BNI’s Adirondack Chapter in Glens Falls was recognized in February for passing $1,412,198 in business in 2018.
This makes them Upstate New York’s leading chapter, officials said. BNI is the world’s largest networking organization. There are three chapters in Glens Falls.
The ceremony took place at the Hyatt Place in Malta. Jeff Detrick (JCG Footprints LLC Home Inspection Services) and Keith Crist (A2000 Ink and Toner) were present to receive the award.
David M. Kopyc, CRPC®
As you age, calculating the chances that you’ll need long-term care—and the associated costs—is incredibly important. More than half of people turning 65 will require long-term care during their lifetimes, and the costs may be much higher than you expect. In 1980, the U.S. had $30 billion in long-term care spending. By 2015, that figure ballooned to $225 billion.
1. What is long-term care?
Long-term care includes the services and support that help someone meet their daily needs. Rather than centering on healthcare, most long-term care supports people’s daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, and cooking. The services can also include other tasks like managing money, caring for pets, and taking medication.
2. What might long-term care cost you?
By Christine Graf
Because the insurance industry is constantly changing, insurance agents suggest that business owners stay abreast of these changes by meeting with their agents to review their policies on an annual basis.
John O’Brien, president of O’Brien Insurance in Glens Falls, said this is the only way for agents to ensure that their clients have the coverage they need. O’Brien has been in the insurance business for 40 years. His father, Robert, founded O’Brien Insurance in 1957.
According to Jennifer Longtin, owner and president of Lighthouse Insurance Agency in Ballston Lake, annual reviews don’t always result in additional coverage or increased costs for business owners. She has owned Lighthouse Insurance for 17 years and has worked in the insurance industry for more than 30.
NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan marketplace, has experienced “overwhelming success” with New York’s Small Business Marketplace (SBM) following implementation of a simplified enrollment process and the addition of thousands of new plan options in April 2018, according to the Department of Health.
Since then, the number of small employers participating in the SBM has grown to 12,219, an increase of 465 percent, officials said. Greater plan choice and easier access to the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit have contributed to the rapid growth.
“Small business tax credits are alive
By Jill Nagy
Today’s home inspectors have access to an array of technological assistants: thermal imaging cameras, radon cans, gas detectors and computer software to help put their findings into an illustrated report.
However, “the two things I use most are a flashlight and a screwdriver,” said Mike Feeder of Assured Home Inspections in Hudson Falls. Feeder does inspections in Saratoga County and the North Country. He works out of his home.
“I have a home in my office,” said Jolene Lomnes of Informative Home Inspections in South Glens Falls. She meets clients at the inspection site and will travel anywhere within 100 miles or so of the home base.
By Jill Nagy
Glen Street Associates recently purchased the former American Red Cross building at 74 Warren St. in Glens Falls, its 14th real estate purchase since 2001.
The building has been vacant since the Red Cross moved to smaller quarters. Peter Hoffman, one of the principals in Glen Street Associates (the other is his wife, Suzanne), said they have not yet decided what to do with the building but, before they decide, he will consult with the North Glens Falls IDA. “We always start there.”
“It is kind of a plain Jane right now, but it is a brick building with some 1940s charm and character,” he said.
By Susan E. Campbell
A group of four Capital District real estate agents is offering personal safety awareness instruction specifically designed for real estate agents—but with a kick.
The idea for Personal Safety Services started to take root about two years ago when Bruce McClellan, a recently retired Realtor and founder of Pinnacle Realty Saratoga LLC, had a minor health setback that “caused him to pull away a bit” from his busy real estate practice, according to the group’s operations director and instructor, Genevieve Suguitan of Signature One Group Malta.
By Jill Nagy
Two brothers, a doctor and a lawyer, doing business as Dwell Well Properties, are rapidly accumulating a portfolio of multi-family rental properties in downtown Glens Falls and are about to close on their first Saratoga Springs acquisition.
Kevin Grassi, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at Glens Falls Hospital, and Justin Grassi, a real estate lawyer, bought their first property, a three-building complex on Roger Street in Glens Falls in January 2018.
Their latest purchase, 6-8 New Pruyn Street and 10 New Pruyn Styreet, near Broad Street, purchased this year, is nearby. They bought that complex, along with a third partner, Morgan Jones from USP Residential, LLP, for $950,000.
The seller had done work on the buildings before the sale, according to Justin Grassi. The three buildings have a total of 13 units, all but three of which were occupied when Dwell Well took possession.
“The vacancies filled quickly,” he said.
This is a corrected version from 4/11/19.
By Susan E. Campbell
Andrew Meader has spent the past two years on a mission to promote tourism and increase visitation in Washington County.
So far there has been a quantifiable increase in traffic and dollars spent while in the county, but Meader will not take all the credit.
He is part of a triad of professionals working with the governor’s office and the local economic development agency to build awareness of, and bring industry into, the area where Meader grew up and has spent much of his career.
“I sit on the Economic Development Council for the Capital region and got to know Laura Oswald, director for economic development for Washington County,” he said. “We were involved in a lot of meetings and often talked about tourism.”
Oswald told Meader she was always looking for firms like his to promote the county. His company, 8 of Eight Strategies LLC, offers marketing strategy, business consulting, and project management to help clients reach their full potential.
“I threw my hat in the ring,” said Meader. “My primary role is to formulate a marketing plan and to oversee strategy and outreach.”
By Christine Graf
Lake George entrepreneur Jason Kirshon decided to develop a better motorcycle helmet after he attended Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire in 2008.
“What struck me was that out of 200,000 attending bikers, I only saw one wearing a helmet,” said Kirshon. “And that guy was riding a moped.”
New Hampshire is one of just three states with no motorcycle helmet laws. Nineteen states, including New York, have universal helmet laws. In the remaining states, helmets laws apply only to riders under the age of 18 or 21. The age varies by state.
Kirshon, an avid motorcyclist, understands why helmets are so unpopular. It comes down to comfort.
“There are two types of half-shell helmets,” he said. “The first is DOT (Department of Transportation) approved.