City of Syracuse launches new digital procurement platform

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Tuesday announced the launch of a new digital procurement platform, OpenGov. The effort is part of the city’s efforts to make its procurement process “more accessible, navigable, and transparent for vendors,” per the city’s announcement. OpenGov is an online portal that consolidates the city’s open bids and […]

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh on Tuesday announced the launch of a new digital procurement platform, OpenGov.

The effort is part of the city’s efforts to make its procurement process “more accessible, navigable, and transparent for vendors,” per the city’s announcement.

OpenGov is an online portal that consolidates the city’s open bids and requests for proposals (RFPs) in one central location. It allows vendors to get notifications of new bids and RFPs; view open projects; access project plans and specifications free of charge; ask questions in an open forum; and submit proposals directly in the portal.

“The City is committed to making our procurement process more accessible and transparent to all,” Walsh said in the announcement. “OpenGov is already demonstrating an increase in vendor responses on bids and is supplementing our overall effort at streamlining and modernizing our process of purchasing goods and services. These changes are making it easier for vendors to engage with us and do business with the City.”

Prior to the launch of OpenGov, vendors were required to purchase physical project plans and specifications in packets known as “bid books” from Syracuse. With the launch of OpenGov, vendors are now able to access bid books free of charge and ask project questions directly in the online portal, making the City’s procurement process “more accessible to all vendors looking to do business with the City.”

Physical copies of bid books are still available upon request and payment to the division of purchase, the City of Syracuse noted. Vendors can also track the status of bids and RFPs in OpenGov, “creating a more transparent procurement process.”

“I encourage all vendors interested in working with the City to register for an account on OpenGov and subscribe to our page to be the first to know when there are new project opportunities,” Evan Loving, city budget director, said. “These changes are happening because our vendors asked for more accessible ways to do business with the City. We heard them and we’re here to support them in making the transition to an online tool.”

To date, nearly 1,600 vendors have subscribed to the city’s page in OpenGov. Those vendors receive notifications every time a new bid or RFP is posted. One open project is currently available in OpenGov — an RFP for medical exam and testing provider for the Syracuse Police Department (closes Dec. 30).

Vendors interested in doing business with the city should register for an account on OpenGov and subscribe to the City of Syracuse to receive notifications when new projects are posted. Instructions on how to register can be found at: https://www.syr.gov/Departments/Purchase/OpenGov-Registration.

For more information on how to do business with the city, visit: https://www.syr.gov/Departments/Purchase.

Herkimer County HealthNet awarded grant for age-friendly work

New York News, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, Mohawk Valley, Nonprofits

HERKIMER, N.Y. — The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties has awarded Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc. (HCHN) a $15,000 grant to advance the Age-Friendly

Eight employees complete Turning Stone Enterprises workforce-development program

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Technology

VERONA, N.Y. — Turning Stone Enterprises says eight of its employees are the first group to complete the organization’s first-ever skilled trades education program (STEP).

Walsh tapped to lead the New York State Canal Corp.

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Featured, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh knows what he will be doing once his term as mayor ends in a few weeks. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has hired Walsh as the next director of the New York State Canal Corporation, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday. He will succeed outgoing Canal Corporation

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh knows what he will be doing once his term as mayor ends in a few weeks.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has hired Walsh as the next director of the New York State Canal Corporation, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday. He will succeed outgoing Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton, who will retire at the end of December.

Stratton was appointed to the position in April 2011 and guided the organization through several important milestones, culminating in the recent commemoration of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial.

Walsh, age 46, is the 54th mayor of the City of Syracuse. The independent has served as mayor since Jan. 1, 2018 and will complete his second and final four-year term in office at the end of this month.

In his time as mayor, Walsh launched Syracuse Surge, making the city New York’s “Flagship Smart City.” He also expanded affordable housing through the Resurgent Neighborhoods Initiative, and created Syracuse Build to prepare residents for careers tied to the Interstate 81 reconstruction, per the state’s announcement.

He also guided the city through the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinated the allocation of $123 million in federal relief funds.

“I am pleased to welcome Ben Walsh to the Canal Corporation as we chart the next century for the organization. His experience guiding transformative projects in Syracuse demonstrates a pragmatic approach to economic development, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term sustainability,” Justin Driscoll, president and CEO of NYPA, said. “As we continue to revitalize the Canals to drive recreation, tourism, and economic growth, Mayor Walsh’s vision and expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that this historic system remains a source of pride for New York State.”

Described as an “outdoor enthusiast and lifelong New Yorker,” Walsh holds an MPA (Master of Public Administration) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs at Syracuse University and is a graduate of Ithaca College.

Rome Health, North Country hospitals awarded state grants for IT, cybersecurity work

Featured, Health Care, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, North Country, Technology

ALBANY, N.Y. — Rome Health Hospital, Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center in Ogdensburg are among the hospitals awarded state funding for

Micron project takes another step forward with DEC issuing environmental permits

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Technology

CLAY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued nine environmental permits that help support the start of construction of

New York manufacturing index dives back into negative territory in December

Banks & Credit Unions, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Small Business

The general-business conditions index of the Empire State Manufacturing Survey plunged 23 points to -3.9 in December. This breaks a run of several strong months,

Community centers across NYS awarded state-grant funding for projects

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

The Towns of Granby, Volney, and Herkimer; Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc.; Catholic Charities of Onondaga County; and the YMCA of Broome County are among the organizations recently awarded state grants for various projects. Thirty awards totaling $100 million are from the Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS) capital grant program,

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Thirty awards totaling $100 million are from the Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS) capital grant program, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Dec. 5. The funding is part of the current New York State budget.

