors and organizations supporting the startup community, and a pitch competition where the top 20 finalists presented their business ideas to a live audience.

A panel of five independent judges — reflecting a depth and breadth of agriculture, food production, and entrepreneurial expertise — listened to each presentation and presented questions before determining the top winners.

MACNY partnering with Laura Thorne Consulting for workshops, online courses

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Manufacturing & Engineering, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

DeWITT, N.Y. — MACNY, The Manufacturers Association has a new partnership with Laura Thorne Consulting of Syracuse. Thorne has joined the organization as a partner consultant. In her role, Thorne will help with MACNY’s expansion of workshops and coaching, consulting directly with MACNY members, and support the creation of on-demand online courses. She’ll provide training,

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DeWITT, N.Y. — MACNY, The Manufacturers Association has a new partnership with Laura Thorne Consulting of Syracuse.

Thorne has joined the organization as a partner consultant. In her role, Thorne will help with MACNY’s expansion of workshops and coaching, consulting directly with MACNY members, and support the creation of on-demand online courses.

She’ll provide training, coaching, and strategy services to help members “perform better, improve culture, and make more impactful decisions,” MACNY contended in a news release.

Thorne is not a MACNY employee and is instead serving as an independent contractor who gets paid consulting fees, Marisa Norcross, chief digital officer at MACNY, tells CNYBJ in an email.

MACNY doesn’t have a set number of hours per month or year for Thorne as of now, Norcross added.

Thorne has been managing and leading programs in various industries for more than 25 years. She has a background in environmental science, programming, and “business excellence.” Her services include “engaging” workshops, coaching, strategic facilitation, and organizational-performance evaluations.

She uses a framework and approach to leadership she created, called “The Role Model Way,” as the basis of her consulting. She also “has a passion” for mentorship and designing mentor programs.

Thorne enjoys coaching people “from all levels” about career navigation and leadership development. Her clients “accomplish goals that have been eluding them, improve their relationships, devise creative solutions to problems, and become role models in their respective positions,” MACNY’s release stated.

“We are very excited to be working more closely with Laura Thorne to bring MACNY members high-quality workshops, training, coaching, and consultative services,” Randy Wolken, president & CEO of MACNY, said. “Laura brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team and will be able to serve MACNY members in new value-adding ways.”

A sampling of upcoming courses and workshops include Set Up for Success in 2022, Extreme Accountability, Conflict Resolution, Strategy Design Lab, DIY [do it yourself] Business Performance Evaluation, Designing a Corporate Mentor Program, and How to Modernize Your Website.

DeWitt–based MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, represents more than 300 companies in a 26-county region in Central and upstate New York. The organization provides human-resource services, training, workforce development, purchasing solutions, networking opportunities, and advocacy support for its members.

New York manufacturing index bounces back in November

Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Subscriber Only

The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index rose 11 points to 30.9 in November after falling in the prior month. The index — the monthly gauge on New York’s manufacturing sector — had declined 15 points to 19.8 in October, “pointing to a slower pace of growth” that month. It had climbed 16 points

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The Empire State Manufacturing Survey general business-conditions index rose 11 points to 30.9 in November after falling in the prior month.

The index — the monthly gauge on New York’s manufacturing sector — had declined 15 points to 19.8 in October, “pointing to a slower pace of growth” that month. It had climbed 16 points to 34.3 in September.

The November reading of 30.9 — based on firms responding to the survey — indicates business activity in New York “grew strongly in New York State,” the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said in its Nov. 15 report. Economists had forecast an index number of 22 in November, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.

A positive reading indicates expansion or growth in manufacturing activity, while a negative index number points to a decline in the sector.

The survey found 43 respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while nearly 12 percent said that conditions had worsened, the New York Fed said.

Survey details

The new-orders index rose 5 points to 28.8, and the shipments index “shot up” 19 points to 28.2, indicating “strong growth” in both orders and shipments, the New York Fed said.

The unfilled-orders index edged down to 12.7. The delivery-times index came in at 32.2, indicating “significantly longer” delivery times. Inventories increased modestly.

The index for number of employees rose 9 points to 26.0, a record high, and the average-workweek index increased 8 points to 23.1, pointing to “strong” gains in employment and hours worked.

The prices-paid index edged up 4 points to 83.0, and the prices-received index moved up 7 points to a record high of 50.8, signaling “ongoing substantial increases” in both input prices and selling prices.

