Category Archives: Business Briefs

Aviation Mall has announced the inclusion of 518 Grapplers, a facility offering wrestling programs for area youth.

Jen Bromley, owner of 518 Grapplers, explains the evolution of their wrestling facility: “Our journey started in 2020 with wrestling practices in our basement with Head Coach Heath Bromley. As interest grew, we launched the Queensbury Grapplers, an off-season wrestling program through Queensbury Parks and Recreation. This initiative, catering to students from 1st to 12th grade, complemented the in-season “Mat Rats” youth wrestling program for grades K-6. Due to the limited availability of school facilities, which were often occupied by other sports, concerts, plays, and school activities, we recognized the need to create our own space to accommodate the growing interest in wrestling,” she said.

“The Queensbury Grapplers program quickly became a hub for young athletes from surrounding areas, including Warrensburg and Glens Falls, who shared our passion for expanding local wrestling opportunities. Our primary goal is to provide year-round wrestling opportunities without the need for long commutes, as the nearest off-season wrestling programs are in Malta, which was not feasible for many families. By offering flexible options such as monthly dues and drop-in rates, we made off-season training more accessible and affordable for parents,” she concluded.

518 Grapplers is located next to the former Sears space in the mall.  For more information, email 518grapplers@gmail.com.

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The Fall 2024 SEED Program  is now accepting applications.

The SEED Loan Program is a character-based loan fund developed in partnership between Broadview Federal Credit Union and the University at Albany’s Small Business Development Center and School of Business. The program provides 10 weeks of entrepreneurial training after which the participant is eligible to pitch for a character-based loan of up to $35,000.

.All accepted participants are required to participate in 11 weeks of training prior to their loan pitch. The training classes include business skill development, business plan development, and peer support network. 

The Fall 2024 program is planned to be virtually via the Zoom platform. Consistent access to a computer is strongly recommended for all participants.

Following the training classes, each of the participants will pitch their concept to the loan committee for funding consideration. The loan decision is based on the character of the application and the overall business concept.

Throughout the program participants are supported by a dedicated business advisor from the Small Business Development Center, a dedicated MBA consultant to assist them in developing their business model and an entrepreneurship professor from the University at Albany’s School of Business.

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The Adirondack Council’s Micro-Grants program will offer up to $25,000 this year to support sustainable and innovative projects on working lands within the Adirondack Park. This is the ninth consecutive year that the Council’s Essex Farm Institute has offered micro-grants to support local farms, local food production and a sustainable local economy.

The grant application was updated two years ago to provide resources for larger operations (including farms transitioning to sustainable management) as well as those projects involving collaborations between or among farmers and value-added producers who are using 50% or more of their inputs from the region. The 2024 guidelines have also been updated to provide clarity with respect to eligibility criteria and awards preference for historically underserved or socially disadvantaged applicants.

For more information: John Sheehan, Director of Communications, 518-441-1340

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The Southern Adirondack Homesteading Festival is returning to the Washington County Fairgrounds in Greenwich, NY, April 26 -28, 2024 and will be featuring Key Note Speaker Jill Winger. Jill founded The Prairie Homestead, an online space with over one million monthly visits dedicated to helping people learn how to grow their own food and opt out of the rat race, regardless of where they live. Her practical and authentic teaching style and storytelling has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of homesteaders    across social media and through the Old Fashioned on Purpose podcast, which has amassed over 7 million downloads since its inception.

Registration and the full schedule is now live at: https://www.washingtoncountyfairgrounds.com/

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The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold an economic outlook event on Tuesday, Nov.  7 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. at the Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls.

This event is sponsored by NBT Bank and attendance is free for ARCC members.

 Kenneth J. Entenmann, CFA, and chief investment officer and chief economist at NBT Bank, will be the guest speaker. His topic will be  “Should I Stay or Should I Go? Waiting For The Imminent Recession That Has Yet To Happen.”

He will talk about how the Federal Reserve’s policy will impact the equity and fixed income markets, as well as the potential for a recession. 

Entenmann has more than 35 years of investment management experience and is a chartered financial analyst. He earned his B.S. in applied economics and business management from Cornell University and his M.B.A. from the University of Rochester’s William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration. In his current role, he oversees more than $9 billion in assets under management and administration in trust, custody, retirement, institutional and individual accounts.

Breakfast will be provided.

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The Adirondack Thunder announced that the annual Thunder 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation is set for Sunday, Oct. 15, at  9 a.m. at Cool Insuring Arena.

The 5K race will begin at the arena and continue down Glen Street. 

Proceeds will go toward renovations at Cool Insuring Arena, which is over 40 years old this year, and in need of some upgrading

The First 100 registered participants will receive a long sleeve T-shirt. 

People can register for the event at runsignup.com/Race/NY/GlensFalls/5KThunderRun .

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The Adirondack Thunder announced that the annual Thunder 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation is set for Sunday, Oct. 15, at  9 a.m. at Cool Insuring Arena.

The 5k race will begin at the arena and continue down Glen Street. 

