NNY Business May 2016

B

Y usIness // ENTREPRENEURS: Lewis women take

off with ‘Sky skarf’ venture P. 22

MAY 2016 Volume 6 No.6

nnybizmag.com

A positive course for growth Region eyes gains as several projects bring jobs, renewal

$2.95

***

THE INTERVIEW Watertown Airport’s Grant Sussey, page 28

/nnybusiness @NNYBusinessMag

// Northern New York’s Premier Business Monthly //

2 | NNY Business | May 2016

May 2016 | NNY Business

|3

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THIS SPACE

AVAILABLE! 4 | NNY Business | May 2016

>>

Inside MAY 2016 14

13

22 24 |

SMALL BIZ STARTUP |

|

COVER |

|

13 a fresh success Massena native cuts a new niche with Watertown’s Finally Fresh Barbershop. |

14 the seeds of growth Despite workforce challenges, economic development powers positive growth in the region. |

ENTREPRENEURS |

22 In-flight innovation A pair of Lewis County women are taking their ‘Sky Skarf’ invention to new heights.

Mergers & ACQUISITIONS |

24 EMPIRE RECYCLING SOLD Owego’s Upstate ShreddingWeitsman Recycling will now operate a Watertown plant.

REAL ESTATE |

25 Q1 HOME SALES REPORT Q1 home sales dip in Lewis and Jefferson counties as prices climb in St. Lawrence. |

TOP TRANSACTIONS |

27 TOP TRANSACTIONS Top 10 sales in Jefferson, St. Lawrence counties top $7.8m in the month of March.

|

ENTREPRENEUR’S EDGE |

35 HOW TO get ‘unstuck’ Sometimes the only way out of a jam is to scrape and dig and crawl out ourselves. |

BUSINESS SCENE |

38 networking, nny style Businessmen and women connect for success across Northern New York. |

ONLINE |

nNYBIZMAG.COM Connect with us online for daily updates, more photos and exclusive Web content.

May 2016 | NNY Business

|5

C o n tr i b u t o r s

BusIness nnybizmag.com

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Editor & Publisher Lance M. Evans is the executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County boards of Realtors. He explains seller property condition disclosure forms. (p. 26)

Rande Richardson is executive director of the Northern New York Community Foundation.

He writes about nurturing the next generation of philanthropy. (p. 31)

Jill Van Hoesen is chief information officer for Johnson Newspapers and a 28-year IT veteran.

She writes about how to engage employees in cybersecurity. (p. 32)

John B. Johnson

Co-Publisher

Harold B. Johnson II

Magazine Editor

Kenneth J. Eysaman

Magazine Associate Karee M. Magee

Contributing Writers

Norah Machia & Joleene Moody

Photography

Justin Sorensen, Amanda Morrison Jason Hunter, Stephen Swofford

Director of Advertising Michelle Bowers

Magazine Advertising Manager Jay Matteson is the agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Industrial Development Corp. He shares some updates on the region’s dairy industry. (p. 33)

Sarah O’Connell is an advisor for the New York state Small Business Development Center at SUNYJefferson. She offers tips for seasonal business owners. (p. 34)

Joleene Moody is a freelance writer who lives in Pulaski with her husband and daughter. She writes about managing through challenging times and gaining strength. (p. 35)

Beth Hornbarger

Advertising Sales

Justin Sullivan, Mike Hanson, Laurie Denesha, Barb Loomis, Jim Homa, Katie Nelson, Amy Rivera Cindy Aucter and Marcia Sanderson

Advertising Graphics

Brian Mitchell, Rick Gaskin, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules

Circulation Director Mary Sawyer

MARKETPLACE 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel ........ 44

Fuccillo Automotive .................... 8

Ogdensburg Bridge

The Antique Boat Museum ....... 23

Fuller Insurance ........................... 4

& Port Authority .......................... 32

Bianchi’s Catering ..................... 47

Garlocks Design Center ........... 27

RBC Wealth Management ....... 19

Bonnie Castle

Good Morning Realty ............... 25

Samaritan Medical Center ...... 45

Resort & Marina ......................... 23

HD Goodale Co. .......................... 4

SeaComm Federal

Cape Vincent

High Tower Advisors .................. 30

Credit Union ............................... 12

Housing Authority ...................... 21

Hospice of Jefferson County ..... 21

Slack Chemical Co. ................. 33

Caskinette’s Ford ...................... 43

Immaculate Heart

Spring Valley

Clayton Dental Office ............... 47

Central Schools ........................... 4

Garden Center .......................... 47

Clayton Chamber of Commerce

Jefferson County Economic

TF Wright & Sons

Food & Wine Festival ................. 48

Development ............................. 19

Granite Foundry ........................ 34

Coleman’s Corner .................... 47

Jefferson Rehabilitation

Tunes 92.5/104.5 FM

Community Bank

Center ........................................ 44

WBLH Radio ................................ 42

Wealth Management ................. 7

Krafft Cleaning Service ............. 40

Waite Indian Motorcycle ......... 39

David A. Card ............................ 27

Le Moyne College ...................... 3

Waite Toyota .............................. 38

DGM Coon & Co.

Lewis County

Watertown Savings Bank ............ 2

Commercial Property ............... 41

Economic Development .......... 16

Watertown Spring

D.L. Calarco Funeral Home ...... 35

Liberty Glass .............................. 26

& Alignment ................................ 8

Dr. Guitar Music ......................... 47

Macar’s Interiors .......................... 9

WWTI-TV 50 ................................. 46

Fairground Inn ........................... 47

NNY Community Foundation .... 20

Ziebart Tidycar ............................. 8

Foy Agency ................................. 4

Nortz & Virkler Ford ..................... 8

NNY Business (ISSN 2159-6115), is published monthly by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2010-2016. All material submitted to NNY Business becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

Subscription Rates 12 issues are $15 a year and 24 issues are $25 for two years.

Call 315-782-1000 to subscribe.

Submissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net Advertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email bhornbarger@wdt.net, or call 315-661-2325 In St. Lawrence County, e-mail blabrake@ogd.com, or call 315-661-2507 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y., a Forest Stewardship Certified facility.

Please recycle this magazine.

6 | NNY Business | May 2016

| THE INTERVIEW |

| ABOUT THE COVER |

28 soaring to new heights Since Grant Sussey was named Watertown Airport’s first fulltime manager, change at the county-owned facility has been constant. We talk with him about its future flight path. | COLUMNS |

31 NONPROFITS TODAY 32 BUSINESS TECH BYTES 33 AGRIBUSINESS

34 ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING 35 SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS 36 ENTREPRENEUR’S EDGE

| DEPARTMENTS |

8 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 NEXT MONTH 9 PEOPLE ON THE MOVE 10 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT 12 BUSINESS BRIEFCASE

13 SMALL BIZ STARTUP 26 real estate roundup 27 TOP transactions 36 CALENDAR 38 BUSINESS SCENE

For this month’s cover photo, photographer Justin Sorensen captured Grant Sussey, Watertown International Airport’s first full-time manager, on the tarmac at the county-owned facility in Dexter. Major improvements to the airport are fueling efforts to bolster the region’s marketability for economic development. Magazine Associate Karee Magee takes a look at regional economic development in her cover story, which begins on page 14.

May 2016 | NNY Business

|7

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EDITO R’S N O T E n this month’s cover story, Magazine Associate Karee Magee examines what the region’s economic development agencies are doing to attract businesses and jobs. Despite challenges in workforce training and recruiting, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council has successfully secured $423.2 million in project money during the past five years for Ken Eysaman the region. The funding success ranks No. 3 of the state’s 10 economic development regions. From housing projects to airport and infrastructure investments to private industry expansion, the north country is on a positive path with forward momentum like few other times in recent history. Our cover story begins on page 14.

20 QUESTIONS — This month we sit down with Grant W. Sussey, the first fulltime airport manager at Jefferson County’s Watertown International Airport. In the near three years since he landed in Watertown, the airport has undergone a transformation like few others in its history. In a wide-ranging interview, Mr. Sussey discussed the continued success of the airport’s operations and plans to transform it into a future economic driver for the region. Our interview with Mr. Sussey begins on page 28.

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8 | NNY Business | May 2016

I

BUSINESS SCENE — This month’s Scene section, which begins on page 38, features 59 faces from more than three-dozen different businesses and organizations across the north country.

On April 13, Carthage staffer Elaine Avallone joined the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce for its April Business After Hours at Community Bank. On April 20, we joined the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce at Savory Downtown for its April Business After Hours. The next day, Magazine Associate Karee Magee joined the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce at the Ridgeview Inn for the chamber’s annual Spring Fling dinner. Also on April 21, we joined the Clayton Chamber of Commerce for its April Business With a Twist at St. Lawrence Spirits, Clayton.

Finally, on April 27, freelance photographer and columnist Jennifer McCluskey joined the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce for its April Business In The Spotlight networking event at the Best Western University Inn, Canton.

CONTACT US — As always, if you have any questions, comments or general feedback, including story ideas, please contact me at keysaman@wdt.net or (315) 661-2399. NNY Business strives to publish an accurate magazine each month. If you spot an error of fact, please contact me.

Yours in business,

N E X T MON T H

n our June issue, we examine the business of politics. With a presidential election in full swing, we look at how business impacts politics as our region elects a representative to Congress and the entire state Legislature faces an election cycle.

Also coming next month: n GUEST OPINION: P.J. Banazek, managing director and partner at Watertown’s HighTower Advisors — The Morgia Group — explains an important change to the retirement accounts. n SMALL BIZ STARTUP: A feature story about a recently opened north country small business in St, Lawrence County.

n 20 QUESTIONS: An in-depth interview with a north country business leader. n PLUS: NNY Snapshot, Economically Speaking, Commerce Corner, Nonprofits Today, Business Tech Bytes, Small Business Success, Real Estate, Agri-Business, Business History and Business Scene. n VISIT US ONLINE at nnybizmag.com for exclusive daily Wed content. Follow us on Twitter for daily updates at @NNYBusinessMag, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/nny business, and view eEditions at www.issuu. com/NNYBusiness.

P E O P L E O N T H E M O VE New partners at BCA

BCA Architects & Engineers, Watertown, recently named five new Partners: Scott Duell, AIA; Jeffrey McKenna, PE; Travis Overton, AIA; Gregor Smith, PE; and Corey Reid, PE. These new leaders have demonstrated professionalism, depth of experience, personal drive, and dedication to the firm, CEO Kevin Lewis said.

Gregor K. Smith is a civil engineer who joined BCA in 2006. He previously worked for the New York State Department of Health. He manages a variety of engineering projects with a concentration in municipal water projects. Mr. Smith graduated from Cornell University in 2002 with Smith a bachelor’s degree in engineering. He also manages the BCA intern program. He lives in Brownville with his wife Diana, son Brady, and twin girls Mallory and Macy.

Jeffrey L. McKenna is the director of mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering who joined BCA in 2015. He is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology and has more than 25 years of experience.

He is based Ithaca and manages a diverse engineering staff across all BCA McKenna offices. He lives in Lansing with his wife Lori and daughters Kylie and Lily.

Corey G. Reid is a civil engineer who joined the firm in 2004. He manages a

diverse portfolio of municipal engineering projects, specializing in sewer and water infrastructure. Mr. Reid graduated with distinction from Clarkson University in 2003 with a bachelor’s in civil engineering.

Corey lived in Adams Center with his wife Gina, daughter Camilla, and son Reid Macksen.

Travis C. Overton is a senior architect who joined BCA in 2012. He is the former National Director of Facilities for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, DC. He holds a bachelor of professional studies in architecture from the State University of New York at Buffalo Overton and a master’s in architecture from the University of Michigan. A Watertown native, Mr. Overton and his wife, Leslie, returned to the area in 2012. They have three daughters and a son: Tatum, Willa, Aliza, and Abel.

Scott J. Duell is vice president for education services.

Mr. Duell has been a leader in the K-12 education market for 30 years. He joined BCA in 2013 and manages the firm’s Ithaca office and services Duell

clients in the central Catskills and southern regions of the state. He graduated in 1986 from Clemson University’s architecture program with a bachelor’s in arts and design. He lives in Ithaca with his wife Shirley, son Josh, and daughter Emma.

BCA Architects & Engineers is one of the oldest and largest, privately held architecture and engineering firms in the state. The Watertown-based firm continues to expand its reach across New York by offering new services and locations.

Joins SBA Syracuse staff

North country native Stephen Barr was recently hired at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Syracuse district office.

Mr. Barr joins the SBA as a business opportunity specialist, a position responsible for SBA government contracting programs Barr and services across 34 counties in Upstate New York.

Before joining the SBA, Mr. Barr was the Program Manager for the North Country Procurement Technical Assistance Center, which is housed at the Greater WatertownNorth Country Chamber of Commerce. He helped businesses to understand government contracting and effectively market to the government.

Mr. Barr is a Defense Logistics Agencyapproved contracting counselor and is a Verification Assistance Counselor through the Department of Veteran Affairs. He holds a bachelor’s in business management from the College at Brockport.

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MACAR’S 161 Coleman Avenue Watertown • 788-3732

www.macarsinteriors.com

May 2016 | NNY Business

|9

Average New York surrogate* price for on-highway diesel

March 2016 $1.38 February 2016 $1.37 March 2015 $1.54

March 2016 $2.25 February 2016 $2.20 March 2015 $3.27

10.4

Average NNY price for gallon of regular unleaded gas

Vehicles crossing the Thousand Islands bridge

21.2%

136,416 in March 2016 101,880 in February 2016 138,017 in March 2015 Source: T.I. Bridge Authority

32.3%

Vehicles crossing the Ogdensburg-Prescott bridge 36,138 in March 2016 28,886 in February 2016 41,260 in March 2015

Average NNY price for gallon of residential propane

7.8%

Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority

Vehicles crossing the Seaway International (Massena) bridge

Source: NYS Energy Research and Development Authority

182,195 in March 2016 155,949 in February 2016 181,112 in March 2015

Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors single-family home sales 77, median price $84,999 in March 2016 61, median price $85,699 in February 2016 79, median price $120,000 in March 2015

Seaway International Bridge Corp.

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

29.2%

$1.30 on March 31, 2016 $1.35 on Feb. 29, 2016 $1.27 on March 31, 2015

Price

St. Lawrence Board of Realtors single-family home sales 36, median price $72,750 in March 2016 51, median price $95,000 in February 2016 40, median price $85,000 in March 2015

Nonagriculture jobs in the Jefferson-Lewis-St. Lawrence counties area, not including military positions

14.4%

89,600 in March 2016 89,800 in February 2016 89,300 in March 2015

Price

Source: NYS Department of Labor

NNY unemployment rates

United States

5.6 March 2015

5.2 February 2016

8.0 February 2016

New York State

9.3

8.2

Lewis County

March 2016

7.7

6.7 February 2016

March 2015

6.7 March 2016

7.3 February 2016

March 2015

7.3

8.4

St. Lawrence County

5.1

Source: Jefferson-Lewis / St. Lawrence boards of Realtors Inc.

Jefferson County

0.3%

March 2016

Sales

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y.

