Category Archives: Business News

After more than six years as executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michael Consuelo, CHME (certified hospitality marketing executive) is retiring.

Consuelo’s departure will be at the end of the Chamber’s fiscal year, Sept. 30.

The board of directors has launched a search for a new executive director.

“This has been a very difficult decision for me to make,” Consuelo said. “Leading the Chamber has been such a wonderful job. I am sorry I did not get involved in Chamber life a long time ago.”

Consuelo, who resides in Lake George, has worked in the hospitality industry–primarily in hotels and resorts–for most of his career. He has worked for companies such as Hyatt Hotels, Marriott, and the Walt Disney Company. Locally, he assisted in the opening of the Great Escape Lodge.

The local tourism industry is the second largest economic driver in Warren County, behind health care.

By R.J. DeLuke

“It’s great to see the revitalization in the region, especially in the city of Glens Falls,” said Andrew Kennedy, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) leading off his remarks at the annual EDC Warren County economic outlook breakfast at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls on March 22.

CEG is the regional economic development organization for the greater Capital Region and New York’s Tech Valley that includes Warren County. He was one of three speakers at the event, each of them with talking points about how public/private partnership and collaboration have helped–and can continue to be a vital part of–local economic development.

Kennedy outlined the services his agency can provide, such as helping attract new business and investment, supporting programs that allow businesses to thrive and preparing communities for development opportunities when they arrive.

Among the specific programs Kennedy viewed as important was the Business Growth Solutions program for small to medium-sized companies in the manufacturing and technology sectors across several industries. CEG team members and third-party partners help businesses find new revenues and increase profitability.

He said it has had a $40 million impact on the area’s economy.

Another highlighted program was Talent Connect, a new program that helps employers recruit and retain skilled workers. It also identifies jobs that are emerging and helps create a skilled workforce for them

“We like to be that sort of connective tissue, that one-stop shop,” for assisting businesses, said Kennedy.

By Maureen Werther It has been about three months since Curtis Lumber transitioned several key people into new positions within the organization. According to Kylie (Curtis) Holland, a sixth-generation member of the Curtis family, the new corporate management realignment...

The Glens Falls Civic Center will host the Garden Bros Circus–a family tradition for over 100 Years–on Friday, April 21, for two shows, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Garden Bros Circus celebrates 100 years entertaining families throughout North America.

“We are excited that this show will return to Glens Falls,” said Jeff Mead, arena general manager. “The Garden Bros Circus is bringing an all-new show and offers great family entertainment for people of all ages.”

Circus officials said it will be the last chance to see the live elephants act.

A local resident and economic development official who has been battling cancer is using his story to help motivate donors during a 10-week intensive campaign to raise money toward curing cancer.

Ryan Van Amburgh agreed to become a nominee in the Upstate NY/VT Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man/Woman of the Year fundraising campaign.

Proceeds raised during the campaign will directly fund cancer research.

For every dollar raised by the Van Amburgh family, Ryan receives a Man of the Year vote until the conclusion of the campaign on May 12. That’s the night of the society’s grand finale event held at 8 p.m. at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy, when winners will be announced.

One of the top philanthropic events of the year in the Capital Region, tickets and sponsorships for the finale, benefiting Van Amburgh ‘s campaign, can be purchased online at www.ChangeTheStory.Today. Direct donations to his campaign can also be made at that site.

Jim Lozano founded CFO for Hire in 2000 and will continue to guide it for BST & Cos. Courtesy BST & Cos. CPAs LLP BST & Co. CPAs, LLP, one of the Capital Region's leading financial and management consulting...

Two key Hudson Headwaters physician-executives will be transitioning to new senior leadership roles effective July 1. Dr. John Rugge, founder and CEO, will be moving to the role of executive chairman and Dr. Dan Larson has been named chief...

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) has reached a $6 million target for its Accelerate capital campaign. Launched Sept. 1, 2016, Accelerate is a five-year campaign and collaborative investment to accelerate and secure the region's economic stability. Officials said...

The Great Escape, in partnership with Samsung Electronics America Inc., announced in April an all-new virtual-reality experience ride, Drop of Doom VR, at the Queensbury facility.

“The area’s first-ever drop tower virtual-reality attraction is a thrilling, immersive encounter that combines the fear of heights and the fear of spiders in one heart-pounding experience that only Six Flags could deliver,” the company said in a new release.

Drop of Doom VR makes its debut at the Great Escape in July.

“As we continue to explore the endless opportunities utilizing Samsung Gear VR technology, we can change the content of rides to offer an entirely new experience,” said Eric Gilbert, president of Great Escape Resort Properties Park. “We look forward to giving our guests another reason to visit and make new memories at the park this season.”

Riders, using Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus, will become the pilots of a futuristic gunship under attack by mutant spiders, Gilbert said.

By Jill Nagy

Argyle Cheese Farmer will quadruple its space when it moves into a building on Pruyn’s Island in Glens Falls.

Marge Randles, co-owner of the company with her husband, Dave Randles, said they had been looking, unsuccessfully, for three years for a suitable space in Washington County.

She said they expect to maintain a cheese-aging and packaging facility at the current farm location in Argyle, but most of the rest of the manufacturing operation will probably move to Glens Falls. How quickly the transition takes place will depend, in part, on whether the project is among those approved as part of the Glens Falls Downtown Revitalization Initiative.