Category Archives: Business News

The Washington County Local Development Corporation and the Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce announced the nominees for the 2018 Washington County Business Awards.

In the Professional Business Category, nominees are: Adirondack Studios, Capital Tractor Inc., Golden Goal Sports Park, Irving Tissue and Morcon Tissue.

In the Rookie Business Category, nominees are:  Bonnie & Clyde’s Gourmet on the Run, Broadway Upstate and On the Rocks Pub.

In the Small Business Category, nominees are:  Argyle Cheese Farmer, Bug U Pest Control, Hunt Companies Inc., Lakeside General Store and Lavenlair Farms.

The utilization rate for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises participating in state contracts increased to 28.62 percent for the 2017-18 fiscal year, the highest in the nation, according to state officials.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in early October that MWBEs won more than $2.5 billion in state contracts during that time.

The announcement was made Oct. 4 in conjunction with New York state’s eighth annual MWBE Forum at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. 

“New York is building a stronger tomorrow by ensuring that our minority-and women-owned businesses have the opportunity to grow and thrive,” Cuomo said. “Our nation-leading utilization rate is a testament to our unparalleled network of MWBEs that continues to grow in size and scope, reflecting the state’s rich diversity.”

“As a woman who helped start a family women-owned small business, I know firsthand the barriers faced by aspiring entrepreneurs,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. “We are leading the nation in our MWBE utilization, increasing the rate to nearly 29 percent. We must do everything in our power to provide opportunities for minority and women-owned businesses, and we’re continuing to expand the state’s program to help break down barriers and help entrepreneurs take their business to the next level.”

By Jill Nagy

More than 40 people attended a kick-off luncheon to announce a Habitat for Humanity project in Granville and gauge interest in the home-building project.

Telescope Casual Furniture, a manufacturer in Granville, emerged as the lead sponsor. The project received “a very warm reception,” according to Adam Feldman, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

Habitat for Humanity builds subsidized housing using a combination of volunteers, donations, and the “sweat equity” of the family who will own the home when it is completed. At its peak, a project may have 100 or more volunteer builders on site, including a contingent of people who coordinate the work and bring in a crew of 50 volunteers to join an equal number of local volunteers.

By Maureen Werther

Chad Nims, a real estate developer and owner of Nims Outdoor Services,  recently received approval from the city of Glens Falls to move forward with his plan to invest $2 million in renovating and building apartments at 46-56 South Street.

The roughly 26,000-square-foot building was a garment factory for many years, according to Nims. In the last 15-20 years, the second and third floors sat idle, with the first floor being occupied less and less in recent years. Northway Communications will continue to remain as a tenant on the first floor, according to Nims.

Nims purchased the building in the fall of 2017 from investor Peter Shabat. A native of the region, Nims grew up in Hudson Falls and opened Nims Outdoor Services in 2003, a business that handles commercial facility maintenance, snow plowing, landscaping, excavation and construction. The company employs approximately 40 people.

By Jill Nagy

Ray Energy Corp. recently opened a new propane rail and truck terminal in Hampton, near the New York-Vermont border.

A formal opening with ribbon cutting and an open house was held on Aug. 23, but the company has been using the new facility since March.

The company, headquartered in Troy, serves nine states in the Northeast, plus areas in Canada, from a network of five rail terminals, nine pipeline terminals, and a marine terminal. They are termed a midstream wholesale propane supplier They neither produce gas nor sell it on the retail market.

The newest Ray Energy plant is a 21-acre facility with four 60,000-gallon fuel tanks.  The new 21-acre facility has a 16-spot rail siding (with an operational capacity of 28) and on-demand switching provided by Vermont Railroad. The company’s railcar mover provides the ability to offload 16 cars per day.

The Board of Directors of the Adirondack Balloon Festival announced details of the 46th annual event to be held Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 20-23.

In celebrating 46 years, the festival’s  logo and theme represent  shared  and celebrated traditions of the region—ballooning and hiking. The event is set to celebrate the majesty of the 46 Adirondack High Peaks.

The event kicks off Thursday, Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. at  Crandall Park in Glens Falls.  Events continue throughout the weekend at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport  in Queensbury. 

This community-supported event remains free of charge. Organizers said the festival attracts 125,000-150,000 people to the region each year and is the largest balloon festival on the East Coast of the U.S.

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) will hold its annual Business Expo on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls.

The event will run from 4-7 p.m.

This business showcase features exhibit booths from over 80 regional businesses, as well as food samples, drink specials and door prizes

The event encourages networking, connection making and opportunities to show off the growing business community in the region.

DeCrescente Distributing Co. announced in July a partnership to distribute Davidson Brothers Brewing Co. products.

DeCrescente is now distributing draft versions of Davidson Brothers core beers, including their flagship IPA brewed with English hops for a hop aroma and dry finish; Brown Ale, a malty British brown ale; and Irish Red Ale, medium bodied with a sweet maltiness.

“We are very excited about our partnership with DeCrescente,” said Rick Davidson, brewer and owner of Davidson Brothers. “We feel that we have found the right partner to champion our efforts in the Capital Region market.”