Glens Falls Business Journal

NYS Builders Association Asks Gov. Cuomo To Start Now, Not Take Phased-In Approach

May 14, 2020

The New York State Builders Association has gone on record to ask the state to allow construction to resume right away—statewide—rather than wait for the proposed phased approach by region that the governor has outlined.

Lewis Dubuque, association executive vice president, said in a May 4 statement that homebuilders “have a limited time-frame based on the weather to undertake construction of residential housing. It is critical for the building industry to get back to work to capture as much of the remaining construction season as possible,” according to the statement.

“Residential construction companies that reside in areas that border other states further risk losing valuable subcontractors who may search for employment in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and Ohio where construction is currently ramping up,” he said.

In late April, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo outlined a phased plan to re-open New York and re-imagine a new normal for the state starting with construction and manufacturing. He said the plan will be based on regional analysis and determinations. Based on CDC recommendations, once a region experiences a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate they may begin a phased reopening.

Stewart’s Shops Plans To Build Shops Are On Hold, But Company Will Open New Ones

May 14, 2020

During the shutdown caused by the coronavirus, Stewart’s Shops has had to scale back on building new stores, cutting the 2020 construction budget by 40 percent.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

With New York state’s businesses “on pause,” many construction projects came to a complete halt. Stewart’s Shops are feeling the effects and have had to freeze several projects in the works.

While the company reports they are still able to open new stores, they have had to scale back on their construction budget, according to Erica Komoroske, public relations specialist for the company.

“We have had to delay nearly 12 projects and we’ve cut our 2020 construction budget by 40 percent. At this point, we are four to six weeks behind schedule,” said Komoroske.

Komoroske said they have not been able to get the approvals needed in a timely manner, with many municipality offices being closed. This has not only set them back on their time line for beginning projects, but it has also stopped projects already in process.

The state may soon be relaxing its call for stopping construction projects, but municipal approvals are another matter.

P-Tech Program Offered Through BOCES Helps Address Local Skilled Labor Shortages

May 14, 2020

By Christine Graf

New York State P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programs have been designed to address critical skilled labor shortages that are impacting manufacturing and technology companies throughout the state.

Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative (WSWHE BOCES) was the first to offer the program locally. It is called Southern Adirondack P-TECH.

“We were one of the first 16 cohorts (partnerships) in New York state to receive a seven-year grant to create the program. We received the grant in 2013, and that was a planning year for us. Our first cohort of students started in 2014 and are graduating this year,” said Kim Wegner, lead coordinator for Innovative Programs at WSHWHE BOCES.

“There wasn’t a lot of guidance. It was a thought and idea based off a program that launched in 2009 at a school in Brooklyn. (The state) decided they wanted to expand program across state. There were some guidelines, but we built the program as we moved through it. Where we are today is not where we were six or seven years ago.”

Business Consultant Sees Need For Examining How Companies Will Look Post-Pandemic

May 14, 2020

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

Brian Rollo, a leadership coach and cultural business strategist, is re-examining his business model in response to the business climate caused by COVID-19 and challenges employers will face.

“I’m always thinking, ‘What is three steps from now? How is this going to change business for me, and for the people I help?’ There are three key things businesses will need to think about as we move into a new normal,” said Rollo, who does business as Brian Rollo Consulting.

“First, in what way do we bring people back into the office now that we’ve built the infrastructure for them to work remotely. How many and who? Or is it more efficient to allow people to work from home? Do we build a hybrid workforce?” said Rollo.

“Second, there’s going to be real conversations going forward on social distancing and wearing masks. If everyone is back at work, how do we navigate some staff feeling comfortable attending closely-packed meetings when others don’t? What does that look like? What if some people are more comfortable wearing a mask while others are not, and will that become its own source of unintentional bias?”

Warren County Local Development Corp.Loan Program Helps Small Businesses

May 14, 2020

The Warren County Local Development Corp. has created a loan program to help small businesses recover from economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of $200,000 has been allocated for loans of up to $15,000 each with a 4 percent interest rate. Repayment of a loan must be within four years, with loan payments deferred for the first two months, officials said. There is no prepayment penalty.

To be eligible:

• Applicants must be either sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed, or an LLC operating within Warren County. They cannot previously have received Payroll Protection Plan or other loans.

• Businesses must have 20 or fewer full/part time employees.

• Loans may be used for working capital, payroll, rent, utilities, mortgage and monthly expenses.

• They must have been in business for at least two years.

Federal Reserve Expands $600 Billion Business Loan Program; 4-Year Terms Offered

May 14, 2020

The Federal Reserve has expanded its $600 billion Main Street Lending Program to serve much smaller businesses.