5.7

10.0%

2.4%

March 2015

Sales

0.6%

5.4

2.5%

12.4%

February 2016

March 2016 $2.72 February 2016 $2.63 March 2015 $2.95

1.2%

5.2

March 2016 $2.12 February 2016 $2.14 March 2015 $3.13

March 2016

ECON SNAPSHOT

Average NNY price for gallon of home heating oil

March 2016

March 2016 $2.01 February 2016 $1.95 March 2015 $2.55

31.2%

*Prices are the composite area that includes New York, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

Source: U.S. DOE, Energy Information Administration

Source: NYS Department of Agriculture

10 | NNY Business | May 2016

(Percent gains and losses are over 12 months)

Average per-gallon milk price paid to N.Y. dairy farmers

March 2015

NNY

Economic indicators

Source: U.S. Department of Labor and New York State Department of Labor (Not seasonally adjusted. Latest available data reported.)

Note: Due to updates in some “Econ. Snapshot� categories, numbers may differ from previously published prior month and year figures.

Economic indicators New automobiles (cars and trucks) registered in Jefferson County Trucks Cars 106 in March 2016 460 in March 2016 99 in February 2016 286 in February 2016 104 in March 2015 447 in March 2015

2.9%

NNY

1.9%

Source: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office

Passengers* at Watertown International Airport

Open welfare cases in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties

2,754 in March 2016 2,174 in February 2016 3,315 in March 2015

2,337 in March 2016 2,332 in February 2016 2,326 in March 2015

16.9%

*Inbound and outbound passengers Source: Jefferson County Board of Legislators

Source: Social Service Depts. of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties

DBA (doing business under an assumed name) certificates filed at the Jefferson County Clerk’s office April 4 to April 28, 2016. For a complete list of DBAs filed in March and in past months, visit nnybizmag.com.

April 28: Detailed Cleaning, 17481 State Route 11, Lot 9-0, Watertown, Steffany Taylor Delaney, 17481 State Route 11, Lot 9-0, Watertown. n CWC Customs, 28791 County Route 69, Copenhagen, Jeremy J. Cronk, 28791 County Route 68, Copenhagen. n Green and White Outdoor Care, 114 Francis St., Watertown, Daniel Clark O’Brien Jr., 114 Francis St., Watertown.

April 27: Trim the Reininger Island Mowers, 42814 Headland Ave., Thousand Island Park, Timothy J. Reininger, 42814 Headland Ave., Thousand Island Park, Jeffrey M. Reininger, 45 Dake Ave., Rochester. n Kingdom Kitchen, 715 Lansing St., Watertown, Dominic Khareef Hodges, 715 Lansing St., Watertown. n Otter Lawncare, 467 N. Washington St., Carthage, Dalton Q. 7696 Marshey Road, Harrisville, James D. Uhlinger III, 9756 Route 12, Copenhagen, Logan R. Dunn, 174 N. Main St., Black River. n TI Lettuce, 15906 County Route 181, Clayton, Matthew Lee Scudder, 15906 County Route 181, Clayton.

April 26: LMS Interior Painting, 7 North Park St., Adams, Lauren Marie Smith, 7 North Park St., Adams.

April 25: Outkast Drama, 918 Academy St., Watertown, Scott David Thomas, 918 Academy St., Watertown. n 5 Co., 19033 State Route 11, Watertown, Mary Grace Britt, 324 Bugbee Drive, Watertown. n Home Accents, 15086 Jacobs Road, Watertown, Charles Richard Hunt, 15086 Jacobs Road, Watertown.

April 22: Milk and Bones, 1132 Gill St., Watertown, Caitlyn Cordova, 1132 Gill St., Watertown.

April 21: Woody’s Lawncare, 10629 Cobbville Road, Adams, Jason M. Woodworth, 10629 Cobbville Road, Adams.

April 20: Freedom Remodeling, 25421 State Route 3, Watertown, Keith Robert Graves, 25421 State Route 3, Watertown. n Shear Ink, 332 Arsenal St., Watertown, Tina Peck, 151 Bowers Ave., Watertown. n Tarot Café, 50 Public Square, Suite E3, Watertown, William Seth Michael Hill, 207 Parker St., Watertown. n D.C. Northern D.C., 119 LaFargeville Road, Theresa, Jess Loren McMahon, 119 LaFargeville Road, Theresa, Scott William Whitaker, 10584 County Route 8, Chaumont. n Max Mill Gold, 23227 State Route 342, Watertown, Mason & Associates Holdings LLC, 23227 State Route 342, Watertown. n Rainman Ray’s Grub on the Run, 32766 State Route 3, Carthage, Raymond G. Hall, 32766 State Route 3, Carthage.

April 19: Joanette’s Firewood, 600 W. Grove St., Dexter, Robert H. Joanette, 600 W. Grove St., Dexter. n Aerial Imaging of NNY, 20515 weaver Road, Watertown, Paul K. Grinold, 20515 Weaver Road, Watertown.

April 18: Safety Services of Central NY, 26861 Clear Lake Camp Road, Theresa, John D. Weagraff, 26861 Clear Lake Camp Road, Theresa. n Phillips Law, 315 Flower Ave. W., Watertown, Ann E. Phillips, 315 Flower Ave. W., Watertown.

n Dream Chaserz, 1032 State St., Apt. 2, Watertown, Alonzo C. King III, 1032 State St., Apt. 2, Watertown.

April 13: Hampbiz Solutions, 526 Merrick St., Clayton, Donna Marie Hampson, 526 Merrick St., Clayton. n Eco Wild Consulting, 5809 State Route 11, Adams, Kaitlynn Rose Elizabeth Murray, 5809 State Route 11, Adams. n Eat This, 602 Webb St., Clayton, Susan P. Lyth, 602 Webb St., Clayton, Keith D. Strouse, 602 Webb St., Clayton. n Deckhand Café, 246 James St., Clayton, Benny L. Fisher, 25462 Miller Road, Watertown.

April 12: Kaylee Meagher Enterprises, 19676 Staplin Road, Black River, Kaylee Meagher, 19676 Staplin Road, Black River. n U-Mart Foods City, 223 JB Wise Place Suite 25, Watertown, Ederin Igho Akiti, 65 Public Square, Watertown, Elizabeth Jackson, 65 Public Square, Watertown.

April 11: Chaumont Bay Marina, 11599 Circle Drive, Chaumont, Mark Anthony Morina, 41 Hawkes Road, Sebago, Maine.

April 8: Bella Posa, 6354 Applewood Drive, Fort Drum, Kristy Lynn Magdich, 6354 Applewood Drive, Fort Drum. n P.S. Enterprise, 24736 County Route 138, Sanford Corners, Peter M. Stewart, P.O. Box 137, Calcium, Jonathon H. Kenney, P.O. Box 95, Calcium.

April 7: Belts And Everything Else, 56 Bridge St., Carthage, Sarah Hastings, 317 South Clinton St., Carthage. n Route 26 Dairy Service, 30971 State Route 26, Theresa, Kenneth C. Clyde, 30971 State route 26, Theresa.

April 6: Ken’s Engine Repair Shop, 252 Furnace Island, Carthage, Kenneth J. Meyers, 10435 Aubel Road, Carthage. n Gone Fishin Charters, 8418 Lyng Road, Henderson, John Scott Grandjean, 8418 Lyng Road, Henderson. n Gibeau’s Sports, 21182 Salmon Road, Watertown, Daniel R. Gibeau, 35946 State Route 126, Carthage, Nicholas Gibeau, 35946 State Route 126, Carthage.

April 5: Carkeys, 22503 State Route 11, Watertown, Brandon J. Sweet, 16947 Churchill Road, Watertown. n LB Card Creations, 21077 Storrs Road, Sackets Harbor, Laura B. Young, 21077 Storrs Road, Sackets Harbor. n Murray’s Contracting, 264 Marsh Road, Norfolk, Roger Lee, 264 Marsh Road, Norfolk. n Shakin and Movin, 8483 Leray St., Evans Mills, Troy Michael Stewart, 8483 Leray St., Evans Mills. n Cuttin’ It Close Lawn Care, 28353 Old Town Springs Road, Chaumont, Justin Henderson, 28353 Old Town Springs Road, Chaumont. n A&T Auto Sales, 667 Fairbanks St., Watertown, Alan D. Harris, 29363 State Route 12, Watertown, Tracey Lynn Sweet, 29363 State Route 12, Watertown.

n Red, White + New, 25861 Hinds Road, Watertown, Robert W. Briscoe,

April 4: Fulmer Masonry, 37214 Deferno Road, Clayton, Donald J. Fulmer Jr., 37214 Deferno Road, Clayton.

n Eastern Shore Services, 534 John St., Carthage, Fanci N. Copley, 534 John St., Carthage.

April 14: CNY Caulking and Services, 869 South Massey St., Watertown, Randy Joseph Comenole, 869 South Massey St., Watertown.

n Loomis Digital, 25451 State Route 283, Watertown, Aaron L. Rutter, 953 Hollister Road, Oswego.

n Salon at Studio B, 720 Washington St., Watertown, Belinda K. Cornell,

n Hair We Go, 332 Arsenal St., Watertown, Bradley A. John, 418 Cross St.,

25861 Hinds Road, Watertown.

218 Flower Ave. E., Watertown.

n Bay Automotive, 45024 State Route 12, Alexandria Bay, Robert P. Fasshauer III, 24589 Elm St., Redwood. n Comfort Café, 615 Coffeen St., Watertown, Anna Patterson, 24255 State

Route 11, Calcium, Katlynn Patterson, 24255 State Route 11, Calcium.

n Gordon’s Growpro Greenhouse, 32037 County Route 37, Philadelphia, Kim M. Gordon, 32037 County Route 30, Philadelphia.

Watertown.

transactions

DBAs

0.5%

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 11

Business briefcase TRANSACTIONS

SMALL BUSINESS

Valentine plans sale of stores to Sunoco

Potsdam Chamber names Business of the Year

Valentine Stores Inc. announced last month that it has agreed to sell its entire portfolio of convenience stores, gas stations and restaurants to a subsidiary of Sunoco, one of the nation’s largest gas distribution companies.

The Watertown company, co-owned by brothers John P. and Edward J. Valentine, said in a news release that the transaction with Sunoco LP, a subsidiary of the Newtown Square, Pa.-based company, is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.

According to its website, Sunoco LP distributes gas to convenience stores, independent dealers and other commercial customers. Nationwide, it owns about 1,340 convenience stores with gas stations.

Valentine Stores said it will sell its 18 Nice N Easy convenience stores with gas stations across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties under the transaction. Five of those stores include Subway quick-service restaurants inside. It will also sell its four Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop locations.

Nice N Easy stores that have quick-service Tim Hortons inside are on outer Coffeen Street in the town of Watertown and on Route 11 in the town of LeRay, across from Walmart Supercenter. The company also owns a standalone Tim Hortons at Mill and West Main streets, along with a quick-service restaurant inside the Express Mart convenience store on Arsenal Street.

The Valentines declined to comment about the agreement made by the company, based in the Jefferson County corporate park off outer Coffeen Street in the town of Watertown. The transaction price was not disclosed by the company, which said that Robert Valentine of Trefethen Advisors LLC, Scottsdale, Ariz., is serving as an advisor for the pending agreement.

12 | NNY Business | May 2016

The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce recently announced North Country Oil Change and Repair as its 2016 Business of the Year award recipient.

The business was chosen for accommodating customers, being “exceptionally kind, patient and honest,” and going out of the way for customer satisfaction, the chamber stated in a news release.

It was also noted that the business recently lengthened its service bay hours to accommodate higher demand. It is one of the few remaining stations with a full service staff.

North Country Oil Change and Repair sponsors Little League Baseball and donates to causes, including a donation of a flatbed truck for the parade review at the Potsdam Summer Festival.

The award was presented at the Chamber’s Spring Luncheon earlier this month at the Potsdam Town & Country Club.

GROWTH & JOBS

Call center to hire 300

The Convergys call center on Arsenal Street plans to hire 300 employees from now through the end of the month, a move that would significantly increase its current staff size of 900.

Based on the hiring plans of two unnamed clients in the health care and satellite television industries, the call center plans to rapidly expand to have a record number of employees, according to Shelbie L. Cooper, recruiting manager for the Watertown site.

Mrs. Cooper said the full-time jobs, which include benefits, start with three to four weeks of paid classroom training and two weeks of paid on-the-job training. She said people with experience in the retail and hospitality industries could find a great fit at the center, where employees provide round-the-clock technical assistance for customers on behalf of national

companies in different industries “We’re looking for highly motivated individuals to handle inbound calls,” Mrs. Cooper said. “Potential employees need to have a good understanding of customer service and computer literacy, with excellent communication skills.”

Of the 300 employees who will be hired, she said, “there will be an opportunity for about 21 people to be promoted. For one out of every 14 people we hire, we need a leadership agent.”

The center provides customer service for four clients in the satellite television, entertainment, telecommunications and health insurance industries, Mrs. Cooper said.

The center opened in 2003 as Stream Global Services. Before Convergys acquired the center from Stream in the spring of 2014, Stream invested in a $4.2 million expansion to increase the building’s seating capacity.

AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Program receives $600k in budget

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has received $600,000 in the 2016-17 New York State budget to support on-farm research and technical assistance in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Northern New York Agricultural Development Program projects span all sectors from dairy, crops and livestock to fruit, vegetable and maple production and agricultural environmental stewardship.

Twenty-six projects are now underway, including research on disease resistance in cherry tomatoes, management practices to reduce heat stress in dairy cows and calves, and ways to increase bee health management.

The January 2016 economic impact report on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, a list of 2016 NNYADP projects, research reports, and event notices are online at nnyagdev.org.

Small Bu siness startup BUSINESS

Finally Fresh Barbershop THE INITIAL IDEA Massena native Ray Cruz, owner of Finally Fresh Barbershop, experienced his first shave by a professional barber as a child visiting his grandfather in New York City for two months in the summer.

Returning to the north country, though, he was disappointed to find that the region lacked the type of modern barbering that was available in the city.

“We come back up north and there were no barbers,” he said. “It made me see the culture of barbers that exists in big cities.”

Mr. Cruz said the barbers in the north country lack diversity, the majority being older men educated during a different generation and lacking the new innovations that are seen in urban areas.

Without a barber while living in Massena, Mr. Cruz even attempted to cut his own hair before deciding that it was a career that he could pursue.

TARGET CLIENTELE Mr. Cruz chose his barbershop’s location at 24338 Route 342 on the edges of Watertown carefully because of its proximity to his clientele at Fort Drum, as well as the interstate.

Fort Drum, he said, has a very diverse population that brings with it a demand for the modern culture of barbering.

“We cater mostly to the ethnic crowd,” he said. “It’s a different texture of hair. Most schools don’t teach that type of cutting. That’s our bread and butter.”

The barbershop, though, doesn’t serve the Army and ethnic population exclusively, Mr. Cruz said. He has customers that range from newborns to seniors and high-profile residents including Johnny Spezzano, a longtime local radio personality.

Mr. Cruz said it’s their consistency and reliability that keeps people coming back.

“It doesn’t matter what you come in to get,” he said. “It’s can you come back and get it done the same or better?”

Finally Fresh Barbershop also offers a modernstyle of barbering that is rooted in the traditional, but seeks to innovate, Mr. Cruz said.

“The current culture of barbering is a fad right now,” he said.

Mr. Cruz and his apprentice barbers specialize in the newer style of hair tattoos, shaving intricate designs onto the scalp.

