Glens Falls Business Journal

Area Is Attractive To Potential New Residents

March 17, 2021

New research conducted by Camoin 310 of Saratoga Springs for the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) in Lake Placid and EDC Warren County shows there is a strong interest for relocation to the Adirondacks across all income brackets in the region including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

A total of 6,733 responses were collected and analyzed by Camoin 310 from Jan. 19-29, the group said in a news release. More than 80 percent of respondents now live in the Northeast, but there were responses from as far away as Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, and Oregon, as well as international locations.

Key findings indicate that nearly 25 percent of respondents said they were either “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to relocate here in the next five years, according to Camoin. Some indicated they have already moved here.

The Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Lake George regions were the three most cited locations for relocation. The majority of the respondents said living in the Adirondack communities with access to high-speed internet, health care, and dining and shopping opportunities is a priority.

Nearly 23 percent of regional market demand is between ages 25-45. Quality housing and outdoor recreation were the most important factors cited when selecting a community. Remote workers and retirees present the greatest opportunity and over 40 percent of respondents who are working have the ability to work remotely either full time or a majority of the time, the report said.

Survey To Identify Gaps In Broadband Service

March 17, 2021

The Warren County Board of Supervisors and Warren County Economic Development Corp. are seeking the help of county residents and businesses to assess the breadth and reliability of broadband coverage.

The county and EDC will survey county residents as to how well they can work, study and surf the Internet from their homes, offices, schools and businesses. The goal is to identify gaps and weaknesses so that county officials can apply for relevant grants and successfully advocate for improved broadband coverage with internet service providers and state and federal representatives.

Rachel Seeber, chair of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said county residents “continue to express to their representatives their desire and need for access to affordable, reliable broadband service. Unfortunately, many people, both at their homes and at their businesses, have poor access or no access, and those who have service often report problems with reliability and speed.

“This survey will help us determine access levels and speeds throughout Warren County and help us map where improvements are needed. We will then work with our county’s state and federal representatives to bring to Warren County the service we desperately need, which is now more important than ever.”

Access to reliable broadband service is essential to current and prospective residents and businesses, Jim Siplon, interim president of EDC Warren County, said.

State Taking Applications From Businesses Seeking To Be Cannabinoid Hemp Processors

March 17, 2021March 17, 2021

The state Department of Health is now accepting applications from businesses seeking to operate as cannabinoid hemp processors, retailers or distributors.

In October, the Health Department filed proposed regulations to regulate cannabinoid hemp products in New York state. Cannabinoid hemp products include many CBD products currently available for purchase, including tinctures, vaporizations, oils, topicals, pills, capsules and food or beverages.

“Opening the application process for businesses looking to be part of the growing hemp industry in New York state is a critical step in the process of expanding our economy and building back better. Licensing gives processors, distributors and retailers the ability to help ensure the hemp industry’s long-term viability,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “This exciting opportunity to be a part of the state’s regulated cannabinoid hemp program is great news for farmers and consumers.”

The program is licensing cannabinoid hemp processors, distributors and retailers and setting quality control standards that all cannabinoid hemp products must meet including manufacturing, packaging and labeling and laboratory testing requirements. Officials aid it will help organize and legitimize the growing cannabinoid hemp industry in New York state while simultaneously protecting consumers from sub-standard and potentially dangerous products.

In 2015, the state launched the Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program, supporting farmers and further boosting economic development in upstate New York. Since then, New York’s hemp program has expanded significantly, making New York one of the leading hemp producing states in the country, officials said.

Hemp is a sustainable, carbon-sequestering crop that is capable of being transformed into hundreds of products including textiles, furniture, fuel, food, construction materials and personal care items.

Nancy Fuller Helped Create Fountain Square Outfitters; Company Hitting 10th Anniversary

March 17, 2021

Fountain Square Outfitters in Glens Falls celebrates its 10th anniversary on April 22.

Nancy Fuller, co-owner of Fountain Square Outfitters in Glens Falls, says it has been “an amazing opportunity” to be part of the downtown business community and to watch its growth,

She has seen new businesses come in, new apartments created and the Farmers’ Market bolstered. “It’s a really cool place to be,” she said.

Fountain Square Outfitters celebrates its 10th anniversary on April 22.

The store caters to hikers, bikers those who enjoy being outdoors. The stock is mostly clothing, offering a variety of brands, including Patagonia, with emphasis on the natural and ecologically minded. In fact, Patagonia was the inspiration for the store.

Fuller said they shopped at Patagonia stores when they travelled and thought that one would be a natural for Glens Falls. It turned out the company was not interested in opening a store, but was willing to have them carry the Patagonia line of outdoor clothing if they chose to open their own store.

The business opened in 2011. Except for her husband’s law practice, it was the first business venture for both of them.

Great Escape President Rebecca Wood Takes On Challenges Of COVID-19 At The Resort

March 17, 2021March 17, 2021

Rebecca Wood is the president of Six Flags Great Escape Resort.l

By Susan Elise Campbell

Rebecca Wood was in her new position as resort president of Six Flags Great Escape Resort for only a year when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

“Like everyone else, we were in uncharted territory,” said Wood, who prior was director of marketing and sales for the Lake George theme park and lodge. “Last season, the whole world was experiencing something different.”

Wood’s immediate goal was to keep the staff together and safe, and she said not one full-time person had to leave their job. That was important because growing up she was an athlete who “sees the value of ‘team’ in whatever we do.”

The theme park closed in October 2019 for the season and the hotel was forced to close temporarily early in March 2020.

“There’s no playbook for COVID,” said Wood. “Our team controlled what was in our control and stayed focused on those things. Our rally cry was, don’t think about what we cannot do.”

