Business Quarterly Winter 2017

THE SOURCE FOR DOING BUSINESS IN COLUMBIA & GREENE COUNTIES WINTER 2017

AND

Commerce Industry

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CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

STICKY AUSTERLITZ TOWN CLERK HONORED —

Susan Haag of the Town of Austerlitz has been awarded Certification as Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) by the New York State Town Clerks Association for achieving its high educational, experience and participatory requirements.

Haag has been serving as Town Clerk since 2002 and is also a member of the NYS Town Clerks Association. She attained her designation as Registered Municipal Clerk through a combination of numerous hours of education and leadership in various professional and civic organizations.

This statewide Certification Program was launched in 1997 in conjunction with the NYS Association of City and Village Clerks. The program aids Municipal Clerks in improving job performance and recognizes the professionalism of the Municipal Clerks office. Specific education and experience requirements must be achieved before this prestigious designation of Registered Municipal Clerk is awarded. Qualifications of applicants are reviewed and approved by the NYS Town Clerks Certification Committee.

Founded in 1982, the New York State Town Clerks Association is an organization dedicated to promoting the professional development of Town Clerks across the state as administrative leaders.

Membership offers Town Clerks and their Deputies encouragement, specialized assistance and continuing education relative to professional and personal improvement that will enhance their ability to serve their constituency. Nearly 900 of the

932 Towns in New York State are currently members. More than 40 RMC awards have been made in the past year.

KINDERHOOK BANK APPOINTS KALABIAN — Kinderhook Bank Corp., the

holding company for The National Union Bank of Kinderhook, has appointed Harry Kabalian, CPA, MBA as treasurer of the company and senior vice president-chief financial officer for the bank, according to President and Chief Executive Officer, John A. Balli, effective Nov. 1.

“We welcome Harry to the Kinderhook Bank team and look forward to having an experienced CPA as our CFO,” said Balli. “With our recent growth, Harry’s strong financial background will make him a key component of our future success,” Balli added.

Kabalian is from the Albany area and received his undergraduate degree from Siena College and his Masters of Business Administration from Union Graduate College. He most recently served as vice president of accounting and finance at Trustco Bank Corp. Previous experience includes six years with KPMG where Kabalian provided accounting and auditing expertise to a diverse client base, including banks, and years of private sector accounting and finance experience including five years at GlobalFoundries as global financial systems and reporting leader.

In operation since 1853, Kinderhook Bank is the only bank headquartered in Columbia County and

Notes

has recently expanded its branch network to a new state-of-the-art banking center in Delmar in addition to branches in Latham, Albany, East Greenbush, Chatham, Greenport, Valatie and Kinderhook. Kinderhook Bank has previously announced a merger with Patriot Federal Bank, which is expected to be completed on Nov. 10 and will expand the branch network to Canajoharie, Johnstown and Amsterdam.

YOUNG JOINS THE CHAZEN COMPANIES

— The Chazen Companies announces David W. Young, professional engineer, has joined the land development team as senior project engineer and project manager. He has more than 35 years of professional experience with various commercial and residential projects which include designs for storm water management systems, sanitary sewage systems and water withdrawal systems.

Young received his Associate’s Degree in Surveying Technology and his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Penn. and served with the United States Air Force. Prior to joining Chazen, Young worked for JHA Associates as Senior Project Manager in Sayre, Penn.

“Dave’s experience overseeing and navigating complex and multidisciplinary projects through the regulatory approval process will be a great asset not only to The Chazen Companies but our clients,” said Christopher Lapine, P.E., Director, Land Development, The Chazen Companies. “We are excited to have Dave join our land development team.”

Tierra Farm opens pop-up kiosk in Crossgates Mall Tierra Farm, a certified organic manufacturer and distributor of nuts, dried fruits, coffee, and chocolate products based in Valatie, announces the opening of its first seasonal pop-up kiosk in Crossgates Mall. The mini-store is located on the upper level near the Lord & Taylor wing and features two special assortment Holiday Gift Packs highlighting customer favorites, as well as multiple top-sellers across its product lines. The kiosk will also have coupon codes for those looking to shop online at www.tierrafarmstore.com.

The Holiday Gift Packs come pre-wrapped.

Also available are the Tierra Basket, Bakers Basket, Harvest Basket, and Sweet Basket.

Individually-packaged products are also available, including a selection of Tierra Farm Fairtrade Coffee (Breakfast, Espresso, Honduran, Peruvian, Decaf), Tierra Farm Dry Roasted

Salted Cashews, Cajun Cashews, Maple Ginger Cashews, Curry Cashews, Honey Sriracha Cashews, Salted Almonds, Unsalted Almonds) and a special 20 oz. cotton bag of the Farm’s well-loved Pistachios.

Tierra Farm’s pop-up kiosk.

Contributed photo

Nut Butters (Chocolate Hazelnut, Maple Cashew, Maple Mix, Unsalted Almond, Lightly Salted Mix), Tierra Farm Dry Roasted Nuts (High Peaks Mix, Maple Mix, Salted Mixed Nuts, Tierra Trail Mix, Unsalted Mixed Nuts,

All of Tierra Farm’s products are produced in small, hand-crafted batches and are 100 percent certified organic, certified gluten-free, certified kosher and GMO-free. Raw products are responsibly sourced from organic growers throughout the world, and flavoring ingredients are developed and produced in-house. To meet the immediate demand for its products at outlets in the western U.S., Tierra Farm recently opened a satellite facility in a suburb of Denver, Colorado.

Tierra Farm’s pop-up store in Crossgates Mall will be open during regular mall hours through Dec. 31.

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

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Our Business Supports Our Community Our Staff Are Active Community Volunteers

Adaptive Sports Foundation Warriors in Motion • Adopt A US Soldier • Alzheimer’s Association • Art Omi • Art Stakeholders • American Cancer Society American Legion • American Red Cross • Austerlitz Historical Society • Canaan Historical Society • Canaan Protective Fire Company • Capital City Rescue Mission • Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties • CCS Friends of Shakespeare • Chatham Booster Club • Chatham Area Business andArts•ChathamEducationFoundation • Chatham Film Club • Chatham Fine Arts Booster Club • Chatham Fire Department • Chatham High School Hall of Fame Chatham Little League • Chatham Lions Club • Chatham Public Library • Chatham Rescue Squad • Chatham Silent Food Pantry • Chatham Synagogue • Clarion Concerts Inc. • Claverack Library • COARC • Columbia Car Club • Columbia Clippers Travel Baseball • Columbia County Agricultural Society • Columbia County Chamber of Commerce • Columbia County Council on the Arts • Columbia County Deputy Sheriff Association • Columbia County Habitat for Humanity • Columbia County Historical Society • Columbia County Meals on Wheels • Columbia County Sheriff’s Association • Columbia County Young Professionals • Columbia Economic Development Corporation • Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation • Columbia-Greene Humane Society • Columbia Land Conservancy • Columbia-Greene Board of Realtors • Columbia-Greene College Scholarship Fund • ColumbiaGreene Sportsmen’s Association • Columbia Golf & Country Club • Columbia Pathways to Recovery • Community Hospice Of Columbia/Greene • Crandell Theatre • Dan Barrett • D.A.R.E. • Edith Casey Fund • Equine Advocates • Family Resource Centers • FilmColumbia • Food for the Poor • Fresh Air Fund • Friends of Chatham Public Library • Friends of Lindenwald • Garden Club of Kinderhook • Ghent Food Pantry • Ghent Playhouse • Health Alliance POS • Heroic Food • High & Mighty Stables • Holy Spirit Church • Hudson City Schools

