Jake Van Ness, Author at Glens Falls Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2231 Articles

Personnel Briefs – December 2018

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

Robert S. Reynolds, a partner at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, was selected by a nationwide peer review as a Lawyer of the Year in The Best Lawyers in America for his work in the practice area of trusts and estates.

Reynolds joins his Whiteman Osterman & Hanna colleagues rated as Best Lawyers in America, including: Leslie M. Apple in the practice area of corporate law; James B. Ayers in litigation and trusts and estates areas; Beth A. Bourassa in education law and employment law; Norma G. Meacham and Robert T. Schofield in employment law; Kevin P. Quinn in the practice area of government relations; Daniel A. Ruzow and Michael G. Sterthous in environmental law; Leslie K. L. Thiele in immigration law; and Michael Whiteman in communications and energy law.

Slate Town Brewing Co. In Granville Adds To Washington County’s Array Of Craft Brewers

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

Susan Knapp and Glenn Wetherell operate Slate Town Brewing Co. in Granville. The tasting room offers a variety of beers created by Wetherell and future plans include adding a kitchen.
Courtesy Slate Town Brewing Co.

By Greg Hitchcock

Slate Town Brewing Co. at 31 Main St. in Granville opened three months ago and things are going well, according to business partner Susan Knapp.

“We have nine beers on tap. Every week we have new ones coming out,” Knapp said.

Local and out-of-town customers flock to Slate Town Brewing Company to get a taste of a Not Your Average Main Street Blonde ale, Unfitting Red ale, or other craft beers at the brewery created by master craftsman Glenn Wetherell, also a partner.

Unfitting Red ale came from slate industry terms in honor of the region’s red slate industry having been a major benefactor in Granville’s economic development, she said.

“Red slate is only found in Granville in the whole world,” Knapp said.

After working nearly 16 years as a home brewer with his father David, working out of a hop shed, Wetherell decided to open a brewery after being convinced by Knapp that if he didn’t, he would regret that decision forever.

Civic Center Coalition Hopes To Garner Funds For Cool Insuring Arena Upgrades

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

Adirondack Civic Center Coalition will seek funding from New York state to help pay for a number of renovations including revamping Heritage Hall on the mezzanine level.
Courtesy Camoin Associates

By Christine Graf

The Adirondack Civic Center Coalition will seek between $2 and $3 million in funding from New York state to help fund a number of renovations it would like to accomplish at Cool Insuring Arena in downtown Glens Falls.

Among them is renovation of Heritage Hall.

Located on the mezzanine level of the arena, Heritage Hall is a 7,300-square-foot space used for banquets and other events. It has its own kitchen as well as a bar that is open to the public during Adirondack Thunder hockey games.

The arena is home to the Adirondack Thunder hockey team and hosts other events like concerts, sporting events and more that bring in revenue.

“We have plans to have a new entrance into Heritage Hall, and a full renovation of the Heritage Hall space,” said arena General Manager Jeff Mead. “We’re talking floor, walls, ceiling, lighting, audio video, a new bar, and updated kitchen. Basically everything in that room needs to be replaced.”

Magic Forest Amusement Park Will Be Transformed Next Year Under New Owners

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

This is the logo for Dino Roar Valley, which will be part of Expedition Park in 2019.
Courtesy Expedition Park

Magic Forest amusement park in Lake George is undergoing major changes in 2019 as it changes ownership.

The 2019 opening of Lake George Expedition Park was announced in December at the site of the Magic Forest amusement park located on Route 9. Dino Roar Valley will be a safari trail populated by animatronic dinosaurs within the amusement park.

The new owners will continue to operate the Magic Forest in 2019 on the 46-acre site.

Ruben Ellsworth of Lake George, owner of Ellsworth & Son Excavating in Fort Ann, was in the process in early December of completing the purchase of the Magic Forest amusement park from Jack Gillette. The park has been owned and operated by the Gillette family for 55 years.

State Adds 131 Acres To Moreau Lake State Park, Bringing Total Acreage To 6,100

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

This is the beach at Moreau Lake State Park. The 131-acre expansion encompasses multiple summits and affords dramatic views of the Hudson Valley and southern Adirondack Mountains.
Courtesy Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

New York state has added 131 acres to Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County.