The key to the business, though, is to stay fresh and keep learning, Mr. Cruz said. He and his apprentices attend barber competitions, including Barber Expos, where they attend seminars by barbers who style hair for celebrities and athletes and compete in barber battles.

“This is a forever growing thing,” Mr. Cruz said. “When you say you know it all, that’s

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

“This is a forever growing thing.

When you say you know it all, that’s when you fail.”

— Ray Cruz, owner and master barber, Finally Fresh Barbershop when you fail.”

The barbers from Finally Fresh have attended these events in New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Los Angeles and Atlantic City, and they always place, Mr. Cruz said.

THE JOURNEY Mr. Cruz completed 1,500 hours of training at the Moler Barber School in Fargo, N.D., and his apprenticeship from 2008 to 2009 in Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Denver, before returning to Northern New York.

“I was homesick I guess,” he said.

He opened his first barbershop in the Solar Building on Franklin Street, a small triangular shop less than half the size of his location on Route 342 where he worked by himself before adding another chair that three part-time employees shared.

“It was such an awkward shape and so small,” Mr. Cruz said.

He wasn’t content with the size of his business, though, and in September of 2014 he relocated to his present location.

“I needed to get closer to the base,” he said. “It was the right price and the right place, right off the interstate.”

Some 18 months later, Finally Fresh Barbershop has five chairs, he books 100 heads a week, and he employs four diverse full-time apprentice barbers from as far as Puerto Rico, Georgia and California.

“It’s cool to bring cultural diversity to the area,” Mr. Cruz said. “Anyone who comes in we can find a way to relate to them.”

IN FIVE YEARS

As his business approaches the two year mark, Mr. Cruz is satisfied with its size for the time being, though he hopes to add a few touches to make a better customer experience like the online appointment booking system he implemented.

He is in the process of working with the landlord to install air compressor hose system that will increase the sanitation of the shop’s tools because it removes every particle of hair.

Mr. Cruz has set his sights in a new direction now that the barbershop is on its feet.

He is looking to enter the field of barber education. Mr. Cruz teaches his own seminars including a workshop he did in Canada where he taught cosmetologists barber-style techniques, but he is seeking a barber educator to work with.

“It’s something a younger person can really put a passion towards,” he said. “This is a more affordable option to get a trade under your belt.”

Mr. Cruz said the north country would benefit from barber education as an alternative to college, especially around Fort Drum.

“There’s room for 10 more barbershops to do what we do,” he said.

The problem, though, is that there are only two barber schools in New York, Mr. Cruz said, and they are in Manhattan.

Mr. Cruz said he sees a possibility of opening his own school some day in the north country, but it would be farther in the future.

— Karee Magee

WHERE Watertown | LAUNCHED September 2014 | WEB Facebook.com/finallyfreshray

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 13

COV ER STOR Y

Securing a stronger future for the north country

Despite workforce challenges, regional economic development continues to power positive growth across Northern New York STORY BY KAREE MAGEE | PHOTO BY STEPHEN SWOFFORD

A

A rural and historically challenged region where economic development was often stagnant, the Great Recession dealt a significant blow to New York’s north country as its counties saw a spike in unemployment and manufacturing jobs disappear, including about 600 from Jefferson County alone.

Less than 10 years later, Northern New York has seen a resurgence of economic activity and development spurred by strategic planning efforts of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council and local industrial development agencies.

Since the regional councils were formed in 2011, the north country has been awarded $423.2 million over the five years of the initiative’s economic development

competition, third highest of the state’s 10 regions.

The north country was awarded $85.1 million for 82 projects in December for the fifth round of the competition, more than $17 million of which directly effects the tri-county area of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Development doesn’t always happen quickly in Northern New York, though, compared with more urban areas of state, especially now that construction projects at Fort Drum have come to a halt and housing development has slowed, but Howard Zemsky, president, CEO, and commissioner of Empire State Development said the north country has come a long way and has farther to go.

COR Development’s Mercy Health Center Redevelopment project is set to begin its first phase of construction this summer on 30,000 square feet of commercial space and 108 apartments.

Overall, the project will house 168 units and a community center on the grounds of the former Mercy Hospital in Watertown.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 15

C OV E R STORY

STEPHEN SWOFFORD | NNY BUSINESS

The Bradley Street Commerce Park in the town of Pamelia, just east of the intersection of Interstate 81 and Bradley Street, completed infrastructure in January and has achieved “shovel ready” status. The site offers railroad and interstate access and has space for about 20 businesses. Purcell Construction Corp., Watertown, deveoped and owns the site.

“If we look back on how much we’ve accomplished and we can continue to improve at that rate, that’ll be great,” he said. “We’ve moved the economy forward dramatically.”

The region’s priority now is to develop an environment that would attract companies to settle in the north country.

Two corporate parks in progress in Jefferson County are a major component of a renewed environment for business.

“We need an area where people can be attracted and have infrastructure available when they get there,” said Donald C. Alexander, CEO of Jefferson County Economic Development.

A corporate business park at the Watertown International Airport is coming to fruition after years of planning on about 200 acres of land east of the airport that is expected to accommodate 40 businesses.

Tree clearing and site preparation began in December, but construction is waiting on plans for infrastructure and access roads.

At the same time, a corporate park off Bradley Street in the town of Pamelia, owned by Purcell Construction Corp., completed infrastructure in January and has achieved “shovel ready” status.

The site offers convenient railroad and interstate access and has space for about 20 businesses. Its first tenant, F.X. Caprara

Honda, is on schedule to open this month.

The new auto dealership also represents a return of a global brand that the north country hasn’t had in several years. The franchise is expected to employ about 60 people across all departments.

The Lewis County Industrial Development Agency has its own shovel-ready space in the works. Eric Virkler, IDA executive director, said officials have identified land and are in the process of purchasing acreage and developing construction plans.

Clean-up and redevelopment projects are also underway in the tri-county area.

The St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency is winding down the process of cleaning up the former General Motors site in Massena, while the Lewis County IDA is cleaning up and demolishing parts of the former Lyons Falls paper mill site to make it useable.

A rebirth is also being planned in Jefferson County for Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes, where the homes will be refurbished for future use.

“Every bit helps,” said Patrick Kelly, CEO of the St. Lawrence County IDA. “You have to have the right environment for projects.”

A large portion of effort, though, is going toward transportation, including a $10 million project to rehabilitate the Newton Falls Railroad, a 43-mile rail line that extends from Carthage to Newton Falls.

“The rail is key infrastructure, and there are large-scale industrial sites in the southern part of the county where rail access could be key to redeveloping these sites,” Mr. Kelly said in a Watertown Daily Times article in February.

A Maryland company, Rhinehart

Lewis County is as unique as the hard-working, life-loving population that calls this scenic region home. In a place where play inspires work, Lewis County brings together successful industries, natural resources, and an energized workforce. Add in ample new business opportunities and space for existing expansion, and you’ll see that the answer is... Naturally Lewis.

16 | NNY Business | May 2016

C O V E R S T O RY Railroad Construction Inc., was awarded a $6.8 million contract in February. A $9.9 million grant will cover the rehab, as well as the engineering, inspection and other related expenses.

A focus on developing infrastructure and an environment to attract companies, though, is not the only development happening in the region.

Several of the region’s legacy companies are undergoing expansions as the financial pressure from the recession has begun to lift over the past few years.

Despite recent job cuts due to decrease in demand in foreign markets, New York Air Brake is proceeding with a $3.6 million expansion that will house its new engineering test lab.

Construction began last fall at the Starbuck Avenue location on the 7,300square-foot, two-story lab that will create 10 engineering jobs with annual average salaries of $67,000. The addition will be connected to the main plant and includes a cold-storage building. The project will also fund product testing equipment.

The workforce at North American Tapes jumped from 30 to 40 employees in the spring of 2015 after a $1.2 million expansion that added 9,600 square feet.

A Kraft-Heinz expansion in Lowville is in progress after the company received the go-ahead in March to build a 67,756-square-foot addition to the rear of its Utica Boulevard plant, a 5,923-squarefoot receiving bay on the north side, and a 2,169-square-foot two-pack addition on the front. Among other products, the expanded facility will manufacture string cheese.

The expansion is expected to increase daily milk usage at the plant from one million to two million pounds, and could add up to 150 jobs.

The project is being designed by Excel Engineering Inc., Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and GYMO Architecture, Engineering and Land Surveying, Watertown, will review site plans and oversee the project.

“Those expansions are typical of a resurgence in light manufacturing,” Mr. Alexander said.

St. Lawrence County has seen two major expansions, including Ansen Corporation, which leased a 42,000-square-foot manufacturing space at the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Commerce Park, where the electronic manufacturing supplier will assemble LED lighting for

JASON HUNTER | NNY BUSINESS

Eric Tessmer, seen here in a 2014 file photo, purchased the former Riverside Iron Works in Gouverneur in mid-2014. Operating as Riverside Iron, the firm manufactures custom-made and ornamental steel products. Presently employing 15, a dozen more employees may soon be added to a second shift.

stadiums and outdoor venues.

The expansion will create at least 50 new jobs with an anticipated payroll of $1.5 million.

The DeFelsko expansion at the former A.N. Derringer Inc. building at the Ogdensburg Commerce Park will triple the company’s capacity to more than 38,000 square feet and create 50 new jobs over 10 years in its sales, marketing, accounting and shipping departments.

The region has also seen the relocation and reopening of businesses, including the purchase of Morris Northstar Hatchery by Huntsville, Ala.-based global poultry company Aviagen North America, which has increased its number of employees from 17 to 30.

Aviagen plans to invest $3 million to retrofit the hatchery and expand from exporting broiler chicks used for meat to hatching chicks for breeding. They are expected to export 100,000 of each on a weekly basis.

Riverside Iron in Gouverneur also reopened less than two years ago and is manufacturing custom-made and ornamental steel products. The manufacturer is set up for 15 employees, but a dozen more employees may be added to a second shift.

Health care, one of the largest employ-

ment sectors in the north country, has also seen a resurgence with the introduction of the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program, which has allocated up to $6.42 billion for the transformation of public health in New York State, and the Affordable Care Act. The program alone awarded $78 million over five years to the North Country Initiative Performing Provider System, made up of Watertown’s Samaritan Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital, River Hospital, Alexandria Bay, CliftonFine Hospital, Star Lake, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Ogdensburg and Massena Memorial Hospital.

A large amount of the funding will be allocated to development projects, including a $14 million three-story addition to River Hospital’s Fuller Street Building that will offer outpatient mental health services and primary care.

Samaritan Medical Center is in the planning stages of a three-story 18,000-squarefoot addition on Sherman Street, adjacent to the hospital’s loading zone. The project includes a new maternity ward with operating room and the relocation of the pediatrics unit to the same floor. The addition will have a separate entrance and parking lot for these patients.

More mental health space and offices May 2016 | NNY Business

| 17

COV E R STORY

JASON HUNTER | NNY BUSINESS

Construction continues St. Lawrence Health Systems’ $20 million health care facility that will house 20 medical offices and four outpatient surgical facilities off Route 11, just north of Canton. The project broke ground in 2015 and is expected to bring additional health care jobs to St. Lawrence County.

are also part of the project.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital, part of St. Lawrence Health Systems, started construction in 2015 on a $20 million facility that would house 20 medical offices and four outpatient surgical facilities on Route 11.

Lewis County General Hospital, which is part of a separate DSRIP initiative, is still in the process of getting plans approved for the construction of an assisted living facility behind the hospital and moving the Copenhagen Health Center into a portion of Copenhagen Central School.

The most significant economic development over the past few years has been the housing boom within the areas surrounding Fort Drum, including Watertown, because of a severe housing shortage that had soldiers living as far away as suburban Syracuse.

The area saw an influx of housing projects, including Washington Street Properties’ Arsenal Street Apartments and the Solar Building, Morgan Management’s Preserve at Autumn Ridge, Beaver Meadow Apartments behind Target, Creek Wood Apartments on the north side of Watertown and the historic restoration of downtown Watertown’s Woolworth Building.

The housing peak, though, has passed 18 | NNY Business | May 2016

and housing construction has slowed now that the rental market has been built up.

A Watertown Daily Times article reported that by March 2015 the number of new rental units that were built had already more than doubled the 1,035 units that were recommended by local agencies.

“Housing has matured,” Mr. Alexander said. “Now we have enough, and maybe more than enough.”

Despite worries that the market was overbuilt, damaging property sales, though, Lance M. Evans, executive officer for the Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County boards of Realtors, said that the it is not all doom and gloom.

“Rental was needed,” he said. “It makes a good mix in the market. They’re in good shape for what they’ve got.”

Property sales have gone down, Mr. Evans said, but real estate agents are adjusting to the new market where more people want to rent, many of whom want to rent single-family homes, opening a market in property management for many agents.

“It’s shifted their focus,” he said.

The vacancy rate is now at the higher end of the average vacancy rate of 6.73 percent, average being between 5 and 7 percent, a healthier rate than the 0.23 percent vacancy rate in 2012.

The majority of people feeling pressure from the housing market, Mr. Evans said, are owners and landlords of older buildings that haven’t been well maintained.

“If the renter perceives it’s a good value for what they’re getting, they’ll stay,” he said.

Housing development has not halted, though, as ongoing projects continue to make progress.

Washington Street Properties is continuing work on its Washington Manor Apartments, which will include 28 highend apartments with a mix of studios and two-bedroom units, and restorations are continuing on the company’s Lincoln Building on Public Square, which will feature 20-units of market-rate apartments.

The latest update on COR Development’s Mercy Health Center Redevelopment in March detailed a plan to start the first phase of construction this summer on 30,000 square feet of commercial space and 108 apartments. Overall, the project will house 168 units and a community center.

Morgan Management is still working on plans for its 359-unit townhouse complex off Route 202 after being denied tax exemptions by the Jeferson County IDA. Workforce development While economic development has increased over the past five years, a significant challenge remains: it has not translated into sustainable job growth.

“We took a real beating during the recession, especially with manufacturing jobs,” said Cheryl Mayforth, executive director of the Work Place One-Stop Career Center.

“The sad part is that we have a difficult time replacing those manufacturers.”

In 2015 the region did not see job growth in the manufacturing sector while it saw a decrease public sector jobs, which makes up about 40 percent of employees in Jefferson County, Ms. Mayforth said.

Construction also saw a large decrease due to the tapering off of Fort Drum and housing projects.

“These are kind of taking a toll on employment,” Ms. Mayforth said. “We’re quite flat.”

Retail, service and hospitality industries are also suffering because the last significant projects in those sectors were several years ago like the hotel development between 2007 and 2009 that saw the construction of the Hilton Garden Inn, Candlewood Suites and the Days Inn in Watertown.

C OVER S TORY The three sectors that aren’t seeing a downturn are transportation, health care and tourism. Tourism, especially in the Thousand Islands region, has increased jobs since the construction of Clayton’s 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in 2014, which spurred several new businesses in the area.

The labor force has also seen a 6.8 percent decrease from 50,000 people in the workforce in 2010 to to 46,600 in 2015.

“People have either gotten discouraged and dropped out or they have aged out,” Ms. Mayforth said.

Lack of job growth, though, isn’t the only trial that the north country faces with its workforce. The region lacks workers skilled in the jobs that are available, specifically the middle skill level careers.

“After the recession there was a big change in what employers were looking for,” Ms. Mayforth said. “Employers are looking for those hard skills and they’re finding that difficult.”

