Month: January 2020

State Adds Another $9.4 Million To Fund Lake George Wastewater Infrastructure Upgrades

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Lake George, a major tourist attraction has state funds to help keep the lake clean.

New York state will provide an additional $9.4 million in grants to the Village of Lake George to repair and upgrade its wastewater collection infrastructure to help preserve the water quality and natural beauty of Lake George.
The $9.4 million will be provided by the state in addition to a $3 million Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant and a DEC-funded $2.5 million Water Quality Improvement Project grant, filling a budget gap in the project and bringing total state investment to $14.9 million.
The remaining cost of the project will be covered by a zero-interest loan from the Environmental Facilities Co., officials said. The investment will result in a total savings to village taxpayers of nearly $25 million.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the state “is leading the way in protecting water quality, which is why the state is investing a historic $3 billion dollars to help municipalities address these challenges head-on.”
EDC Warren County President/CEO Ed Bartholomew said, “Lake George is a crown jewel of New York’s many beautiful lakes and waterways.

Assemblyman Stec To Make Fighting New Bail And Discovery Laws A Top 2020 Priority

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Assemblyman Dan Stec represents Warren County and parts of Washington County.
Courtesy Assemblyman Stec

By Dan Stec

As a new legislative session kicks off, I am eager to get back to work on behalf of the people of the North County. With the state facing a $6.1 billion dollar deficit, this will be a very challenging year in Albany.

My top priority as we return to Albany is to address the bail/discovery reforms that were passed in last year’s budget. These reforms pose a huge public safety issue to our communities. I have heard from many law enforcement officials and district attorneys across the state that adamantly oppose these changes. I have called on the governor to re-examine how these changes are going to affect law-abiding citizens and to address the many loopholes that are allowing dangerous criminals to walk free with only the hope that they return for their court appearances.

Among my other priorities, is the need for broadband and cellular service throughout the Adirondacks and North Country communities. Although we have made great strides, there still are too many areas that remain unserved. Not only is this a public safety issue, but it is also necessary for the continuation of economic growth and the success of our students.

$4.6 Million In REDC Grants Go To Warren, Washington County Projects

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Nettle Meadow Cheese Plant previously renovated a barn into an event space.
Courtesy Nettle Meadow Cheese Plant

Some 29 projects in Warren and Washington counties received a total of nearly $4.6 million from New York state as part of this year’s Regional Economic Development Council grant program.
More than $761 million in economic and community development funding was awarded through Round IX of the REDC initiative statewide.
Since its inception in 2011, over $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs statewide through the REDC process, state officials said.

Group Forms ‘Promote Fort Edward’ Organization To Foster Business Growth

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Business people gather at a holiday social hosted by Promote Fort Edward.
Courtesy Promote Fort Edward

By Christine Graf
Fort Edward’s Chamber of Commerce recently rebranded itself as Promote Fort Edward.
Promote Fort Edward is a membership organization that exists to increase business in the village’s historic downtown, officials said. The goal is to build a thriving business district that will be attractive to both new business owners and consumers.
According to Tammy Mullen, owner of Crafted on the Park, the idea to establish Promote Fort Edward evolved organically.
She said Tom Roche, Fort Edward School Board of Education president and owner of Barb and Tom’s Pop-Up Grill, was instrumental in its formation.

Personnel Briefs: January 2020

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

High Peaks Hospice announced that Phil Pekar, RN, its head of nursing, and Mel Duerr, RN, NP, its our clinical lead, have both earned their certified hospice and palliative care nursing certification.
By earning this certification, they have proven competence and increased their knowledge across the spectrum of hospice and palliative care. The certification is a recognized quality marker by patients, physicians, providers, quality organizations, insurers, credentialers, and the federal government in an atmosphere of increasing awareness regarding quality in health care and appropriate utilization of services.

Woman Opens Barbershop In Fort Edward, Offering All Styles Of Cuts For Men, Boys

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Olivia Cabana has opened Liv’s Broadway Barbershop at 128 Broadway in Fort Edward, where she does hair for boys and men, from a skin fade to an all-over scissors cut.

