Month: August 2019

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) are honoring the legacy of esteemed thoroughbred owner and breeder, celebrated philanthropist and National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee Marylou Whitney, who died at the age of 93 on July 19.
In tribute to Mrs. Whitney’s passion, commitment and dedication to both racing and the community, the Clubhouse entrance at Saratoga Race Course, which serves as the gateway to the Spa from Saratoga Springs, was officially be named the “Marylou Whitney Entrance.”

Flanking the entrance are two jockey statues adorned in the Eton blue and brown silks representing the classic colors of Marylou Whitney stables. The statues commemorate the 2004 victories of Mrs. Whitney’s colt Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes.

Mrs. Whitney was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame on Aug. 2.

NYRA formally celebrated Mrs. Whitney at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 3, in conjunction with her family’s namesake race: The Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes.

By Andrea Palmer
“It’s a new day in Albany, There are only 3 Upstate New York members in the senate majority,” state Assemblywoman Carry Woerner, said at an Aug. 1 event at the Queensbury Hotel. “We struggle to have the needs of Upstate New York recognized in Senate, especially issues related to agriculture. This is the year we learn to adapt to a new way of working.”

Woerner was one of the speakers at the second annual Lunch with Legislators hosted by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Also on the panel were state Sen. Betty Little, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik and state Assemblyman Jake Ashby.

Woerner said it is more important that business people come to Albany to advocate for their priorities. With emphasis on downstate issues, grassroots support is needed.

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Tiki Tours is enjoying a busy summer and to help accommodate its growing business, a new 12-passenger boat is being used.

Kolleen Cormie, manager at Tiki Tours, said the newest boat holds more passengers, allowing for bigger groups to ride together. Cormie said the boat is a perfect compliment to their summer tour business.

“We have been really busy all season. We started in June and will be finishing up in September. Most people notice that our new boat is much bigger than our boats from last year, “ said Cormie.

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, a Saratoga County-based economic development organization, unveiled in July the inaugural Saratoga County Warehouse and Logistics Index, which it says portrays a thriving industry that employs nearly 2,000 people and generates an annual economic impact of $166 million in the county.

Officials said with nearly 100 transportation and warehousing operations, employment in Saratoga County rose from 1,470 jobs in 2001 to 1,772 in 2017, an increase of 21 percent. Meanwhile, the average annual wage grew from $36,221 in 2007 to $46,755 in 2018, a 29 percent increase that eclipses the Capital Region, New York state, and national averages.

Additionally, the Index illustrates a regional economic stimulus that is even greater, officials said. Working with the Saratoga, Warren, Washington Workforce Development Board, Warren County EDC and Washington County Economic Development, the Saratoga Partnership identified a $220 million annual economic impact and nearly 2,500 warehousing and logistics jobs across Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties.

“Saratoga County is home to a booming warehouse and logistics sector that provides increasing job opportunities and significant economic impact,” said Marty Vanags, president of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. “Working with our partners in Warren and Washington counties, we are committed to providing the assistance companies need to ensure this important regional industry continues on an upward trajectory.”