The majority of careers, she said, are available in science, technology, engineering and math-related fields and many students are not getting the correct degrees to fill those jobs. A large portion of the middle skill level jobs may not even require a four-year degree, but technical or vocational training instead.

Mr. Alexander said the key to filling this void of skilled workers is to educate students about the opportunities available instead of getting college degrees in fields with no jobs available.

“Educate to the jobs,” he said. “If you want a good income, you have to train for the jobs that are going to be available.”

Even skilled careers in plumbing and similar vocations can lead to higher salaries than recent college graduates typically earn, said Dave Zembiec, deputy CEO of Jefferson County Economic Development.

“It might be less traditional education and more workforce training, but plumbing is a very lucrative field,” he said.

Ms. Mayforth said that solving this problem also requires removing negative stigmas associated with technical training programs like BOCES that educate students in these skills.

“Today’s career in technical education is much more advanced,” she said. “All BOCES programs have industry advisory boards. They constantly meet to determine what they need to do to keep up with the industry.”

Jefferson-Lewis BOCES provides a

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 19

COV E R STORY wide range of programs that include construction, engineering technologies, health services and trade and technical education, which spans auto body repair to welding.

BOCES students leave their programs with college credit, certifications and skills.

Mr. Alexander said it’s a matter of showing students what is available and JCED has spent time speaking with educators and school counselors about presenting students with these options.

The Work Place holds a Career Jam each year for middle schoolers as a hands-on

career exploration with representatives from the region’s major business sectors, including agriculture, business, construction, health care, hospitality and tourism, human services and manufacturing.

The 2016 Career Jam is set for 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, May 19 at the Watertown Fairgrounds Arena & Agricultural Hall.

“Our greatest export is our kids,” Ms. Mayforth said. “That’s why we’re promoting that these are all great careers and they’re all right here. We want them to make good career choices.”

Carolyn Whitney passed away 9 years ago.

This year, she’ll plant 38 trees.

Giving YOUR way.

Love where you live. Now and forever.

Family & Individual Charitable Funds • Scholarship Funds Geographic-Specific Funds • Field of Interest Funds Nonprofit/School/Church Endowments (315) 782-7110 • info@nnycf.org • www.nnycf.org Business/Corporate Charitable Foundations

Northern New York

Community Foundation Created in 1929 by and for the Community Jefferson, Lewis & St. Lawrence Counties

120 Washington Street, Suite 400, Watertown, NY 13601 (315) 782-7110 • info@nnycf.org • www.nnycf.org

20 | NNY Business | May 2016

The Future of ECONOMIC Development While economic development agencies have a lot of tools in their toolbox from tax incentives and low-cost financing, the regional IDAs’ strategic plan for future development includes a much more important tool: the north country’s resources.

“It’s increasingly about making connections between the resources you have and the companies you want may be working with,” St. Lawrence County’s Mr. Kelly said.

The region’s focus is developing the sectors that match its resources and attract the companies that need them.

Lewis County’s new economic development marketing campaign, Naturally Lewis, is aimed at encouraging industry based on these resources, which include an able workforce, reasonable labor costs, and well-maintained highways, but also a significant amount of natural resources in water, wind and timber.

Lewis County is looking toward the future with an emphasis on renewable energy production.

“There’s opportunity for more energy production with wind, wood, solar, biomass,” said Mr. Virkler. “That’s something we could do more with in Lewis County.”

Lewis County is already home to one wind farm, the Maple Ridge Wind Farm, the largest in New York, located on the Tug Hill plateau. The wind farm generates between $800,000 and $1.2 million for the town of Martinsville, depending on the year, and about $3.5 million a year for the Lowville school district.

Mr. Virkler said that two new wind projects are in development, the Roaring Brook Wind Farm in Martinsburg and the Copenhagen Wind Farm in Denmark, making Lewis County the wind capital of New York.

Mr. Alexander sees the same future in energy projects, but wind projects in Clayton, Hounsfield and Central Jefferson County face strong opposition.

“We need to trade in on our assets,” he said. “We can develop alternative energies that are needed in big cities.”

The wind projects could generate about $700 million for the county, Mr. Alexander said.

“Those three alone would change the way government makes money in our community,” he said.

Mr. Alexander said agriculture is another industry where the north country could flourish by expanding into the

C O V E R S T O RY value-added agriculture products market.

“The real money is in value-added,” he said. “If we make a product of that and we make it here.”

Value-added goods range from creating cheese products from dairy like the KraftHeinz operation or Homestead Heritage Cheese to honey or other niche products.

A proposed USDA-certified meat processing plant would be a significant addition in this industry, but a location is still being sought after it hit a roadblock at the Jefferson County Corporate Park when Car-Freshner Corp. threatened to move its longtime global headquarters.

The New York Power Authority released an economic development study for St. Lawrence County in December that identified which industries would provide the county the most growth, including agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, rural small business and tourism.

St. Lawrence County, though, sees its largest resource in the four universities located in Canton and Potsdam, including Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton.

“The colleges have become increasingly interested in community and economic development,” Mr. Kelly said. “The colleges are going to be a driver because of the different disciplines.”

Clarkson University is home to the Shipley Center for Innovation, which seeks to accelerate the commercialization of Clarkson innovations, foster the exchange of ideas between the campus and industry, and to educate faculty and students for an entrepreneurial workplace, while both Potsdam and Canton have joined Start-Up New York.

Start-Up New York offers new and expanding businesses the opportunity to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near an eligible university, which also provides direct access to research labs, resources, experts in key industries and the ability to recruit a workforce directly from the university.

Since its launch in 2013, only one business has partnered with SUNY Canton — Adirondack Operations LLC — but Empire State Development’s Mr. Zemsky said economic development programs are slow-growing.

“It’s a great continuum for early-stage business,” he said. “It will prove over time to be one of the most powerful tools in our toolbox.”

Although economic development overall may seem slow in the north country, the Mr. Zemsky stressed that the region

has a robust strategic plan for its future and if it continues to compete strongly against other regions in the state it will continue to see funding increases.

“I don’t think we’re ever satisfied with where we are,” he said. “That’s why we have this continual push.

The north country was awarded an additional $50 million Upstate Revitalization Initiative grant on top of the regional council awards in December.

Another $10 million will be awarded to each region as part $100 million Downtown

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“The north country has some of the most significant improvements of any area in New York,” said Mr. Zemsky. “It affords a really eclectic and diverse mix of lifestyle and industry.” n KAREE MAGEE is a magazine associate for NNY Magazines. Contact her at kmagee@wdt. net or 661-2381.

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May 2016 | NNY Business

| 21

FE AT UR E S

SPECIAL TO NNY BUSINESS

Amber Stevens, left, and Heather E. Hlad are creators of the Sky Skarf. The product, which provides comfort when traveling, was launched with help from Clarkson University’s Shipley Center.

Sky Skarf takes flight

Lewis women turn airline discomfort into entrepreneurial venture

By ALAN RIZZO

W NNY Business

hen they invented a silk scarf to make traveling by air a warmer, quieter, more germ-free experience, Lewis County residents Heather E. Hlad and Amber Stevens never expected that their invention would get as much feedback as it has, and be used for purposes outside an airplane cabin.

Marketed under the brand name Sky Skarf, the “skarves,” which hit the market this spring, are made to give airline passengers more comfort on flights and “enjoy the journey, not just the destination,” according to a recent Clarkson University release.

As demonstrated on the Sky Skarf website, they can be folded in half and

22 | NNY Business | May 2016

wrapped around the neck to provide support, or wrapped unfolded around the ears to block loud noises, and over the mouth and nose to protect against the sicknesses of nearby passengers.

Ms. Hlad and Ms. Stevens said the skarves, which are made of a silk/polyester fabric and come in a variety of colors and patterns, sell for $35, and have a multitude of uses.

Ms. Hlad said she hatched the idea for the skarves while stuck on a runway in Germany, waiting for her plane to take off.

“I’m an international sales manager, and I’ve taken a lot of really long uncomfortable flights,” she said in the release.

“In 2013, I was on a flight leaving Munich.

The plane was grounded for eight hours straight because of a snowstorm. While I was stuck on the plane, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to relax if

I could just get comfortable.”

When she got home, she started brainstorming prototypes using her grandmother’s sewing machine, and soon the Sky Skarf was born.

Ms. Hlad, a Lowville native, said so far things are going spectacularly for Sky Skarf, indicating that they have sold “hundreds of units” through local craft fairs during the Christmas shopping season, their website, and have sent shipments to the Dominican Republic and to buyers in Europe.

While the skarves are intended for use by airline passengers, the women said many customers have told them the skarves have been especially helpful for making cancer patients, and others who must sit for long periods, comfortable.

“People who are enjoying this product who have medical issues that cause

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n To learn more about Sky Skarf, or to find out how to become a producer of their products, visit the company’s website at skyskarf.com or on Facebook, facebook.com/skyskarf.

them to have to sleep upright,” Ms. Hlad said. “They’re enjoying this as well, so not only are we getting positive feedback from the traveler, we’re also receiving positive feedback for people using it as a comfort for recovery.”

Ms. Stevens, a Croghan native, said many positive customer responses have come from the caregivers of nursing home residents, and those who are going through cancer treatment.

“They’re very sedentary, so it just gives them the support and the comfort that they need while they’re sitting around getting their treatment,” Ms. Stevens said. “Also, for people who are out there who do have to sleep in an upright position, whether they’re recovering from a surgery, or if it’s just a condition that they have, they’ve also found that the Sky Skarf provides them with comfort as well. It helps them sleep better, relieves stress and headaches and different things like that.”

The women are presently using the Liverpool quilting business Just For Ewe to manufacture the skarves, but Ms. Hlad said as they grow, they want to include more local entrepreneurs in their production process.

“Right now what we’re doing is using a cottage industry, and giving people with those skills the opportunity to make the sky skarves for us,” she said.

To get their business off the ground, the women said they received help from Clarkson University’s Shipley Center, which helped them develop their business plan, conduct market research, and also created prototypes for them and helped them with 3D printing to develop future concepts. n ALAN RIZZO is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer based in Canton. Contact him at arizzo@ wdt.net or 661-2517.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 23

feat u res

The management team for Ben Weitsman of Watertown. Upstate ShreddingWeitsman Recycling will own and operate the former Empire Recycling facility on Pearl Street, Watertown.

From left, Mike E. Miner, general manager, Sophie G. Quackenbush, office manager, and Adam S. Weitsman, owner and CEO. NORM JOHNSTON | SPECIAL TO NNY BUSINESS

Firm buys scrap metal facility Owego company is largest recycler on East Coast, will add jobs

By Craig Fox

T NNY Business

he largest metal recycling company on the East Coast has acquired an indoor scrapyard in the old Black Clawson plant at 511 Pearl St. The deal was signed April 29 for Upstate Shredding-Weitsman Recycling, headquartered in Owego, Tioga County, to purchase Empire Recycling. Renamed Ben Weitsman of Watertown, the new company was to start operating the plant in the 85-year-old building by May 6.

Company CEO Adam Weitsman said the Owego company, which owns 17 facilities in New York and Pennsylvania, will invest about $2 million in new equipment and renovations to the building. He expects that the volume of business nearly will double in the 75,000-square-foot indoor recycling facility within a couple of weeks.

24 | NNY Business | May 2016

“We were interested in expanding in Northern New York and heard that it was possibly up for sale,” he said.

While he did not disclose the exact purchase price, Mr. Weitsman said the deal was for “the low seven figures.”

The company will add about six new jobs, retain the current staff and expand its days and hours of operations, he said.

It will be open seven days a week and add hours from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

He maintained customers will be paid “the highest price” for their materials, citing the company’s volume of business at its 17 facilities. The company is projected to process more than one million tons of ferrous and 300 million pounds of nonferrous metal in 2016.

About three years ago, Empire Recycling merged with the former Perkins Scrap Metals and then spent $500,000 to upgrade the facility. The Upstate Shredding deal only includes acquiring the Pearl Street scrapyard and not Empire’s

eight other facilities in the state.

Upstate Shredding-Weitsman Recycling operates 17 locations throughout New York and Pennsylvania, including Oswego, Syracuse, Ithaca, Albany, Binghamton, and Scranton and New Castle, Pa. Late last month, Mr. Weitsman was overseeing the facility’s transformation when two new pieces of equipment arrived at the site.

The company believes in being a good neighbor, so it will be making improvements to the exterior and add landscaping, he said.

“We’re making it aesthetically more pleasing for the neighborhood,” Mr. Weitsman said.

Upstate’s sister company, Ben Weitsman & Son, Inc., was founded by Adam’s grandfather, Ben, in 1938. n CRAIG FOX is a Johnson Newspapers staff writer. Contact him at cfox@wdt.net or 661-2383.

RE AL E S TAT E

Jefferson, Lewis home prices dip Slight increase in Q1 median price for St. Lawrence County

By TED BOOKER

T

NNY Business

he median price of Jefferson County homes sold during the first quarter fell by $33,000 compared to the same period in 2015, a trend that suggests more foreclosed homes are being snapped up.

The median price fell by 22 percent from $147,000 to $114,000, and the 25 lowestpriced homes during the first quarter sold from $9,000 to $40,000, according to Lance M. Evans, executive officer of the JeffersonLewis Board of Realtors. Those home sales were among 137 made over the period, down by 12 units, or 8 percent, from the 149 sold in the first quarter of 2015.

Mr. Evans said homes in the county that were foreclosed on by banks appear to be in high demand among investors and landlords that see value in rehabilitating them.

“We’ve had a lot more investors who are picking up properties for great bargains,” he said last month. “A lot of these houses are going to be turned around, flipped or rented. But they need to be fixed up first.”

The decline in the number of homes sold over the period comes as the market in the county continues to be impacted by the abundance of new rental housing options, Mr. Evans said. New rental complexes built over the past five years to meet demand at Fort Drum have contributed to the buyer’s market.

“You’re starting to see more specials out there for free months of rent,” he said.

Compared with the same period last year, the first-quarter median home price in Lewis County dropped by $39,500, or 34 percent, from $117,000 to $77,500, according to the Jefferson-Lewis board. The number of homes sold over the period, however, climbed by 17 units, or 74 percent, from 23 to 40.

Mr. Evans said that Lewis County, like Jefferson, also had several homes sell for under $50,000 in the first quarter, causing the median price to dip from last year.

In St. Lawrence County, however, the firstquarter median price home price increased slightly by $2,750, or 3 percent, from $79,250 to $82,000, according to the county Board of Realtors. And over the same period, the number of homes sold increased by 31 units, or 34 percent, from 90 to 121.

Debra J. Gilson, a broker for County Seat

Realty in Canton who serves as president of the St. Lawrence board, said that mild winter weather helped spur more first-quarter home sales across the county.

lot of homes, she said.

“A typical December would be about four transactions, but I had 12 sales on the books for December alone,” she said. “I

“

We’ve had a lot more investors who are picking up properties for great bargains. A lot of these houses are going to be turned around, flipped or rented. But they need to be fixed up first.

— Lance M. Evans, executive officer, Jefferson-Lewis and St. Lawrence County boards of Realtors

Because it takes about eight weeks to close on home sales, she said, many deals initially made in November and December are included in first-quarter statistics.

Realtors across the county enjoyed similar success during the winter by selling a

attribute a lot of that to the mild weather and also to the low interest rates that buyers know will go up.”