• Hudson Area Library • Hudson Opera House • Hudson Pride Foundation • Hudson School District PTA • Hudson Valley Old Time Power Assoc. Blacksmith Shop • Ichabod Crane Booster Club • Jimmy Fund / Dana Farber Cancer Institute • Kinderhook BPA • Kinderhook Reformed Church • Kinderhook Runners Club • Knights of Columbus • Larkin Hill House Trails • Leaf Peepers Concerts • Lebanon Valley Heritage Center • Lebanon Valley Historical Society • Let It Be Local • Little Falls School of Music • Mac-Haydn Theatre • Malden Bridge Community Center • Marion Stegmann Fund • Mercy House • Morris Memorial Association • Mountain View Cemetery Association • National Multiple Sclerosis Society • Nature’s Classroom • New Concord Historical Society • New Lebanon Library • Niverville Santa Claus Club • Northern Columbia Little League • New York State Sheriff’s Association • OK5K Race • Olana State Historic Site • Old Chatham Hunt Club • Our Community Cares • Payne AME Church • Philmont Public Library • PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century • Queechy Lake Club • Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York • Riders Mills Historical Association • Roeliff Jansen Community Library • RPI Rugby Association • Salvation Army – Super Hero Toy Drive • Sean’s Run • Shaker Museum Mount Lebanon • Simon’s Rock Kiln Project • Smile Train • Sons of Italy • Special Olympics • Spencertown Academy • Stephentown Veterans • St. James Church • St. James CYO • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • St. Baldrick’s Foundation • Stottville Fire Co. • Stottville Firehouse’s Women’s Auxiliary • STRIDE Adaptive Sports • SUNY Oneonta Swim Team • Tannery Pond Concerts • Thank a Vet • The Theater Barn • Tri State Emergency • Town of Stuyvesant • Uel Wade Music Scholarship • United Way • USO • Valatie Food Pantry • Valatie Veterans Run • Valatie Volunteer Rescue Squad • Veterans of Stephentown • Village of Chatham Gazebo Concerts • Village of Kinderhook Zoning Board • Wildwood Foundation • World Vision International • Wounded Warrior Project

Your Business With Us Helps Support These Local Organizations

Insuring our neighbors since 1913

518.392.5161 metzwood.com

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CG BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WINTER 2017

Contents

THE SOURCE FOR DOING BUSINESS IN COLUMBIA & GREENE COUNTIES

WINTER 2017

3 Sticky Notes 7 Business Profile Chris Gerken Matt’s Cycle Center

8 Columbia County

By F. Michael Tucker, President and CEO, Columbia Economic Development Corporation

10 16

14 Economic Indicators 20 Greene County

Jeff Friedman, President/Executive Director, Greene County Chamber of Commerce

26

29 Networking

ABOUT THE COVER

22 FEATURES

10 A season of preparation and hope 16 Buying local means shopping for all seasons 22 Phat biking and cross-country skiing add spice to winter sports

26 Feelin’ the heat: Winter fuel costs expected to rise

Love Apple Farm in Ghent pictured last winter.

(Photo contributed)

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

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THE SOURCE FOR DOING BUSINESS IN COLUMBIA & GREENE COUNTIES

Publisher, General Manager Mark Vinciguerra

Business Manager Tammi Ullrich

Executive Editor Mary Dempsey

Managing Editor Kate Seckinger

Advertising Sales Manager Greg Appel

Advertising Representatives Laura Flemming Christopher Mandia Patricia McKenna Marlene McTigue Jeanette O’Callaghan

Distribution/Circulation Manager Peter Dedrick

Ad Design/Composition Erica Izer Steve LaRowe Jackie Reese

A publication of

One Hudson City Centre, Suite 202 Hudson, NY 12534 518-828-1616 www.hudsonvalley360.com

Reach Us WRITE TO US Business Quarterly Magazine, c/o C-GM, 1 Hudson City Centre, Hudson, NY 12534

Publisher’s letter Welcome to the fourth-quarter Columbia-Greene Business Quarterly magazine.

In it, you’ll find features focusing on the area’s vibrant and active winter commerce.

You’ll also discover: • The projected costs of staying warm this winter • What do farmers do during the dormant winter season? Our story that focuses on what farmers do while their crops are “hibernating” is an eye-opener.

• The benefit of shopping locally throughout the holiday season and beyond • Winter sports and recreation that are spicing up the Twin Counties’ prosperous economy.

This season is a great time to visit the area and plays a major role in the region’s tourism economy. Columbia and Greene counties offer an abundance of wintertime recreation and enjoyment in addition to world-class skiing and snowboarding.

In addition, you’ll find business profiles on Matt’s Cycle Center and WIOX radio. I can attest to their visionary leadership and their loyal commitment to our communities.

We strive to bring you a wide variety of locally based content regarding businesses in the region in the pages of this magazine. Please let me know how we are doing and how we can continue to improve.

Contact me with your comments and suggestions at mvinciguerra@registerstar.com. Your feedback is always welcomed.

Thank you and enjoy the winter edition of Columbia-Greene Media’s Business Quarterly!

EMAIL advertising@columbiagreenemedia.com Accepting advertising, press releases, news shorts and information of interest to the business community of Columbia and Greene Counties.

FOR ADVERTISING RATES

Call (518)828-1616 ext. 2463 Columbia Greene Business Quarterly, is published four times a year by Columbia-Greene Meida, One Hudson City Centre, Suite 202, Hudson, NY 12534, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. ©2017. All material submitted to Columbia Greene Business Quarterly becomes property of Columbia-Greene Media, publishers of the Register-Star and the Daily Mail, and will not be returned. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher.

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CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

Mark Vinciguerra, Publisher Columbia-Greene Media

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acebook Page and stop in for some unbelievable deals.

OUR BEAUTIFUL “Stay BUSINESS PROFILE COMING SOON NEW SHOWROOM Tuned!”

