Category Archives: Business Briefs

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its Quarterly Classroom on the topic of  Best Practices for Maintaining a Positive Work Environment to Retain Staff on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

The event will run from 10-11 a.m. at Crandall Public Library, downstairs, 251 Glen St., Glens Falls.

The cost is $30 for ARCC members; $40 for non-members.

Advanced registration is required.

Panelists will offer guidance and bring clarity to the internal actions that can be undertaken by businesses to address the current labor market challenges and how creating a positive work environment will help to attract and retain quality staff. Attendees will be presented with best methods, tools and good case examples from the region.

Panelists are Liza Ochsendorf, director, Warren County Department of Workforce Development; Patrick Welton, general manager, Lake George Escape Outdoor Resort; Kathy Flacke Muncil, CEO, Fort William Henry Corp.; and Jim Marco, vice president of human resources, Glens Falls Hospital.

For more information, contact Carol Ann Conover at the ARCC at Carol Ann Conover  at caconover@adirondackchamber.org.

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The Southern Adirondack real estate market saw higher prices, lower inventory and fewer home sales in October compared to last year. Homes are spending over a month on the market on average, according to the Southern Adirondack Realtors.

New listings in the region decreased 15.9 percent in October compared to last year, from 504 to 424. The inventory of homes for sale dropped 27.2 percent, from 1,265 to 921, and pending sales decreased 12.6 percent, from 396 to 346. Closed sales were down 22.7 percent, from 525 to 406. Sellers received 99.6 percent of their list price in October, compared to 100.1 percent in October 2021.

The group said median sales price increased 14.5 percent, from $301,000 to $344,548. Homes spent an average of 37 days on the market last month, compared to 30 days in October last year. The months supply of inventory decreased 17.9 percent, from 2.8 to 2.3.

Nationally, existing home sales declined for the eighth consecutive month.

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The Lake Champlain-Lake George Regional Planning Board and Adirondack/Glens Falls Transportation Council (A/GFTC) have launched two surveys as part of a Rural Workforce Transportation Plan. 

The Plan and surveys are focused on Warren and Washington County employees and employers.

The Rural Workforce Transportation Plan is one recommendation from the Regional Planning Board’s 2021 Forward Together: Economic Resiliency Plan. In addition to the surveys, the planning board will be conducting a series of focus group meetings in early 2023 to consider strategies to improve rural workforce mobility.

The surveys will remain open through the end of the year. Employees and employers in Warren and Washington Counties are encouraged to participate in the five-minute survey to help further this important regional initiative.

Surveys can be found at the planning board website, www.lclgrpb.org.

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Glens Falls Hospital is among some 118 hospitals in New York state recognized by the American Heart Association for consistently following up-to-date, research-based guidelines to ensure all patients have access to lifesaving care. 

Some 118 hospitals in New York are among the 2,600 nationwide that participate in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines initiative to improve outcomes for Americans who experience heart disease or stroke.

In New York, 82 hospitals or hospital systems were recognized this year, as well as hospitals in the Guthrie Hospital System, based in Pennsylvania, but with New York affiliates.

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The Southern Adirondack real estate market saw a continuation of recent trends in July, with low inventory, higher prices and quick sales, according to the Southern Adirondack Realtors. On average, homes spent less than three weeks on the market and sellers received more than asking price.

Officials said new listings in the region decreased 10.4 percent in July compared to last year, from 637 to 571. The inventory of homes for sale dropped 33.2 percent, from 1,459 to 974, and pending sales decreased 9.6 percent, from 499 to 451. Closed sales were down 11.4 percent, from 507 to 449. Sellers received 103.7 percent of their list price in July.

The median sales price increased 19.4 percent in July compared to last year, jumping from $301,477 to $360,000. Homes spent an average of 20 days on the market last month, compared to 35 days last year. The months supply of inventory decreased 20 percent compared to 2021, from 3 to 2.4.

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Homes in New York’s Southern Adirondack region sold quickly in May, spending just over a month on the market, with sellers receiving more than asking price on average, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Nationally, existing home sales were down 2.4 percent from last month. Home prices may begin to decline if this trend continues

“Our market’s drop in closed sales has given the housing supply a much-needed boost compared to previous months,” said Densay Sengsoulavong, CEO of the Southern Adirondack Realtors. “While the number of homes sold may be down, our market remains highly competitive with rising home prices and quick sales. Serious buyers would benefit from working with a professional Realtor to navigate our market.”

Adirondack Trust Co. will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce in celebration of its new Lake George Branch at 350 Canada St., Lake George.

Mayor Bob Blais will also be in attendance, along with Adirondack Trust banking professionals and other community members.

It is set for Friday, June 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (rain or shine). At 9 a.m. there will be brief remarks from Adirondack Trust President and CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr. The ribbon will be cut at 9:15 a.m. 

For additional information, contact Celia Vincek at cvincek@adirondacktrust.com or (518) 584-5844, ext. 2583.

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The Hyde summer luncheon, honoring David C. Howson and in memory of Charlotte Miller, will be held Monday, July 18, at 11:30 a.m. at The Inn at Erlowest, 3178 Lake Shore Drive, Lake George.