Awards range from $260,000 to $15 million and will support design, construction, renovation, and land acquisition for community centers. The state selected projects based on demonstrated need, community impact, and viability, with priority given to underserved communities and facilities offering affordable services like childcare, eldercare, and mental-health counseling.

The NY BRICKS grants will pay for projects in 22 counties across New York, “reflecting the statewide reach and geographic diversity of the program,” Hochul’s office said.

“Today, we’re delivering on our commitment to build stronger, healthier communities in every corner of New York State,” Hochul contended. “NY BRICKS grants will create affordable and accessible spaces where kids can play, families can connect, and seniors can stay active and engaged. I’m proud to see this funding reach 30 communities, and I look forward to seeing these centers come to life.”

Regional grant recipients

Central New York

Catholic Charities of Onondaga County will use $1.35 million to support renovations at the community center located at 500 Seymour St. in Syracuse.

The Town of Granby was awarded $1 million to support renovations at the community center located at 812 County Route 8 in Fulton.

The Town of Volney will use a $4.67 million award to support construction of a new community center located at 1445 County Route 6 in Fulton.

Mohawk Valley

The Town of Herkimer will use a grant of $3.61 million to support construction of a new community center located at 160 Pine Grove Road in Herkimer.

The Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council of Hamilton, Fulton & Montgomery Counties was awarded $1.52 million to support construction of a new community center located at 303-305 East Main St. in Amsterdam.

Southern Tier

Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. was awarded $1.32 million to support construction of a new community center located at 402 W. Court St. in Ithaca.

YMCA of Broome County will use a $1.41 million grant to support renovations at the community center located at 740 Main St. in Johnson City.

Economic Opportunity Program Inc. of Chemung County was awarded a $7.51 million grant to support addition and renovation work at the community center located at 350 E. Fifth St. in Elmira.

North Country

United Helpers Care, Inc. will use a nearly $10 million award to support construction of a new community center located at 8101 State Highway 68 in Ogdensburg.

Syracuse, Utica, Binghamton nonprofits to use state funds for homeless housing

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Manufacturing & Engineering, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

ALBANY, N.Y. — Three regional organizations are among those awarded state funding for homeless housing across New York. They include the Rescue Mission in Syracuse, People First in Utica, and Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc. A total of 13 projects will use more than $125 million to create 645 units and nearly 1,000

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

ALBANY, N.Y. — Three regional organizations are among those awarded state funding for homeless housing across New York.

They include the Rescue Mission in Syracuse, People First in Utica, and Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc.

A total of 13 projects will use more than $125 million to create 645 units and nearly 1,000 beds of permanent supportive, transitional, and emergency housing, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Nov. 25.

The Rescue Mission in Syracuse will use $15 million to build a new, 80-unit emergency shelter in Auburn, with an additional eight units of permanent supportive housing for those who have dealt with homelessness. The new shelter will replace and expand an existing shelter.

The project is called the Auburn Rescue Mission Emergency Shelter and Permanent Supportive Apartments. It includes the new construction of a three-story, all-electric building with separate entrances and spaces for the permanent and emergency tenants, support services space, laundry, and common room.

“We are grateful to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance for this transformative $15 million investment to address the growing need for emergency housing in Cayuga County,” Dan Sieburg, CEO of the Rescue Mission, said in the state’s announcement. “The Rescue Mission is committed to putting love into action by providing shelter, stability, and support to those experiencing homelessness. This new 80-bed emergency shelter and eight permanent supportive housing units in Auburn, developed in partnership with Housing Visions Unlimited, will expand our capacity to serve individuals in crisis and help them build pathways toward lasting independence.”

In addition, People First in Utica will use $5.1 million to develop 19 units of permanent supportive housing for people over age 55 and young adults, as part of a larger project that includes an additional 83 affordable units.

THRIVE Cornhill will include the construction of two new, four-story, wood-frame, all-electric buildings. Building one will include 57 one-bedroom and 21 two-bedroom units and amenities, including a community room, computer lab, laundry room, and fitness center. Building two will contain commercial space on the ground floor and 24 apartments with 6,500 square feet of common space on the upper floors.

Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc. in Binghamton will use $8.3 million for the substantial rehabilitation and new construction of two residential buildings in Binghamton. The facilities will preserve 14 existing units and provide seven new units of permanent supportive housing and a total of 69 beds across the two three-story buildings.

Griswold Street Apartments will transition from natural gas to fully electric building systems that will provide heat and central air conditioning.

Snowmaking project gets underway at Utica’s Val Bialas Ski Center

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Mohawk Valley, Nonprofits, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — A $2 million renovation project has started at the Val Bialas Ski Center in Utica. New York State Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D–Marcy), Utica Mayor Michael Galime (R), and the Amodio family were among those participating in the Nov. 24 event. “Today, I am excited to attend the groundbreaking on the renovations that

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Get our email updates

What's New

Upcoming Events

Annual Nonprofit Conference 2026

Tompkins Chamber Small Business Roundtable

Tompkins Chamber Business After Hours

CNYBJ Job Board

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Regional grant recipients

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get our email updates