MATT’S CYCLE CENTER 518-731-8118 · www.mattscyclecenter.com · 257 Mansion St. Coxsackie

Chris Gerken Matt’s Cycle Center

257 Mansion Street | Coxsackie, NY 12051 Staff Report | Columbia-Greene Media

PERSONAL SERVICE

When you walk into Matt’s Cycle Center, you won’t be talking to Matt, but you are guaranteed to get personal service from the owner of the business, Chris Gerken.

Chris worked 17 years at Gables Motor Sports before he bought Matt’s Cycle Center with his wife Jennifer in 2010. Now Chris handles all customers on his own sales floor of his new facility, providing customers with his institutional knowledge of the business.

“When I bought the business I decided not to change the name because people already knew it as Matt’s,” Chris said. “Right now in business people want great customer service from an informed person. That will make people come back.”

Chris said his business pulls in customers from all over the region including Albany, Schoharie and Saugerties.

“I bought this store because you are selling fun,” Chris said. “Unlike a grocery store — people need food — people come here looking for fun and excitement.”

fun in the snow

With the winter season approaching you can have fun in the snow, just look out for those deals on snow mobiles and four-wheelers. Chris said he just sold a customer a snowmobile for $14,199. Matt’s carries products from all the big companies: Polaris, Kawasaki, Spyder, Ski-doo and many others.

“Snow mobiles are our biggest seller around this time of year,” Chris said.

“We are offering up to $2,000 in rebates and 2.9 percent financing, which is a great deal for this time of year.”

bigger and better

Matt’s Cycle Center finished building its new facility, which is four times bigger than its original facility, in December 2016, to which the company invested $1.3 million.

“It has increased business tremendously, nearly tripled it,” Chris said.

“People love the new facility. It is huge. In the old facility everything was separated; sales was in one part of the building, parts and repair was in another part of the building, now everything is in one location.”

Matt’s Cycle Center | www.mattshonda.com | 518-731-8118

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

7

BUSINESS

Columbia County featured in regional council report One of Columbia County’s strategic advantages for future economic growth is its lcation within the Capital Region.

The Capital Region has built a strong foundation for 21st century growth through major investments within the last decade. The area is positioned well with stable employment, a collaborative spirit, cultural assets, a high concentration of educational institutions and emerging technologies to remain a good place for business in the rapidly changing modern age.

The Capital Region Economic Development Council understands how important Columbia County is to the area.

The council has repeatedly demonstrated this commitment by highlighting opportunities to leverage the county’s strengths over the past seven iterations of the regional economic strategy, which was first developed in 2011.

Overall, the report shows improvements in all of the Capital Region’s strategic objectives, which were most recently redefined in the development council’s 2015 Upstate Revitalization Initiative application and presents impactful projects that will receive funding throughout the eight-county region.

Columbia County only stands to benefit from increased prosperity in our neighboring counties. More jobs throughout the region means more opportunities for our residents, more people visiting Columbia County’s cultural and recreational sites and more opportunities for county agribusiness to sell their products to a stronger local market.

Similarly, the entire region benefits from a stronger Columbia County, which often serves as a gateway for visitors coming from downstate and is uniquely positioned within the Capital Region to lead in the development council’s desire to create a Craft Food Hub, strengthen the region’s tourism, agribusiness and advanced manuF. Michael Tucker, President and CEO, facturing assets.

During that time, Columbia County has been awarded more the $11 million for more than 80 projects. Most recently, the development council released a 2017 Progress Report in October that features many exciting projects in Columbia Economic Development Columbia County.

Each year’s Consolidated Application Process, which is Corporation facilitated through the development council, brings a reAmong the items included in the report, the most notable freshed focus and awareness of each part of the region’s needs among busiamong them was an overview of the city of Hudson’s winning a $10 million ness and community leaders. As we find out which projects will ultimately Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. A series of proposed projects including mixed-use developments and waterfront improvements promise receive 2017, many throughout the region will already be thinking about to turn the state’s $10 million investment into continued economic prosper- and working on projects for next year’s round. ity in downtown Hudson.

I am lucky to have served on the Capital Region Economic Development Hudson has convened a Local Planning Committee made up of community Council since it was formed in 2011. During my time in economic developand business leaders from across many sectors to finalize how the $10 mil- ment, I have learned engaging with partners and stakeholders in the surlion will be used with robust public input. A DRI website has been launched rounding area tends to accelerate progress and that a common detriment to with related information, including a detailed meeting schedule that in- economic growth is when people from a given community become overly cludes three public meetings and five Local Planning Committee meetings competitive and parochial. through February. It will be an exciting few months in Hudson as the vision I encourage all of CEDC’s stakeholders to read the progress report and other presented in the winning DRI application is solidified and implemented. materials on the economic development council’s website regionalcouncils.

Other projects in Columbia County that were included as priorities for the ny.gov and to consider how your business and organization’s activities fit in Capital Region include $225,000 recommended for the River House Reno- with the regional strategy. You can also seek ways to form strategic partnervation, $191,124 for improvements to PGS Millwork’s manufacturing fa- ships to help accomplish your, and the community’s, goals. cility and $500,000 for expansions at Digifabshop. These projects illustrate Alignment with regional strategy was one of the key reasons why Hudson’s the combination of the county’s cultural assets with advanced manufactur- DRI application was so compelling. Many of our business, educational, ing activity. government and nonprofit leaders are already working to improve their Eight other county projects were scored favorably by the development position through regional engagement. Increasing this type of activity can council, continuing a trend of strong funding being awarded to projects continue Columbia County’s positive trend the Capital Region Economic throughout the county during regional council process in recent years.

Development Council annually awards and in overall economic growth.

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CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

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CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

A SEASON OF

Preparation and Hope Jada Kitson/Columbia-Greene Media

Boehm Farm in Climax pictured in the fall.

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

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COVER STORY

W

By Anthony Fiducia | Columbia-Greene Media

hen you think of a farm, people usually visualize animals grazing and farm hands working hard in the fields under the hot sun.

Seldom do you visualize farm life during the winter months, however, that’s not to say this time of year is dreary or full of despair. For farmers, it’s actually quite the contrary.

Henry Boehm owns Boehm Farm — a family-owned farm established in 1903 — in Climax.

Winter is a season to prepare for the next year’s crops and work, he said.

“We just get ready for the spring,” Boehm said of work during the winter months. “We just wait and see what happens. As farmers, we just hope for the best and see what the spring brings.”

Since Boehm’s farm only sells fruit, during the winter months, there isn’t much daily activity.

With plenty of free time, Boehm said he and his family usually plan ahead for next year, or just spend time goofing around and enjoying each other’s company.

During the dormant season, the main thing Boehm has to do is prune and train the fruit trees.

“With just fruit, we don’t really have to work at it everyday — if you had animals it would be different,” Boehm said. “We try to sell what we have left.”

Other activities during the winter are minor, such as repairs or making sure there’s no mice in the orchard, Boehm said.