The Jefferson-Lewis board has 335 Realtor members and the St. Lawrence board has 184, Mr. Evans said.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 25

R EA L E STATE ROUNDUP

A final word on property disclosure forms

I

n March and April, I wrote about two state-required real estate forms.

The first was the Agency Disclosure form, which is used by real estate licensees every time they work with a new client or customer in a residential real estate transaction. This includes a provision for advanced consent for the firm to represent both the seller and buyer in the transaction. There is a form for the seller/buyer transaction and a separate one for the landlord/tenant transaction.

The other form, used in almost every transaction that involves the sale of a oneto four-unit home is the Seller Property Condition Disclosure.

There are other forms you may encounter in a real estate transaction depending on your circumstances. One of the most prominent, especially in our area, is the Lead Paint Disclosure. The federal Environmental Protection Agency requires this form be filled out for every residential dwelling — purchase or lease — that was built before 1978.

There are a series of questions and statements the owner fills out about the presence of lead paint and lead paint hazards in the dwelling. It is filled out even if the lead paint has been removed from the home. Prior to purchasing or leasing a home or apartment that was built before 1978, the buyer or renter should receive a copy of the form as well as an EPA pamphlet titled: “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home” before signing an offer to purchase or lease the property. The buyer or renter also have some sections to fill out on the form.

While the lead paint form is required by

a federal agency, all of the other common forms, including the two I covered previously, are required by the state.

There are several that, while less common, are frequently seen Lance Evans in our area. They can be presented as individual forms or a combination of several forms together. Unlike the other forms discussed prior, they can be used in every transaction where property is purchased. In alphabetical order, they cover agricultural districts and farming activity,

together. They tell the buyer that the property does or does not have electrical service to it and if the property is subject to a surcharge and for what amount for electric, gas, and/or water utility.

The final form, the uncapped natural gas well disclosure, is required if the seller has knowledge of an uncapped natural gas well on the property.

A word about these forms: They must be used when needed, however it is not wrong to use them in every transaction if desired. Like all other disclosure forms, these need to be presented to the buyer prior to finalizing a purchase agreement. n

n

n

On Tuesday, May 17, the JeffersonLewis Board of Realtors will sponsor its annual Red Cross Blood Drive from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. All donors and blood types are welcome. The drive will include double red as well as regular donations and will be held in Watertown at Savory Downtown in the Best Western Hotel, 300 Washington St. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are appreciated and can be made by calling the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors, (315) 782-1322, or Karen Peebles, (315) 778-1290. You can also sign up online at redcrossblood.org. Go to May 17 in th elist and enter ZIP code 13601.

Like all other disclosure forms, these need to be presented to the buyer prior to finalizing a purchase agreement. electric availability, uncapped natural gas well disclosure, and utility surcharge.

The purpose of the agricultural districts and farming activity form is to inform the purchaser that the property is partially or wholly within an agricultural district and that farming occurs there. It notes that farming activities may include “activities that cause noise, dust, and odors” and the location may limit the ability to access water and/or sewer services.

The electric availability and utility surcharge forms are usually grouped

n LANCE M. EVANS is the executive officer of the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors and the St. Lawrence County Board of Realtors. Contact him at levans@nnymls.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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26 | NNY Business | May 2016

RE AL E STAT E / top transactions The following property sales were recorded in the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office during the month of March: $1,150,000: March 30, Town of Adams: Six parcels, no total acreage or address listed, Donald Herbert Holman and Susan Robinson Holman, Adams, sold to Ralph A. Diller and Deborah J. Diller, Auburn. $644,412: March 10, Town of Adams: 3.880 acres, 10757 U.S. Route 11. Butternut DG LLC, Manlius, sold to Saw Buck LLC, Cortland.

$300,000: March 14, Town of Oswegatchie: 0.94 of an acre more or less, bounded by the Shore of St. Lawrence River, Thomas J. Sansoucy, Ogdenbsurg, Julia S. Hannan, Syracuse, Michele S. Guardino, Heuvelton, Sheila S. Peo, Ogdensburg, and Kathryn St. Pierre, Ogdensburg, sold to William P. and Julia S. Hannan, Syracuse. $278,000: March 1, Town of Louisville: 3.50 acres more or less, Lot 11, bounded by Green Drive, Andrew S. and Karen M. Gayeskie, Mount Pleasant, S.C., sold to Joseph William and Shannon Daniele Keel, Malone.

$625,000: March 25, Village of Clayton: 1.497 acres, Bartlett Point Road, David B. Harrington, Watertown, and Diane A. Peterson, Clayton, as co-executors of James L. Harrington Estate, and Beverly A. Harrington, Clayton, sold to Eric N. Gregware and Janet A. Gregware, Clayton.

$265,000: March 10, Town of Morristown: 0.65 of an acre more or less, bounded by the Shoreline of the St. Lawrence River and River Road, James D. and Julie A. Spooner, Morristown, sold to Douglas and Joanne Baylor, Jerry and Erin Baylor, Webster.

$510,000: March 18, Town of Hounsfield: 0.44 acres, Storrs Road, Paul W. Brown and Martha J. Brown, Sackets Harbor, sold to Frank Rhode and Joanne M. Rhode, Watertown.

$233,000: March 26, Town of Pierrepont: 0.8 of an acre more or less, bounded by Russell Turnpike, Glenn S. Temple and Linda K. Summers, Marienville, Pa., sold to Jeffrey A. Szot and Bernadette L. Jenkins, Potsdam.

$500,000: March 28, Town of LeRay: 51.43 acres, Route 11, Carol E. Gillespie and Christopher E. Burke as trustees of Robert P. Gillespie Trust, Calcium, sold to LeRay Place Apartments LLC, East Lansing, Mich. $359,800: March 21, Town of Watertown: 7.77 acres, Swan Road, Jacob S. Johnson, Watertown, sold to Elizabeth R. Bonilla and Robert L. Bonilla, Gouverneur.

$233,000: March 28, Town of Pierrepont: 0.8 acres more or less bounded by the Russell Turnpike and Brown’s Bridge, Glenn S. Temple and Linda K. Summers, Marienville, Pa., sold to Jeffrey A. Szot and Bernadette L. Jenkins, Potsdam.

and Grasse River, Kathryn A. and Peter D. Mast, Massena, sold to Weichert Workforce Mobility Inc., Morris Plains, N.J. $225,768: March 30, Town of Louisville: Unknown acres bounded by Old Farm Circle and Grasse River, Weichert Workforce Mobility Inc., Morris Plains, N.J., sold to Benjamin W. and Marina LaBaff, Massena. $200,000: March 22, Town of Clifton: Parcel 1) 0.86 of an acre more or less, Parcel 2) 0.93 of an acre more or less, bounded by Columbian Road, Stanley W. Widger Jr. (executor), Lois Jane Widger, sold to Christopher L. and Maureen E. Randolph, Pittsford.

Serving Jefferson, Lewis & Oswego Counties

$232,750: March 30, Town of Louisville: Unknown acres bounded by Old Farm Circle

$350,000: March 23, Village of Chaumont and Town of Lyme: Three parcels, 13.527 acres more or less, James Street, Roxanne Adams, Central Square, sold to Mark Morina and Tara Morina, Lake Havasu, Ariz. $347,900: March 8, City of Watertown: 7.35 acres, Bradley Street at Hazelhurst Avenue, SFEG Corp., Westlake, Ohio, sold to 618 James Street LLC, Watertown. $331,430: March 8, Town of Adams: 5.21 acres, state Route 178, Robert J. Slye, Watertown, as referee for Margaret Brown, sold to Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, Texas. $300,000: March 9, Village of Alexandria Bay: 0.06 acres, Church Street, Church Street Properties Inc., Alexandria Bay, sold to JC Alex Bay Property LLC, Webster.

The following property sales were recorded in the St. Lawrence County Clerk’s Office during the month of March: $450,000: March 4, City of Ogdensburg: 4.984 acres more or less, bounded by Commerce Drive and Proctor Avenue, Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, Ogdensburg, sold to Ansen Corporation, Ogdensburg. $310,000: March 16, Town of Parishville: 12.57 acres more or less, bounded by Lenny Road, David P. and Jennifer M. Wick, Victor, sold to Jarrett W. Premo, Norwood,

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20 qu estions

JUSTIN SORENSEN photos | NNY BUSINESS

Growth in full flight S erving as Watertown International Airport’s first airport manager, Grant W. Sussey, stepped into the role during a period of extensive growth involving substantial projects like the runway extension and an addition on the airport’s terminal to make space for TSA checkpoints. He sat down with us this month to discuss the continued success of the airport’s operations and plans to transform it into a future economic driver of the region.

1

NNYB: At the time you were hired the airport was experiencing such success that sustaining operations had become more of a priority than ever before. It seems that things haven’t settled down since. What is fueling the success for the airport?

SUSSEY: I think the transition of the airport from the city to the county, there was. There was more investment in the airport and benefits that resulted of that. As far as what’s driving it, I think it’s the need for the air services, the need for access to the national transportation system. The economic activity in the community goes handin-hand with the airport. The airport can help it, can help grow it and can get more dividends by having the movement of fair commerce, the movement of people and goods.

2

NNYB: In April 2014, county legislators hired a consulting firm to complete a “True Market Study” to measure passenger activity at Watertown International Airport in an effort to better market the facility to customers. In short, what did you learn from that study?

SUSSEY: What we learned from that study is that our area, our market really has a great story to share, and a great data story to share to airlines and to air carriers, showing that we have a great area with strong components of passengers that are traveling. It kind of showed the opportunities of potential markets that we could reach, where people are flying to and from. We can use that information, that data,

28 | NNY Business | May 2016

n Sussey: Watertown Airport on pace

as driving force for region’s economy

when we speak to different airlines and when we speak with our EAS carrier to fine tune our routes to match the market that’s here. With that study is a lot of data and the data was mostly valuable to the airlines and how to fine tune their business to make it as successful as we can.

3

NNYB: That study was also to give county administrators an idea of just how big the airport’s market share actually is and provide information about which airports passengers use most frequently and why they drive to those locations.

So, what is the airports’ market share?

SUSSEY: We’re only capturing three percent of that potential market share that’s out there. There’s opportunity to increase that. Only three percent, it just shows growth opportunities available.

4

NNYB: Which airports passengers use most frequently and why they drive to those locations?

SUSSEY: In our area we have passengers that will use Toronto, Ottawa, Syracuse, and Rochester. I think that our whole goal with the EAS is to be able to have that connection to a major hub here at Watertown, but we do realize that there’s limited frequency and capacity. We aren’t looking to become a Syracuse or an Ottawa airport.

We’re trying to meet the needs of our community and keep our community connected. We want to enhance our air service and our options, but there’s always going to be some needs of travelers where flying out of a neighboring airport makes sense. What we want to do is make sure that the travelers always check Watertown first.

5

NNYB: What will it take for additional commercial air service to land at the airport? How far off is that?

SUSSEY: First and foremost, our primary objective is our current air carrier and our current EAS

air carrier, and making sure that they have the ability to remain profitable and stay here. We’ve made great progress with them and we can continue to grow. As far as how soon we may have additional service in the future, well, with the EAS program we’re making progress. The DOT puts out a bid for their service and it decreased the subsidy be over half. It went from like $3.3 million down to $1.8 million for our current air service. It shows that we’re doing our part towards that self-sufficiency. It’s possible in the future to get off EAS, but once that decision’s made, we can never go back to that EAs program. So, we have to make sure that that air service is a solid operation that can stand on its own.

6

NNYB: Is the airport meeting the requirements of the federal Essential Air Service program for it to continue?

SUSSEY: By showing continued steady growth and working hard to make the route as sustainable as possible, I think that we’re on the right track. Anything that we do as far as adding destinations and working with other air carriers and any other potential markets, it’s important that it does not hurt out EAS carrier. We want to make sure that it complements and doesn’t impede our EAS air carrier.

7

NNYB: How do you respond to critics who may question the necessity for a federal subsidy to a private, for-profit airline to serve the region?

SUSSEY: The goal of the EAS program is for small communities to have air service and to have access to the national air space system. After airline deregulation in ’78, the program was established to make sure these small communities that may lose air service continue to have air service, continue to have a connection to that air space system.

2 0 q u estions The goal of the program is to ultimately become free of that subsidy and ultimately be able to sustain their service on their own. Our partner American has worked very hard and we’ve worked very hard with them and we’re doing better. We’ve decreased that subsidy. I think in the future it’s possible, but when we do get off EAS we have to make sure this air service is as sustainable as possible because when air service is lost in a community it’s extremely hard to get it back. What the opportunity is, is we have the opportunity to have maybe less than daily air service. We have the opportunity to have connections, maybe a connection to other cities or other markets on a less than daily basis.

That opportunity exists. First and foremost we have to make sure our EAS carrier is doing well and we continue to make progress and decrease the subsidy over time, but we do have some additional opportunities in our market to have that less than daily air service and have a connection to another city. I think that possibility exists, and when will that happen? I’d say, within five years.

8

NNYB: Is the future of EAS is solid? Has there been talk at the federal level of eliminating it?

SUSSEY: Every so often there are some conversations at the federal level about EAS and there’s been at times different thresholds that have existed. We’ve always been well under those thresholds based on how successful our route is.

Our cost is less than other markets out west, other smaller communities.

9

NNYB: How can the county better market the airport and surrounding area as a destination?

SUSSEY: We have a marketing plan where we’re continually communicating and getting feedback, looking to our passengers and looking to our potential customers and what we can do to improve and continue to grow. Educating the community on options that are out there. The biggest thing is getting our community to always check Watertown first and keep checking. We go to many community events and we’re always doing outreaches to get feedback from our area businesses, tourism folks, lodging and attractions to get as much information as we can to share our story. We have a really good story to share with potential airlines out there and other locations to show what we have: a strong market, tourism, Fort Drum, our military partners and our local community. Continuing to communicate and share information back and forth is critical to further that marketing and further that growth of the airport.

10

NNYB: In 2014, several airport projects were under way, including the True Market Study, a $2.4 million taxiway rehabilitation project, a 1,000-foot runway expansion. A Jefferson County Industrial Development Agency-sponsored plan to build a corporate park is now in its initial phase.

A new $1.5 million hangar was completed last year. How has the community responded to all the recent improvements?

SUSSEY: When we go to different events and we talk to different people I think they’re proud of the accomplishments of the airport and what’s occurred. I think they’re proud. I think they realize what’s happening. Our community’s very engaged in developments at the airport. They’re all very aware of everything as the airport grows and

Watertown International Airport manager Grant W. Sussey talks about several projects in his office at the countymanaged airport,

The Grant W. Sussey file AGE: 33 JOB: Airport manager, Watertown International

Airport, Jefferson County Aviation Department

FAMILY: Mother, Janis; stepfather, Joe; brothers, Gary and Greg

HOMETOWN: Constantia (Oswego County) EDUCATION: Professional pilot certificate, North American Institute of Aviation, Conway, S.C., 2001; Cayuga Community College, 2003; bachelor’s in business administration; SUNY Oswego, 2005 PROFESSIONAL: Director of aviation at Or-

ange County Airport in Montgomery; previously security supervisor, operations supervisor, and officer in charge at Albany International Airport; flight instructor

LAST BOOK READ: “Adirondack Trails: Northville Placid Trail Guide Book” by the Adirondack Mountain Club each project. The community takes pride in how well the airport is developing and growing to be a real regional asset. Even our tenants are very happy. We’ve noticed a lot of our customers and transient pilots are very impressed and the word continues to spread. As people come through and they see the new facility they get a good first impression of Jefferson County and how we welcome people here. Of course we want them to invest in our community. We want them to stay here, live here, create jobs here. It’s reaching its goal of being the community’s front door.

