Category Archives: Business News

By Paul Post

Sylvain Cloutier, the Adirondack Thunder’s new head coach, wants to build a heavy team that punishes opponents physically.

One of the Capital Region’s most prominent law firms is getting in on the action, too, as Harding-Mazzotti, “The Heavy Hitters,” has won arena naming rights under a five-year agreement through 2030.

The relationship with a prestigious Albany employer is expected to spark new marketing opportunities and bring more events to the downtown venue, a major contributor to the local economy.

“The financial package is certainly a factor, they are in every naming rights agreement,” Thunder President and arena General Manager Jeff Mead said. “That being said, we were also looking for a partner that wanted to become part of our community.  Harding-Mazzotti wants to do that. Their firm seems genuinely excited to partner with us.”

New signs identifying Harding-Mazzotti Arena already adorn the building, in anticipation of the Thunder’s home opener against the defending Kelly Cup champion Trois-Rivieres Lions on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Adirondack Winery is thrilled to announce three major victories from this year’s New York Wine Classic hosted by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (“NYWGF”). The Classic is open to all New York State wineries, celebrating the diverse products made in the state under multiple different categories. The NYWGF worked alongside the Beverage Testing Institute to judge wines entered, ranking them on a points-based system.

Adirondack Winery walked away with high scores for its Gewurztraminer (2023 Vintage) “Million Dollar Beach”), Cabernet Franc (2021 Vintage) “Autumn in the Park”), & Dry Riesling (2023 Vintage) “Red Cardinal”), all ending the competition as Gold Medal Winners. The Gewürztraminer (2023 Million Dollar Beach Gewürztraminer, Finger Lakes) also won the prestigious “Best of Class” award, scoring an incredible 93 points, making it the Best Gewurztraminer in the state!

“Gewurztraminer is a floral, aromatic white grape varietal that favors the cool climate of New York’s Finger Lakes, where we source these grapes. Upon arrival, the grapes undergo an extended cold soak to allow for maximum flavor extraction, followed by a slow, cool fermentation resulting in a Gewurztraminer wine that truly expresses the terroir of its region. This gold medal is a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation we strive for at Adirondack Winery,” said Courtney Rankin, Winemaker.

Battenkill Conservancy (BkC) is pleased to announce that Miranda Trombly Harrington, Cossayuna native and a longtime supporter of the Battenkill, has joined BkC as its Donor Engagement Coordinator.  

Miranda is a graduate of Greenwich High School, received her BS in Biology from The University of South Florida and works as an Environmental Educator at Moreau State Park. Certified in Wilderness First Aid and an ACA-accredited paddling instructor, she loves inspiring people with accessible, fun, and engaging ways to connect with nature.  Her future goals of becoming a NYS-certified hiking guide will further support outdoor safety, education, and environmental stewardship in our region.

Miranda’s bonds with the Battenkill run deep.  In addition to her family ties, her work with highway cleanups, The PIcky Bug Tables and The Battenkill Runs Through It River Festivals demonstrate her dedication to help preserve the watershed for the community and future generations.  Last spring, Miranda and her fly fishing husband, Bryan Harrington, were married at BkC’s Schmidt Meadow Preserve in Jackson.  

By LEE COLEMAN

Two local businessmen have purchased the long vacant Suzuki Autoworld building on Route 9 in Moreau and are renovating the structure to serve multiple small businesses.

Ben Alden and Brian McKenzie are calling the transformed building Moreau Commons. They purchased the Suzuki property from Robert Vittengl for $1million.

The 12,000 square foot building has been vacant for more than a decade. Suzuki discontinued automobile sales in the United States in 2012 although the Japanese company still continues to produce and sell vehicles in other global markets.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in the property,” Alden said.

“The building itself needs lots of maintenance, all new walls, new electrical, and insulation,” he said.

Alden owns Platinum Protective Coatings LLC at 1330 Saratoga Road (Route 9) in Moreau and McKenzie owns McKenzie Drywall, a local company that has done projects throughout upstate New York. The two men have known each other for 25 years and have done many projects together. They both live in Moreau. They started working together many years ago when they brought Linex truck liners to the region.

The August print edition omitted the byline of Ann Donnelly The byline has been restored to properly credit the author.

By Ann Donnelly

Strategic Emergency Training & Consulting LLC (SETC) celebrated its fifth anniversary in June, continuing its mission to provide high-quality safety training and consulting services across the Northeast.

Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by owners Ryan McConkey and Travis Dunklee, SETC began in a Glens Falls dive shop basement, where its first cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) and first aid class trained six people during a snowstorm. Initially offering programs through the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI), the company has since added certifications from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association (AHA), National Safety Council (NSC) and the Emergency Care and Safety Institute (ECSI).

SETC serves industries from mining to health care, offering public classes and on-site corporate training. While certification renewals every two years pose a challenge, the company has expanded into new offerings, including AED sales and management, safety consulting, and customized emergency plans.

By Paul Post

Ryan and Camille Parker had a dream and made it come true with the purchase of 40 pristine, riverfront acres just north of Corinth village.

When they bought it in February 2022, Camp Hudson Pines was a more than 50-year-old operation that had seen better days.

Recently, the Parkers hosted a public reception to celebrate the growth and expansion of their business, which now features a full range of camping options from traditional tent, RV sites and cabins to new glamping experiences in addition to a warm, cozy tiny house and a remodeled Airstream outfitted with every modern convenience.

“We have so many different ways to stay here,” Ryan Parker said. “We want to welcome people who have all different comfort levels with the outdoors, at different price points. One of the most rewarding things for us is to have people come who have never camped before and have them experience the Adirondacks and outdoors.”

The property, off Route 9N on the west bank of the Hudson River, is about equidistant to Lake George and Saratoga Springs, and all of their many attractions.

By Rod Bacon

On June 19, approximately 100 hospital staff and community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the Glens Falls Hospital’s Sheridan Emergency Department. 

The new structure, being built by the CG Construction Group of Saratoga Springs, will add 7,500 square feet to the existing 25,000-square-foot department. The addition will occupy the former space of the ambulance entrance, which was adjacent to the helicopter landing pad. It will push everything approximately 50 feet to the north.

“Glens Falls Hospital touches people in many ways,” said President and CEO Paul Scimeca. “In fact, it hard to find somebody who’s life hasn’t been touched by an experience at the hospital, much of which happens in the Emergency Department. A family member — a parent or a child — has needed to come to us at a time in need. When they’re vulnerable, when they’re scared, when they need help to figure out what goes on next and how that care really gets provided. All of that happens every day, every minute in the Sheridan Emergency Department, and this project will help us do that in a better way than we do it today.”

One of the most significant changes will be the installation of a dedicated CT scanner, which is a high resolution diagnostic tool. The hospital has several CT scanners but they are not near the Emergency Department and it takes 10-15 minutes for the department’s physicians to get results. With the dedicated scanner results will be available in minutes.

By Paul Post

The state’s $10 million investment in Lake George is expected to reinvigorate its local economy for decades to come.

A new Shepard Park bandshell and amphitheater, slated to open next summer, is one of 13 projects scheduled for completion over the next five years.

An adjacent Lake Walk and observation deck, winterizing Village Mall and Lagoon Restaurant for year-round use, a National Heritage site and new public arts installations are other highlights approved under the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

“When it’s all done it’s going to be a big thing economic development-wise, it’s going to bring new business and new investment, but I also think it’s going to bring new people, visitors and groups to Lake George,” said Dan Barusch, town and village planning and zoning director. “In the past, we haven’t focused on public art, culture and heritage tourism as much. It’s going to be huge for us.”

The state awarded DRI funding to Lake George just days before Christmas 2023. A committee co-chaired by Mayor Raymond Perry, town Supervisor Vincent Crucitto Jr., and Fort William Henry Corporation CEO Kathy Muncil, spent last year obtaining public input and fleshing out plans for proposed projects.

By Paul Post

Revolution Rail Company has begun offering adventuresome rail bike rides at historic Riverside Station in Riparius, its fourth Warren County location in addition to North Creek, Thurman and Hadley.

The company also has a challenging 20-mile round trip out of North River, on the old Tahawus line that it purchased three years ago, out of bankruptcy.

“This is an example of a business that takes the attributes, which make this place special and then turns it into enterprise,” said Jim Siplon, Warren County Economic Development Corporation president, during recent ribbon cutting ceremonies. “It doesn’t compromise the values of the (Adirondack) Park, but enhances them. It’s a role model for how we’re going to grow going forward in a way that’s aligned with the place, but doesn’t threaten it.”

Farther south, Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway had its best year ever last year, with 37,000 passengers, and continues to grow with a variety of year-round, special themed trips such as Moonlight Moonshine Express, a Sunday Funday Sundae Train, Autumn Explorer, Pumpkin Picker and Candy Cane Express, its most popular ride, at Christmas time.