Financially, Boehm said the money made while they operate and sell has to last them through the winter.

“You only sell in the fall,” he said. “You have to budget yourself.”

Farmers also stay busy during the off-season by attending educational meetings.

Aaron Gabriel is an agronomy educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension for Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Washington counties.

There are many types of farms in the state, Gabriel said, so during the winter months, they hold their own responsibilities.

One thing all farmers do during the winter is attend meetings where they can talk with others and learn.

“A dairy farm, of course, is busy all year round,” Gabriel said. “They’re [dairy farmers] taking care of their animals, feeding and milking.”

Depending how harsh a winter is, farmers are usually chipping away ice or plowing snow and try to avoid any sort of outdoor construction, Gabriel said.

“Once winter comes — it’s winter,” he said. “Whether we have a warm winter, a lot of snow or a little snow, it really effects plants, crops, and managing animals.”

A wet fall or spring can really make a farmer’s life difficult, Gabriel said.

“Depending on the severity of the winter, the effects vary,” he added.

“Weather affects everything.”

Whether or not a farm’s earnings from the fall season can hold them over for the winter depends.

“It’s not steady throughout the year, so you have to manage your cashflow and expenses,” Gabriel said. “That’s one of the tricky parts about farming — you really have to know the business.”

There are many different strategies for farmers to prepare for the winJada Kitson/Columbia-Greene Media

Boehm Farm in Climax pictured in the fall.

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CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

Contributed photo

Love Apple Farm in Ghent pictured last winter.

ter, including minimizing expenses, purchasing higher quality feed, or if possible, stashing money away as insurance for next season.

“It’s a very difficult business to manage,” Gabriel said.

Farmers begin planning for next season as soon as harvest is over.

With so many varieties of fruits or vegetables, farmers try to determine which will be popular next season and what the customers are going to be looking for, Gabriel said.

For Keith Bogdanovich, the operations manager at Love Apple Farm in Ghent, the majority of winter is about preparation.

From mid-November through early December, not much gets done at the farm until the trees start to get pruned, Bogdanovich said.

Love Apple Farm has various other aspects to the farming business as well, such as its market, cafe, art space and petting zoo.

For the winter, the market and cafe will remain open, but the art space will be closed and the animals will be kept in the barn until the spring.

Winter responsibilities consist of feeding animals, tuning equipment, planning for the spring and coordinating new tree orders or plantings, the Columbia County farmer said.

“The way the business continues to change — let’s say the apple business — older varieties kind of fall out of flavor and newer ones come in,” Bogdanovich said. “We might take some of the older trees out and plant some new ones.”

The installation of a new tree, or replacing them, can take several years between the extracting, ordering and planting processes.

Farmers usually don’t take just one tree out, either — it’s more like a row or an acre. After extraction, the ground is given a rest before planting new trees, Bogdanovich said.

As for snow, it needs to be out of the way in order to complete winter responsibilities on the farm.

“Everybody struggles during the winter,” he said. “You don’t really have any meaningful cashflow coming in and you still have plenty going out.

“It’s not like we can just sit there and say, ‘We get to it whenever we do’ — you kinda have to keep at it however you keep at it.”

Love Apple Farm in Ghent pictured last winter.

Boehm Farm in Climax pictured in the fall.

Contributed photo

Jada Kitson/Columbia-Greene Media

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

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ECONOMIC INDICATORS – FOR C ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT

-13.6%

*Note: Most of the Medicaid caseload has been transitioned to Number of Cases the state, thus, not a real decrease in the area Source: Greene County Department of Social Services

Average Upstate New York price for gallon of regular unleaded gas

13.4%

Nonagriculture jobs in Greene County, not including military positions 15,400 in Sept. 2017 15,300 in Oct. 2017 14,900 in Oct. 2016

ny daiRy faRmeRs

11.4%

2.7%

Real estate Columbia-Greene Board of Realtors single-family home sales

Average per-gallon milk price paid to NY dairy farmers

Average Middle Hudson Region price for gallon of residential propane

128, median price $227,500 in Sept. 2017 146, median price $202,925 in Oct. 2017 117, median price $215,000 in Oct. 2016

$1.49 per cwt in Sept. 2017 $1.45 per cwt in Oct. 2017 $1.35 per cwt in Oct. 2016

15.6%

Source: Columbia-Greene Board of Realtors Inc.

Source: New York Department of Agriculture.

These figures are the average prices per 100 gallons of milk delivered to the Albany/Binghamton area, which includes parts of the Hudson Valley.

Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

Average New York surrogate price for on-highway diesel $2.91 in Sept. 2017 $2.93 in Oct. 2017 $2.55 in Oct. 2016

.45%

Source: NYS Department of Labor

Average Upper Hudson Valley price for gallon of home heating oil

$2.52 in Sept. 2017 $2.63 in Oct. 2017 $2.27 in Oct. 2016

22,300 in Sept. 2017 22,200 in Oct. 2017 22,100 in Oct. 2016

302 cases/534 individuals in Sept. 2017 306 cases/531 individuals in Oct. 2017 354 cases/638 individuals in Oct. 2016

eneRgy

$2.53 in Sept. 2017 $2.63 in Oct. 2017 $2.37 in Oct. 2016

Nonagriculture jobs in Columbia County, not including military positions

Open welfare cases in Greene County

(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)

$2.72 in Sept. 2017 $2.59 in Oct. 2017 $2.28 in Oct. 2016

JObs

PUblic assistance

24.8% Sales

Source: U.S. DOE, Energy Information Administration. Prices are for the composite area that includes New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

Price

dOllaR eXchange

RvW bRidge

14.6%

-5.6%

Vehicles crossing the Rip Van Winkle Bridge

U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate (Canadian dollars per U.S. dollar)

528,028 in Sept. 2017 527,428 in Oct. 2017 527,248 in Oct. 2016

$1.23 in Sept. 2017 $1.26 in Oct. 2017 $1.32 in Oct. 2016

.003%

-4.5%

Source: Bank of Canada

Source: New York State Bridge Authority

ny UnemPlOyment Rates

14 |

CG BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WINTER 2017

4.8% Oct. 2016

4.1% Oct. 2017

4.8% Oct. 2016

4.2%

4.6% Oct. 2017

Source: U.S. Department of Labor and the state Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted. Latest available data reported)

United States

Sept. 2017

4.7%

4.5% Oct. 2016

New York State

Sept. 2017

4.6% Oct. 2017

3.5% Oct. 2016

4.6%

3.4% Oct. 2017

Greene County

Sept. 2017

3.5% Sept. 2017

Columbia County

COLUMBIA & GREENE COUNTIES

DBAs (doing business under an assumed name) DBA certificates filed Aug. 1 to Aug. 31, 2017.