Firms were less optimistic about the six-month outlook than they were last month, with the index for future business conditions falling 15 points to 36.9.

The indexes for future new orders and shipments fell to similar levels.

Longer delivery times, higher prices, and increases in employment are all expected in the months ahead.

The capital-expenditures index edged up 3 points to 34.7, and the technology-spending index ticked up to 28.0, suggesting that firms plan “significant increases” in both capital spending and technology spending.

The New York Fed distributes the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on the first day of each month to the same pool of about 200 manufacturing executives in New York. On average, about 100 executives return responses.

Three firms win cash in Oswego County’s Next Great Idea contest

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OSWEGO, N.Y. — Six Acres Farm Brewery of Mexico, North 40 Clover of Lacona, and Moth & Flame Base Camp were awarded funding in the 2021 “Next Great Idea” (NGI) Oswego County Business Competition. The winning businesses were awarded cash and business services totaling $90,000 in value to expand in Oswego County. Operation Oswego County

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The winning businesses were awarded cash and business services totaling $90,000 in value to expand in Oswego County.

Operation Oswego County announced the prizes during a reception held Nov. 16 at The Lake Ontario Event & Conference Center in Oswego.

“It was a great honor to present our fifth NGI awards on National Entrepreneur’s Day,” Austin Wheelock, NGI chair and deputy director of Operation Oswego County, said in a release. “Entrepreneurs and small business are the backbone of our economy and the building blocks for growth in our county. We believe that these three businesses are excellent examples of this and will be great ambassadors of the ‘Next Great Idea’ for Oswego County.”

Local companies, private banks, business organizations, and public and private institutions helped raise the $90,000 in cash and business services, according to Wheelock.

About the companies

Six Acres Farm Brewery secured the first-place prize of $50,000. The company — founded by Jenna Behling and head brewer Denyel Busch in Mexico — is the first niche craft-brewing company of its kind to develop fruit-infused beers with locally grown fruit and “proprietary methods to create naturally full-flavored fruit ale beverages,” per the news release.

With the brewery already producing 13 unique recipes onsite at Behling Orchards, the owners see an opportunity to capitalize on growing the fledgling craft-beverage industry in Oswego County and building on the region’s existing agri-tourism assets.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunities that NGI has given our business and are excited to get started on expanding Six Acres Farm Brewery,” Behling said. “Winning the NGI will open up the possibility for us to increase our brewing production and expand our brewery. This will be highly beneficial as we plan to open a tasting room in the area.”

North 40 Clover On Site Hydraulic Hose Repair & Fabrication ended the competition with the second-place prize of $25,000 in cash and business services.

The business is a startup that James Macklen of Lacona created. Macklen will use the NGI prize money to expand his mobile hydraulic repair and fabrication business that services several industries. They include manufacturing, mining, road plowing, agriculture, and trucking and logging operations around Oswego County and the North Country.

The mobile business is “especially needed in rural areas where extended downtime due to distance from repair services can be catastrophic to business,” per the release. Macklen believes the prize money will help him pursue “multiple future opportunities to expand” in the industry.

Moth & Flame Base Camp was the third-place winner of $15,000 in cash and business services. It’s a “glamping” business developed by co-founders Amanda McLaughlin and Paula Barreto. Glamping is outdoor camping with amenities and comforts (such as beds, electricity, and access to indoor plumbing) not usually used when camping, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

Moth & Flame Base Camp says it allows visitors to “stay, play and support local business in the outdoors of Oswego County while having a unique and secure stay and experience in a vintage recreational vehicle, airstream and eclectic structure ‘glampground.’ “

The business will utilize social media and technology platforms to market to the quickly growing target segment of “glampers.”

The co-founders will use the prize towards developing “distinctive fully furnished basecamps in a scenic location that will complement the growing” outdoor recreation and event-tourism industry in Oswego County.

The judges

Operation Oswego County selected judges for this year’s event based on their local business knowledge and expertise in the fields of operations, management, financing, and entrepreneurship.

Those judges were Ed Alberts, local entrepreneur and former NGI winner; Mike Backus of Oswego Health; Rich Burritt of Burritt Motors; Allen Chase of Chase Enterprises; Nate Emmons, Oswego County legislator; Karen Goetz of the Richard S. Shineman Foundation; Keiko Kimura of Cayuga Community College’s Fulton campus; Kevin LaMontagne of Operation Oswego County; Liz Lonergan of the Watertown Small Business Development Center; and Tim McKernan of EJ USA of Phoenix.

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