Month: January 2019

Freight Train Company In Fort Edward Provides For Transport Of Goods In Region

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Grain is offloaded from this freight train at the SMS Rail Lines in the Fort Edward Industrial Park. From the large conveyor system, the grain is then loaded in trucks and transported where needed.

By Greg Hitchcock

SMS Rail Lines, a railroad freight company based in Bridgeport, N.J., has a busy hub where it loads and unloads railroad cars for shipping product to markets in the New York-Vermont borderlands.

The freight company took over the former G.E. watering site at the Fort Edward Industrial Park in 2017 and converted the site into a grain transfer station for dairy farmers.

Since acquiring the Fort Edward Industrial Park site, SMS Rail has steadily built up the transfer station as a nexus for offloading commodities to market.

Associates Of Glens Falls Insurance Company Expands; Anticipates More Future Growth

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Chuck Gohn, president of the insurance company Associates of Glens Falls, stands in front of the company’s newly aquaired building at 220 Glen St. The company is expanding into this space.

By Greg Hitchcock

Associates of Glens Falls, an insurance company, recently acquired property at 220 Glen St. in Glens Falls and plans to expand.

The business, located at 228 Glen St., is experiencing a run of activity, one in which their current building is not sufficient enough to sustain.

“We were running out of space to grow into,” said Chuck Gohn, president.

Hudson Headwaters’ Community Health Centers Added To Aetna Insurance Network

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Hudson Headwaters Health Network and Aetna have entered an agreement that adds Hudson Headwaters’ system of 17 community health centers in the Adirondacks, North Country and Glens Falls region to Aetna’s New York network.

Hudson Headwaters provides primary care to residents in all of Warren County and parts of Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Saratoga and Washington counties. It also delivers urgent care at its health centers in Glens Falls and Warrensburg.

Aetna’s New York members enrolled in commercial and Medicare Advantage health plans will be covered at the in-network level of benefits, effective Jan. 1.

Irongate Is A Rare Breed As An Independent Family Medical Practice In Capital Region

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Dr. Robert Reeves, center, president of Irongate Family Practice, poses with Drs. David Cunningham, left; Alex Aarons, to his right; Anne Evans and Robert Evans at the group offices.

By Christine Graf

Founded in the late 1960s by Dr. William Tedesco, Irongate Family Practice in Glens Falls is one of the largest independent medical practices in the area. It is owned by Irongate’s 11 board-certified family physicians.

“We all play a role in this,” said Irongate president Dr. Robert Reeves. “We are all partners in the practice. It’s a shared responsibility, and we all have different roles within the organization.”

In addition to 11 physicians, Irongate has 18 nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They also employ 100 nurses and support staff members.

Wearable Tracking Devices Can Provide Good Info For Personal Trainers And Their Clients

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Holly Zelenkewich, owner of Healthy PhysZeke, a personal training business.
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Susan E. Campbell

Fitness trainers have found that while wearable devices are fun and useful tools for tracking progress, there is nothing like the personal touch for motivating clients to meet their goals.

Fitness tracker devices count steps walked, calories burned, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. Many sync data to cell phones or other devices though mobile apps that can be shared with friends and personal trainers.

Some believe “wearables” have led to better health or greater weight loss, although results can vary among different age and lifestyle groups when compared with the old-fashioned methods. A study published by the JAMA Network in 2016 concluded there was less weight loss among 471 adult users when compared to a control group.

Economic Outlook 2019: Stephen Kyne

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Stephen Kyne, partner, Sterling Manor Financial LLC.

By Stephen Kyne

The year 2018 was an interesting year in the financial markets, to say the least. Characterized by all-time highs in stock indices, two whipsaw corrections, and a nearly 20 percent decline to cap the year off, the year was anything but boring. As it stood at close of business on Dec. 27, it looks like we’re going to end the year down, barring any last-minute surprises.

So, what happened, and where do we think the economy is headed?

First, to be absolutely clear, we do not think a recession is imminent, or even likely for at least another 12-18 months. That may seem contrary to what you are seeing on the news, but the news exists more for ratings than it does to inform Remember, nobody watches the news to see the house that didn’t burn down.

The economy is exceedingly strong, and most factors point to continued strength going into the new year.

Economic Outlook 2019: Mark Shaw

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech).

By Mark Shaw

Last year we spoke about everything as a service. That is absolutely the case today. From phone systems to access control you can truly have access to all the latest technology in a monthly service fee.

This eliminates the need to purchase anything. Your business can gain access to the same technology used by the Fortune 500 without any major capital outlay. This model will continue for the foreseeable future and if you have not already been reaping those benefits, talk to your technology department or company today.

In 2019 the focus is going to be hyper-active around security—security at every level in your business. From physically on the doors and entry points backed up by cameras, to your data on every device. We have been bombarded by news of firms being hacked, held at ransom, or even shut down due to breaches.

Economic Outlook 2019: Gina Mintzer

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Gina Mintzer, executive director, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.

By Gina Mintzer, CMP, MHA

The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & Convention and Visitors Bureau, is continuing the focus on three main areas that collectively boost the economic vitality and sustainability of the region that began throughout 2018

Those areas are: enhancing member and partner participation and engagement; increasing Lake George area year-round visitation, and expanding the CVB.

Throughout 2018 we were focused on these areas and accomplished quite a bit toward our goals. To name a few, the Chamber took on the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail and has re-energized the initiative that began several years ago with the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. This program now has 25 producers on the trail and a robust marketing campaign in and out of the market to drive visitors and overnight guests.

We are grateful to serve all involved for this year-round effort that is not “lake centric” and is a truly regional program, that involves producers from northern Saratoga to Lake Placid.

Economic Outlook 2019: Ed Bartholomew

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Ed Bartholomew, president and CEO, EDC Warren County.

By Edward Bartholomew

Through key initiatives and corroborations, EDC Warren County continues our mission of going forward in 2019 as the county’s primary and full-time advocate for sustainable economic development.

EDC is most appreciative of support from Warren County and municipalities, the private sector, other key stakeholders, our federal legislators; U.S. senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressperson EliseStefanik and state legislators; state Sen. Betty Little, and state Assemblyman Dan Stec.

An example of EDC’s key planning and initiative undertaken in 2018 was the preparation of two applications and advocacy to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his recommendation and subsequent approval by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s designation for two Warren County communities as federal opportunity zones: Town of Johnsburg-North Creek and the western portion of the City of Glens Falls.

Economic Outlook 2019: Jeffrey Mead

January 16, 2019January 17, 2019

Jeffrey Mead is general manager of Cool Insuring Arena.

By Jeffrey Mead

What a year it has been for the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition.

In our first full calendar year of operating the ECHL’s Adirondack Thunder, alongside Cool Insuring Arena, we have been pleasantly surprised with the amount of growth and success this operation has seen. The Coalition is realizing its vision as we now have a long-term tenant secured in the building with Thunder hockey, and the success of the team is truly catapulting.

After seeing a nearly 30 percent increase in ticket sales during the 2017-2018 season, the largest percentage increase across the league, we were excited to get after it again and see what this season had in store. It is difficult to repeat those astounding numbers, but through decisive planning and a hard-working staff, we knew there was more room to climb.