COLUMBIA COUNTY DBAs Oct. 3

n Doyle Land Holdings n 2033 County Route 9, Chatham; Joseph T. Doyle n Creative Addiction Co, 2841 Atlantic Ave., Hudson; Jeannie M. Lovullo n MRP Electric, 6 Spring St., Hudson; Michael R. Petagine n Francisco, 94 Fire Hill Road, Spencertown, Francis Hoy

Oct. 4

n The Lazy Hare & The Jeweled Rabbit, 508 Warren St., Hudson; Rebecca Godson

n Cece Contracting Company, 269 County Route 9, Ghent; Cecelia Graham

ville; Carl Mitchell

Nov. 8

n Ava Barbour, 153 Halfmoon Drive, Cairo; Ava Barber

n Mister Smith Learning, 162 Common Road, Germantown; Jesse Smith n Green Valley Farm, 118 Skiba Road, Pine Plains; John A. Rodrigues n Dream Doc Media, 362 Eichybush Road Apt. 3, Kinderhook; Steven Bonds n Etet Design, 150 Stone Jug Road, Craryville; Steffen Hyder

Nov. 14

n Beautiful Hands Boutique, 111 Fairview Ave., Hudson; Susan M. Thorsey Zibella, 10 Michael Court, Hudson

n Angel Hill Apothecary, 268 Angel Hill Road, Chatham; Mary Ahern n Materia Medica Lab, 157 Nettleton Road, Chatham; Mary Ahern

Oct. 11

Nov. 15

Oct. 10

n Residential Remodeling, 65 Albany Ave., Kinderhook; Corey D. Heins n Genovese Excavation, 2467 State Route 203, Valatie; Philip Genovese

n 21st Century Cities, 160 Fairview Ave. Suite 812-107, Hudson; Trish Rost, 185 Homestead Ave., Albany n Eleven Survival Wilderness, 871 County Route 28, Niverville; Eric Steven Wied

Oct. 17

Nov. 20

n Wild Apple Market Garden, 313 Maple Lane, Valatie; Peter Timothy Joseph n Wild Apple Woodworks, 313 Maple Lane, Valatie, Peter Timothy Joseph

n Roots Salon; Janis MacCormack, 318 Union St., Hudson n Hearts Work Breastfeeding Support, 17 Kinderhook St., Chatham; Sarah R. Shapiro

Oct. 18

Nov. 21

n R&M Realty, 191 Miller Road, Hudson; Rafael Valentin n All Star Transportation, 536 Prospect St., Hudson; Mohammed K. Miah

Oct. 20

n T&C Construction, 15 Overlook Drive, Apt. 2, Valatie; Carlos D. Angeles Jr. n Richard Jennings II Property management, 212 Maple Ave., Germantown; Richard W. Jennings II

Oct. 23

n Himmel Hausen Homestead, 25 Ford Road, Germantown; James H. Himelright IV

Oct. 24

n Flisch Power Washing n 51 Calendarhouse Road, Elizaville; Jess Lincoln Flisch

Oct. 25

n Berkshire Thrift, 435 State Route 20, New Lebanon; Tegan Joy Cook

Oct. 26

n L.I.G. Management, 4728 Route 7, Ghent; Mitch McComb

Oct. 31

n Kiss The Wolf, 409 Cemetery Road, East Chatham; Catherine Fisch

Nov. 1

n Sumono Design, 773 Woods Road, Clermont; Susan Kotulak n J.C. Carpentry, 10 School St., Chatham; Jordan Couitt

Nov. 3

n GEK Enterprises, 1910 County Route 27, Craryville; George E. Krapf Jr. n Berger Bones, 1695 County Route 13, Brainard; Nicole M. Gendron

Nov. 6

n Valatie Bar and Grill Main St., 3011 Main St., Valatie; Leonardo Castellanos

n Raymond Doty Contracting, PO Box 229, Livingston; Raymond Doty, 710 Taghkanic Road, Elizaville

Nov. 22

n Valatie Bar And Grill Main St., 3011 Main St., Valatie; Leonardo Castellanos n Valatie Bar And Grill Main St., 3011 Main St., Valatie; Matthew Francisco Diego

Oct. 18 Oct. 19

n Little Mamas Cleaning Service, 7982 Main St., Hunter; Shari Shuburte

Oct. 20

n Didi-Sales, 16 Highland Ave., Catskill; William J. McCormick Sr. n Grooms Man Barber Shop, 11 Garland Ave. Suite No. 2, Greenville; Francisco S. Quinones, 52 Van Dyke St., Coxsackie

Oct. 23

n Riverside Land Care, 134 Riverside Ave., Coxsackie; Ryan L. LePage

Oct. 24

n OTL Property Maintenance, 237 Jefferson Heights, Catskill; Michael Dunckle n Jeff DuBois Firewood & Logging, 4531 Route 23C Jewett; Jeffrey A. DuBois n Eric Borfitz, 50 Second St., Athens; Eric Borfitz n Halcyon Hudson, 26 Ely St., Coxsackie; Demetrios L. Chriss

Oct. 30

K&D Power Equipment, 5454 Route 32, Catskill; Robert A. Scott, 36 N. Vernon St., Athens

Oct. 31

Canarts Studio, 12924 State Route 9W, West Coxsackie; Carmen A. Natalie

Nov. 1

Matthew Cullen Sound, 460 W. Main St. Second Floor, Catskill; Matthew R. Cullen

GREENE COUNTY DBAs

Nov. 3

n JD Associates, 243 Skyview Drive, Greenville; James E. Dykeman Jr. n Mountain Sheds, 11111 State Route 23, Ashland; Robin Fleischman, 993 County Route 13, Jewett Hudson River Hardwood Exports, Route 23B, Leeds; Laura Pisarri, 15 Van Buren Drive, Cairo

Nov. 6

Oct. 5

Bullpup Property Management, 85 Birchwood Park, Palenville; Joseph N. Leggio

Oct. 4

n Snake Pit Automotive, 70 N. Washington St., Athens; Dennis Heines, 2 N. Montgomery St., Athens

Oct. 6

n Daniel Arp Process Serving, 255 Floyd Hawver Road, Round Top; Daniel Arp n M&R Repairs & Improvements, 53 Stoneridge Road Apt. 88, East Durham; Ralph Cogswell n Great View Window Cleaning, 65 New St., Coxsackie; Quintin A. Miles n Brainard Trucking, 33 Pine St., Cairo; Adam M. Brainard

Oct. 11

n Avant-Garde, 40 Bennett Lane, Rensselaerville; Joshua T. Carlsen n Dykes Dimensions, 6590 Route 23A, Tannersville; Eric C. Dykes

Oct. 17

n Herosware.com, 7527 Route 23A, Hunter; Frances A. Clark n Mitchell & Mitchell Transport, 85 Spruce St., Tanners-