11

NNYB: With the extra thousand foot of runway that will enable jets to come in during the winter months right?

SUSSEY: The extra thousand feet will make the airport more available for larger aircraft. It was specifically for the regional jet aircraft performance in the winter time. In the winter they have to turn on what they call aircraft de-icer. When you turn that on what it equates to is the airport needs more runway to take off or land depending on how it’s set up. With the runway extension it will make the airport more available, increase the utility of the

airport to be able to accept larger aircraft.

12

NNYB: You have been very successful in securing a number of different grants from several different sources, state and federal. What opportunities are out there?

SUSSEY: Our airport is part of this national plan that Congress has where they allow airports to apply for grants for airport improvements. When you’re in this national plan, you’re eligible for these AIP grants, these airport improvement program grants and they are all a competitive grant process for airports across the country. Those projects with higher safety ratings and higher need levels based on a national priority rating system get funded. That money in that grant program is from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is a trust fund that is established based on revenue from ticket sales and taxes on aviation fuel. They go into this trust fund and it’s redistributed to airports based on safety requirements and needs. That program is critical to airports, especially ours where they pay 95 percent of the cost of eligible projects.

The state pays 2.5 percent or eligible projects and the country pays the 2.5 local share. So, that’s one program that really helps airports out in maintaining that infrastructure. Congress and the federal government realize the importance of airports, the importance of furthering air commerce and the movement of people and goods. They make wise investments in airports because they see that true value and so does the state. That’s one funding source, another is through the New York State Aviation Capital Program. That’s a program that is funding for various business and airport needs in the state. We’ve been very successful through that program and obtaining grants. We’re always looking and seeing what opportunities are out there and how we can harness those to help further our business goals and further our plans at the airport.

13

NNYB: Do you think the corporate park will help make this airport more marketable?

SUSSEY: Absolutely, it goes hand-in-hand.

When you have businesses that require that need to get people or goods by air somewhere, having that airport close by is critical to their business and it helps the airport business, too. It makes sense. It’s very common at airports May 2016 | NNY Business

| 29

20 qu estions to have industrial development right near the airport. That’s an attractant to businesses, having that location near the airport and having that close access is important.

14

NNYB: The county also serves as the Fixed Base Operator now. Is that a common thing?

SUSSEY: It varies. Some airports do operate the fixed-base operator and some don’t. Some will rent the space out, but it’s not uncommon to happen. It’s a smart way to do it here, to use the revenue from our fuel sales, hangar fees and ramp fees to offset the costs of the airport operation.

NNYB: When American Airlines changed its flight service here from Chicago to Philadel-

phia, some people thought it was a bad move.

How has it panned out?

15

SUSSEY: I think Chicago was a strong and fun route, and that’s what they started with when they had their mainline legacy air carrier service.

The service was valued and admired. When the merger took place, American saw even more value in switching to the east coast hub of Philly.

When they looked at the passengers that they were flying and where they were going, they saw this is an opportunity to get people to a hub and onto their destination quicker. They found on some of their data that people were taking a bit circuitous route, routing through Chicago to fly to more east coast destinations. The Philly route has

been successful for American and I think they’re very happy with the route.

16

NNYB: Now there’s national dialogue about the aviation infrastructure across our country switching from radar to GPS, what’s in the way of that? A lot of people think that’s kind of a no-brainer in a sense.

SUSSEY: As we evolve and as we learn more, I think the GPS definitely makes sense and that’s where we’re headed and that’s what’s happening, but there is an expense side to that for aircraft operators and aircraft owners. It is expensive. Upgrading equipment can be very expensive. Sometimes there’s a balance to get there. You have to take steps to get there. You can’t take a giant leap.

17

NNYB: What has best prepared you for this job?

SUSSEY: Always learning, always willing to learn new things and having an open mind to be able to grow and learn as a manager. Working with your staff, your tenants and your community and always willing to get that feedback. That’s important. As far as what’s best prepared me, having pilot training and being prepared for different circumstances and always having a backup plan, always being familiar with your systems, and know an aircraft and having a plan knowing how to fly the plan.

When you relate it to flying, you

18

NNYB: When many young men consider a career in aviation, they dream of flying. What led you to a career in aviation management?

SUSSEY: Ever since I was in eighth/ninth grade I had a career path chosen and that was aviation.

I was going to be in aviation, but as high school kind of developed my sights were on flying, flying commercially as an airline, captain for a major airline. I always had the Plan B I guess. It was just in my nature. The Plan B or even after having a successful airline career was to retire and become an airport manager. What I did was, after college and after instructing for a number of years, we had Sept. 11 and some economic downturns.

The pilot career just wasn’t as attractive to me.

There were still hundreds and thousands of pilots on furlough and I knew it would be a tough road, so I skipped the airline career and went right into airport management. I continue to fly for fun.

That’s my passion. Flying and taking the airplane up and flying in that blue sky.

19

NNYB: Who is your mentor?

SUSSEY: In flying, I knew this pilot, Lt. Col. Fred Bullard. He was a retired air force pilot. I always looked up to him and his flying, knowledge, and leadership ability. I saw that and wanted to learn as much as I could from what he demonstrated.

20

NNYB: What motivates you the most?

SUSSEY: I see our plane come and go every day, but trying to catch every landing or take off and seeing all of that take place, that’s the best part.

Seeing every airplane that’s flying, the mission of that flight, you never know if it’s a leisure flight, a business flight, or it could be someone going to get medical care. It could be a wide range of missions, but knowing that that flight is taking place and seeing it safely moving people to where they need to go and doing what they need to do is inspiring.

— Interview by Ken Eysaman. Edited for length and clarity to fit this space.

30 | NNY Business | May 2016

N O N P RO FIT S T O D AY

Nurturing the next generation of giving I am your child Wherever you go, you take me, too Whatever I know, I learned from you Whatever I do, you taught me to do And I am your chance Whatever will come, will come from me Tomorrow is won by winning me Whatever I am, you taught me to be I am your hope, I am your chance I am your child

I

n the most recent issue of NNY Living magazine (Spring 2016), Norah Machia, who has a long written about the work of the region’s nonprofit organizations, presented inspiring examples of the next generation making a real difference. If you accept the premise that vibrant communities need things that government can’t, won’t or shouldn’t provide and that the private sector has not found a way to make profitable, then you also believe that our charitable sector needs passionate supporters of all ages and backgrounds who are willing to give time, talent and treasure.

All of us have benefitted in some way from the nonprofit organizations in our communities.

Each of us is one pink slip or other unfortunate event from needing the safety net services of the nonprofit sector. Many of our most cherished nonprofits do more to help stop the cycles of poverty than government ever can or will. It would be short-sighted to presume that nonprofit organizations only exist to serve those in need. Our libraries, museums, churches and arts, cultural, educational, mentoring, counseling, health care and philanthropic organizations are part of the fabric of our lives.

I was recently approached by a student interested in pursuing membership in his National Junior Honor Society. Today’s honor societies are about much more than earning good grades. Their slogan, “Honor Our Future Now,” focuses not only on developing values of scholarship, but also on service, leadership, character and citizenship. They strive to perpetuate a culture of engagement and a sense of community within communities,

improving the lives of others while improving one’s own.

The emphasis is on a wellrounded human being who is positioned to have a lifetime of success and fulfillment, both Rande Richardson personally and for their community and their world.

This seventh-grade student was able to quickly list several examples of his direct participation in civic engagement, community service and other ways of giving back. Within the past six months, he had participated in a community tree planting, had volunteered at church and the local food pantry and had even made a small monetary contribution to his

broaden their reach in college and the workplace. Marcus Lavarnway, a Youth Philanthropy Council alumnus and now a student at Clarkson University, said “My experiences on the council have made me a better person, student, and community member. I came out of YPC with numerous experiences that have changed the way I think about life and my community as a whole.”

The Foundation’s LEAD Your School Challenge is well underway. South Jefferson Central’s LEAD team recently partnered with five nonprofit agencies to promote student involvement, volunteerism, awareness and philanthropy. The Youth Philanthropy Council is expanding to the Sackets Harbor and General Brown school districts and we are discussing the possibility of adding a program for middle school students in the future.

In addition to the GPS for Success career path program, the Community Foundation is working with partner WPBS to embark on a project to record testimonies of individuals for whom making a difference has been an integral part of their lives. Documenting these stories not only recognizes and celebrates a culture of giving, but also can inspire future generations to carry the torch forward.

A 15-year career in funeral service has served as a constant reminder of the importance of keeping perspective during our all-too-short time on this earth. There are many things that comprise a fulfilling life. I believe being engaged in one’s community is an important and rewarding piece. This has always been a community where we have cared for each other and sought to do the right thing. We must do all we can to ensure that that tradition continues.

It is our responsibility to help the next generation awaken to the opportunities to experience the benefits and joy of making a greater, long-term difference in their neighborhoods, communities and their world. They are our hope. They are our chance. What will we teach them?

This has always been a community where we have cared for each other and sought to do the right thing. We must do all we can to ensure that that tradition continues. favorite charity.

At the Community Foundation, we spend a lot of time not only thinking about how to encourage giving back with purpose and meaning, but also laying the groundwork for the next generation to be both interested and inspired to become outstanding ambassadors for their communities. Since 2010, more than 100 students from local high schools have participated in the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Council initiative. In addition to learning about their communities and the work nonprofits do to improve them, it has developed individual leadership skills in a group setting, increased the awareness of volunteer opportunities, and allowed young adults to have a meaningful impact on the quality of life in the north country.

Through an intensive community review process, 70 organizations have received a total exceeding $90,000. Many students and their parents have said that the experience was one of the most transformative of their high school careers and has better prepared them to further

n Rande Richardson is executive director of the Northern New York Community Foundation. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident and former funeral director. Contact him at rande@nnycf.org. His column appears every other month in NNY Business.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 31

b usiness tech bytes

Engage employees in cybersecurity

I

t’s back, even though it never really went away. Ransomware, IRS, email and telephone scams. Cyber threats like these are very real to your business and are seen in the headlines almost daily. Do you think it will be the work of outsiders, malicious hackers trying to pilfer your customer’s confidential information? The biggest threat to your customers and your business can come from within. Negligence and ignorance of your employees is always very easy prey for cybercriminals.

If you have not already, now is the time to put security policies in place that will assume your network will be infiltrated and ensure that your employees know what they should and should not do to keep your business safe. Your information technology systems are only as safe as your weakest link. You need the compliance and cooperation of all your employees to ward off cyberattacks.

Now is the time to for cybersecurity training, not only as part of new employee training, but as part of an outgoing awareness campaign. You need to make this training relevant with real-world examples. Reference latest news stories and warn employees to pay special attention to social engineering activities. It is believed by many security leaders the next three years will determine if organizations can win the cyber war, according to the Ponemon study, titled “The Global Megatrends in Cybersecurity 2015.”

Understanding the trends that will impact your business or organization will help you make more informed decisions about your investments in technologies, processes and the people you employ.

“You don’t have to wait until you’re attacked to take cyber-security seriously,” said Jack Harrington, vice president of cyber-security and special missions at Raytheon Intelligence, Jill Van Hoesen Information and Services. “Rallying around the cyber-security issue is critical to address the real threats we face as a global society.”

Cyber incidents can often begin with a simple phone call with the cybercriminal posing as a fellow employee. They will try to exploit your legitimate employee’s social weaknesses as they gather information about your company and its operations. It does not stop there and often your top managers will be prime targets.

Cybercriminals actually consider them softer targets hoping your IT department will have bent some rules for them. For example, they will be prime targets while on business travel and utilizing the free “unsecured” hotel Wi-Fi network. These networks are not secure or encrypted and caution should be used when accessing your internal network from any unsecure networks, always try to use Wi-Fi encryption and a closed network such as WPA2.

There is the double-edged sword here: If it’s too complicated or difficult for your employees to access your internal network to do their jobs, they will find work arounds like using personal email, USB

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Make sure your employees are comfortable and know the how, when and where of notification when it comes to unusual cyber related activity, a suspicious email or if they have lost their mobile device.

Trainings should be taken seriously at every level. An employee who raises the red flag should never be met with disapproval or be made fun of. Even in the event of a false alarm, it’s important not to discourage employees from being proactive and aware. Should an incident happen, get the word out as soon as possible. Improper handling or lack of transparency could 820 Commerce have a significant impact on any given Park Dr. cyber event. Ensure you are prepared with both an internal communications plan and external public relations plan. You might Thisto40,000 building end up having to speak both thes.f. press 2,100 s.f.atof office and the public; thisincludes is your reputation addition to a stake, along with yourspace bottominline. clean room, environmental Don’t wait to react. Have a documented testing chamber, and cyber-attack plan in place. Updateflooring. and re- The electro-static view it frequently, communicate it clearly building is wired for high and often so your employees knowand what speed internet is fully addition to do if they believesprinklered. they’ve beenNew a victim of a cyber incident.contains 2 loading docks

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agri - b u siness

What’s happening in our dairy industry?

A

s we approach the annual June Dairy Month celebration, it is important to recognize that Jefferson County’s dairy industry is by far its largest sector of agriculture. Dairy accounts for roughly 66 percent of product sales.

Our 200 dairy farms produce 600 million pounds of milk annually. That’s about eight trillion 8-ounce glasses of milk. Jefferson County ranks fourth in the state in dairy production and in the top 50 counties nationwide. Unfortunately, our dairy farms are hurting nationwide due to horrible prices for the milk they produce.

In 2015 milk prices plummeted from all-time highs in 2014. The average mailbox price for dairy farms was $17.02 in 2015. Prices have continued to fall in 2016 and, according to Robert D. Wellington, senior vice president of economics, communications and legislative affairs for the Lawrence Mass.-based dairy cooperative Agri-Mark, average milk prices in 2016 could be around $15.25 per one hundred pounds of milk produced on farms. This is $2 to $3 below how much it costs even the best farms to produce 100 pounds of milk. Mr. Wellington commented on pricing concerns in the April 10 issue of Hoards Dairyman Magazine.

Why have prices dropped significantly?

There are many factors. Global demand increased. Countries such as China and India have improving economies and growing middle classes. Consumers had the ability to add more protein into their diets and dairy products were a choice previously not affordable. In addition, the value of the U.S. dollar was low compared to other currencies. This made our dairy products affordable on other continents. We ramped

up our exports of dairy products as high as 18 percent of our total production of dairy solids.

We saw the Greek yogurt boom lead to the building of new plants, demanding more milk.

Jay Matteson People finally realized that butter was a great, healthy product as well as drinking whole milk. For many years we were told not to consume higher fat dairy products but now science has shown these products are actually healthy for us. As demand increased, so did our milk production. But as history has shown, dairy prices usually run in three-year cycles. It really was not a surprise to see prices decline as China’s economy faltered, the value of the U.S. dollar increased and the Greek yogurt boom hit a new plateau. It is the degree of change that is frustrating to our farms with prices dropping more than $10 per hundred pounds of milk shipped. Expectations are that the prices will stay low into 2017 before slowly climbing again. I hope this is wrong and unexpected market forces drive prices higher sooner.

