Category Archives: Business Briefs

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

* * *

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.

***

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.

***

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.

***

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.

* * *

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.

* * *

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.”

***

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 .

***