MilanosNY, 5370 Route 23, Windham; Karen T. Milano Jennifer Marie Designs, 32 Canna Drive, Freehold; Jennifer M. Lawlor 1st Choice Plumbing & Heating, 2535 Route 20, Cornwallville; Michael A. Snedeker

Nov. 8

Nov. 9

MMM Bands, 165 High Falls Road Extension, Catskill; Melanie Flannery

Nov. 14

Flowers And More, 3026 Route 23B, Cairo; Teresa M. Smith

Nov. 15

Katherine Murray CPA, 134 County Route 12, Windham; Katherine Murray, 425 County Route 12, Windham

Nov. 16

Sossa Contracting, 96 Five Mile Woods Road, Catskill; Mark A. Sossa Top Notch Chimney Service, 134 Middlefield Road, Earlton; Robert L. Palson III

Nov. 17

Hearts Content Cleaning, 86 Maple Ave., Hunter; Jodi A. Carey

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

15

BUYING LOCAL MEANS

SHOPPING FOR ALL SEASONS

Jewelry products at Tradewinds. Many products at the local store are handmade by people with disabilities

16 |

CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

Amanda Purcell/Columbia-Greene Media

FEATURE

Amanda Purcell/Columbia-Greene

Danielle Palleschi, Coarc’s community employment support coordinator, and Liam Twomey, assistant program manager for the supportive employment Program at Coarc, say the Tradewinds store at 409 Warren St. in Hudson provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Amanda Purcell/Columbia-Greene Media

Natasha Shuster and her husband, Drew, started their family business, The Catskill Mountain Country Store and Restaurant located at Windham 24 years ago. Their store in Windham has grown from a small-time store to a destination. They have opened a second location in Tannersville.

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

17

By Amanda Purcell Columbia-Greene Media

S

hoppers hitting the local stores this holiday season might be surprised to know that they’re not just saving gas money, but are supporting friends and neighbors in more ways than one.

Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 as a rebuttal to Black Friday and Cyber Monday’s shopping madness — the days when shoppers rush to big box stores or shop online for holiday deals.

In Columbia County, leisure and hospitality was the second-fastest growing occupation category in Columbia County from October 2016 to 2017 at 4.5 percent, according to the state Department of Labor.

“Small businesses are the drivers of economic growth, job creation and quality of life in Columbia County,” said F. Michael Tucker, president & CEO of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation. “Two out of three jobs created in the U.S. since 2014 have been by small businesses, and in Columbia County, we have benefited especially from our independent small businesses and specialty shops in Hudson and throughout the county.”

Last year, 112 million people (just over onethird of the U.S. population) shopped on Small Business Saturday. In Greene County, that translates to 16,000 shoppers on Small Business Saturday last year, said Karl Heck, community development specialist with the Greene County Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Planning.

“Greene County’s Buy in Greene’s Facebook page has almost 8,000 likes and our posts reach over 50,000 consumers a week,” Heck said.

“Greene County sales tax collections have risen every year since 2010 — one of the longest continuous streaks among counties in upstate New York.”

Natasha Shuster and her husband, Drew, started their family business, the Catskill Mountain Country Store and Restaurant, 24 years ago.

Their Windham store has grown from a smalltime business to a destination.

They opened a second location in Tannersville and employ between eight and 20 people during its busy summer season.

Amanda Purcell/Columbia-Greene

Top, more products available at Tradewinds.

Middle, many of the handmade products at Tradewinds, at 409 Warren St., Hudson, are made by people with disabilities.

Bottom, the Catskill Country Store in Windham offers many homemade products including their famous jams and jellies.

18 |

CG BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WINTER 2017

The top sellers at the country market, gourmet store, bakery, gift shop and restaurant, are homemade breads and pies with recipes that go back generations, along with a few new ones Shuster baked up herself.

The store is also well-known for its popular jams and jellies.

“Small business is what drives this country,” Shuster said. “The majority of people are employed by business with 100 or less people in this country.”

Shuster admits its tough in the “world of Amazon” and other online corporations, but partnering with other businesses and local governments has brought the small business community closer, she said.

The main reason people should shop at small businesses is that they’re more likely to give back to the community, from schools and fire departments to churches, Shuster said.

“One can’t exist without the other,” the mountaintop businesswoman said. “We need local people and local people need local businesses. I am a local person. I make a point to support all the other local businesses, too, because we all need each other.”

In Hudson, shoppers who buy lotions or soaps or jewelry at Tradewinds at 409 Warren St. aren’t just supporting fairtrade and socially conscious products, they are also giving people with disabilities a chance to hone job skills.

The Tradewinds store offers minimum wage opportunities for people with disabilities. Many of the products come from small, family-owned companies in the U.S. and Canada, and everyone who makes products for the store receives a living wage.

“It is about being in and really being a part of the community,” said Liam Twomey, assistant program manager for the Supportive Employment Program at Coarc.

“It helps them to understand what a job really is. It is not just a day program or school — it is real and it’s meaningful.”

Among many of the store’s products are handmade soaps, lotions, lip balms and milk baths — many of which are made by people with disabilities.

“We always say when you buy something here, you are doing double good,” said Danielle Palleschi, Coarc’s community employment support coordinator. “You’re giving someone a living wage, you’re helping someone learn a job skill and you’re supporting a not-for-profit.”

A view from inside The Catskill Country Store in Windham.

Amanda Purcell/Columbia-Greene Media

“Small businesses are the drivers of economic growth, job creation and quality of life in Columbia County. Two out of three jobs created in the U.S. since 2014 have been by small businesses, and in Columbia County, we have benefited especially from our independent small businesses and specialty shops in Hudson and throughout the county.”

– F. MICHAEL TUCKER, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE COLUMBIA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

19

BUSINESS

The importance of eating and drinking local

Winter is a great time to live in or visit Greene County.

There’s an abundance of activity as the communities come alive with events, winter activities and sports; with so many great offerings, it is hard not to enjoy the winter season.

First and foremost, Greene County entices you to get outside and take advantage of the outdoor fun and adventure of the season with activities and sports that offer something for everyone. Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain offer world-class skiing and snowboarding as well as lots of quality après-ski offerings. The resorts also offer non-snow riders the chance to enjoy the outdoors with snow tubing and snowshoeing parks.

In addition to those activities, you can also ice skate, snowmobile, hike and even take a zipline tour in multiple locations across the county. If you are ready to get outside and have some wintertime fun, you can find it in Greene County.

son throughout the later winter months. As our communities come alive with these celebrations, our businesses are active with happenings of their own — offering special events, sales and lots of great local products.

If winter is not your idea of a great time to be outdoors, there are many places to stop and be pampered, entertained or find that special something you are looking for.

The local Catskill Beverage Trail offers a passport program, which gives you the chance to win prizes while enjoying discounts on the many tasty and satisfying beers and wines produced at our local breweries and wineries.

