Month: June 2026

By Ann Donnelly

The Lake George region boasts a thriving, multibillion-dollar economy, but sustaining that momentum requires tackling affordable housing shortages, navigating complex development regulations and expanding the year-round experiential economy.

Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber and CVB, moderated the Spring Economic Outlook Breakfast at the Courtyard by Marriott Lake George on June 16. Themed “Where Tourism Meets Development,” the event featured a panel of finance, real estate and economic experts who provided key insights into the region’s fiscal health.

Jim Siplon, president of EDC Warren County, set an optimistic tone, noting that the region’s economic base is historically and quantitatively spectacular.

“Our economy is a $5 billion GDP economy,” Siplon said. “More than a billion of the $5 billion of value that gets produced here is directly attributed to what we call the experiential economy.”

Siplon, who has led the EDC for six years, added that Warren County is one of the few places in New York seeing a net influx of taxpayers, with 3,000 more people filing returns in 2023 than the previous year.

Dave DeMarco, who has served as president and CEO of Arrow Financial Corp. for the past three years, echoed this sentiment. “It’s been a very stable period for us, for our history, which speaks to the economic growth trends here,” DeMarco said. “We don’t see the high highs or the low lows that other parts of the country do.”

By Paul Post

Thousands of motorcyclists roared into Lake George recently for Americade, ushering in what promises to be an extremely vibrant summer tourist season.

The highly anticipated June 30 opening of Shepard Park’s new performance stage is expected to be a major attraction, with events every day of the week.

But first, the next big event on tap is the 10th annual Adirondack Wine & Festival, set for Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, at Charles R. Wood Park’s Festival Commons.

“We host over 120 wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries and artisan food trucks,” said Sasha Pardy, Adirondack Winery and festival owner. “In the first year we had 40 vendors and 2,500 attendees, generating 3,300 room nights with a $374,000 economic impact. This year we expect 139 vendors and 6,000 attendees for a $3.5 million impact.”

By Paul Post

Sasha Pardy’s childhood home in New Hampshire was always the one friends wanted to visit, and her welcoming parents were “second parents” to many other cahildren.

Hospitality was ingrained in her at a young age, and the trait has proved invaluable in life and business.

Pardy and her husband, Michael, co-own Adirondack Winery and Extreme Heights Cidery, and she owns the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, at Festival Commons in Lake George.

On June 2, Pardy was recognized as one of the New York State Restaurant Association’s “10 Women to Watch” in Hospitality at the 2026 Women in Hospitality Conference at Google St. John’s Terminal in New York City.

“For me, hospitality is where it’s at,” she said. “That’s what I’ve been doing for 18 years. It gives me joy to bring people together, whether it’s throwing a party or hosting one of our many events. The reason we do them is we want to give people joy.  I think we do that well.”

The 10 honorees were cited for leading the hospitality industry forward through innovation, leadership and impact. They are women “who seem to do it all and do it with excellence,” while inspiring others to follow their example through resilience, vision and dedication, the Restaurant Association says.

During the conference, Pardy met and networked with industry leaders and keynote presenters such as Lilia & Misi chef and founder Missy Robbins; Crane Club Executive Chef and partner Melissa Rodriguez; and Culinary Agents CEO and founder Alice Cheng.

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce has named Lindsey Kenna programs and partnerships manager.

“Lindsey brings a strong background and a fresh perspective that aligns perfectly with the ARCC’s mission, values and vision for the future. We are thrilled to have her join us during this exciting time of growth,” said ARCC President Tricia Rogers.

Kenna previously spent two and a half years with the Lake George Association, where she supported environmental stewardship initiatives through education, community outreach and regional collaboration. She also worked with the organization from 2017 to 2020 as an environmental educator.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and be part of an organization so dedicated to supporting our local businesses and communities. Having grown up in Lake Luzerne and spent much of my career working throughout this region, this opportunity is especially meaningful to me. I look forward to building relationships, supporting the Chamber’s mission, and continuing to contribute to the community I care so deeply about,” said Lindsey Kenna.

By Paul Post

Strong corporate backing and fan support are more important than ever as the Adirondack Thunder deal with the rapidly rising cost of doing business.

Under a new collective bargaining agreement reached after a brief midseason strike, the leaguewide salary cap has increased $3,000 per week.