The move comes after the Federal Reserve accepted more than 2,200 comments about the proposed lending program from people, businesses and nonprofits. The Fed has yet to set a start date, saying that will be “announced soon.”

The minimum loan amount under the program will now be $500,000 for new loans and priority loans, down from the originally proposed $1 million, opening up the program to smaller businesses. The “expanded” loan type will be a minimum of $10 million, designed for larger businesses.

The ceiling for loans will also be raised to companies with up to 15,000 employees or up to $5 billion in annual revenue, compared with original thresholds of 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in revenue when the program was first announced. That means much larger companies will now qualify for the program.

There will be a new type of “priority loan” in which the Federal Reserve will buy 85 percent of the loan made by a bank, as opposed to the 95 percent the Fed will buy through its Main Street New Loan Facility and Main Street Expanded Loan Facility, announced earlier this month.

Business Briefs: May 2020

May 14, 2020

The Salvation Army of Greater Glens Falls and the Tri-County United Way conducted a drive-thru food pantry on May 7 the Washington County Fair Grounds.

Statistics provided by the Salvation Army include:

• 1784 people served in 397 vehicles, representing 517 households, 946 adults, 550 children and 288 senior citizens.

• 37,000 pounds of food was donated by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY

• 600 gallons of milk was donated Battenkill Valley Creamery.

• 4600 boxes of tissues were donated by Irving & Scotties.

• Thousands of masks were distributed by SAIL (Southern Adirondack Independent Living).

• Two forklifts and drivers were donated Rojcewicz Trucking.

It was accomplished by 214 volunteers from the public and 12 agencies who served a combined 974 hours.

Pioneer Bank’s Purchase Of Insurance Group Terminated During COVID-19 Unrest

May 14, 2020

By Christine Graf

After two years of negotiations, the agreement which would have allowed Pioneer Bank to purchase Jaeger & Flynn for $12.75 million has been terminated.

With more than 85 employees working in offices in Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and Glens Falls, Jaeger & Flynn is the third largest health insurance broker in the region. They also offer human resources consulting and a variety of other services.

According to Pioneer Bank CEO Tom Amell, it was Jaeger & Flynn President and CEO Thomas Flynn who ultimately made the decision to terminate the agreement.

“His reasoning for it made good business sense,” said Amell. “The decision was made primarily because of COVID-19 unrest. It happened at a time when there was an out clause in the contract. We were so close to getting final touches on it, and then the world changed on us. We mutually agreed to take a deep breath, step back, and make sure our underlying business are strong.”

Personnel Briefs: May 2020

May 14, 2020

Three longtime community leaders have joined the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation board of trustees.

Dr. Jordan Blackwood, Terry Celadon, RN, and Michael Mihaly, AFIM, are the new members.

Blackwood is a board-certified cardiovascular disease specialist at Glens Falls Hospital’s Adirondack Cardiology in Queensbury. He has overseen the congestive heart failure clinic, while also serving as director of cardiovascular rehabilitation. He previously served at Danbury (Connecticut) Hospital and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. He earned his undergraduate and medical training at Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine, respectively.

Celadon, of Queensbury, assistant director at the Joyce Stock Snuggery, is an area native who has had a decades-long relationship with Glens Falls Hospital. She began her career as a graduate nurse and over nearly 20 years, advanced to staff and leadership roles at what would later be known as the Joyce Stock Snuggery.

Many Area Restaurants Adapt To Changes That COVID-19 Pandemic Has Brought On

May 14, 2020

Rachel Dutra, owner of Rachel’s Café and Spice Co. , holds her popular cinnamon rolls that are among the offerings people can pickup at the Glens Falls establishment.
Andrea Harwood Palmer

By Andrea Harwood Palmer

Rachel Dutra, owner of Rachel’s Café and Spice Co., has shifted her business model to keep her business open during the COVID-19 crisis. Many other restaurants in the region have done the same.

The café continues to operate, offering full meals, soup, baked goods and an ala cart menu.

“We did a lot of brainstorming on how to stay relevant. Since people were at home, we focused on things people would be eating at home. I started with quarts of soup that were fresh, freezable and re-heatable. I had no idea what I was about to unleash on myself,” she said.

“The response was phenomenal. People buy 12 or 14 quarts of soup. They keep some and gift some. We produce over 50 gallons of soup a week right now,” said Dutra.

The cafe, at 240 Warren St., Glens Falls, also offers “take and bake” meals.

“It’s something people can take and finish at home. The meal is prepared in the restaurant and is almost complete upon pickup,” said Dutra.