Unfortunately, some farms will go out of business. It is one of the most difficult businesses to manage and sometimes owners are forced to make the hard bottom-line decisions to sell when they look at cash flow and wonder how they will keep the cows fed. Because of the nature of dairy farming with owners usually living on the farm and, in many cases, the farm being the

retirement plan, it is very difficult prospect to close the doors and sell the cows and maybe the whole operation.

With all of the gloom I just shared though, there is an important fact to remember. Dairy prices are cyclical. They will come up. Farms that can manage through the difficult times will have a bright future. Mr. Wellington reports that there is movement toward creating more convenience in the dairy food industry. He cites the introduction of “cracker” sliced bricks of cheese. I agree completely. I have pre-sliced cheddar in my refrigerator and my 14-year-old son, nicknamed “Moose,” devours it quickly. Set an unsliced brick of the same cheese in plain sight of him, and it will sit forever. As cheese companies create convenience, consumption increases. Mr. Wellington also noted that dairy provides one of the best returns on invested capital and the dairy case is a $60 billion category in our supermarkets. With the recent recognition that dairy is in fact a healthy and safe food product, it can be expected that consumption will be increasing.

It is a difficult time for our dairy farms and we, unfortunately, will lose some. But for those that survive, the future is still very bright and we can look forward to dairy remaining the backbone of Jefferson County’s agricultural industry. Want to help? The easiest thing you can do is to consume great tasting, healthy dairy products and have a glass of ice cold milk with every meal. n Jay M. Matteson is agricultural coordinator for the Jefferson County Local Development Corp. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident who lives in Lorraine. Contact him at coordinator@comefarmwithus.com. His column appears monthly in NNY Business.

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small business success

Are you ready to open for business?

I

t’s very challenging to operate a seasonal business that’s open only part of the year, but it’s a financial necessity when your business depends on the weather and tourism. At the Small Business Development Center, our new clients often state that they are going to operate their weather- or visitor-dependent business year-round, but after the first year they often realize that it’s not financially viable to maintain payroll, utility and other expenses when the sales are just not there.

So, for you seasonal business owners, the pressure is on to make as much money as you can during the season, whether it’s crafts, food and drink or outdoor activities. Now that the snow and the chilly weather are behind us, local summer-based businesses are interviewing employees, purchasing inventory and looking forward to the unofficial start of summer as Memorial Day weekend draws near, kicking off the very important threeto four-month season.

Number one on the checklist right now should be to check out your online presence. (Actually, this is something you should have done as you were shutting down your business in the fall, perhaps posting a thank you to your customers and letting them know when you will be reopening in the spring.) While your local, longtime customers may understand that you close down for part of the year, your new ones, who perhaps have never gone through a winter here in the north country and don’t realize your community

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basically shuts down, will assume that the hours you have posted on your website or Facebook page are current.

I ran into this situation recently when Sarah O’Connell a friend and I were making plans. We talked about going out to eat and shop in one of the small lakeside communities. She is a military spouse and wanted to pick up some touristy items to take to her family on an upcoming visit. I told her that I didn’t think those businesses were open yet, and she told me she had checked out their websites. Sure enough, the restaurant we were considering said they were closed only on Tuesdays, but I knew that particular place was not open at all yet. The T-shirt place said it was open daily from 10 to 4; again, this was inaccurate. I started checking out websites for other river and lake communities and found the same pattern many times.

We tell our clients that having a basic website is extremely important if you want people to be able to find you. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it needs to offer complete and dependable information on your location, your hours, and how to contact you. It is vital that it be kept up to date. It should also be mobilefriendly, so if you haven’t done that yet,

you are overdue for a redesign. According to a 2014 article on Searchengingewatch.com, 27 percent of local mobile searches are to find a business’s location and 30 percent are to find a restaurant.

You don’t want to be missing out on those potential customers.

But, you might argue that you have a Facebook page and that’s easier to keep up with. In my opinion, that’s not good enough. Many people either don’t use Facebook at all or have given it up because it takes up too much of their time (I call that Facebook Fatigue Syndrome).

Other people just don’t want to “like” a business and have to have its posts clogging up their stream. And, of course, Facebook has changed its model to reduce how many people who like your business may even be getting your posts, because it is trying to get you to pay for sponsored local ads. So that website is very important as a dependable place for customers to find you.

By the way, I find the same pattern is true for community events like festivals, craft fairs or communitywide yard sales.

Organizers of these seasonal activities should be listing the dates and contact information now for the 2016 season. Let’s make it easier for our visitors and our new residents to enjoy all that the north country has to offer this summer. n SARAH O’CONNELL is a certified business advisor with the New York State Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College. She is a former small business owner and lifelong Northern New York resident. Contact her at soconnell@sunyjefferson.edu. Her column appears bi-monthly in NNY Business.

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34 | NNY Business | May 2016

E NT RE P RENE U R’S E D G E

On mud, entrepreneurship and flowers

I

t’s May. (I’m sure you knew that.)

This is the time of year when I am reborn. I hibernate in the winter. But come spring, I grow new petals and my stem gets taller as I look up and drink in the sun. It’s lovely, beautiful, glorious May. And it’s a brand new season.

I used to actually dread when the show melted. I seemed to only see the mud and dirt left behind from the snowplows and big snow boots that trudged through my yard. You know those big, bumpy piles I’m talking about? Yeah, those. Those muddy grubs were my nemesis.

For some reason I looked at them like remnants of the year before.

But not anymore. Now I look at them as an opportunity to overcome. I’m not afraid to stab my metal rake into the center of those earthy bumps and smooth them all out.

Then I dribble a handful of grass seed atop it and wait. In a few months that destroyed mud bump will be soft, green grass. Funny thing — that’s exactly how running a business works.

I had a conversation with a woman who started her business just a few years prior. She sold consulting services. Sort of. She actually struggled with that part.

She didn’t know how to sell without

feeling manipulative or pushy. So she sunk. When she finally found a branch to grab hold of so she could pull herself out, she decided to abandon Joleene Moody ship. She gave up. She never replanted or smoothed out the rough

ourselves. If we’re lucky, we might be offered a hand from a nearby adventurer who is willing to yank us out.

Nonetheless, this is where the bravest decisions are made: on the edge of your mud bump just seconds after you’ve emerged. It is on this edge where you have a big decision to make: Run away, or stay and be reborn. Running is most definitely easier. I don’t dispute that. But there is no glory in running. No growth. There is no sunshine or new petals. There is only more mud that gets thicker and thicker, even harder and crustier as the hot sun beats down on it.

Scrape and dig.

Fight hard to get out. You wouldn’t be the first to fall in and get stuck and you sure as hell wont be the last.

You will, however, be reborn. You will feel stronger and taller and braver.

You’ll bloom brighter than before and all of the other flowers around you will gawk at your steadfastness. They’ll see your new petals and think, “Wow. I wish I had petals like that. But I don’t, because I ran.”

Don’t run. Stay. I’ll even let you borrow my rake.

There isn’t a single entrepreneur out there who doesn’t sink in the mud from time to time. If we’re not sinking in it, were struggling to get out of it. Sometimes were in the mud for a long, long time. We discover that the only way out is to scrape and dig and crawl out ourselves. If we’re lucky, we might be offered a hand from a nearby adventurer who is willing to yank us out.

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spots. Instead she just ran. When I asked her why, she said, “Because it’s easier to work 40 hours for someone else than it is to work for me.”

(Sigh.)

There isn’t a single entrepreneur out there who doesn’t sink in the mud from time to time. If we’re not sinking in it, were struggling to get out of it. Sometimes were in the mud for a long, long time. We discover that the only way out is to scrape and dig and crawl out

n Joleene moody is a freelance writer, blogger and speaker who lives in Oswego County with her husband and daughter. Learn more at www.takeyourvoiceback.com. Her column appears monthly in NNY Business. Visit nnybizmag. com to read past columns online.

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May 2016 | NNY Business

| 35

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

Alexandria Bay

Fort Drum

Saturday, May 28

Tuesday, May 17

n Grape Blossom Festival, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thousand Islands Winery, 43298 Seaway Ave. The event includes live music, local crafters, wine and beer, and Thousand Islands Winery’s wine slushies. Music by R-19 and Wagners. Cost: Free. Information: 482-9306.

n Armed Forces Day Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Commons at Fort Drum. Luncheon honors military service members, both in the service and those retired. Cost: $22; corporate table for 6, $185; sponsorship for 10 soldiers, $220. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

Carthage Tuesday, May 10

Tuesday, May 24

n Citizen of the Year Dinner, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Elks Lodge, 511 Fulton St. The annual dinner is hosted by the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce.

Cost: $18. Information: Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, 493-3590.

n Fort Drum Business Networking Group, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Army Community Service, P-4330 Conway Road. Fort Drum business owners are invited to connect with each other.

Cost: Free. Information: 772-9611 or fortdrumacs.checkappointments.com.

Wednesday, June 22

Thursday, June 9

n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Independent Medical Evaluation Company, 111 Riverside Drive. Cost: Preregistered, $4; at the door, $5.

Information: Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, 493-3590.

Every Wednesday n Cruise In Classic Auto Show, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Turning Point Park. Includes food, prizes, music and a raffle. Proceeds to benefit the American Legion Scholarship Fund. Cost: Free. Information: 493-2787.

Clayton Thursday, May 19 n Business With a Twist, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Drive. Cost: Members, $3; nonmembers, $5. Information: 686-3771 or info@1000islands-clayton.com.

n Building Your Own Business, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Army Community Service, P-4330 Conway Road. Small Business Development Center at Jefferson Community College and the Employment Readiness program provide instruction on starting a new business.

Cost: Free. Information: 772-9611 or fortdrumacs.checkappointments.com.

Henderson Harbor Thursday, May 19 n South Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner, 6 p.m., Westview Lodge, 13499 County Route 123. Pearl’s Pastry Shoppe to be awarded Small Business of the Year, and Waite Motors Sales Inc./Waite Motor Sports is named Large Business of the Year. Reservations and payment required by Monday, May 16 Cost: $25. Information: South Jeff Chamber of Commerce, 232-4215.

Croghan

Massena

Saturday, June 11

Saturday, May 21

n Jim Scanlon Citizen of the Year Banquet, 6 p.m., American Legion Post 1663, 1663 Main St. Croghan Lions Club will recognize one adult and one student as Citizen of the Year. Social hour is 6 p.m. and dinner begins at 7 p.m. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: 346-6414.

36 | NNY Business | May 2016

n Frenchie’s Great Northern NY Auto Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Frenchie’s Chevrolet and Frenchie’s Ford, 255 E Orvis Street to 216 E Orvis Street.

Includes unique automobiles from Northern New York and Southern Canada, as well as 50/50 raffles, giveaways, food vendors, and activi-

ties for kids. Cost: Free. Information: Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce, 769-3525.

Friday, June 10 to Sunday, June 12 n 37th Annual Heritage Festival, downtown Massena. Includes crafts, vendor, amusement rides, games, parade and a music festival. Cost: Contact for admission prices. Information: Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce, 769-3525.

Ogdensburg Friday, May 20 to Saturday, May 21 n North Country Wine, Beer & Food Festival, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. 6 p.m. Saturday, Lockwood Civic Center, 141 W River St. The event will kick off with the Supermarket Sweeps Raffle. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce, 393-3620.

Syracuse Friday, June 3 to Saturday, June 4 n Taste of Syracuse, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Clinton Square, West Genesee and South Clinton Streets. Featuring two day of food and music, including Saturday’s headliner, Cheap Trick. Cost: $1 for samples. Information: (800) 2344797 or tasteofsyracuse.com.

Wednesday, June 8 n Understanding Effective Technical Presentation Seminar, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., OneGroup Center, 706 N. Clinton St. Learn basic techniques for giving effective technical presentations.

Cost: Contact for prices. Information: kdejoseph@centerstateceo.com.

Friday, June 10 to Saturday, June 11 n Empire Brewfest, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd. Featuring dozens of craft beers to sample, along with food and music. Cost: Contact for ticket prices. Information: empirebrewfest.com. n Empire Winefest, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State

Saturday, June 11 to Sunday, June 12 n Syracuse Hancock International Air Show, 9 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, 1000 Colonel Eileen Collins Blvd. Cost: Contact for ticket prices.

Information: syracuseairshow.com or http://bit.ly/1UDU2TM.

Wednesday, June 15 n Speed Networking, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 217 Lawrence Rd. E. Engage in round table discussions and build relationships with other CenterState CEO members. Cost: Contact for prices. Information: kdejoseph@centerstateceo.com.

Monday, June 16 n CNY Best Learning and Performance Awards Ceremony, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Doubletree by Hilton, 6301 Route 298, East Syracuse.

Reception is from 5 to 6 p.m., and dinner and awards ceremony are from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: $75; seating for four, $285; table of eight, $555.

Information: 546-2783 or

First Wednesday of the month n Business Innovation Days meeting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Tech Garden, 235 Harrison St. Entrepreneurs and small business owners meet with a counselor from the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College for advice and assistance opportunities. Information: 498-6070 or SBDC@sunyocc.edu.

Every Wednesday n Introduction to Business Startup, Small Business Development Center, 4 to 6 p.m., Mulroy Hall, Onondaga Community College, 4585 West Seneca Turnpike. Information: 498-6070 or cnyastd.org. n Syracuse Business Networking, 6 to 7 p.m., Barbieri’s Restaurant, 304 S. Main St. Cost: Free. Information: Kim Bachstein, 414-8223 or info@ SyracuseBusinessNetworking.com.

Every Thursday n Free Business Counseling with SCORE, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Tioga County Chamber of Commerce, 80 North Ave. Information: Tioga Chamber of Commerce, 1- (607) 687-2020.

Every Friday n 40 Above: Workers in Transition, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Northern Onondaga Public Library at North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane. Helping job seekers aged 40 and above in search of work. Information: John A. Cruty, 569-3964 or crutij@yahoo.com.

Watertown Wednesday, May 18 n 2016 Economic development seminar, 6 to 8 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1290 Arsenal St. Recommended for local officials: Town and village board, planning and ZBA boards, county legislators, school boards, local development corporations and interested parties. Speaker Mark D. Waterhouse, president, Garnet Consulting Services.

Topics include: Principals of economic development; competing in a global environment; understanding site selection; determining when a community is ready to grow; incentives: what matters and why; and partnering with economic developers. Register with Jefferson County Economic Development: (315) 782-5865 or email mweir@jcida.com.

Saturday, May 21 n Armed Forces Day Parade, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Washington Street. Prizes are awarded to first, second and third place in Best Scout Group, Best Float, Best Marching Group and Best School Band. Cost: Free. Information: Nancy Datoush, ndatoush@fdrlo.org.

Wednesday, May 25 n Watertown Farm & Craft Market Opening Day, 6:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., 317 Washington St. The market will operate every Wednesday through Oct. 5 with the exception of Federal Holidays. Cost: Free admission.

Information: watertownfarmersmarket. weebly.com.

Thursday, May 26 n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Jefferson County Historical Soci-

ety, 228 Washington St. Register by noon, May 25. Cost: registered members, $ 10; non-registered members, $12; nonmembers, $15. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com.

Tuesday, June 7 n NCHRA HR Conference, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 1290 Arsenal St. This year’s theme is “Radical Changes Ahead” and topics include employment law updates, affordable care reporting, wage and hour update, and a panel discussion on north country issues. Cost: Members, $75; nonmembers, $125. Information: northcountryhra.org.