The addition brings the park’s total acreage to 6,100, a nearly nine-fold increase in size since the park was established 50 years ago, officials said. The property will help expand year-round trail-based recreation and protect the natural habitat in fast-growing northern Saratoga County.

“New York is home to some of the best outdoor recreation areas in the nation, and this addition will continue to preserve our state’s treasured natural habitat,” Gov Andrew Cuomo said. “By expanding Moreau Lake State Park, we are not only providing increased recreational opportunities for New Yorkers, we will also help attract even more visitors and boost tourism in the region.”

Business Report: Toxic Employees

December 13, 2018May 22, 2019

Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

Rarely do toxic employees add that trait to their resume or job application. We all know they exist. Yet, too often managers fail to address the issue. Toxic employees chase good employees out the door. Who wants to work with someone they cannot be around?

They are not hard to spot. The complain about their job. They complain about coworkers. They hate their boss. Too often we look the other way. No one that I know likes firing people. So, we ignore them – but, at what cost?

Research has shown that 54% of your good people are likely to quit when they are working with toxic ones. That means each toxic person is likely affecting half of your workforce! What should you do?

Owner Of Gross Electric Inc. Buys Industrial Park Property, Eyes Development Options

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

Joseph Gross owns Gross Electric Inc., shown here, in Queensbury’s Carey Industrial Park. He recently purchased 25 acres in the park, not far from this facility.
Courtesy Gross Electric Inc.

By Jill Nagy

Joseph Gross, owner of Gross Electric Inc. in Queensbury, recently acquired a 25-acre parcel of industrially zoned land adjoining the Carey Industrial Park on Carey Road.

It abuts a seven-acre parcel he already owns, giving him more than 30 acres of vacant land ready to be developed. Gross now owns the last two vacant lots in the approximately 100-acre industrial zone near Northway Exit 18.

Gross said there has been some interest in developing the newly acquired land. He is willing to build to rent or to sell. He said he may build something on speculation or, if a tenant or buyer is interested, build to suit.

However, “nothing is inked yet,” so, for now, the identity of any prospective developer remains confidential.

Small Business Index: Economic Outlook Is High Despite Experiencing Hiring Difficulties

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

A Q4 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index released in December reflected general optimism from the small business community about the economy.

Optimism on the health of the national economy has continuously increased since the second quarter and is at a new high with 58 percent of small business owners believing the U.S. economy is in good health, the Chamber said.

Optimism on the local economy also improved this quarter to 56 percent of small business owners noting their local economy as good, up six points from he third quarter 2018.

“Small businesses are the growth engine of the American economy, employing half of the nation’s private sector workforce,” stated Jessica Moser, senior vice president, Small Business Solutions in MetLife’s Group Benefits business. “The owners of those businesses make crucial decisions about expansion and hiring every day, so their level of optimism is a good indicator of future growth. The findings of this quarter’s Index show they are still bullish, which bodes well for our economy as a whole.”

Business Briefs – December 2018

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP has been named a Tier 1 firm in Albany by U.S. News—Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in 2019 in the following practice areas: corporate law, education law, employment law—management, environmental law, litigation—trusts and estates, and trusts & estates law.

Firms included in the 2019 Edition of “Best Law Firms” are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.

Moreau Community Center Has Programs For Senior Citizens And School Children

December 13, 2018December 14, 2018

Kelly Obermayer, director of development at Moreau Community Center, right, and Sarah Egan, billing assistant, prepare for the agency’s annual Holiday Caring program.

By Jill Nagy

For more than 40 years, the Moreau Community Center has served the people of Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties. Located in the heart of South Glens Falls, in a former Methodist church, the center sees more than 500 people a month, ranging from pre-schoolers to seniors, come through its doors.

The center’s programs for youth include a pre-school and before and after school programs for children as well as summer camp and recreational activities. Seniors come in for exercise programs, meals, and just to hang out and socialize and sign up for field trips.

The seniors are the most active group during the day, according to Executive Director Donna Nichols.

A third aspect of the center’s program is a range of community services: a food pantry, referral services and a thrift shop, among them. A backpack program provides weekend meals for school children and the center also sponsors a summer meal program.