By Susan Elise Campbell

Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Michael Bittel has noted that “when the time is right and we are fully open again, people will get out again locally and spend money to support our region.”

Vacationers appear to be ready, as are locals who want to enjoy summer at the lakes, resorts, restaurants, shops and venues in the North Country. But it will be difficult for businesses to post profit this season, according to people in the hospitality and retail industries, without adequate staff to serve consumers.

“It’s not just Lake George. Hiring is a problem across the country,” said Gina  Mintzer, executive director of Lake George Chamber of Commerce.

The region had low unemployment going into the pandemic, Mintzer said. Now the demand for workers greatly exceeds the supply. The reasons include changing family schedules, safety fears, fewer immigrant worker visas, bigger unemployment checks and transportation gaps, said the experts.

“Families are juggling fluctuating work schedules,” said Liza Ochsendorf, director of Warren County Employment & Training Administration. “This doesn’t allow parents to have a consistent routine with work, school and child care.”

The Adirondack Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, have announced the schedule for this upcoming season.

The 72-game campaign features two trips to St. John’s, a voyage to Idaho and three out-of-division opponents making a visit to Cool Insuring Arena.

This season also introduces Trois-Rivières to the North Division, an opponent that the Thunder will face eight times in 2021-22.

Officials said the schedule is subject to change. It is as follows:

October

Saturday, Oct. 23 vs. Newfoundland, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Oct. 27 vs. Worcester, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 30 vs. Reading, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.

November

Friday, Nov. 5 @ Newfoundland, Mile One Centre, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 6 @ Newfoundland, Mile One Centre, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 7 @ Newfoundland, Mile One Centre, 4 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 12 vs. Utah, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 13 vs. Utah, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 14 vs. Utah, Cool Insuring Arena, 3 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 17 @ Idaho, Idaho Central Arena, 9:10 p.m; Friday, Nov. 19 @ Idaho, Idaho Central Arena, 9:10 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 20 @ Idaho, Idaho Central Arena, 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24 vs. Newfoundland, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 26 vs. Worcester, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 27 vs. Maine, Cool Insuring Arena, 7 p.m.

By Lisa Balschunat

EDC Warren County has hired Amy Potter, formerly of Stewart’s Shops, as its marketing and communications director.

The EDC has been strengthening its staff over the past year in the wake of the death of its long-time president, Edward Bartholemew, in 2020. Last July, Jim Siplon, former CEO of JUST Water, was named interim president and CEO. In March he was made permanent in those roles.

Potter has been tasked with assisting in “retaining, growing and attracting business to Warren County,” an ongoing purpose of the EDC.

“I am looking forward to connecting with the EDC’s 100 members and future members in the coming months.” Powers said. “I see the potential for growth on several levels, especially with key initiatives in the investment in broadband, housing and infrastructure improvements that drive economic growth.”

Powers said she will be reaching out to members “to discuss initiatives that work for their businesses.. I’ll be managing our social media on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and I’m looking forward to learning about area professionals who are sharing their relocation stories on the EDC blog, ‘The Upside.’”

Local small-business marketing consultant Megan Seeley has been hired by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Convention & Visitors Bureau as its new marketing coordinator.

After working locally for nearly a decade in small-business marketing consulting, Seeley joins the team of convention sales manager Christine Thorne, tourism training manager Roger Allan and Executive Director Gina Mintzer, who oversees the  Chamber and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We are thrilled to add Megan Seeley to the team. Her experience and expertise will help us reach our marketing goals of amplifying the Lake George Area brand message to the group markets,” Mintzer said.

Seeley said she  looks forward to becoming more integrated into the Lake George Area community.

“The Lake George Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau is such a great platform for connecting with major influencers in the community, exploring the region with a wider and deeper lens, and also learning about a really exciting and evolving industry,” Seeley said.

Some of her goals include: fortifying relationships and support with local partners; enhancing a brand for the LGRCVB that embraces the leisure linchpin while enticing the regional and national meeting and wedding markets; and having a strong and consistent digital presence.

“With all of the present challenges due to the pandemic, it’s even more crucial that we remain visible, open, and ready for business. This can only be accomplished through our community relationships and constant digital outreach,” she said.

Seeley has worked in the nonprofit realm, with her most recent experience at the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York. She has consulted and been employed at several local businesses such as: Seeley Office Systems, St. Mary’s Church Glens Falls, the Patient Experience Project in Saratoga Springs, and the Priory Retreat Center in Chestertown.

by Andrea Harwood Palmer

A new station dedicated to Lake George and the surrounding region has been started by Loud Media.

93.5 Lake George Radio is broadcasting classic hits from the 1980s and 1990s, with a focus on local information about the Lake George area.

“There’s such a vibrant community in Lake George. They deserve a dedicated station. It’s a great way for both locals and tourists to stay connected to the area,” said Fran Dingeman, general manager at Loud Media.

In addition to music, the radio station will feature a morning show, afternoon show, weather report, boating report, community calendar of events, and local and national news at the top of the hour.

Coverage goes north of Pilot Knob and Diamond Point, west to Stony Creek, east to Fort Ann and south to Exit 17 and Moreau in Saratoga County. The transmitter and tower are at the top of Prospect Mountain in Lake George.

Walt Adams is hosting the morning show. Adams has worked in radio in the Capital Region for most of his adult life. Previously, he was  operations manager at WGNA and PYX 106 radio stations, and worked at 99.5 The River and various other stations. He said he wanted to bring that expertise to a place that he loved and cared about.

“As a longtime resident of Lake George, to be part of a radio station specifically for the Lake George area has just been a dream come true for me,” said Adams.

Adams also works at Loud Media’s sister station in Saratoga Springs and is the public relations director for AIM Services.

By Christine Graf

Local businessmen Robin Barkenhagen and Brian Bronzino, partners in 42°, a smoke shop and functional art glass gallery in Malta, are pursuing plans to open a marijuana dispensary at 56 Glen St. in Glens Falls.

The pair also have a 42° store at 206 Glen Street, Glens Falls. In February, they established a new business called Warren County Cannabis LLC.

In recent years, Bronzino has purchased several buildings in Glens Falls, including the 5,000-square-foot property at 56 Glen St.

Because marijuana has not been legalized at the federal level, dispensaries must be operated out of properties without loans or mortgages from federally chartered banks. 

But Bronzino “owns the building which is instrumental” in the process, said Barkenhagen.

The state Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law on March 31  and legalizes the recreational use of marijuana for those ages 21 and up. The state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established to oversee the industry, but they have not yet begun issuing licenses for growing, distributing, processing, and selling.

When MRTA was enacted, government official estimated that it would take approximately 18 months before the first recreational marijuana businesses would open in the state.