Ross D. Levi, executive director of tourism for Empire State Development, will deliver the keynote address at EDC Warren County’s 20th annual luncheon on Thursday, May 30, at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury.
“Tourism and hospitality are major economic engines for Warren County during every season of the year. In the Adirondack Region, tourism is now a $1.4 billion industry supporting over 21,000 jobs. Warren County represents $600 million or approximately 42 percent of that total. We are excited that Ross Levi will speak to us on the economic impact of tourism and important trends,” said Ed Bartholomew, president and CEO of EDC Warren County.
In addition to the keynote address, the program will also include remarks by Rebecca Wood, the new president of Six Flags Great Escape Resort in Queensbury, as well as an update on EDC initiatives and recognition of other activities in Warren County and the region.

By Susan E. Campbell
Saratoga Hospital is proceeding with plans to construct a medical building at Exit 18 following unanimous approval by the Queensbury Planning Board at its April 30 meeting.
“The Planning Board process is now complete,” said a spokesperson for Saratoga Hospital. “The site plan has been approved and a SEQRA negative declaration prepared.”
With no environmental issues to address, the next step is to submit final design plans to the town’s building department. Then demolition can begin at 124 Main St. in Queensbury, site of the former Carl R’s Mexican Restaurant.

by Andrea Palmer
Christian and Bert Weber have opened the temporary taproom for Common Roots Brewing Co. at 30 Saratoga Ave. in South Glens Falls.
The brewery was issued a Certificate of Occupancy on May 7, and held a soft opening for the temporary taproom later that day.
The temporary building is owned by Elizabeth Miller, who reached out to the Weber shortly after a March 25 fire badly damaged their building just as an expansion had begun.
“The optics of the temporary location being right next to the original site are important,” said Weber. “Being able to see the new building as we put it up, as construction continues, as progress happens this summer … It’s important to us that we’re right in the middle of the action.”

By Andrea Palmer
Pam Fisher is pioneering an initiative to install an audio loop for the hearing impaired at the Charles R. Wood Theater.
The project, known as “Let’s Loop The Wood,” is raising funds to purchase and put in place a hearing loop (also referred to as an audio induction loop).
A hearing loop provides a wireless, magnetic signal to hearing aids. The loop utilizes a microphone to pick up audio, an amplifier to process and send the signal and a loop cable strategically located around a specific area. In this case, the loop cable would surround the theater seats.
The loop cuts out background noise as the sound is channeled directly into the user’s hearing aid. The hearing loop is unseen to general public, inconspicuously installed.
The project is being undertaken by a group of students, including Pam Fisher, in the University of Albany Weekend MBA program. The students will be graduating in June.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) board of directors has unanimously appointed David O’Rourke as NYRA CEO and president.
O’Rourke had been serving as interim CEO since Jan. 23 following the resignation of Chris Kay.
“David has made significant and lasting contributions to NYRA since he joined the organization more than a decade ago,” said NYRA board chairman Michael Del Giudice. “He possesses broad expertise in nearly every facet of the industry, enjoys deep respect among his NYRA colleagues and industry peers, and understands how the sport and the business will continue to evolve in the future. His combination of skills and obvious leadership ability made this an easy choice and we congratulate David on this appointment.”
O’Rourke, 45, first joined NYRA as director of financial planning in 2008 before becoming vice president for corporate development in 2010. In 2013, he was appointed chief revenue officer and senior vice president.

by Andrea Palmer
Bari Flatley, owner of the previously named Studio Bari, is moving locations and expanding her operations to include additional services.
The collaborative beauty studio has opened up shop at 48 Lawrence St. in Glens Falls. The space has been completely renovated. Most of the renovation was done by Flatley’s father, who is an aircraft mechanic.
Flatley started her own salon service business in 2016, after several years in the industry. The original company name was Studio Bari.