Held annually, the luncheon recognizes the late Charlotte Miller’s commitment to the arts. It celebrates such people who, through their service, embody the legacy of Mrs. Hyde to promote and cultivate the arts and education throughout our region.

Howson is a dedicated trustee, community partner, and ambassador to The Hyde. 

 The event allows the museum to applaud the significant impact of its volunteers. The celebration also helps sustain The Hyde Collection in our work in every corner of the Museum, from exhibitions and preservation to education and outreach. 

Those attending should reply by Friday, July 1. Questions can be directed to Kate Wilkins at 518-792-1761, ext. 346, or kwilkins@hydecollection.org.

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The Adirondack Thunder raised more than $31,000 from its Stick it to Cancer Weekend in late March to benefit the C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital.
With the totals from a 50/50 raffle, a paint the ice event, a postgame jersey auction and other various donations the Thunder raised over $10,000 more than the previous season’s Stick it to Cancer Weekend.
All the funds go to patients in the community to help cover the cost of gas, transportation, and medical copays.
“The staff and patients of the C.R. Wood Cancer Center greatly appreciate the community support during the Stick it to Cancer Hockey Weekend,” said Vickie Yattaw, oncology education and support services manager for the C.R. Wood Cancer Center.

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Zobel & Co. Kitchens, located at 11 Broad Street in the Union Square Building in Glens Falls, won the Best of Houzz Customer Service award on Houzz, a leading platform for home remodeling and design.
The custom kitchen and cabinetry design firm was chosen by the millions of homeowners that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 2.7 million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.
This is the 10-year anniversary of the Best of Houzz awards program, and the eighth consecutive year that Arthur Zobel and Zobel & Co. Kitchens received this award. The Customer
Service award honor is based on several factors, including a pro’s overall rating on Houzz and client reviews submitted in 2021.

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Masks are no longer required for guests who are attending an Adirondack Thunder game at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.

The mandate was listed Feb. 10. The announcement came after the updated New York state mandates. 

However, it is still recommended that unvaccinated guests still wear a face mask, arena officials said.. 

“Ever since the pandemic started, we have followed local and state guidelines, and is very important to us to continue to do so,” Adirondack Thunder Team President Jeff Mead said. “These guidances allow us to remain open and keep hockey in Glens Falls.”

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Artisan Trails in Washington County, Inc. is accepting applications for membership and seeking registrations for its countywide tour. 

The nonprofit organization was created to promote excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts for the purpose of enriching the lives of the people of Washington County by the enhancement of the social, cultural and economic qualities of the community.

Its largest event to date is the countywide tour. It is promoted through online advertising, print advertising and its widely distributed trail map.

There are a variety of membership levels available within the organization. Additional information is available at www.artisan-trails.org .

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Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. has earned national Bank On certification for its new checking product, Smart Steps. 

The bank is one of just 166 in the country to earn this distinction from the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE) to serve the unbanked and underbanked.

The CFE works directly with national and regional financial institutions to encourage the widespread availability of safe, low-cost, transactional products within their community. The Bank On certification provides account standards and a review process that ensures everyone has access to an affordable bank account.

Smart Steps is a checking account designed to help individuals who don’t have easy access to affordable banking services and have a goal of achieving economic independence and security. The account will be available throughout the bank’s service area in early 2022.

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The Tri County United Way is offering free tax classes to potential volunteers joining the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.  

With the stimulus payments and recent changes to the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Dependent Care credit more local residents may be looking for assistance completing their tax returns during the 2022 filing season.

Volunteers become IRS certified tax preparers upon successful completion of this training.   They then work one or two days/evenings a week in the local communities assisting families and individuals free of charge with completing and e-filing their personal tax returns.  

The local VITA team prepares tax returns throughout Washington, Warren and Northern Saratoga counties during the tax filing season of January through April. Other volunteers are needed to answer phones, make the tax appointments, and serve as greeters at the tax sites.

To learn more and/or register for these free tax classes contact Joan at 518-746-2560 or via email at tcuwvita@gmail.com or visit the website at www.tricountyunitedway.org. 

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By Christine Graf

Foothill Builders, a family owned residential construction company, is pursuing plans to build 77 townhouses on Ridge Road in Queensbury. 

The property was the former home of Mead’s Nursery and Garden Center. The garden center closed in 2019 after 70 years in business.

Joe Leuci and his father, Joe, established Foothill Builders in 2013. Since that time, they have built close to 100 homes including two subdivisions in Queensbury and numerous homes in Corinth and Moreau. 

The Ridge Road property is currently zoned commercial. Leuci and real estate lawyer Jeffrey Meyer recently appeared before the town Planning Board to present a rezoning proposal. During the meeting, town officials raised concerns related to traffic on Quaker Road but were told that main access roads for the townhouses would be on Ridge Road and Meadowbrook Road. 

“It’s located in kind of a buffer area between the heavy commercial area on Quaker Road and the neighborhoods on the other side of the property,” said Leuci. “We view this as a nice transitional project between the commercial and the residential areas and we feel the town understands our concept. No one wants the commercial aspect to be developed there.”