In December, the Thunder will make one of their longest road trips in franchise history when they play the ECHL’s newest team, the New Mexico Goatheads, in suburban Albuquerque.

“The Thunder are no different than everyone else,” team President Jeff Mead said. “We travel a lot and fuel, air fare and hotels have increased significantly.”

Adirondack, playing in the league’s smallest market, had a record 20 sellout crowds this season, and average attendance (4,539) was the highest ever. But six large-market teams, playing in much bigger arenas, averaged more than 7,000 fans per game, including league leader Jacksonville (9,198).

The salary cap helps level the playing field when it comes to signing premier players. But some big-city teams with larger budgets may offer amenities the Thunder can’t afford.

By Paul Post

Riley Silbert learned the economics of his parents’ baked goods business at a young age.

He could keep the profits from cookies they made by selling them at a farmers market, but first he had to purchase them.

Nothing was handed to him.

The work ethic they instilled in him, a heavy dose of ambition and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit laid the groundwork for a thriving enterprise whose online sales are now coast to coast.

The 32-year-old Silbert took over Bucks County Biscotti from his mom and dad and relocated it from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Philadelphia, to 37 Casey Road in Queensbury. They had just moved to Warren County and weren’t really expecting him to follow in their footsteps.

“I threw them a curveball,” Silbert said, smiling. “I was in New York City, doing sales and marketing for some start-ups, and decided I was working too hard for other people.”

He took one year to build up the business, another to work out all the financing and a third to construct the firm’s modern new home at the Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency’s Airport Industrial Park.

F.W. Webb Company opened its new Queensbury store and warehouse at 369 Corinth Road, replacing its former Queensbury location on Highland Avenue.

The 90,000-square-foot facility is designed to supply residential, commercial, industrial and institutional projects with expanded inventory, added amenities and improved access for skilled trades across the region.

“Opening this larger facility strengthens our ability to support trade professionals with the products, solutions, and expertise they need to operate efficiently and grow their businesses,” said Bob Mucciarone, COO at F.W. Webb Company. “Investing in this new location is part of our footprint-wide strategy to provide state-of-the-art locations that meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The facility has more than 20,000 products on site, including 1,500 new to the Queensbury location. Contractors can call, text or order at fwwebb.com and pick up orders at a dedicated will-call counter.

The Queensbury operation now offers products and resources from the company’s Water Works division, including pipe, fire hydrants, pipe fusion equipment and other components for underground utility jobs.

By Ann Donnelly

A Plattsburgh-based managed IT services firm has cemented its commitment to the Greater Glens Falls and Saratoga region with a dedicated office on Broad Street in Glens Falls.

LayerEight, which launched its current brand in January 2021, previously maintained a full-time technician in the area. In 2026, the company decided to establish a dedicated office adjacent to the new South Street developments. The firm brought on account executive Bryan Carr to staff the location and spearhead local growth.

Vicki Marking, director of sales and marketing, said the new office positions the company amid local growth. “There’s so much going on around us right now,” Marking said.

Carr, who lives in Saratoga, is tasked with building relationships across the region.

“I love what I do here,” Carr said. “Being able to go out to different ribbon cuttings, seeing these new businesses, introducing them to the LayerEight brand and telling them what we do is something that I’ve done a little bit before, but never on this scale.”

By Ann Donnelly

Crosspoint Realty has established its new headquarters at Moreau Commons on Route 9, positioning the brokerage along the corridor from the Northway’s Exit 17 to Glens Falls as upstate New York’s real estate market expands.

Broker and owner Scott Cross founded the relationship-driven brokerage earlier this year to capitalize on the region’s geographic shift. After more than four months of working from home, Cross said he needed a dedicated brick-and-mortar space for his growing team.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Crosspoint Realty was not built in a day either,” Cross said. “It takes a long time for you to plan everything.”

The Moreau Commons location gives agents quick access to clients in Washington, Warren and Saratoga counties. Cross sees South Glens Falls and Moreau as a key junction for future housing development.

Cross identifies the Exit 17 corridor in Moreau as a pivotal geographic “pinch point,” with limited growth potential in larger cities pushing development from Saratoga into Wilton and farther north, and from Glens Falls south toward the central area. He expects that regional expansion to strengthen the location’s strategic value.