By Susan E. Campbell
A woman-owned, woman-run barbershop may be a rare thing, but a new one has come to Fort Edward.
Liv’s Broadway Barbershop opened at 128 Broadway on Nov. 15. It is the first business owned by Olivia Cabana, originally a resident of Queensbury and a trained barber for the past five years.
“I always wanted my own business,” said Cabana. “The last shop I worked for was privately owned by a good friend. I didn’t realize it was something I could do on my own.”
But after observing what it was like to have a business, Cabana thought it would be “a fun thing to do” as well as “a dream and a goal.” And so far, she said, “I am pleased with what I have accomplished.”
As a barber, Cabana does hair for boys and men, from a skin fade to an all-over scissors cut.
“The shop is not focused on haircuts for women,” she said.

Repeal Of Medical Device Tax Is Hailed As Relief For Many Businesses In The Region

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

The U.S. Senate passed legislation that includes a full repeal of the medical device tax — a 2.3 percent tax on a range of medical devices and products which previous research has shown to have minimal benefits for doctors, patients and manufacturers.
The medical device tax repeal provision was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives prior to the Senate vote.
The medical device industry is an important part of the Warren County economy.
EDC Warren County President/CEO Ed Bartholomew said “we are very pleased that an agreement has been reached to permanently eliminate the medical device excise tax which was scheduled to be reinstated on Jan. 1.”

‘Seafood On The Bay’ Opens In Glens Falls, Offers Louisiana-Style Cajun Cuisine

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Tiffany Chuang, right, manager at Seafood on the Bay in Glens Falls, poses with Meghan Payant, part of the wait staff, inside the restaurant that opened in December.

By Jill Nagy
On visits to Glens Falls, Tiffany Ni and her family noticed that the city’s lively restaurant scene still lacked a Louisiana-style Cajun seafood restaurant. So they created one.
Seafood on the Bay, at 21-27 Bay St., opened just before Christmas.
The space, formerly occupied by Superior Cantina, has been vacant for nearly two years. It needed a lot of cleaning up and “the change from Mexican to ocean” took some redecorating, Ni said.
The chef is Zong Xin, who has worked at other restaurants in the area. In addition, there is a staff of seven employees and, since the place is family-owned, “everybody helps.” There is seating for 100 people.
Business, so far, has been “so-so … A lot of people don’t know we are open,” said Jennie Zheng, an employee.

Warren Tire Service Center Plans To Open New Location In August, Its 16th Outlet In Region

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

This is a rendering of what the new Warren Tire Service Center store will look like when completed. It will be located at 573 Route 9 in Wilton.
Courtesy Warren Tire Service Center

By Jill Nagy
“We’ve always wanted to be in the Wilton-Saratoga area,” said Bob Kellogg, president of Warren Tire Service Center Inc.
That will happen in August, when he expects to open a 16th outlet at 573 Route 9 in Wilton.
Kellogg said the company has received all the necessary government approvals and recently began clearing ground and putting in foundations and the parking lot.
More extensive construction, by CGM Contracting of Waterford, is scheduled to begin in the spring.
The new facility will be a 6,300-square-foot building with eight service bays, as well as retail and wholesale space. It will be constructed on 5.83 acres across the Northway from the Wilton Mall, in the most southern part of Wilton.

Lake George Native Starts A Business Taking People On Outdoor Tours Of Adirondacks

January 16, 2020January 17, 2020

Taking hikes with his father in the Adirondacks ignited a passion for that activity for Jack Donnelly. Now he runs a business giving people guided tours in the outdoors.
Courtesy Hiking with Jack

By Jennifer Farnsworth
Jackson Donnelly remembers when his love of hiking began. As a Lake George native, he said as a child taking hikes with his dad ignited his love and appreciation for the outdoors.
Today he is taking his connection to nature and turning it into a business called Hike With Jackson. He says anyone can learn the art of hiking and can do so in the beauty of the North Country.
“I’m excited to show others all the beauty of the Adirondacks that is right here in our backyard,” said Donnelly.
Hike With Jackson offers 20- to 30-minute hikes, half day hikes and full day hikes.
Donnelly is an accomplished hiker, including having ADK 46er on his resume, a title that stands for having completed hikes at the 46 peaks in the Adirondacks. He began those hikes while he was a freshman in high school. As a student at the University of Buffalo, he felt a noticeable void, not being out on the trails.