Along the way, you can also enjoy a nice meal or a relaxing day out at our many cozy and beautiful inns, bed and breakfasts, spas and restaurants. You can even stop in at one of our active farms to sample their latest cheeses, meats and other wintertime items.

If you are looking to be active beyond satisfying your palate, take in a show at one of our many performing arts Jeff Friedman, President/Executive Winter is also a time of celebration in Greene County Director, Greene County Chamber of locations or visit the numerous and varied artisans whose shops feature unique and exceptional locally produced with events, festivals and happenings for the holiday sea- Commerce clothing, housewares, furniture, art and so much more.

Winter in Greene County is no time to be a homebody. Avoid catching cabin fever and escape to the winter wonderland of activity and fun our area delivers every day in this beautiful season.

Whether you desire outdoor sports, fine food and drink, an entertaining show, that special gift or just a cozy getaway for the day or a weekend, look no further than the Great Northern Catskills and Hudson River Valley of Greene County.

Adventure, excitement and relaxation can all be found right outside your door in Greene County’s communities. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

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20 |

CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

OUTMUSCLE THE OUTDOORS BRUTE FORCE® 750 4x4i EPS

BRUTE FORCE® 300 STRONG 271cc LIQUID-COOLED ENGINE WITH ELECTRIC START

POWERFUL 749cc V-TWIN ENGINE WITH DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION

AUTOMATIC CVT WITH HI/LO RANGES AND REVERSE

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INDEPENDENT FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION Assembled in the USA logo does not apply to the Brute Force 300

Matt's Cycle Center MATT’S CYCLE CENTER 518-731-8118 257 Mansion St. Coxsackie KAWASAKI CARES: Read Owner’s Manual and all on-product warnings. Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never carry a passenger. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never ride on public roads or pavement. Avoid excessive speeds and stunt driving. Be extra careful on difficult terrain. Kawasaki ATVs with engines over 90cc are recommended for use only by persons 16 years of age or older. Kawasaki also recommends that all ATV riders take a training course. For more information, see your dealer, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887, or go to www.atvsafety.org. ©2017 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

18BFORCEFM6X56x7c WINTER 2017 | CG BUSINESS QUARTERLY |

21

PHAT BIKING and CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING ADD SPICE TO WINTER SPORTS

Contributed photo

A snowshoeing event at the Columbia Land Conservancy’s Hand Hollow Conservation Area in New Lebanon.

“When people think of traveling in the wintertime, it’s more specific than in the summertime. We are a four-season destination with summer being our biggest season — winter is still up there.”

– GREENE COUNTY TOURISM MARKETING MANAGER HEATHER BAGSHAW C-GM file photo

A group of fat bike riders at the Round Top Mountain Bike Association’s first Fat Bike Fest Fundraiser prepare to head out on the trails at Riedlbauer’s Resort in February 2015.

22 |

CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

FEATURE

N

By Daniel Zuckerman | Columbia-Greene Media

ew York State’s 2017-2018 skiing and snowboarding season has begun.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Nov. 15 that some ski resorts across the state were opening Nov. 18. The state boasts 51 mountains where visitors can ski and snowboard and this helps to generate $1 billion for the state’s economy.

“From skiing to snowboarding to skating and beyond, New York offers world-class outdoor recreational activities that attract millions of visitors to this great state all winter long,” Cuomo said in a statement. “With over 50 world-class ski resorts, I encourage everyone to come and experience all that New York has to offer.”

In Greene County, while skiing and snowboarding are popular, other winter activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ziplining, ice skating, ice fishing and sledding have loyal followings, Greene County Tourism Marketing Manager Heather Bagshaw said.

“When people think of traveling in the wintertime, it’s more specific than in the summertime,” Bagshaw said. “We are a four-season destination with summer being our biggest season — winter is still up there.”

A winter activity that has become popular in the county is phat bicycle riding, Bagshaw said. Phat bicycles are mountain bikes with larger tires, similar to snow tires on a vehicle and Bagshaw said the activity has gained in popularity with the ongoing attraction of mountain biking to the area.

Phat biking typically happens during designated races that occur from January to March that are weather-related, Bagshaw said.

“It’s event-oriented,” Bagshaw said. “Nobody can just come up and ride.”

Round Top Mountain Bike Association Director Mike Henry got his first phat bike five years ago when the association started having events relating to the activity.

“It was so good we decided to have a little fundraiser,” Henry said.

The fundraiser attracted 60 people who received guided tours of the association’s trail system and every year there is an event for Global Phat Bike Day on Dec. 2, Henry said.

“There’s quite a following,” Henry said of the activity.

“Groomed trails make it nice.”

Phat and mountain biking draw people to the area and Henry said visitors who come to bike eat in the area’s restaurants and stay in the area’s hotels and help to contribute to the local economy.

“It’s hard to put a dollar figure on it,” Henry said.

The Copake Country Club offers visitors a chance to crosscountry ski and snowshoe on three tracks that range in difficulty, Club Golf Director Austin Urban said. The activity has been offered at the club for four years.

“We let people go out there and enjoy themselves,” Urban said. “We’re right on the lake, so you get to see the lake, the Berkshires and the Catskills, all on our trails.”

Visitors can rent skis, boots and poles for $10 each or $25 for

Contributed photo

A sign along the route of the Kinderhook Dutch Farming Heritage Trail, one that cross country skiers and snowshoers can use.

all three, or they can bring their own equipment, Urban said.

Skiing on the trails is free.

The club’s restaurant stays open in the offseason, but Urban said business is booming for more reasons than crosscountry skiing. Guests will hit the trails and then stop in the restaurant for a meal.

“It’s just another little feature that people enjoy doing,” Urban said.

Urban has tried cross-country skiing and said it is a tough sport where a skier gets a full-body workout, he said.

“Two minutes into it you’re taking your jacket off,” Urban said.

WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

23

Having a golf course that offers cross-country skiing is unique and Urban said the activity serves as an exercise opportunity for older guests and a chance for visitors to explore the area. Some of the club’s golfers cross-country ski in the winter months.

“We get a lot of older people that used to be downhill skiers and snowboarders and can’t physically do that anymore,” Urban said. “It’s just a good little perk that people like to do.”

A heavy snowfall is good for crosscountry skiing, but Urban said fewer snowfalls will be good for guests who want to play golf in the winter months. Golfers check in with a club employee before they go out to the course.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have some nice days,” Urban said. “We let people golf all year-round.”

The trail features a forest environment, slight elevation changes in some areas and views of farm fields and the Catskill Mountains to the west, he said.

“Plus, it’s picturesque, there are animals on the Roxbury Farm portion of the trail,” McKay said. “They look beautiful all covered in snow.”

The Copake Country Club offers visitors a chance to cross-country ski and snowshoe on three tracks that range in difficulty. The activity has been offered at the club for four years.