Proceeds will go toward renovations at Cool Insuring Arena, which is over 40 years old this year, and in need of some upgrading

The First 100 registered participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt. 

People can register for the event at runsignup.com/Race/NY/GlensFalls/5KThunderRun .

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The Glens Falls Collaborative announces the return of its summer food festival, Take a Bite, running every Wednesday through Aug. 9 from 5-7 p.m. in downtown Glens Falls.

It began July 5.

Restaurants offer small plates priced from $1 to $5 while guests stroll through downtown enjoying live entertainment and music. Also, there will be bounce houses in Crandall Park each week. 

The live entertainment includes: July 19  on Glen Street, Lucas Garrett and on Ridge Street, Phil Camp; July 26, on Glen Street, On Tap, and on Ridge Street, Mark Rabin; on Aug. 2, on Glen Street, On Tap, and on Ridge Street, Mark Rabin; on Aug. 9, on Glen Street, The Spot, and on Ridge Street, Brian Fitzgerald.

The event is sponsored and supported by the Glens Falls Collaborative, City of Glens Falls, and the Glens Falls BID. 

The Collaborative has expanded to put on major downtown events, create a map with a large distribution, and joint advertising that now includes restaurants, arts and nonprofit organizations, health-related businesses, media arts firms, many different service providers and other area businesses.

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The Tri-County United Way and Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls will hold a golf outing fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 18, at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg.

Registration is scheduled for 10:30-11:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A shotgun start will start the golfing at 12:30 p.m. and will be in a four-person scramble format.

There will be a steak dinner following the event.

Registration is $125 per player or $500 per team.

Registration includes cart, lunch, beverages, prizes and steak dinner followed by an award ceremony. Teams and individuals welcome. There are still sponsorship opportunities available. To learn more visit www.tricountyunitedway.org.

Questions about the combined tournament, can be directed to members of the Tri-County United Way and Kiwanis Golf Committee: Kristin Chlopecki, (518) 793-3136, Tri-County United Way; Brian Murphy, (518) 415-4547, Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls; or Peter Aust, (518) 260-4000, Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls.

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Cultural organizations in the area have been given grant money from the state to help promote upcoming events.

The Lake George Music Festival (LGMF), an internationally recognized classical music festival, plans to use grant funds to promote a new initiative called the LGMF “Plus Pass.” 

This promotion of this summer event series, presented on the grounds of the Fort William Henry Hotel in Lake George, will market a season pass valid at the Lake George Music Festival’s summer performances and events within a $40,000 grant, as well as at several other cultural and scenic tourist attractions, increasing visitation to this area and overall region. 

The Glens Falls Symphony will use $25,000 in tourism grant funds to produce and promote artistically excellent orchestral and smaller chamber music concerts in the region.

The Sembrich Museum in Bolton will use $60,400 in grant funds to enhance marketing presence leading to the facilities centennial in 2024. Marketing efforts will expand in local and regional publications, social media campaigns, digital and print advertisements and new geographic targeted markets.

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Southern Adirondack Independent Living (SAIL) will hold a garage sale Thursday through Saturday, June 15 -17, on its campus at 71 Glenwood Ave., Queensbury.

The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 15, and Friday, June 16, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17.

SAIL’s annual sale includes clothing and household items, as well as a basket raffle and gift certificates from area businesses. SAIL will also be selling hotdogs and hamburgers. 

Proceeds from the day’s festivities benefit SAIL, to help cover costs associated with special projects and services not supported by grant funding. SAIL is accepting donation items to be sold at the annual garage sale. Additionally, SAIL is collecting raffle basket items.

The center provides nonresidential services to people with different types of disabilities to help them maintain independence. 

Call SAIL at 518-792-3537 for information or visit www.sailhelps.org.

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The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its Lunch with Legislators event on Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Queensbury Hotel, Adirondack Room, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls.

Registration will start at 11:30 a.m. and the event will run until 1:15 p.m.

It will feature remarks from state and federal legislators that represent the area. The conversation will be moderated by ARCC President Tricia Rogers.

Featured will be state Sen. Dan Stec, District 45; state Sen. Jake Ashby, District 43; U.S. Rep.  Elise Stefanik, District 21; state Assemblyman Matt Simpson, District 114; and state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, District 113.

Cost is $60 for ARCC members and $80 for non-members.

For more information, contact Carol Ann Conover, ARCC member services and events manager, at  518-798-1761 ext. 220 or by email at caconover@adirondackchamber.org.

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Hudson Mohawk Area Health Education Center (Hudson Mohawk AHEC) will be awarding 10 scholarships of $500 dollars each to individuals who will be entering an approved healthcare related certificate or degree program at a local community college, university or training entity within New York state. 

Applicants must reside within the Hudson Mohawk AHEC 10-county service region, which includes: Albany, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington counties. 

Interested applicants can learn more about the scholarship opportunity by visiting the Hudson Mohawk AHEC website www.hmahec.org or emailing admin@hmahec.org 

Applications are due no later than Monday, March 17.  Awards will be made in May.

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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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