Category Archives: Business Briefs

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.”

The 35th Annual Stewart’s Holiday Match campaign kicked off on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Day at all shop locations. 

The program supports nonprofit organizations impacting children.

Last year, customers donated an incredible $895,000 to the program, doubling to more than $1.88 million with the Stewart’s match. The funds were able to support 1,715 local children’s organizations across the 32 counties where Stewart’s Shops are located, company officials said.

Local organizations impacting children are encouraged to apply for funding online at www.stewartsshops.com/holiday-match/holiday-match-overview. The deadline for submission is Jan. 31. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. A listing of all the local organizations that received funds last season is available online.

Stewart’s Holiday Match is a 501c3 foundation; all donations are tax-deductible. Stewart’s gladly accepts funds from groups or businesses, but only matches individual donations.

Cool Insuring Arena and Adirondack Thunder announced their protocols for the 2021-22

The Adirondack Thunder will not permit more than 5,000 fans inside the arena for any game. Fully vaccinated guests are recommended to wear a facial covering. Unvaccinated guests are required to wear a facial covering at all times except when actively eating or drinking.

In the event of a COVID-positive guest is found to be at a  game, the team will work with Warren County health officials to notify all attendees of such a result.

Smoking will not be permitted inside or outside the arena during the season. Re-entry will not be permitted.

Guests will not be permitted to enter or exit through the Oakland Avenue entrance nearest to Glen Street. Guests will not be permitted at any time to gather near the Adirondack Thunder locker room or any of the locker room areas.

Only authorized, credentialed personnel will be permitted inside the ECHL established “hockey operations” area for the  season.

“We understand that this season will be unique and potentially challenging for our players, staff, and our fans,” said a team statement. “We pride ourselves on being a community-minded team. Our players take pride in being close to our fans; being at community and school events, signing autographs, and being a part of our community”

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The Adirondack Stampede Rodeo is coming to Cool Insuring Arena for the 30th year on Nov.  5  and 6 at 7:30 p.m.

With rodeo action enhanced by a professionally produced sound show, the Adirondack Stampede offers a two-hour performance with hardcore competition and a show for all ages to enjoy.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. each night. The rodeo performance begins at 7:30 p.m. All spectators party at 10 p.m. in Heritage Hall on both Friday and Saturday nights. Party admission is $2 per person.

Ticket prices start at $20 for adults and $12 for youth and seniors. Group discounts are available by calling the box office at 518-798-0202. They are available through the SeatGeek Box Office at Cool Insuring Arena or via www.coolinsuringarena.com.

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Glens Falls Hospital has been recognized on the Forbes list of Best-In-State Employers 2021 as one of the best places to work in New York.

This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., a leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

America’s Best-In-State Employers 2021 were identified in an independent survey based on a vast sample of approximately 80,000 Americans working for companies with more than 500 employees in the U.S. Across 25 industry sectors, 1,329 employer brands were ranked among the top employers. Brands were able to win in more than one state.

The evaluation was based on direct and indirect recommendations from employees who were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Employees were also asked to evaluate other employers in their respective industry and state that stood out either positively or negatively.

Glens Falls Hospital is the only hospital in the Capital Region to achieve the award and was ranked number 12 among all hospitals in the state.

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The Glens Falls Collaborative has postponed its health and wellness festival, FitFest, due to rising COVID-19 cases in the area. 

FitFest was scheduled to take place on Saturday, Oct. 2. A rescheduled date for 2022 has not yet been set. 

Fit Fest is an annual festival highlighting fitness, health and wellness businesses and organizations in the area.

“It is with incredible sadness that we have to postpone another event. COVID has made an unfortunate return, and with numbers spiking, vendors are more reluctant to attend or send people to events,” said Glens Falls Collaborative President Robin Barkenhagen.

The festival typically includes sample fitness classes. interactive demonstrations, vendor booths with giveaways, children’s activities, information about organizations and services and more.

The Collaborative also recently announced the postponement of its popular Wing Fest and PetFest events.

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The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County will hold its 12th annual golf tournament on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg.

All proceeds from this event will be used to financially support Cornell Cooperative Extension’s educational programs.

Cost per person on the day of the event is $100. Fee includes: green fees, cart, barbecue, giveaway, awards and prizes.

For more information regarding this event or to become a sponsor, visit warren.cce.cornell.edu.

Pre-registration for tournament and barbecue is required by contacting Amy Sabattis at 518-623-3291 or 518-668-4881.

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The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its ARCC Day at the Track event on Thursday, Aug. 12, at Saratoga Race Course.

The event, set for 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will take place at the Easy Goer at Saratoga Race Track facility inn the Victorian Grandstand on the building’s second floor. The venue gives elevated views of the track and is close to betting machines, cash bars and grandstand boutiques.

Cost is $125 per ARCC member.

For more information, visit www.adirondackchamber.org/events/details/arcc-day-at-the-track-2021-4077.

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The Adirondack Trust Co. Community Fund is accepting grant applications from eligible nonprofit charities headquartered in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington county areas.

The grant window is open until Aug. 31, according to Brian Straughter, chair of the Community Fund’s Independent Advisory Committee. Grants are to be used during the 2022 calendar year.

Grant award recipients will be announced by the independent advisory committee in December.

Grant information and application forms may be obtained from the community fund website at ATCCF.org

ATCCF was established in 2009 to build an endowment that acts as a perpetual source of funding for the broad array of nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the community and to assist them in addressing issues of common concern.

Since the inception of the Autumn of Giving Match Campaign in 2013, the Lend-A-Hand Grants program has provided more than 235 grants, totaling nearly $462,000 to local nonprofits. Grant awards have supported programs in such diverse areas as veterans outreach, STEM education, summer lunch programs, wildlife education, homelessness prevention, youth services, the arts, and more.

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