The club’s restaurant stays open in the offseason, but business is booming for more reasons than cross-country skiing.

Guests will hit the trails and then stop in the restaurant for a meal.

The Kinderhook Dutch Farming Heritage Trail, which connects the Van Alen House to the Martin Van Buren National Historical Site, has become popular for hiking and cross-country skiing since it opened five years ago, said Van Buren Site Chief Ranger James McKay. The trails are not groomed and McKay said he did not have numbers as to how many people utilized the trails.

“Depending on the snow conditions, people will snowshoe or crosscountry ski on it,” McKay said.

In December 2016, a Winter Solstice Walk was held on the trail to commemorate the first day of winter, McKay said. The walk attracted 25 people, including a group of women who traveled from Schenectady because they wanted to get outside and not be stuck indoors because of the early darkness.

“It was a lot of fun, everybody had head lamps and we did the walk at night,” McKay said. “It was a nice, cold winter night, but we had a campfire following the walk.”

McKay is not sure if another walk will be held this year; it will depend on the availability of staff from the Van Buren site. The walk was held to show the trail can be used all year, McKay said.

“It was a good program and if we’re able to do it, we will,” McKay said of the walk. “It was something to specifically spread the appeal of the trail in the colder months.”

WINDHAM MOUNTAIN BIKE PARK Columbia-Greene Media Cares Sponsorships, Trades and Matching Grant Program

Sponsorship Program (no cost) CGM is able to provide media sponsorships at $100, $250 and $500 levels. What does this mean? Eligible community outreach programs, can have their events/organization promoted on targeted audience channels at no cost to the advertiser.

Matching Grant Program CGM is happy to provide three times the value in advertising, for community outreach programs who would like to promote their events/organization and, we have allocated $100,000 of our own resources to make it happen.

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www.hudsonvalley360.com/cgmcares To submit your request visit www.hudsonvalley360.com/cgmcares or email cgmcares@columbiagreenemedia.com Substitutions, adjustments, trade, and sponsorship opportunities are available if your organization does not fit into one of these categories. Please contact cgmcares@ columbiagreenemedia.com with your request.

24 |

CG BUSINESS QUARTERLY | WINTER 2017

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WINTER 2017 | CG Business Quarterly |

25

FEELIN’ THE HEAT:

WINTER FUEL COSTS EXPECTED TO RISE

Photo contributed

A heating boiler. According to the U.S. Department of Energy heating utility prices will be higher this winter compared to last winter, but the state’s heating assistance program is open to applications with $327 million available statewide.

26 |

CG Business Quarterly | WINTER 2017

T

By Richard Moody | Columbia-Greene Media

his winter, expect heating prices to be significantly higher than they were last year.

The U.S. Department of Energy releases winter heating cost forecasts for regions around the country. For the Northeast, the department’s forecasts for costs compared to last winter’s prices are as follows: Natural gas, 3.4 percent higher; electricity, 1.9 percent higher; propane, 7.8 percent higher; and heating oil nationwide is predicted to cost 12.4 percent higher on average.

National Grid makes a very tentative heating price forecast for the winter season, Nov. 1 through March 31, which Spokesman Nathan Stone said this year is a 4.6-percent adjustment increase, or about $4 more a month, than last year.

“The forecast is based on several factors including the predicted winter conditions and past commodity prices,” Stone said. “This forecast is based on commodity prices, which we do not have control over and we do not profit from.”

Some ways people can save on their heating bills is by changing their furnace filters and get Wi-Fi-enabled or programmable thermostats, Stone said.

“It makes a big difference,” he said.

Central Hudson Spokesman John Maserjian said the utility company does not make winter heating cost forecasts, but gave some advice to keep those heating bills low.

“Turn down the thermostat by one degree — that can save up to 3 percent on your bill,” Maserjian said.

“Weatherization of your residence helps as well such as caulking cracks, sealing the gaps under doors and sealing old windows, which I do myself.”

Drawing curtains at night and opening them on sunny days also helps to warm the inside the house, Maserjian said.

Eligible New Yorkers can apply for the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program to help pay for heating utility costs this winter.

The program is made available to help people who heat their homes with electricity, natural gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene and corn. The season opened Nov. 13 and will remain open for applications until the money runs out.

The program is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals or qualified aliens who provide a valid Social Security number for each household member, receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Temporary Assistance or Supplemental Security Income or if the monthly household income is at or below the HEAP income guidelines.

FEATURE Eligible applicants can receive one HEAP benefit per season, as well as an emergency benefit, which will be made available Jan. 2 if there is an impending danger of running out of fuel or having utilities shut off.

The monthly income guidelines are as follows: • One household member with a maximum income of $2,318 • Two household members with an income of $3,031 • Three household members with an income of $3,744 • Four household members with an income of $4,457 • Five household members with an income of $5,170 • Six household members with an income of $5,883 • Seven household members with an income of $6,017 • Eight household members with an income of $6,150 • Nine household members with an income of $6,284 • 10 household members with an income of $6,418 • 11 household members with an income of $6,733, or add $523 for every additional household member.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the program has $327 million available in federal funding assistance.

“As cold winter nights begin to set in, this funding will ensure New Yorkers receive the assistance they need to heat their homes and keep their families safe,” Cuomo said. “By securing this federal funding, residents across the state will no longer be forced to choose between buying food for their loved ones or paying their heating bill. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to apply for this assistance in order to stay warm this winter season.”

People can apply for assistance at their local Department of Social Services or on the state benefits website.

According to the governor’s office, 1.5 million households statewide and 102,531 households in the Mid-Hudson Valley region received HEAP assistance last year.

HEAP is on the chopping block at the federal level with President Donald Trump’s budget proposal to cut the program, which he announced in July, stressing that utility companies cannot leave people in the cold midwinter and that it is a program inundated with fraud.

The state Energy Research and Development Authority provides up-todate heating utility prices on its website.

The most recent pricing, as of Nov. 13, for the upper Hudson Valley region for heating oil is 274.5 cents per gallon.

For propane and kerosene in the Capital District region, the most recent prices are 268.7 cents per gallon and 311.8 cents per gallon, respectively.

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Olde York Farm Distillery & Cooperage open for business Contributed photo

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the long-awaited opening of the Olde York Farm Distillery & Cooperage with an official ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a well attended Business After Hours hosted by the Newsome family, owners of the distillery. Pictured are Operations Manager Sophie Newsome (with scissors), her parents Louise, Promotions Manager and Stuart, Master Cooper are behind her.

Also pictured are Claverack Town Supervisor Clifford Weigelt along with Town Board representatives, and Chamber President Jeffrey C. Hunt, CCE and Chamber business representatives. Manager Rory Tice was not in the photo. The Olde York Farm Distillery & Cooperage is located at 284 Route 32 in Claverack.

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