But that is a difficult task when staff is worried about their health and safety.

Maura Forcier Went From A Longtime Customer Of MinkyMink To Its Owner

March 17, 2021

Maura Forcier purchased MinkyMink in Downtown Glens Falls, in 2016. The business just launched a new website with enhanced online shopping capabilities and enhanced inventory.
Mark Bolles

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

Maura Forcier purchased MinkyMink, a clothing and accessory shop in Downtown Glens Falls, in 2016.

“I was working in healthcare marketing for several years. I wasn’t passionate about it,” she said. “My dad and I were talking about his upcoming retirement. He had worked in medicine for decades. I just couldn’t picture myself working in health-care marketing for 20 or 30 years. It got me thinking. What do I actually want to do with my life?”

Forcier had worked in retail in Saratoga Springs as a side job for years. She loved working with customers, helping people find outfits, and managing the marketing and social media of the clothing shop in which she worked. She decided to open her own boutique.

Forcier had been a long-time customer of MinkyMink when previous owner Shonna McTiernan had the shop. Forcier and McTiernon started chatting, and McTiernon disclosed she was ready to sell the business.

Forcier worked with SCORE after work hours every week to develop a business plan in preparation of running her own retail store. In July 2016, she and McTiernon finalized the sale of MinkyMink.

Kim Stote Named SUNY Empire State Dean Of School Of Nursing And Allied Health

March 17, 2021

Kim S. Stote, dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health at SUNY Empire State.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

SUNY Empire State College named Kim S. Stote as dean for its School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Stote, Ph.D., MPH, RDN, succeeds M. Bridget Nettleton in the role.

Prior to her new role as dean, Stote served as the associate dean of health professions for the School of Nursing and Allied Health, and has been a faculty member since 2009.

“Kim has been an invaluable member of our School of Nursing and Allied Health, and has the skills and experience necessary to fulfill this important role,” said SUNY Empire State College Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea. “Kim is the right person at the right time for this position.”

“I am honored to serve as the dean for the School of Nursing and Allied Health. This is an interesting and challenging position that aligns well with my background and strengths. I continue to be impressed with SUNY Empire State College’s culture of innovation, which offers alternative learning experiences that encourage student success through degree completion,” said Stote.

She is a clinician scientist conducting research on understanding how dietary components interact with physiological, sociological, and environmental factors that affect the health of the population. Her research experience also includes investigating the effects of differing food components in human health which resulted in a twice Fulbright Scholar award as the research chair of nutrisciences and health, at the University of Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

U.S. Census: Millions Of Women Living With School-Aged Children Didn’t Work In January

March 17, 2021

From U.S. Census Bureau

Around 10 million U.S. mothers living with their own school-age children were not actively working in January—1.4 million more than during the same month last year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on employment overall but especially on mothers’ paid labor. The 10 million not working accounted for over one-third of all mothers living with school-age children in the United States, according to the Current Population Survey.

Last spring, between March and April, some 3.5 million mothers living with school-age children left active work — either shifting into paid or unpaid leave, losing their job, or exiting the labor market all together.

Some 45 percent of mothers of school-age children were not actively working last April.

The school year began in earnest months ago but deep into the academic year, school systems are still trying to figure out how and when to return to in-person classes.

Some have found ways to juggle work, child care and virtual schooling. By January 2021, more than 18.5 million mothers living with their own school-age children were actively working — still 1.6 million fewer than in January 2020.

‘Down To Earth Aerial’ Specializes In Making Virtual Tours Using Drone Video Production

March 17, 2021

This photo fall foliage in the North Country, with Lake George in the background, was taken by Down to Earth Aerial, a company specializing in drone photography and video production.
Courtesy Down to Earth Aerial

By Christine Graf

After the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily halted the cruise industry, Capital Region native Chris Spangler found himself in need of a new job. Spangler had been employed as a tour guide in an Alaskan town that was a stopover point for cruise ships.

“Thanks to the pandemic, the cruise ship business obviously tanked which removed my Alaskan job,” said Spangler.

As a result, he decided to open his own business, Down to Earth Aerial. The Saratoga-based company specializes in drone photography and video production.

“I really enjoy aerial photography and flying drones, so I tapped into some of the contacts I have in this area in the construction industry and the real estate industry and worked to build a photography business specializing in aerial photography as well as virtual tours,” said Spangler.

He said it can be especially helpful in the effort to market commercial real estate to investors who are not familiar with the area. It is also useful in marketing residential real estate because it offers a different perspective on the property.

“It’s really nice for people who aren’t from the area to be able to look at a plot that they are considering and be able to see the surrounding area from the air,” he said. “And with the real estate industry for homeowners, it’s just a really nice way to show off the entire space as well as break up the images from just standard terrestrial shots of the house inside and out. It gives you a different viewpoint from up in the air. The big thing we try to talk to clients about is showing what they have from a different perspective.”

Spangler’s customers also include homeowners interested in purchasing aerial photos of their homes.

Bonnie View Resort On Lake George Is Sold; Future Of Property As A Resort Is Unknown

March 17, 2021

By Jill Nagy

The Bonnie View Resort on Lake George was sold in December for $4.4 million.

The buyer is a limited liability company (LLC) created for the sole purpose of holding the property. It was purchased by an investor from Rhode Island.

The resort, at 4654 Lakeshore Drive, on a six-acre lakefront property in Huddle Bay, had been in the Lauro family for 50 years. It has 386 feet of lake frontage.

The resort included 60 motel rooms and cabins, a heated pool, tennis court, and six steel docks. Recently, the buyers’ real estate agent, Jim Casaccio of Bolton Landing, said he drove by the property and saw someone at work cleaning out the buildings.