Friday, June 10 n Jefferson Leadership Institute Class of 2016 Graduation Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Watertown Elks Lodge, 728 Bradley St. Registration begins at 11:30 am, and program and lunch at noon. Cost: $23; JLI Alumni, $20. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@watertownny.com. n Hospice Spring Fling, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St. Includes food, live entertainment and cash bar. Proceeds benefit Hospice of Jefferson County.

Cost: $20. Information: Penny, 9385069 or pmgrandma@hotmail.com; Hospice, 788-7323 or nparatore@ jeffersonhospice.org

Thursday, June 16

COMMUNITY / BUSINESS CALENDAR

Fair Blvd. Includes wine sampling, music, food, vendors, a “Paint While Your Drink Wine” party, and an adult coloring class. Cost: $25. Information: 426-8741 or empirewinefest.com.

n Business After Hours, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Jake’s Lawncare, 17940 State Route 11. Register by noon, June 15. Cost: registered members, $ 10; non-registered members, $12; nonmembers, $15. Information: Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, 788-4400 or chamber@ watertownny.com.

 GOT A BUSINESS EVENT or calendar item? Email nnybusiness@wdt.net.

Deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NNYBusiness or www.nny bizmag.com for events calendar updates.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 37

b usiness scene Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce business After Hours at Community Bank

From left, Scott Kingsley, vice president and chief financial officer, Naura Christman, West Carthage branch manager, and Mark Tryniski, bank president and chief executive officer, all of Community Bank.

ELAINE Avallone PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Jolene Munger, population health coordinator, Gary Rosenberg, administrator of support services, and Taylour L. Scanlin, marketing director, all of Carthage Area Hospital. Community Bank’s West Carthage branch hosted the April Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on April 13.

Susan Foy and son, Jeffery, both of Foy Insurance Agency, Carthage.

ELAINE Avallone PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Stefanie Spaulding, Morgan McAleese and Kristinia Boucher, all of The Cottage Inn, Copenhagen.

OUTER WASHINGTON ST. WATERTOWN NY 315-788-6022

Let's Go Places

WaiteToyota.com 38 | NNY Business | May 2016

BU SINE SS SCENE GWNC Chamber Business After Hours at Savory Downtown

From left, Diana Page Jordan and Jennifer Zambrano, both of Jefferson County Historical Society, Watertown.

From left, Mike Peto, Creg Systems, Watertown, and Eddie Wilson, Wilson Business Systems Consulting, Dexter.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Stephanie Mason, Bonnie Eppolito, and Meagan Antonelli, all of Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, and Laurel Blackmore, Marcy Spa & Salon, Watertown. Savory Downtown, Watertown, hosted the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce April Business After Hours on April 20.

From left, Melanie and Jim Rafferty, both of Cortel Improvement, Black River, and Ken Piarulli, Ameriprise Financial, Watertown.

18014 GOODNOUGH ST., ADAMS CENTER, NY • 315-583-5680 MON.-WED. 8-5, THURS. & FRI. 8-6, SAT. 8-2

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 39

b usiness scene GWNC Chamber Business After Hours at Savory Downtown

From left, Beth Brown, Community Bank, Watertown, and Beth Mac, Northern Credit Union, Watertown.

Leslie Huddy and Andrew McEathron, both of Independent Medical Evaluation Company, Carthage.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Stan Cosper, Black River, and Lisa Wash, United Group of Companies, Watertown. Savory Downtown, Watertown, hosted the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce April Business After Hours on April 20.

From left, Ian Weller, Benefit Services Group, Watertown, and Zachary Augliano, United Professional Advisors, Watertown.

KRAFFT

LEED Compliant/ Environmentally Friendly Services

Janitorial Service Carpet Cleaning Hard Floor Care Construction Clean-Ups Window Washing Pressure Washing Mat Cleaning

CLEANING SERVICE, INC.

315-782-4437 or 315-783-4437 www.krafftcleaning.com

The North Country’s Cleaning Professionals Since 1971

Recipient of Business of the Year Award!

CELEBRATING OUR 45 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 40 | NNY Business | May 2016

b u siness scene Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Spring Fling at Ridgeview Inn

Shawn Moshier, IBM, Lowville, and Rachael O’Brien, Beaver River Central School, Castorland.

From left, Tina Lanier, AmeriCU and Lewis County Chamber, Lowville, and Cindy Durkish, retired from Harrisville Central School District, Harrisville.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

Mark Swearingin, Atlas Air, Brantingham, and Donna Dolhof, Dolhof Hardware, Lyons Falls. The Ridgeview Inn in Lowville hosted the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Annual Spring Fling Dinner on Thursday, April 21.

KAREE MAGEE PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Jim Durkish, office of New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, and Ben and Judy Colton, Volunteer Transportation Center, Lowville.

DGM Coon & Company is proud to offer space available for rent in some of Watertown’s most desirable office locations.

DGM Coon & Company

Commercial Property Management Services

315-785-0015 May 2016 | NNY Business

| 41

b usiness scene Clayton Chamber of Commerce Business With a Twist at St. Lawrence Spirits

Jerry Garvin and wife, Tricia, owners, Garvin Construction, Adams Center and Tuggers, Barnes Corners.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Alexandra Buduson, Clayton Chamber of Commerce, Phil DeLuke, DeLuke’s Garden Center and Northern Flow Vineyards, Clayton. St. Lawrence Spirits, Clayton, hosted the Clayton Chamber of Commerce April Business With A Twist networking event on April 21.

42 | NNY Business | May 2016

From left, Mark and Becky Stewart, Stewart Signs, Clayton, and Jeff Garnsey, Garnsey’s Classic Island Cruises, Clayton.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Meredith Fiorentino, Watertown Savings Bank, Watertown, Therese Christensen, Clayton Trading Co., Clayton, Joy Rhinebeck, Thousand Islands Arts Center, Clayton, and Patti Kittle, RBC Wealth Management, Watertown.

b u siness scene St. Lawrence Chamber Business in the Spotlight at Best Western University Inn

From left, Lisa Cania and Ben Dixon, St. Lawrence University, Canton.

David and April Fullerton, PROFleetCare — St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.

Jennifer Mccluskey PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Sonya Butler and Allison Bauer, Best Western University Inn, Canton. The Best Western University Inn hosted the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce April Business in the Spotlight on April 27.

Jennifer Mccluskey PHOTOS | NNY BUSINESS

From left, Greg Copeland and Scott Shipley, Northern Lights Energy, Hermon.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 43

NNY Employment

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Guest Service Clerk F Bell person Housekeeping Inspector Housekeeping Attendants Servers AM & PM Host/Hostess Food Server Assistants Banquet Servers F/P/T Banquet Bartenders Banquet Porter F Cooks AM/PM Hope to see you at our

JOB FAIR

May 10th 3p-8p May 11th 8a-12p/2p-4p Apply anytime online at www.1000islandsharborhotel.com 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel 200 Riverside Drive Clayton, NY • 13624

HELP WANTED? Advertise Here!

Jefferson Rehabilitation Center is an independent not-forprofit corporation.

The goal of JRC is to enhance the quality of life and maximize the potential of persons with disabilities and to assist family members. These goals are achieved through education, vocational opportunities, training, residential services, inclusion and advocacy in a community based setting. : Work in residential setting with persons with developmental disabilities providing oversight, assistance, training, budgeting and supervision for the individuals in the areas of self-care, domestic skills, socialization and other designated areas. Assist in the management of the resident’ s outcomes and monitor the plan developed at the annual review. Bachelor’ s Degree in Human Services or related field and one (1) year experience working with the developmentally disabled, or Associates Degree in Human Services or related field and two (2) years experience, with one (1) year being in a supervisory position working with developmentally disabled individuals; or High School Diploma or equivalency with three (3) years’ experience and one year in a supervisory position in a program for the developmentally disabled and either actively taking college coursework toward a degree or participating in the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center Management Series until completion. Valid/acceptable New York State driver’s license. Must be medication certified or the ability to be med. certified within 90 days (exceptions for short term certification loss will be made with Executive Director approval). Work may require lifting, pushing, or pulling, in excess of 30 pounds. $11.82/Hour + D.O.E. : Work in residential setting with persons with developmental disabilities providing supervision and direction to Direct Support Professionals and complete administrative duties as assigned by the Residence Manager. Associates Degree in Human Services or related field and one year of experience working with the developmentally disabled or High School Diploma or equivalency with a minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with the developmentally disabled with six (6) months in a supervisory role. Work may require lifting, pushing, or pulling, in excess of 30 pounds.

Valid/acceptable New York State driver’ s license must be medication certification or the ability to be med. certified within 90 days. $10.95/hr. .

Work in residential setting with persons with developmental disabilities providing direct care, assistance and coordination in daily living skills. Responsible for assisting in the training and supervising of Direct Support Professional/Substitute to ensure staff are competent to provide rehabilitative services and meet the needs of the residents. Associate’s Degree in Human Services or related field and one year of experience working with the developmentally disabled or High School Diploma with two (2) years experience with the developmentally disabled. Good oral and written communication skills required and a valid/acceptable NYS Driver’s License. Must be med certified or the ability to be med certified with in 90 days. $9.81/hr.

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Work in residential setting with persons with developmental disabilities providing direct care, assistance and coordination in daily living skills. High School Diploma or equivalency required. Experience working with the Developmentally Disabled preferred. Good oral and Starting written communication skills required. Acceptable NYS Drivers’ License required. at $9.11/hr. : Starting at $10.00/hr.

Work in Day Habilitation setting with persons with developmental disabilities providing direct care, assistance, and coordination in daily living skills; to include community outings and activities. High School Diploma or equivalency required. Experience working wi th the Developmentally Disabled preferred. Good oral and written communication skills required. Acceptable NYS Driver’s License. $9.00 /hr. SUB RATES: Earn up to $10.00/hr.

A chance to utilize nursing skills taking care of and overseeing individuals with developmental disabilities.

This position involves mostly case management and some hands on direct medical care. The case management includes taking care of an assigned workload of individuals in a team effort to ensure proper care i s provided.

Must be currently licensed and currently registered with NYS Education Department as a registered professional nurse. Experience working with the developmentally disabled preferred. Work may require lifting, pu shing, or pulling, in excess of 30 pounds. Valid/acceptable NYS Driver’s License. $45,000 annually + D.O.E. : Provide job coaching services according to the consumer’ s individual written plan and obtain and sustain competitive employment based on the individual’s vocational goals, interest, and skills.

High School Diploma required; Associate’s Degree preferred. One year experience working with the developmentally disabled preferred. NYS valid/acceptable Driver’s License. $9.36/hr.

- Production Unlimited: Minimum requirement of an Associate’s Degree in Marketing, Sales or Business with 5-7 years sales experience. Bachelor’ s Degree preferred with 3-5 years sales experience. Sales experience preferred in a manufacturing environment. Knowledge of local industry, industrial production and methods/marketing/ contract procurement. Ability to use MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) required. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and communicate with clients to further develop new and existing accounts. Strong written, organizational, editing, and project management skills. Travel required. Valid/acceptable NYS Driver’s License and reliable vehicle. Must be able to lift and/ or move up to 40 pounds. Builds and maintains ongoing, organized and professional outreach to current JRC clients and to potential clients to maintain and increase sales for existing lines of business (products and services) for Production Unlimited. Annual Salary D.O.E.

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44 | NNY Business | May 2016

Come enjoy the natural beauty of Northern New York, minutes from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

CARING / HEALING / LEADING PATIENT SAFETY OFFICER Samaritan Medical Center has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Patient Safety Officer. We are looking for an individual who has experience in promoting a safety-supportive culture, demonstrated implementation of safety initiatives and the ability to analyze and identity trends from adverseevent data. This role will assist all levels of management, Medical staff and staff in the coordination of activities that promote improvement in patient care/patient safety. Education Requirements: Current NYS RN licensure. Bachelor’s degree required, Masters preferred.

ONCOLOGY CLINIC RN Relocation Assistance and Signing Bonus Samaritan’s Oncology/Hematology Clinic has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Oncology RN. The position will require experience in a Medical Oncology office setting and experience in infusion therapy. Qualified candidates must be a graduate from an accredited school of nursing with a current NY RN license. Candidates must have BLS or obtained within 3 months of hire. Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, and management/leadership skills. Must possess and demonstrate knowledge of the growth and development and means to provide appropriate care to the varied age groups, pediatric to geriatric, to whom health care is provided.

PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER Signing Bonus and Relocation Assistance Offered Samaritan Medical Center has 2 Full-Time Nurse Practitioner positions available in our Inpatient Mental Health Unit. The position requires a current NYS RN license and NYS Licensure as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, with a DEA License. Be a part of an organization where you will find yourself surrounded by good people doing good things … every day.

REGISTERED NURSES AND LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSES Now is an exciting time to join the Samaritan Health team. If you are passionate about working in a Patient Centered Leadership environment and committed to providing high quality and safe patient care to meet the needs of our civilian and military community, we would invite you to explore opportunities at Samaritan. Enjoy an excellent salary, full, part-time and casual opportunities.

Join Us in delivering better healthcare & a better healthcare experience!

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/HOUSEKEEPING/LAUNDRY Exceptional, dedicated people, rewarding career opportunities, excellent compensation and benefit program and the ability to shape healthcare in our community are some of the reasons to join Samaritan. Samaritan has full-time, part-time and casual positions available within our Environmental Services/Housekeeping and Laundry Departments. The successful candidate should have at least one year of housekeeping experience, commercial experience preferred. The ability and willingness to perform housekeeping tasks and following instructions with minimum supervision is required.

Apply online at www.samaritanhealth.com or contact Samaritan Human Resources Office/Michael Britt, Manager of Recruitment 315-786-4997.

Samaritan is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, Disabled, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 45

46 | NNY Business | April 2016

NNY Marketplace Watertown’s Oldest - and Newest - Irish Pub! • Guinness On Tap! • Harp On Tap! • Offering Daily Specials!

• Take-Out Available!

Open Daily at 11:00AM • Sunday at Noon

Family owned and operated since 1978 Happy Hour .......Monday-Friday 4-7pm

Gourmet Sandwiches, Pizza, Wings, Steaks, Chicken, Soups and Salads 852 COFFEEN ST., WATERTOWN • 315-782-7335

849 Lawrence Street, Watertown, NY 782-6888 Serving Lunch & Dinner Monday-Thursday 11:00am to 10:00pm Friday & Saturday 11:00am to 11:00pm

Graduation Parties

for Unique Gifts, Shrubs, Flowers, Trees, Perennials, Hanging Baskets, Mulch, Top Soil, One-of-a-Kind Gift Baskets and Specialty Handbags.

SP

Pharmaceutical & Business Lunches Private Parties

R I N G VA L L E Y

Garden Center

smangano@twcny.rr.com

& Gift Shop

315-440-4280 ask for Sam

HATE THE DENTIST?

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Scott LaClair, DDS Natashya M. Fraser, DDS Consider joining a practice that is like no other for a healthier happier you, call today.

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315-686-5142

775 Graves Street, Clayton www.ClaytonDentalOffice.com Participating With United Concordia, Delta Dental, Metlifde, Teamstors, CareCredit

May 2016 | NNY Business

| 47

BusIness

www.nnybizmag.com

260 Washington St. Watertown, NY 13601

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED