Glens Falls Hospital Expanding Emergency Dept. In Midst Of A Fundraising Campaign
BY ROD BACON
Construction is underway on a major expansion and renovation of the Sheridan Emergency Department at Glens Falls Hospital.
This is the first significant upgrade to the department in nearly 30 years, which was helped at the time with a generous gift from David S. and Janet R. Sheridan.
“My parents chose the emergency department because it’s one of the places that serves the greatest number of people in the hospital’s coverage area,” said Davene Sheridan Brown, one of four Sheridan children.
Part of the funding for the expansion is being underwritten by community support, and the Sheridan Foundation, which was created in 2000, has stepped up with a lead gift of $3 million. Since 1986 the Sheridan family has contributed $5.5 million to the hospital.
A campaign to raise $15 million of the $25 million goal was kicked off in September at “An Evening to Savor” gala on the hospital grounds with a view of the emergency department.
Other lead gifts announced that evening were $2.25 million from the Hoopes Family Foundation, $1 million from Susan Conley Salice in honor of Joe and Theresa Conley and Family, and $1 million from the Charles R. Wood Foundation. Since that evening the Glens Falls Foundation added another lead gift of $250,000.
“We are fortunate that we continue to receive significant support from our community,” said F. Raymond Agnew, CFRE {R}, vice president of hospital and community engagement.
The hospital is seeking additional funding from public sources so that no additional debt is incurred.
The expansion will add 7,000 square feet to the emergency department, increasing its size by
40 percent. While a general contractor has not been retained, preliminary work is being done outside, according to Agnew.
“We’re reconfiguring roadways and parking lots, and getting the footings down for the new external portico,” he said. “No interior work has been started yet.”
Those contractors currently on the job include O’Connor Construction, Brownell Electric, Afsco Fence, Catalfamo Construction, and ATI Access Control.
Agnew noted that a larger emergency department will require staff increases but exactly how many people and in what capacities hasn’t been determined.
EDC Warren County Takes Lessons From Past To Build A Bright Economic Future
BY JIM SIPLON
Being optimistic about our future, economic or otherwise, seems almost a courageous act at the moment. The seemingly ongoing stretch of natural disasters, economic and geopolitical shocks have given us all pause as we look to an uncertain future. At times like these, we find both solace and confidence for our region… by looking back. Back to a rich heritage of ingenuity, adaptability and a keen understanding of how where we live yields a unique set of advantages associated with this marvelous region. The heritage that birthed a thriving timber and paper sector, a wide variety of manufacturers and a new industry making medical devices. This place had always been somewhere good ideas came to life.
A couple of years ago, I began a deep dive into our areas economic history, with help from a number of likeminded leaders. We researched media and press coverage as well as public records and data, some of it going back to the days of our country’s founding. After amassing this enormous amount of information, we began sifting through it looking for discernible trends, time periods and shifting economic sectors…it was a sometimes overwhelming task.
Some things were evident almost immediately. The role of place was clear from the earliest days of our area with a distinct desire for those who lived elsewhere, primarily New York City but far and wide as well, to come here to enjoy the majesty of Lake George, the Adirondacks and the surrounds. What we now see as tourism was the first great driving force in our economy, sometimes being the majority of economic activity and always at least a third of the overall economic landscape. This is, both chronologically and logically, the first pillar of our areas economy and today
represents between 25 and 35% of most objectives measures including employment and revenues. It has been present as along as we have been a place and is also uniquely resilient to automation and AI. It will always be in demand.
The rest of the data was less obvious. The way industries and sectors were identified and tracked changed over time, making direct comparisons harder. The data began to get consistent in the 1980s and has been tracking more than 20 distinct categories of
Arrow Bank Aims For Significant Growth With Rebrand And Regional Expansion
BY PAUL POST
Arrow Bank’s newly rebranded name is taking aim at greater Capital Region market share.
The moniker replaces Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company and its affiliate, Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company, which have operated together since the latter’s company’s formation in 1988.
The newly-named Arrow Bank is a subsidiary of Glens Falls-based Arrow Financial Corporation.
“We’ve been successful with the two brands, but in some instances the name has held us back a little bit,” said David S. DeMarco, corporation president and CEO. “If you go into a new market and you’re a strong company that’s got the name Arrow Bank it should be well perceived versus, ‘Wait a minute, I thought your bank was in Saratoga or Glens Falls.’ ”
“We have a very small market share in the Capital Region,” he said. “That’s really where our growth will be. That’s our target.”
A crowd of company officials and well-wishers recently gathered outside Glens Falls offices to celebrate the new designation, which took effect January 1.
The leadership team is unchanged, ensuring stability and continuity and customers can continue to use all of the bank’s 38 branch locations from Albany to the Canadian border. Staffing for the bank’s 550 employees will not be affected.
“The big message to customers is that nothing’s really changing, but the name,” DeMarco said. “When I ask customers, Why do you do business with us, inevitably everyone says because of the people. We’re a people business. In this instance, the people, the buildings, products and services aren’t changing. Literally, the only thing people are going to see is the name change.”
“We came to the conclusion a couple years ago that it’s going to really help us from an operating efficiency standpoint to have one company,” he said. “We’ll no longer have to have two sets of marketing materials or financial statements and it will really help from an accounting and finance standpoint, even with our loans and deposits.” Glens Falls National Bank was founded in 1851.
Arrow Financial Corporation is a publicly traded company with an asset size of approximately $4.4 billion.
Last August, the company acquired a Berkshire Bank branch office in Whitehall, filling a gap in the Washington County market.
Kevin Geraghty Chosen To Chair Warren County Board Of Supervisors In 2025
The Warren County Board of Supervisors has named Warrensburg Supervisor Kevin Geraghty to chair the Board of Supervisors in 2025, the fourth consecutive year he has been chosen to lead the board. Geraghty was unanimously selected by his colleagues at the January 3, 2025 Board of Supervisors organization meeting.
“I am humbled and honored that my colleagues have the confidence in me to chair our Board of Supervisors again in 2025, and I would like to thank everyone who supported me,” Geraghty said. “We will continue to strive to keep the county in good financial shape in 2025 and the years to follow. 2024 was a challenging year as costs rose and unfunded state mandates increased to impact our budget. Through good planning and hard work, we have been able to balance our budget and keep property tax rates steady while continuing to have the lowest sales tax rate in New York State. I look forward to working with each of my colleagues on the board and all of our great Warren County employees to continue to make Warren County an outstanding place for all who live, work and visit here.”
Supervisor Geraghty was nominated to return as chair at the meeting by Lake Luzerne Town Supervisor Gene Merlino.
In all, 2025 will be Supervisor Geraghty’s eighth year as chair of the board, as he also spent 4 years as chair between 2013 and 2016.
In addition to his time as chairman, Supervisor Geraghty previously served as Warren
County Budget Officer for 6 years, and acting Warren County Administrator for 1-1/2 years between 2016 and 2018.
Supervisor Geraghty has been Warrensburg Town Supervisor since 2006. He was elected town supervisor after a career working in management at the former International Paper Co. mill in Corinth.
He was sworn in as chair of the board by Amanda Allen, Clerk of the Board of Super-
An expanded emergency department will deliver better service to hospital patients.
Courtesy of Glens Falls Hospital
Arrow Bank has rebranded two community banks to increase market share.
Courtesy of Arrow Bank
Jim Siplon, president, CEO, EDC Warren County.
Kevin Geraghty is sworn in as chair of the Warren County Board of Supervisors.
Courtesy EDC Warren County Courtesy of Warren County
Adirondack Trust Company Appoints Brian C. Fay, CMA, As New Chief Financial Officer
Adirondack Trust Company has announced the appointment of Brian C. Fay, CMA, as the organization’s new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Fay succeeds Jack Arnold, CPA, who is retiring after serving as Adirondack Trust’s CFO since 2004.
“On behalf of the entire Adirondack Trust family, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Jack for his dedicated service and leadership over the past 20 years,” said Adirondack Trust President & CEO Charles V. Wait, Jr. “Jack has played a pivotal role in the Bank’s growth and success, and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
“Brian’s extensive 30+ year career in finance and accounting, along with his proven leadership in driving strategic initiatives, make him the ideal candidate to serve as our new Chief Financial Officer,” continued Wait. “His deep expertise in areas such as financial analysis, budgeting, regulatory reporting, and asset-liability management will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our financial operations and support the Bank’s growth.”
In his new role, Fay will oversee all of Adirondack Trust’s accounting and finance functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, budgeting, investment portfolio management, and regulatory reporting. He will also serve as a key strategic partner to the Bank’s executive leadership team.
Most recently, Fay served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and IT Director at Sawyer Savings Bank in Saugerties, NY. In this position, he was responsible for overseeing the bank’s financial and accounting functions, managing daily liquidity, chairing the Asset Liability Management Committee, and overseeing enterprise risk management. Prior to Sawyer Savings Bank, Fay was CFO at the National Bank
of Coxsackie and served in various finance leadership positions at RBS Americas and FleetBoston Financial.
“I am thrilled to join the exceptional team at Adirondack Trust,” said Fay. “The Bank’s strong commitment to its customers and the local community aligns perfectly with my own values and approach to financial management. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to drive continued efficiency, profitability, and growth for the organization.”
Fay holds a Master of Science in Banking and Money Management from Adelphi University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Fairfield University. He is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Adirondack Regional Chamber Welcomes Four New
Board Members And New Chair
With a new year comes new opportunities, and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) has welcomed four new members to their Board of Directors in 2025.
“The ARCC looks forward to the opportunities that our new board members will bring. Each of our board members bring something unique to the organization, which we are incredibly thankful for,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers.
Joining the ARCC Board in 2025 are: Ryan Haig, Account Executive for Amsure Ryan Haig is uniquely positioned to champion the ARCC values and initiatives in the North Country business community.
He previously served as an Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) intern, employee, volunteer, LADK Alum, mentor, and advisory council member.
Ryan earned his associate’s degree in business administration from SUNY Adirondack and a bachelor’s degree in business from Skidmore College. Having achieved his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation, Ryan now serves as a trusted advisor at Amsure, providing risk management services for commercial clients primarily in Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties. His connection to a variety of businesses throughout the geographical footprint of the ARCC positions him well to understand the unique needs of the ARCC business community. As an active member of the ARCC, Ryan is passionate about creating community and modeling servant leadership. Ryan has personally experienced the continuous generosity of this business community that has benefitted him both personally and professionally, an experience he wishes to share with others.
Maurice “Mo” O’Connell, HR Specialist with Adirondack Studios
Maurice “Mo” O’Connell has over 35 years of experience in various aspects of Human Resources, Business Development, Theatrical Administration, Museum Management, Event Creation, Civic Service, and Volunteer Coordination. His extensive local career includes Museum and New Business Development for Adirondack Studios, General Manager/Director of the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, and House Manager at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC).
Mr. O’Connell has actively participated in the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, and he is a well-known entity with local business leaders and not-for-profit agencies. His involvement can also be attributed to being an advocate and host to the ARCC Leadership Adirondack program and a panelist for the joint ARCC and SCCC venture titled “Building Belonging” held at SUNY Adirondack a few months ago.
He is a past President of Lakes to Locks Passage (the Lakes to Locks Passage is designated as a New York State Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway, and an All-American Road), as well as Past President of the Friends of US Grant Cottage on Mount McGregor. He has been involved with many other local civic and not-for-profit organizations, including the Feeder Canal Alliance.
Craig Seybolt, Senior Vice President and Regional Corporate Banking Manager for NBT Bank
With over 18 years of professional banking experience, Craig Seybolt has worked closely with regional leaders and the commercial relationship team to support commercial customers throughout the North Country and Glens Falls/Saratoga region.
Mr. Seybolt was born and raised in South Glens Falls and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from The State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Active in his community, he has served as a board Trustee for The Hyde Collection, President of the Moreau Community Center, President of the Glens Falls Kiwanis Foundation and member of the South Glens Falls Youth Baseball Board of Directors. In his free time Mr. Seybolt enjoys spending time with his family and cheering on the Buffalo Bills!
Chris Thomas, Owner of Elite 9 Talent Solutions
Christopher J. Thomas is a seasoned executive leader with over two decades of experience in developing innovative strategies to drive success in complex organizations. With a strong background in leadership methodologies and concepts, he has built a reputation for talent acquisition and team building expertise, leading numerous teams across various industries to achieve exceptional results.
As a retired senior executive in the U.S. Marine Corps and current owner of a recruiting and workforce development company, Chris has consistently delivered impactful results, leveraging his analytical prowess to exceed client expectations. He has worked with businesses of all sizes, providing tailored solutions to drive prosperity and success.
Chris is committed to ongoing learning and professional development, pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership & Innovation (Ed.D) degree, in addition to holding a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Master’s in Public Administration. He is also a certified ResilienceBuilding Leadership Professional Trainer and Everything DiSC Practitioner, equipped to develop resilient teams and leadership programs that drive organizational excellence.
ARCC appoints new Board Chair
In addition, the ARCC appointed their new Board Chair, Damian D’Angelico, General Manager of Fitzgerald Bros. Beverages. Mr. D’Angelico was promoted to General Manager of Fitzgerald Bros. in November of 2024 and has over 30 years of achievements in the multiple positions he has held there. He has served as an officer on the ARCC Board for four consecutive years.
“I am very excited about chairing the ARCC Board of Directors,” said D’Angelico. “I believe in the mission of the organization and what it brings to the local business community.”
D’Angelico succeeds Marc Yrsha, SEVP, Chief Banking Officer for Arrow Financial Corporation.
“We are so grateful to have such passionate and dedicated board members and appreciate the hard work of past Chair Marc Yrsha, who supported the team immensely throughout his tenure,” said Rogers.
The ARCC also expresses their gratitude for the service of the following Board Members, whose terms were completed in December 2024: John Jablonski, Vice President for Academic Affairs for SUNY Adirondack, Pat Suprenant, Vice President for Stewarts Shops Corporation, and Immediate Past Chair Marc Monahan, Regional Executive SVP ofNBT Bank.
Founded in 1914, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) is membership organization representing in excess of 23,000 people predominantly in New York State’s Washington, Warren, Essex and Northern Saratoga Counties. The ARCC is a 501c6 not-for-profit corporation, governed by volunteer Board of Directors, and does not receive any funding from local, county or state governments. All employer contributions to ARCC are tax-deductible as a business expense. The ARCC’s mission is to support our business community through advocacy, education, connection, and collaboration. Visit www.adirondackchamber.org to learn more.
Brian Fay brings more than 30 years of experience in finance to his new position.
Courtesy of Adirondack Trust
Area Non-Profits Have Until January 31 To Apply For Share Of Stewart’s Holiday Match
BY PAUL POST
Area non-profits have until January 31 to apply for a portion of the $1.76 million raised by Stewart’s Shops’ annual Holiday Match program.
Customers of the company’s more than 350 stores donated over $883,500 between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The company has doubled those donations, penny for penny with no administrative fees, meaning hundreds of non-profit children’s organizations will benefit as money is distributed in coming months.
“We’re really thankful to all of our customers and thankful to all of our shop partners for doing a really great job collecting donations,” said Jennifer Frame, Stewart’s director of corporate philanthropy.
This year’s Holiday Match total was down from the more than $2 million raised last year because there were five fewer collection days, as Thanksgiving came later than normal.
“But collections per day were really strong considering how tough the economy is,” said Robin Cooper, company spokesman. “It was tough for a lot of people financially, but they still gave.”
Since its inception in 1986, Holiday Match has raised more than $39 million to support thousands of organizations focused on improving the lives of area children.
Last year alone, more than 1,800 organizations obtained amounts ranging from $250 to $20,000. To be eligible, recipients must be a registered 501C3 non-profit within Stewart’s market area and must be directly geared toward helping children and/or have children’s programming.
Examples include Little League, a YMCA with children’s programs, a library reading program, a museum arts program, Special Olympics’ Young Athletes program and Double-H Ranch in Lake Luzerne, which supports children and families living with chronic illnesses through year-round programs including summer camps and adaptive winter sports.
Since 2007, Double H Ranch has received
more than $100,000 through the Holiday Match program.
“We tell organizations to ask for what they need and we give what we can,” Frame said.
“They must tell us how they plan to utilize funds. Typically, larger funding is used for organizations that benefit hundreds or thousands of children such as community centers or the American Red Cross, which really have programs that are open to the community and benefit a large number of children.”
Applicants are expected to learn how money is distributed in mid-March.
Fund-raising goes to organizations in the county where money is donated.
Last year, for example, the $271,425 raised in Saratoga County went to dozens of organizations from Waterford to Corinth.
In Warren County, $114,200 went to recipients such as Abraham Wing Elementary School, Caldwell Lake George Library and the North Warren School Parent Teacher Organization.
The $71,544 raised in Washington County went to non-profits such as the Battenkill Conservancy, Whitehall Wrestling Inc. and Hartford Food Pantry.
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York plans to distribute 150,000 meals in six counties from money it receives this year. Holiday Match has given $16,000 to the Food Bank during the past five years.
Money from last year’s campaign went to stores in 32 counties in New York and western Vermont that comprise Stewart’s market territory.
During the past year, however, the company made a major expansion, which included New Hampshire for the first time ever. Earlier this month, Stewart’s opened a new shop at the corner of Route 9 and Wellness Way, in Colonie; part of the company’s $50 million capital investment strategy for 2024.
To apply for funding applicants should go to: www.stewartsshops.com and click on the Holiday Match tab under the heading “Sharing With You.”
Cameron’s
Deli To Expand Th is Spring With Building Addition, Seating And Gas Pumps
BY PAUL POST
Cameron’s Deli, at 446 Dix Avenue in Queensbury, plans to unveil a major expansion this spring featuring a large building addition and six fuel pumps.
The popular eatery and convenience store is located at the busy intersection of Dix Avenue (Route 32), a heavily traveled corridor linking Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, and Queensbury Avenue, also known as “Airport Road.”
Cameron’s Deli is a franchise, operated by Samer Makhlouf, who leases it from property owner Ibrahim Jamal, who purchased the building and 1.35-acre site four years ago from Kurt Jaeger and Jay Salmon, for $800,000.
“We’re doing well because we bring in everything customers ask for,” Makhlouf said. “We try to keep everything fully stocked. If anybody asks for something we try to get it. They can find anything they want here.”
An addition to the 4,100-square-foot store will create space for more food, grocery and car care items along with indoor seating. At present, outside picnic table seating is only available warm weather months.
Gasoline will be sold under the Cameron’s name, not a large industry brand such as Mobil, Gulf or Sunoco.
Cameron’s carries Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses and offers a wide variety of sandwich items including its famous Cluck’en Russian, a chicken cutlet topped with melted Muenster cheese, several slices of bacon, and Russian dressing, all on a toasted hard roll.
Other specialty sandwiches are Cluckin Ranch, Yankee Peddler, Cluckin Club, Sicilian Supreme, Healthy Bird, Egg Planter, No Way Jose, Miss Virginia, Buffalo Blu, All American, Tuscany, Mrs. I, Cajun Horse (roast beef with horse radish), Mama Rosa, Captain Tuna, Portobella Grove and Wild
Turkey.
The deli also features submarine sandwiches and hot dishes, and coolers are filled with many types of ready-to-go wraps, fresh salads and side dishes such as macaroni salad and potato salad.
A portion of the store is devoted to convenience items such milk, eggs, potato chips, beer and soft drinks and there are many breakfast sandwich options to choose from as well.
“You’ve got to provide good quality to keep your business going,” Makhlouf said.
A native of Jordan, he moved to Warren County from Poughkeepsie where he previously owned a gas station.
Like many people, he was attracted to the North Country’s natural beauty and quality of life.
“I like the area, it’s nice and quiet,” he said. “We have a lot of customers from Lake George, Saratoga and Queensbury, all around here. Summer is our busiest time of year.”
The expansion is expected to be completed in April.
The store employs six people including Makhlouf. Food items are available by delivery with Door Dash and Uber Eats.
Cameron’s Deli was founded in 1996 by two of Salmon’s friends, with an original location in Cross River, a town in Westchester County. It later expanded to a second location in Brewster, Putnam County.
Jaeger and Salmon opened the Queensbury store in June 2017, featuring around-the-clock service. They decided to sell it shortly after downstate investors purchased the Cross River and Brewster stores.
Jaeger was co-founder of Jaeger & Flynn Associates, which was the region’s third largest health insurance agency, when he sold it to Marshall & Sterling in early 2021.
A customer donates to Stewart’s annual Holiday Match program, which helps fund non-profit organizations in the company’s market area.
Courtesy of Stewart’s Shops
Cameron’s Deli franchise owner Samer Makhlouf (left) is joined by employees (left-right) Uliess Abmel, Hani Makhlouf and Hussam Sedeh. The store is undergoing a major expansion.
Paul Post photo
Kevin Geraghty
Continued From Page 1 visors.
Board of Supervisors committee assignments were released at the meeting, with Stony Creek Supervisor Frank Thomas appointed as Budget Officer again for 2025. Chairs of 14
committees were also appointed, and a committee list can be found online.
Supervisor Geraghty presented a state-ofthe-county address at the Board of Supervisors’ next meeting, on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The board’s meetings at Warren County Municipal Center are open to the public, and also livestreamed and video archived on the Warren County YouTube page.
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Kingsbury Printing Company Embraces Its Legacy While Forging A Bright Future
BY ANN DONNELLY
In the heart of the Adirondack foothills, Kingsbury Printing Co., Inc. is undergoing a transformation. After over three decades of leadership by founders Bob and Jan Bombard, the reins have passed to the next generation.
Daughter Victoria Bushey, VP of Finances, and her brother, Jason Bombard, Production Manager, are steering this well-established printing company into a future that honors its rich history while embracing the industry’s evolving demands.
The story of Kingsbury Printing began in 1986 when Bob Bombard, a seasoned printer, and his wife Jan, a talented designer he met while working at another printing company, joined forces to establish Franklin Press. Facing a trademark challenge from another company, they wisely rebranded as Kingsbury Printing, rooting their identity in their local community.
Victoria Bushey has witnessed the dramatic changes in the printing industry fi rsthand with her exposure to the business starting as a child. “As a young adult, I worked summers,” she says. “When I was younger, days off from school, I’d come in and help my mom in the dark room.” She officially joined the family business in 2006 after graduating college. As an office manager, she gradually took on increasing responsibilities, from managing digital equipment and graphic design to overseeing the company’s fi nances.
community are a cornerstone of its business. Their clientele includes small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals seeking personalized service for events like weddings.
“We love the community and the local businesses that try to work with the other local businesses in our area,” says Bushey. Th is commitment to local businesses and organizations is a key part of their identity.
Interestingly, for over thirty years, a significant portion of their business has come from medical printing, a specialized niche that produces instruction manuals for medical devices. Th is work has an international reach, with Kingsbury Printing exporting its products globally.
Like many businesses, Kingsbury Printing faces the challenge of attracting and retaining skilled employees in a tight labor market. The decline of traditional printing has led to a shortage of qualified workers, particularly those experienced with offset printing. To address this, Bushey and her team are exploring creative solutions to motivate and support their employees, including flexible work arrangements and regular team-building activities.
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The transition of ownership from generation to generation can be fraught with challenges. However, at Kingsbury Printing, the succession was surprisingly smooth. Victoria credits the gradual process with allowing her and her brother to assume more significant roles as their parents stepped back naturally. “We thought we would have to shove my parents out the door and change the locks,” Bushey jokes. “But they come in and visit occasionally and are here to help if we need it.”
Th is seamless handover speaks volumes about Bob and Jan’s trust in their children and the strong foundation they built over decades. According to Bushey, “I feel like it fell into place as they got older, and my brother and I fi lled in on things that they didn’t necessarily want to handle anymore.” She continues, “The biggest hurdle has been feeling like I have permission to do things. Sometimes, I feel I need to check with Mom and Dad. But it’s like, no, you must remember you’re in charge of this now.”
Kingsbury Printing stands out in the industry with its unique dual capability. While successfully navigating the industry’s shift towards digital printing, the company retained its traditional offset printing expertise. Th is unique combination reassures our clients that we can cater to a wide range of needs and offer cost-effective solutions for diverse projects. Bushey explains, “What’s great about here is that we can do offset, and we have digital all in the same place under the same roof, so we can pick what is best for your project. Even though digital is quick and fairly easy, there are some areas where you can’t beat offset pricing.”
Kingsbury Printing’s strong ties to the local
Kingsbury Printing’s primary goal for 2025 is to increase its visibility within the community. While it has a loyal customer base, many locals are unaware of its services. To address this, Bushey plans to leverage social media, participate in community events, and strengthen relationships with local businesses and organizations. By increasing its online presence and actively engaging with the local community, Kingsbury Printing aims to raise awareness about its services and attract new customers.
While Kingsbury Printing has experimented with online ordering platforms in the past, it has found that its customers prefer the personalized experience of visiting its facility and consulting with its team. However, Bushey acknowledges the evolving nature of the market and remains open to exploring new online strategies in the future.
Kingsbury Printing offers a personal touch in a world increasingly dominated by online transactions. Their commitment to customer service and digital and traditional printing expertise position them well for continued success.
“We have the best customers,” says Bushey. “They’re so loyal, and we love working with them. Some people my parents worked with remember me as a little kid. And now customers coming in remember my son as a little kid, as a baby. So it’s nice to grow with each other through the years.” Th is long-standing relationship with their customers is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and service.
As Victoria Bushey and Jason Bombard lead the company into the future, they are determined to maintain the legacy of quality and community focus that has defi ned Kingsbury Printing for over 35 years.
For more information on Kingsbury Printing Co., Inc., visit https://www.kingsburyprinting.com/.
Victoria Bushey, vice president of finances and daughter of the founders, sits in the office at Kingsbury Printing Co. She and her brother, Jason Bombard, have taken the reins of the firm. Courtesy of Kingsbury Printing
Owners Of A Popular Food Truck Open Tres Mijas Restaurant At 21 Bay Street
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
Mike and Jenna Fernandez, who started the Mexican food truck Tres Mijas in 2022, have a new venture. It is a new restaurant of the same name taking over the space at 21 Bay Street in the heart of Glens Falls.
“We had a few hurdles, and now we are very happy in our new location,” Mike said.
Fernandez said he has always been in the service industry, including eight years in the bar industry. Jenna teaches sixth grade at Glens Falls Middle School. The city has been the couple’s home and the place they are raising three daughters, for whom the food truck and restaurant are named.
Like the food truck, Tres Mijas restaurant will offer from-scratch menu items featuring recipes from the Fernandez family.
“It’s a style of Mexican cooking not seen around here,” Fernandez said. “These are recipes from my Dad, who is from Mexico, and my Mom, who learned from his family.”
“Mexico is a big country with a wide variety in styles of cooking from different regions,” he said. “For example, the way my family makes mole sauce has different ingredients than what you would see in Mexican restaurants around here.”
Fernandez said it is not difficult to offer Mexican dishes on a restaurant menu. Many of the dishes and sauces are available from restaurant suppliers “for cost purposes and ease,” he said. But his are made from fresh raw ingredients, some of which are shipped directly from food distributors, such as peppers from California.
The food truck started out on Broad Street in front of Glens Falls Hospital. Once word of the Tres Mijas brand got out, Fernandez said he started receiving invitations to do events in the area.
Soon the truck was set up at breweries and different businesses, such as the Ace and Target warehouse parking lots, where hundreds of employees could sample the food. Other types of events were also scheduled, such as teacher appreciation days and private functions.
The food truck continues to operate until wintertime. Whether it will reopen in the spring has yet to be decided, he said. Jenna has had summers open to give support, but also schedules events and promotes Tres Mijas through social media.
“It’s harder to plan during winter because there are so many variables,” said Fernandez.
“If we move forward with the food truck, we will do events such as the Renaissance festival and the T-shirt factory, like we did this year, but not general vending on the street.”
Fernandez said he always wanted to do a restaurant but “only if it made sense and was a smart decision.” Then an opportunity opened up at 21 Bay Street, formerly Laurella’s Restaurant.
“We were among the first to know about it,” he said.
The kitchen staff is ready to start as soon as occupancy is granted. Mike and Jenna are pleased to have Paul MacPherson as head chef and Jack Filion as the sous chef. Both were formerly at Radici and have “a unique set of skills that are really remarkable,” said Fernandez.
“There is not a whole lot I can teach Chef MacPherson,” he said. “I will share the recipes my family has known and we are really excited to see what he is going to do.”
“There were only a few things we told him we wanted to see on the menu that our loyal followers at the food truck were adamant about,” said Jenna. “Paul and Jack are building from those staples and it has been wonderful to taste test some of the dishes they have come up with.”
Since the space already had a commercial kitchen, the work the couple has done on the interiors has been mostly cosmetic. The ambience is “light, bright, inviting, and has a relaxed, fun atmosphere” that will appeal to a range of clients, from families to business lunches to couples on a date night, Jenna said.
“It has a great bar space that we are trying to capitalize on,” she said. “People can eat there or just come in for happy hour.”
“There is some unique tile work that Mike put up,” she said. “When we were picking out paint and tile and had samples on the wall, Mike’s Dad said that when he looked at a particular combination, he felt like he was driving down a street in his old neighborhood.”
The couple said the community wants them to have success in the new venture. In particular, they have received a lot of support both from City Hall and local businesses, Jenna said, particularly with navigating the licensing process.
“We love Glens Falls and the direction the city is headed,” they said. “We are happy to contribute to it.”
Learn more online at www.tresmijasgf.com and on Facebook.
The Luxury Box Expands With Indoor Golf And New Dining Options In Queensbury
as well as new food and drink
BY LEE COLEMAN
The Luxury Box has opened a 2,200-square foot expansion with new food and drink offerings and the largest indoor golf facility in the town of Queensbury.
Located at 1042 Route 9 between Queensbury Cigar and Adirondack Audio & Video, The Luxury Box addition includes a dedicated indoor golf area that expands the already ample number of golf suites.
“We’re excited to bring something truly unique to the Queensbury community with this new expansion,” said owner David Brindle.
“Our goal has always been to create a space where people can enjoy a memorable time, and with the new indoor golf facility and expanded food and drink options, we are able to elevate that experience even more,” he said.
The Luxury Box suites also offer other sports options such as soccer, hockey, bowling, baseball, and even shooting on simulators.
The new expansion includes Bo Dizzlez Pizza operated by Cleveland Robinson, who also owns a food truck under the same name. Food offerings include subs, fried chicken and pizza.
Brindle opened the Luxury Box in 2021. He originally owned a steel company that built modular steel buildings that were moveable. His original idea was to use the Luxury Box as a giant showroom made with the moveable structures in a series of six suites of various sizes for indoor golf and other simulated sports. He eventually sold the steel company to concentrate on his Route 9 facility.
“Business has been fantastic,” Brindle said.
The Luxury Box offers individual memberships and golf leagues. Indoor golf is the primary focus of the Luxury Box but “it’s not just golf, we had to have other sports,”
Brindle said.
The multi-sport option is popular with families. “We do a lot of parties with kids and adults,” Brindle said.
January, February, and March are the busiest months at the Luxury Box.
The new addition, which is of regular, non-modular construction, enables the business to attract larger numbers of people. In addition to the new golf facility, the expansion includes larger seating areas to accommodate lager gatherings such as holiday parties, corporate meetings, fundraisers and more.
“Featuring state-of-the-art golf simulators, guests can play on world famous courses, practice their swing, and even enjoy golf lessons, all in a comfortable, climate-controlled environment that’s perfect for all ages and skills, according to a Luxury Box statement.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own golf clubs but the Luxury Box does have clubs available including a small selection of left handed golf clubs.
With the expansion, The Luxury Box continues to grow as a community hub for sports enthusiasts, families and social gatherings. Guests can book the indoor golf simulators for private events, team building sessions, or just a fun night out with friends and family.
Prices are $35 per hour for the open bays and $45 per hour for the private suites and $90 per hour for the party suite that is twice as large as the regular suites. The party suite features a second room with two large tables with chairs, a pool table, air hockey, ping pong, a dartboard, and X-Box and shooting simulators. Guests can bring their own food and drinks to the party suite.
To book an outing at the Luxury Box, guests can do it by going to: http://www. TheLuxuryBox.net or by calling 518-7410015.
518-744-7791
mlongley10@yahoo.com
Sous Chef Jack Filion (left to right), Executive Chef Paul MacPherson, and owner Mike Fernandez proudly showcase dishes from Tres Mijas restaurant in Glens Falls, featuring authentic Mexican family recipes.
Following an expansion, The Luxury Box now boasts the largest indoor golf facility in Queensbury
offerings.
Economic Outlook
Siplon
Continued From Page 1
activity with varying levels of impact. After building countless charts with 20-30 bars and hard to discern trends, we took a different take on the work. By looking at where the dollars were coming from, we started to see some clarity.
Tourism, and the associated taxes and revenues, are primarily fed by money from outside our area-“other peoples” money. The next third was public dollars, or at least those areas that were primarily publicly funded. Nationwide, healthcare is typically 1/6 employees of our overall national workforce and 15-20% of our nations GDP. In our region, it’s even higher. By combining healthcare with municipalities, schools and not for profits we found this often overlooked aggregation to be 30-40% of our areas economic output…the middle third of our economy. The strength of this backstopped sector was especially evident during COVID when healthcare and public functions created the floor in a time of crisis. Our impressive array of associated assets includes Glens Falls Hospital (the largest employer north of Albany) , Hudson Headwaters, a wide swath of medical entities, SUNY Adirondack, unique not for profits and arts organizations. This sector is also relatively resilient to the effects of automation and AI, perhaps less than tourism but still robust as the want ads will attest. Together with tourism, we had been able to find 70% of our economy.
The last third urns out to be… everything else. This was somewhat surprising. More than 20 distinct labor and economic sectors combine to be a total of 30% of our areas economy. Manufacturing, mining, professional services, banking, retail, etc…there’s a lot of different areas. This collection of areas is less robust against the ongoing march of automation and AI. This means we have to help the many unique companies
and sectors navigate these times while also exploring areas not tourism or healthcare related to grow. Suffice to say our entrepreneurial heritage will be called on here. I fact, better understanding and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem is one of our key areas of focus. Continuing to advocate and build on our heritage of natural resource (think fresh water) as its own promising channel of economic development represents another unique opportunity that builds on both our history and special place.
Making sense of all of this data and charting a course we can be optimistic about is our focus in 2025. We are looking forward to sharing this audiences, groups, schools and companies across our region so they can help us find the best way forward. Our history tells us we will prevail…we are excited to get at it and bring the next chapter of prosperity to our community.
Success Aided By Use Of Digital Marketing
BY SARA MANNIX
Looking back at 2024, I’ve seen the digital marketing industry undergo remarkable changes. It’s been a year of rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer expectations, and the ongoing influence of global economic uncertainties. For me—and so many of us navigating this field—the new year has been a mix of challenges, exciting opportunities, and groundbreaking innovation.
As I reflect on the past year, one thing remains clear: no matter the state of the economy—whether tightening, as we saw in 2024, or expanding, as many predict for 2025—digital marketing continues to play a vital role. It’s where businesses connect with people in the spaces they spend the most time: online. From social media to search engines, digital platforms are where brands thrive—or fall behind.
Key Trends Defining 2024 That Shed Light on 2025
Artificial Intelligence: Moving Beyond the Hype
AI has shifted from being a buzzword to an essential digital marketing tool. I’ve seen how platforms like ChatGPT and AI-driven personalization have transformed how we connect with audiences and tailor experiences. But there’s a fine line here. In conversations with industry peers, especially in groups like the Bureau of Digital Agencies, the focus has been thoughtfully leveraging AI. Those who use AI simply as a shortcut to manipulate systems may see fleeting success, but that approach is unsustainable. The real winners in 2025 and beyond will be those who balance automation with authenticity—using AI as a tool, not a crutch.
Content’s New Frontier: Video and Interactive Media
Video content is still king, but I’ve noticed a growing interest in interactive formats like live streaming, polls, and augmented reality. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts continue to dominate, but the push for immersive experiences is opening up new opportunities. For us, the challenge is in finding creative ways to integrate these formats into campaigns that engage audiences and keep them coming back for more.
Evolution of Social Media
Social media platforms have evolved from a way to stay connected to a trusted information source. 54% of U.S. adults get news from social media at least sometimes, and 67% of U.S. social media users leverage social platforms to conduct product research before making a purchase. In 2025, social media apps could drive higher ROI than ever as they evolve into easy-to-use shopping platforms.
The Privacy Pivot: First-Party Data Strategies With third-party cookies phasing out, first-party data collection is no longer optional. Businesses
must build direct customer relationships through email, text, loyalty programs, and personalized offers. This shift demands transparency and trust, which are essential for consumer confidence.
Challenges on the Horizon
While the opportunities are exciting, the road ahead isn’t without hurdles.
Increase in Paid Advertising Strategies: In 2024, we saw an 11.8% increase in advertising spending. More businesses are adopting paid advertising than ever, which leads to more competition and increased ad costs. These increased costs put pressure on getting strong returns on the ad dollar, and the increasing competition means marketers must be more creative than ever to stand out.
Data Privacy Regulations: As data privacy regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, continue to evolve, businesses must stay vigilant about compliance. Navigating these challenges will require agility and a commitment to customer-first practices.
Increase in Search Engine Algorithm Updates: I often get asked, “How long do I need to invest in SEO?” The answer is simple. Search engines are continuously evolving. Google search alone is changing 13 times per day on average. These changes make it essential to constantly invest in SEO so your business can continue to adapt as search evolves.
Seizing the Opportunities In 2025, businesses that adapt their strategies to stay on top of changes in search and emphasize
Jim Siplon, president, CEO, EDC Warren County.
Courtesy EDC Warren County
Sara Mannix, president and CEO of Mannix Marketing.
Courtesy Mannix Marketing
AI Is A Helpful Tool
BY NEAL SANDIN
AI continues to permeate into society, spreading to every corner of our homes and workplaces. People are using it to help make emails more professional and resumes more appealing. Unfortunately for market research, some are using it to answer questions.
This is a significant issue. The entire purpose of qualitative market research is to understand people’s unique wants, needs, and desires, as well as the issues and barriers they struggle against. If respondents provide us with AI-generated responses instead, we are failing on a fundamental level. After all, AI generates answers that are compiled from huge amounts of data from millions of users. While undoubtedly useful, it cannot accurately reflect the unique circumstances of the individual. AI can tell us where the rents are rising, but it cannot tell us the feelings, emotions, and hopes of a specific tenant.
One obvious solution is to simply rely less on methodologies such as online bulletin boards, which allow users to reply to questions at their leisure. Face-to-face interaction, either in-person or via Zoom or Teams, precludes using generative AI like Chat GPT. Direct connection would seem to make for more engagement and better results.
However, sometimes online bulletin boards are the best tool for the job, such as when people try a product over the course of several days. Nor has there been a significant drop in the use of online bulletin boards, or similar forms of market research, since the advent of Chat GPT or other AI tools.
Another solution is to simply disregard AI generated answers and replace those respondents. This is possible when the AI is obvious, but as teachers and professors around the world can attest, no person or program can infallibly identify AI-generated responses.
So, the question becomes, why? Why do people use generative AI instead of giving their own opinion? It is easy to fault the respondents, saying that they are lazy or in it for the money. That may occasionally be the case, but the answer is hardly that simple. After all, most people want to have their opinions and frustrations heard and taken seriously. Yet, some turn to AI to generate a response. It is disheartening to find that when asking for a personal opinion (in a confidential and safe setting), people do not feel empowered to give it.
Instead, it is more fruitful to look at what is being asked of the respondents. The best research projects are collaborative. They invite participation and discussion. If someone understands why the research is being done in the first place (e.g., designing new products/services, determining the benefits for a rewards program, etc.), the
Mixed Challenges In The Building Trades
BY DOUG FORD
As we step into 2025, I remain optimistic about what lies ahead for the construction industry, even though there is much uncertainty. The construction industry, along with companies supporting it like Curtis Lumber, faces a year that will blend both opportunity and caution. Let’s take a closer look at what we know, what we think we know, and the unknowns that could influence the year ahead.
The outlook for construction in 2025 is generally optimistic, especially for residential and multifamily projects. Nationally and locally, growth is expected, but experts predict commercial construction will slow compared to previous years. Residential and multifamily construction remains robust as demand for housing continues, despite challenges such as rising interest rates.
more interested and engaged they will be. It also reinforces those admirable qualities mentioned earlier – a willingness to help and a desire to be heard. Hence, it is vital that the respondents see how their feedback and answers can affect the real world.
On the other hand, if the researcher plays their cards too close to their chest, it can result in confusion, frustration, and disconnection. There also needs to be a strong respect for the respondents’ time. As with any business, market research is competing for attention, and if the work is too long, arduous, or irrelevant, it is no wonder that people look to AI to take the load.
Another issue relates to the types of activities or questions. Just as people have different learning styles, the same is true with self-expression. Only allowing for one type of answer, such as a text response, can lead to burnout or frustration. It is vital to find other ways for respondents to give feedback and to interact with the research, especially in ways that generative AI cannot. Examples include drawing, video responses, picture selection, collages, or even games. Not everyone will feel comfortable writing, so it is up to the researcher to find other ways for them to interact with the research.
People are more interesting and creative than anything AI could compile; it is our job to allow them to be so. In the face of the increasing sophistication of generative AI, market research must actively find ways to stand out and engage in a world of countless distractions. AI is a tool, and a very helpful one at that, but it is not specific. It generalizes and summarizes, while qualitative market research strives to uncover unique moments or circumstances in people’s lives. Lack of genuine engagement when setting up a project tends to result in lack of genuine engagement on the part of respondents. The more we meet this challenge, the more customers’ needs and wants are heard, and the better the marketplace becomes.
That said, there are still plenty of unknowns that could impact the industry. Much of this uncertainty stems from the new administration and its policies. Changes in leadership can significantly impact the construction sector, especially when it comes to regulation and funding for infrastructure. We are likely to see a focus on reducing regulations and prioritizing traditional infrastructure and energy projects, which is positive for the industry. However, there may be less emphasis on renewable energy projects, and potential labor impacts due to stricter immigration policies or rising tariffs could add costs. Only time will reveal how these factors will play out.
A major concern for the construction sector is the ongoing labor shortage. According to a recent AGC survey, over 90% of contractors struggle to fill positions across all levels. Despite efforts to raise awareness and encourage more people to pursue careers in the trades, these challenges persist. Locally, the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition (www.NCTWC.org), which I co-founded with Pam Stott, is working to bridge this gap by increasing awareness of career opportunities in the construction trades. Research has shown that many young people are unaware of the trades, largely due to a lack of accurate information provided by school counselors (no fault of theirs) and parents. Through our extensive research we have realized the construction industry has done very little to engage with the schools and provide the tools and resources necessary for the counselors. Additionally, parents are basing their knowledge of the trades on what they saw growing up, which is very different today. While we’ve made significant progress in our re-
gion, more work remains. Our continued advocacy will help ensure that young people have the tools they need to make informed decisions about their future careers. However, this issue is not something that can be solved overnight, and it will remain a limiting factor for the industry.
The national housing market has been sluggish over the past two years. Mortgage rates have played a significant role in this, as higher rates make it more difficult for buyers and builders alike. While most economists do not anticipate a significant drop in mortgage rates, the elevated rates and continued growth in home prices will make homeownership a challenge for many. Zillow forecasts a 2.6% increase in home values in 2025, while Realtor.com predicts a 3.7% rise in prices.
These factors will continue to influence both homebuyers and builders, as the cost of purchasing and constructing new homes remains high. Builders may have to adjust their strategies to remain competitive in this market.
Despite these challenges, there is a silver lining, particularly in the Capital Region of New York. The area remains a bright spot, showing resilience and growth despite broader uncertainties. As we move forward, it’s essential for those of us in the building materials and construction industries to continue adapting and working together to navigate the everchanging landscape.
While the year ahead is filled with both opportunities and challenges, one thing is clear: we must stay agile, informed, and committed to overcoming the obstacles that come our way. Here’s to a productive and successful 2025.
Doug Ford is vice president of Curtis Lumber Company.
Curtis Lumber
Is A Return To The Office In The Offing?
BY DOROTHY ROGERS-BULLIS
As we step into 2025, the question on everyone’s mind remains: “What’s going on with Return to Office RTO)?” My answer? It depends.
I’ve been asked this question so many times, I should probably print it on a t-shirt. As the president of drb Business Interiors and co-founder of Saratoga CoWorks, I’ve seen the challenges and opportunities from every angle—whether it’s a business owner trying to coax employees back to the office or an employee wondering if they can work from home in their pajamas just one more day. Spoiler alert: It’s complicated.
Making the Office Worth the Commute
When business owners ask, “How do I get my employees back in the office?” My first response is simple: Make the office worth coming back to. Let’s face it, if your office looks like a scene from a 1990s sitcom (complete with beige cubicles and fluorescent lights), why would anyone trade their home office—where the coffee is free, the dress code is sweatpants, and there’s a dog under the desk?
Today’s offices need to offer more than just a place to work. Think ergonomic chairs that don’t scream “chiropractor visit pending,” collaborative spaces that spark creativity, and yes, even some creature comforts like good coffee and snacks. In 2024, we redesigned countless offices to include these features, helping businesses create environments that employees actually want to be in.
The Flexibility Factor
But it’s not just about the furniture. Flexibility is the name of the game. For decades, the 8-to-5, Monday-to-Friday schedule was the gold standard. Now, employees want hybrid schedules that let them balance work and life without sacrificing either. Business owners who adapt—offering staggered schedules or remote work options— often find that productivity improves along with morale.
That said, flexibility must be carefully managed. Many employees have shared that working from home often comes with higher expectations for productivity. Without clear boundaries, this can lead to burnout. Striking the right balance is crucial. Instead of offering one work-fromhome day each week, some businesses find that a few days a month makes more sense. Again, it depends on the business and the team.
The Shift in Employee Sentiment
Interestingly, the once-universal love affair with remote work is cooling off. When I ask employees if they enjoy working from home, many now say, “No. I miss the energy of the office.” This shift presents an opportunity for businesses to redefine what the office means: a space for connection, collaboration, and culture.
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis, owner of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga.
Courtesy drb Business Interiors
There’s also a mentorship gap to consider. When employees aren’t in the office, they miss out on organic opportunities to learn from senior staff. Those spontaneous moments—sharing ideas over coffee or receiving advice in a hallway conversation—are critical for professional growth. Being in a professional environment not only improves your skill set and helps with networking, but it’s also better for your mental health than working alone at home. In industries like finance, tech, and creative fields, these interactions foster innovation and skill development, laying the foundation for long-term business growth.
Coworking: A Creative Solution
For some businesses, traditional office spaces aren’t the answer. That’s where coworking comes in. At Saratoga CoWorks, we’ve seen everyone from solopreneurs to Fortune 500 teams embrace coworking as a flexible, cost-effective alternative. It’s the best of both worlds: professional space without the overhead.
We’ve even worked with companies who maintain coworking memberships for their teams and gather the whole crew for retreats a few times a year. It’s a model that fosters both collaboration and community—without breaking the bank.
The Future: Embracing Adaptability
So, where does this leave us in 2025? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether it’s redesigning office spaces to make them irresistible or embracing hybrid and coworking models, the key is adaptability.
At DRB Business Interiors, we specialize in creating customized work environments that meet the unique needs of your business and team. If you’re ready to transform your workspace into a hub of productivity and collaboration, let’s talk. After all, in the ever-evolving world of work, the best approach depends on your specific goals— and we’re here to help you achieve them.
More Headwinds Than Tailwinds In Economy
BY STEPHEN KYNE, CFP®
The markets in 2024 were dominated, largely, by AI/IT and the Fed.
The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ 100 were up 23% and 25%, respectively. On the surface that may appear to suggest that stocks, in general, did very well, however a deeper dig shows that a huge share of returns were limited to a very few stocks.
The “Magnificent 7” stocks make up nearly 33% of the S&P 500 that you often see quoted, and nearly 50% of the NASDAQ 100, the other 493 and 93, respectively, make up the rest. Weighting in these indices is proportional to the size of the companies. If you flatten it out and take all 500 companies in the S&P at equal weight, you’ll find a return of only about 12% for the year, which paints a very different picture. Investors have plowed funds into these few names, at the expense of the broader market.
Looking ahead to the new year, we are cautiously optimistic about US stock markets providing positive returns for 2025. Much will depend on the governing policies and priorities of the new administration, which we believe we’ll learn in rapid succession in the third week of January.
It was announced by the Presidend-elect that we’ll be re-naming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America”, as well as putting “substantial” economic pressure on Canada to surrender its sovereignty and become the 51st state. Once those very pressing issues are settled, maybe everything else will fall into place, and we can end this piece here.
If only that were true…
Sideshows like these create unnecessary distractions and uncertainty for businesses and the markets. If there is one thing financial markets crave, it’s certainty. Volatility arising from this uncertainty is likely to affect domestic and international markets, as investors vacillate between bullish sentiment and defensive posturing.
Word is beginning to circulate about a possible emergency declaration by the incoming President, which would give him extraordinary power to enact economic measures, which would continue to create uncertainty
It’s widely expected that we will see tariffs placed on imports from Canada, Mexico, China, and several other trading partners. The severity of these tariffs will determine to what degree they are inflationary and impact prices. In general, tariffs would be passed on to the consumer, and we believe companies will largely maintain their margins. If tariffs are too high, however, and the consumer capitulates, we have concerns about the longevity of the current bull market.
Tariffs will likely be met with retaliatory tariffs, which could make US-made products comparatively more expense on foreign markets, exacerbating a situation already created by the strength of the US Dollar. The knock-on effect here may be cuts in production and a loss of US jobs.
As discussed in last month’s piece, an immigration policy that would see the wholesale collection and deportation of undocumented workers would be incredibly disruptive to vital areas of the economy, especially agriculture and construction, and could
weigh further on US markets.
The election of Donald Trump has many assuming that the 2017 tax cuts will be renewed, as many are due to sunset and revert to their 2017 levels at the end of this year. We think this is probably a simplistic view, as the narrow majority in the House is comprised partially of fiscal hawks who are unlikely to blindly sign off on a set of tax laws which is expected to add more than $4.5 trillion to the nation’s $36.2 trillion debt.
This debate will happen, of course, only if and when Congress avoids default this year by raising the debt ceiling even further. The debt ceiling was temporarily suspended in June 2023, by the aptly named “Fiscal Responsibility Act.”
The Fed, which had the market waiting with bated breath for a rate cut for more than a year, finally gave in last year and reduced rates by 1% by year-end. It’s our belief that the Fed is unlikely to take any further action around rates until it has a firm understanding of the effects of new legislation and economic policies. We do not expect rates to come down dramatically in 2025, barring some economic or geopolitical calamity which necessitates it.
In general, we believe there are more headwinds than tailwinds and that this year will be volatile, but overall positive for the US stock markets. We hope to see a healthy broadening of the market away from the “Mag 7” stocks; prudent fiscal, foreign, and domestic policy; and a Fed that continues to loosen. If those don’t materialize, we are optimistic that the US economy is on sound enough footing that it will win in spite of it all, but at the expense of international markets.
Remember that this piece contains forwardlooking statements which are opinion, based on information currently available, and subject to change. As always, work closely with your Certified Financial Planner® professional to help ensure your financial strategy reflects your needs and the realities of the economic landscape, whatever they may be.
Stephen Kyne, CFP® is a Partner at Sterling Manor Financial, LLC in Saratoga Springs.
Sterling Manor Financial, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor and does not provide tax or legal advice, nor is it a third-party administrator. Consult your attorney or accountant prior to implementing any tax or legal strategies.
Stephen Kyne, partner, Sterling Manor Financial LLC in Saratoga.
The Go Two Guys Are Building Success With Reliability And High Quality Work
BY PAUL POST
The Go Two Guys have one thing in mind when it comes to growing their new home improvement business.
Show up, on time, and do a good job.
“We’re going to show up when we say we’re going to be there and we’re going to do quality work,” co-owner Kevin Higgins said. “We had a lady who gave us a job just because we answered the phone.”
“That’s the model we try to have with this business,” said Brian Bayle, his partner. “It’s very important. One customer said, You guys are awesome! But I said, We haven’t done anything yet. They said, That’s okay. You called back number one, you said you were going to be here and then you confirmed to make sure we’d be home.”
Two Guys specialize in all kinds of repair and renovation projects from windows, doors and floors to interior and exterior painting, drywall work and kitchen and bathroom remodeling.
“We want to do things the big buys can’t or don’t want to do,” Bayle said. “It doesn’t matter the size of the job. Just call us up.”
The partners, both South Glens Falls residents, were introduced through a mutual acquaintance, the late John Marcantonio, vice president of business development for Glens Falls and Saratoga National Banks.
They launched The Go Two Guys last June, coming from considerably different backgrounds and circumstances. Bayle, 54, had been shipping
director at Lehigh Cement Company when the Glens Falls plant shut down in 2023, putting 85 people out of work.
Over the next 18 months about 1,600 more area jobs were lost with the closure or downsizing of large employers such as Essity Paper (300) in South Glens Falls, Great Meadow Correctional Facility (649) in Fort Ann, Quad Graphics (435) in Saratoga Springs and AngioDynamics (210) in Glens Falls. Angio retained 140 jobs after revising plans to cease all local operations.
Some people retired, others have been forced to move or commute long distances – Lehigh workers to a Lafarge cement plant in Ravena; corrections officers to Coxsackie; Quad employees to other plants the Wisconsin-based company owns.
“I could have done that, but I always wanted to do this, so I decided to give it a go,” Bayle said.
Some displaced employees have found work locally, but at significantly less pay and benefits.
A report prepared for Washington County said employees of local correctional institutions had an average of $138,948 in 2023, more than double the average wage ($59,956) of most other public and private sector jobs in the county.
County Administrator Melissa R. Fitch has said the state Department of Corrections tried to “strong arm” prison workers into taking transfers, instead of helping them find alternative jobs that would have kept money in the local community.
“Because New York State does not require a
WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act) notice of impending closure with attendant tracking we have no way of knowing how many employees transferred, quit or found other employment,” county Economic Development Director Laura Oswald said. “All of our questions have gone unanswered.”
Warren County employers have about 1,500 jobs available at any given time in winter, a number that typically doubles during the busy summer tourism season.
“That’s why our community is more resilient when businesses do close,” said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County Department of Workforce Development director. “We still have plenty of work for folks, but it may not be the long-term career they want. Great Meadow employees were making way more money working for the state. It’s hard to find other local jobs, inside or outside government, that pay what they were making. It was hard seeing some of our Great Meadow corrections officers feel completely broken and lost.”
“This is more than just about a paycheck,” she said. “This is about dignity, about being a provider. It’s harder on men because a job is such a strong sense of identity and purpose with men. If you’re head of household you really feel stuck in moments like that.”
“If people are transitioning, we want to make sure it’s to a good new job,” Ochsendorf said. “There are a lot of great businesses in our community. That doesn’t mean they’re all great employers.”
“If they’re paying minimum wage, have no benefits and employees have never felt valued, heard, seen or included in problem solving, those are some of the things we look at when determining if a business is a great employer or not,” she said.
Higgins, 58, left a secure job with Andritz Inc. in Glens Falls, where he specialized in computer design, to launch The Go Two Guys with Bayle.
“It was a little scary losing a steady paycheck,” he said. “My wife actually had to push me out the door. I loved my old job at Andritz. It was a great place to work, but it was time for something different.”
Last year, exemplifying The Go Two Guys’s willingness to do just about anything, Higgins designed and built a trebuchet, a catapult-type device, for a “punkin chuckin” event at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery on West Road in Moreau.
“If we can’t do it, we know somebody who’s reliable and trustworthy that can,” Bayle said.
At present, the partners work out of their garages, so there’s very little overhead. They have a Facebook page, but most marketing is word-of-mouth.
They took time off before Christmas because most people don’t want their home disrupted with projects during the holidays.
“On January 1 the phone started ringing off the hook,” Higgins said. “We’ve got four or five goodsized jobs lined up just since Christmas. Down the road we’d like to work with other contractors who do new housing, go in and paint, for example. We’re fully insured for commercial or residential.”
“We’re getting a lot of work from seniors and we’ve just hooked up with a few real estate agents who are looking to get their houses cleaned up for sale,” he said.
Eventually, the pair hope to open a shop of their own.
“It’s slow growth,” Higgins said. “We’re not looking to take out big loans and try to grow too fast. I’ve seen too many businesses fail by trying to over-expand way too fast. We don’t want to do that. It’s just me and Brian. We’re keeping ourselves busy.” Ochsendorf said a variety of resources, including her department’s Career Center, are available to help displaced persons still looking for work, or better jobs.
“We provide job search assistance, resume updating and we also pay for people to be trained,” she said. “If someone from Essity, for example, wants to obtain a CDL license we sponsor them for programs that help prepare them for a new career. If someone’s unemployed and needs $150 work boots, we have a contract with Super Shoes, making sure that person has what they need to start new job.”
Additional services include virtual workshops and employment counseling, and job-seekers can use her department’s phone, fax, printer and office computer, for free.
“We really want people to feel supported,” Ochsendorf said. “When doors close, there are opportunities for new doors to open. We try to help people figure out what their skills, talents and interests are that they want to tap into.”
Quad Graphics, which printed well-known publications such as Sports Illustrated, said its closure was largely due to a wholesale change in people’s reading habits away from magazines to online sources, and increased postal costs.
Saratoga Economic Development Corp. President and CEO J. Gregory Connors said 60-70 percent of impacted workers found jobs elsewhere in the region with employers such as GlobalFoundries and Curtis Lumber. Some went right next door to Quad’s neighbor, Soleno, a Canadian firm that makes plastic piping for everything from residential uses to largescale wastewater treatment facilities. This is the company’s first manufacturing facility in the U.S., with plans of expanding business throughout the Northeast.
The former Quad plant, at Grande Industrial Park, has been purchased by Regeneron, a biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes medicines for people with serious diseases. It’s currently using the facility for warehousing and distribution, while exploring other options for using the large space.
Connors said he’s optimistic about the surrounding area’s ability to provide quality employment for residents. “We have seen just in the last year, regionally, an uptick in the employment numbers,” he said. “We’re very pleased with that trend and trajectory and hope that it continues. It’s certainly a collaborative effort by everybody to keep the job market robust.”
Kevin Higgins and Brian Bayle, co-owners of the Go Two Guys, deliver quality work on a variety of renovation projects.
Courtesy of Go Two Guys
Dennis Choiniere
BY MARK SHAW
When it comes to technology the outlook for 2025 is split between compliance and AI utilization. What do we mean by this? We mean if you are in a HIPPA (Medical Records) medical records or in any line of contracting for the federal government (CMMC) you will be impacted by some new regulations on your business. You may not even be aware of them. For example, passed in the fi nal hours of 2024, companies that fall under the HIPPA guidelines are now required to do two more things to protect their patient data. One they must have their computer systems scanned for vulnerabilities every quarter. Th is means four times a year you are expected to have a complete scan of your system to understand the current state of your IT health. Secondly you are expected to do annual penetration testing. Th is is where an outside fi rm tries to access your systems and data without being given permission. Once completed this report is shared with you and your technology provider to give a list of recommendations on how to remediate any shortcomings.
Interestingly HIPPA was created in 1995 and to date there has been very little “teeth” in the law and many practices are simply just saying “It is not for me, I’m too small, too specialized, not important enough, don’t have enough data to report on” We see this quite regularly. Medical fi rms are focused on their main jobs and not the technology side. Th is is expected to no longer be the case. The new guidelines are letting regulators to get tougher on everyone. If you are not considering this and you have a medical practice, you should consider talking to your technology provider today to ensure you meet the requirements.
If you are in any industry touched by federal government, from a direct contractor for services, manufacturing for them or even being janitorial services with clients in the government space, you are being forced to adopt stronger guidelines and comply with the new CMMC rules.
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 program is a set of requirements that contractors must meet to protect sensitive information for the Department of Defense (DoD). The program is designed to protect the
Defense Industrial Base (DIB) from cyberattacks. Th is is being rolled out through the entire supply chain.
Th is is a lot to digest for a business and it’s here and it may apply to you. Work with your IT fi rm to fi nd out, if they are not sure, fi nd a new IT fi rm. Your business is too important.
When we speak of utilization, we are talking about business objectives to increase your organizations productivity. Businesses of all size have large investments into technology. Your IT is critical to your business, you cannot run without it. BUT are you using it to maximize the costs you have incurred to put it in place?
Th is is the year that businesses get serious about using technology to solve problems. From AI to workflows, your business will need to get the best out of the business tools you are currently using. If you think Microsoft 365 is just email, you are being left behind. If your technology company isn’t helping you leverage the power of tools like these your company is at risk.
The current philosophy is if you are not using AI to better run your business, you won’t be replaced by a fancy AI, but you will be replaced by a company using it. AI is being built into everything from helping you write emails, to producing marketing materials and even helping us better interact with our customers. Don’t be left behind this year! Know the compliance rules in your industry and leverage your technology to produce a better experience for customers.
The Man Behind Glens Falls’ Revitalization And The Queensbury Hotel’s Renaissance
BY PAUL POST
Ed Moore’s business suit is jeans and a flannel shirt, a bit atypical perhaps for a prestigious hotel owner and prominent civic leader.
It’s a simple reflection of his mindset for achieving success in both work and life.
“I still get my hands dirty, get in there and do what I have to do,” he said. “My father used to say a job worth doing is worth doing right. Whatever you do, do it good. When you do that, you lift people up.”
Moore has been a driving force in downtown Glens Falls’ revitalization since moving to Warren County full time from Staten Island in 1987.
“My wife, Linda, and I passed through here on our way back from Niagara Falls on our honeymoon in 1966,” he said. “We came back up in ’68 for a weekend and in 1975 I bought a piece of property and built a cabin on Schroon Lake, 50 years ago this coming September.”
Moore had a lucrative downstate career as an excavating contractor, but left it behind to make Warren County his permanent home.
“I was smitten with the area, the mountains, all the lakes, just the beautiful calming environment,” he said. “I decided to make a life change. I wanted to get out of that rat race down there, come up here and have a change of life. It’s worked out amazingly well.
To say the least.
He owns French Mountain Commons and Log Jam Outlet Centers on the Route 9 MillionDollar Half Mile; Fairfield Inn & Suites near Exit 18; and the Sawyer’s building (leased to Sawyer’s Kitchen & Bath) on Glen Street hill opposite Cool Insuring Arena.
But the property he’s most visibly linked to is Queensbury Hotel, which he purchased in 2016 from a Connecticut-based investment group, bringing it back under local ownership for the first time since 2001.
Moore quickly set about restoring the hotel to its luxurious grandeur with a series of upgrades. In 2022, the “Q” celebrated completion of a $3.8 million renovation highlighted by a new Adirondack Ballroom capable of hosting up to 500 people for special events.
Plans are already under way for the hotel’s 100th anniversary in 2026, coinciding with America’s 250th birthday.
“We live in an historical area (a large painting of Cooper’s Cave from James Fenimore Cooper’s ‘Last of the Mohicans’ dominates the hotel lobby),” Moore said. “We’ll have an historical theme at the back entrance, telling the hotel’s history from when it was built, and 250 years of American history.”
Plans also call for another major addition, a rooftop bar expected to open next year, giving guests a bird’s-eye view of the city’s beautiful surroundings.
But Moore’s interests extend far beyond his own business holdings. Extremely civic-minded,
he was personally involved with Crandall Public Library’s expansion, and creation of Wood Theatre, which sparked considerable retail and restaurant investment downtown; and he’s a founding member and vice president of the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition, which has revitalized Cool Insuring Arena since taking over its management several years ago.
Its main tenant, the Adirondack Thunder hockey team, has already had seven sell-out crowds this year and is averaging well over 4,000 fans per game.
The 46-year-old arena has undergone a series of major improvements, most recently highlighted by the addition of six luxury suites and the renovation of Heritage Hall event space.
But there’s more work to be done.
“We would love to renovate the whole front entrance and have a separate entrance with an elevator down to Heritage Hall for weddings and other catered affairs, would create another revenue stream,” Moore said. “Plus, the cooling system downstairs that takes care of the ice is in terrible shape. We need to fix that.”
One of his biggest concerns is maintaining momentum that’s lead to the city’s growth and resurgence during the 21st century’s first 25 years.
In December, Moore purchased the two-acre former TD Bank building and property on Maple Street, adjacent to Queensbury Hotel, for $1.2 million.
“The main thing really was just to secure the property,” he said. “Maybe we’ll put suites and hotel rooms there as an extension of the hotel.”
The site is directly across from City Park where summer concerts and numerous other events are held throughout the year.
“This park is a beautiful place,” Moore said. “It’s got to be taken care of.”
Mark Shaw, CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech).
Ed Moore inspires change with dedication and hands-on leadership dressed in flannel.
Courtesy Ed Moore
Janitorial Services Are Not A Dirty Job For Community Conscious Navy Seabees Veteran
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
White Glove Janitorial Service invites area businesses to enjoy much more than a dirt-free, healthier workplace. According to founder Kris Brunelle, his “grime fighters are cleaning up the community and making a difference.”
The veteran-owned company opened in October 2022 and now has seven staff cleaning offices and medical facilities, as well as manufacturing spaces, dealerships, and gyms. Brunelle also offers post-construction cleaning services and residential cleanup for homeowners moving in or out.
Brunelle is a former Seabee who has “built things around the world,” he said. His career as a carpenter for the Navy’s construction battalion took him to Spain, Croatia, Africa, Afghanistan, and Japan.
After the Navy, Brunelle sold solar systems and then insurance, and while he enjoyed selling and relationship building, he said he needed something different to sustain his family. At the time that included two foster children in addition to their daughter.
“I saw in sales that companies could not always deliver what they promise and that I had no control over the product,” he said.
The way to fix that problem was to start his own business and he chose cleaning services. After all, “there is always going to be dirt,” he said.
Brunelle scoured the web for tutorials about commercial cleaning and watched every video. He also located a company nearby offering a master class that taught him all he “needed to know from the business side of things.”
Military experience taught Brunelle how to lead people. Now as a business owner, he said “the secret sauce is to supervise” and to give staff “the extra motivation to do well.”
“I don’t employ janitors, I employ ‘grime fighters,’” said Brunelle. “The difference is the purpose behind it, which is cleaning up the community.”
“We have better employees than other janitorial services, not because they started out better, but because an empowered and happy employee is a more productive and better employee,” he said.
Staff are paid well, he said, which can affect the
cost of services. But Brunelle said that in the janitorial industry, if a client jumps from one service to another, “it is never about price.” It’s about the quality of the service they received.
“If employees are getting the respect they deserve, it will show in their work,” he said.
Staff who perform well receive a weekly bonus as an incentive to continue to take responsibility for their work and maintain quality. Of the seven staff, two are managers overseeing the work of their ‘grime squads’ on site. There are also random inspections by Brunelle.
In the military, Brunelle said that “everyone is doing the most effective thing they can do” for the benefit of all.
“There will always be those who do not have the time, ambition or energy to clean,” he said. “There are not a lot of CEOs out there cleaning toilets because that is not the most effective thing they can do.”
With Saratoga County and North Country businesses expanding during the tourist season,
summer tends to be a busy time for White Glove Janitorial Service. Brunelle meets the need for staff by hiring during the vacation months and “trying to keep the pipeline full” so new hires can be retained further into the year, he said.
“I am applying lessons learned in the military by fostering responsibility,” he said. “Then as we get new accounts, staff can train new grime fighters and eventually be in charge of their own grime squads.”
The military also taught Brunelle patience.
“You don’t have the option of firing somebody. You have to learn to get along,” he said.
“It does get expensive to hire and train the janitorial crew,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I do get attached to my grime fighters and would like to keep them as long as possible.”
Brunelle said he was “always a big fan of the dirty jobs.”
“The work has to get done and there is dignity in it,” he said. And he dignifies staff by giving them a career path that is “not the most glamorous job, but it doesn’t have to be a bad job either.”
“I’ve realized that the difference between a good job and a bad job is the manager,” he said.
As a disabled service veteran, Brunelle was able to qualify under New York guidelines as a distributor for a number of brands of cleaning products that he sells online.
White Glove Janitorial is looking for staff and encourages veterans and the disabled to apply.
“We work with CWI in Glens Falls and some of those workers are my best workers,” he said.
“We are getting more contracts and opportunities with construction companies, so we are close to a big hiring push and getting ready for camps, marinas, luxury short-term rentals and other seasonal customers,” he said.
Brunelle is an ambassador for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Saratoga County Chamber.
“The Chambers have a saying, ‘a rising tide lifts all boats,’” he said. “I have actively worked to bring other janitorial services into the Chambers because I have had such a good reception and there is plenty of business to go around.”
White Glove Janitorial Service currently travels as far north as Chestertown and south to communities between Saratoga Springs and Albany for routine cleaning. Visit 518whitegloveservice.com for more information or contact chief grime control officer Kris Brunelle at (518) 741-8046.
Business Value
As someone who has sold businesses for over 20 years (including my own), one question I often get asked is, “What can I do to increase the value of my business as I prepare for retirement and a sale?” The short answer is to increase cash flow as that is the primary determinant of value. However, many other factors and intangible characteristics will significantly increase value, as well.
Cleaning up financial records so that your operating statements, balance sheets, and other financials reflect true business operations. Poorly maintained financial records will make the sale of your business much more difficult.
Demonstrate recurring revenue by establishing contracts with customers that renew year over year. These are the gold standard with buyers.
Empower your employees so that the business is less dependent on you, and will continue to operate smoothly long after you’re gone.
You also want to continue to operate your business as if you’re not planning to leave. Keep your systems and equipment up to date, and avoid letting the business lag. Any decline in performance can hinder sales prospects.
ThielGroup is a business advisory service that provides brokerage, M&A, and valuation services throughout upstate New York and New England.
Interested in discussing how we can help you sell your business? Give me a call. I have been selling companies for over 20 years!
mergers & acquisitions, valuations, advisory
(518) 599-0219
kthiel@thielgroup.com www.thielgroup.com
Track your spending, create budgets, and save for your financial goals from your phone or computer. Whether you’re looking to pay down debt, save for a big purchase,or simply stay on top of your bills, WebWise has the tools you need to get you where you’re going.
Open an account and download the app today.
Kristopher Brunelle, CEO & Founder of veteranowned White Glove Janitorial Service.
Kathlene Thiel, MBA, CVA M&A Master Intermediary
Warren County Grant Applications Result In Over $600k In NYS Funding Awarded For Community Projects
Warren County has been awarded over $600,000 in New York State grant funding to pursue economic development and environmental projects across the county, including money to begin development of a countywide composting facility.
The grants were awarded through the most recent round of Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) funding thanks to the work ofWarren County Department of Planning & Community Development, assisted by Warren County Department of Public Works.
In all, $602,665 was awarded by New York State to Warren County for projects that will focus on cleanup of potentially contaminated properties, improved handling of organic waste, better handling of road salt and more.
Said Kevin Geraghty, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors: “The Warren County Board of Supervisors would like to thank New York State for trusting Warren County with funding for these important projects, and Warren County staff for successfully applying for these grants. This funding will help improve our environment through better handling of organic waste and storage of road salt, and help us work toward addressing the regional housing crisis by identifying properties that can be redeveloped. Our Warren County staff is ready to put this funding to good use.”
Said Ethan Gaddy, Warren County Planner: “The Planning Department is pleased with this year’s awards because they demonstrate that by developing good plans we can position our communities to capture funding for projects that improve quality of life, environmental health, and the economy. The funded projects are aligned with ongoing planning efforts such as the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Outdoor Recreation Economy Strategic Plan, and Housing Strategy. Continued support for planning efforts from the Board of Supervisors Economic Growth and Development Committee and the County Administrator’s Office has been instrumental in allowing us to pursue grants.”
Funding for the following projects was secured through Planning Department grant applications: Organics Composting Pilot Program: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) Climate Smart Communities program awarded Warren County $99,253 to implement a pilot program for a municipal composting facility. This project resulted from an Organics Management Plan that the Planning Department secured funding for in 2021 via the Climate Smart Communities program. The Warren County Department of Public Works and Warren County Solid Waste Working Group will implement the project.
County-wide Brownfield Study: NYS Department of State awarded Warren County $100,112 to conduct a county-wide analysis of potentially contaminated “brownfield” sites. The goal of the project is to positively identify individual vacant, abandoned, and underutilized sites as well as clusters of brownfield-affected areas, and to develop strategies to restore and revitalize these areas.
North Creek Rail Station Improvements: NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation awarded $231,300 to repair the roof and siding of the historic North Creek Rail Station Freight House in Johnsburg. The rail complex plays a critical role in telling the history of the central Adirondacks, and is a valuable tourism draw that supports the hamlet of North Creek and Warren County as a whole.
Road Salt Storage Facility in Glens Falls: NYSDEC’s Water Quality Improvement Program awarded $172,000 to the City of Glens Falls to construct a salt shed with the goal of protecting groundwater. This project will benefit city taxpayers as well as water quality, and is part of an effort to reduce road salt impact.
In addition, Warren County was excited to learn that communities in the county were successful in capturing REDC funds recently for the following projects:
Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District Roadside Erosion and Sediment Control Program ($141,200)
Town of Bolton Finkle Brook Nutrient Study ($50,000)
Retirement planning is a critical aspect of ensuring financial security in later years. While individuals often focus on personal savings, investments, and pensions, the broader economy plays a pivotal role in shaping their retirement plans. Economic factors such as inflation, interest rates, stock market performance, and governmental policies profoundly influence how much individuals can save and how effectively they can manage their retirement funds.
Inflation is one of the most insidious economic factors affecting retirement planning. It represents the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. For retirees, especially those relying on fixed income sources like pensions or Social Security, high inflation can severely diminish their standard of living.
When planning for retirement, individuals must consider the expected inflation rate over their retirement years. For example, if inflation averages 3% annually, a retirement nest egg needs to grow at a rate that at least matches inflation to maintain its real value. Investors often seek assets that tend to outpace inflation, such as stocks or real estate, but these come with their own risks. As a result, a sound retirement strategy must include a diversified investment portfolio that considers inflation risk.
Interest rates, determined largely by the economic environment and actions of central banks, directly influence the cost of borrowing and the return on savings. Low interest rates may seem appealing for borrowers; however, they can negatively affect savers and retirees who depend on interest yield from fixed-income investments for support.
When interest rates are low, the returns on savings accounts, bonds, and similar instruments decrease. This scenario forces retirees to seek riskier investments to secure adequate returns, which can increase the likelihood of losses during market downturns. Conversely, higher interest rates can benefit retirees; they encourage savings, increase yields on fixed income, and stabilize the economy. Therefore, understanding interest rate trends is essential for effective retirement planning.
The stock market’s performance is another critical economic factor affecting retirement plans. Many individuals invest a significant portion of their retirement savings in stocks through employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, IRAs, and personal brokerage accounts. The value of their retirement portfolio can fluctuate dramatically due to market volatility.
Recessions, bear markets, and economic downturns can lead to significant losses, prompting investors to reevaluate their risk tolerance and investment strategies. A market downturn close to retirement can drastically affect the total value of a retirement account. Conversely, prolonged periods of economic growth and bull markets can enhance portfolio values, increasing financial stability in retirement.
A balanced approach that factors in market conditions is vital. Potential retirees must consider their investment timelines and risk tolerance, adjusting their portfolio allocations accordingly as they age. Adopting a diversified investment strategy can mitigate risks associated with stock market volatil-
Government policies profoundly shape retirement plans; they include regulations, tax laws, and safety nets like Social Security. Changes in legislation can impact retirement savings vehicles, tax incentives, and benefit distributions. For example, shifts in tax laws could alter the attractiveness of retirement accounts, affecting individual savings behaviors.
Social Security, a cornerstone of retirement for many Americans, also depends on economic conditions. Funded by payroll taxes, any economic downturns that affect employment levels can jeopardize Social Security funding. While the program is designed to provide a safety net, its viability relies heavily on the workforce’s overall economic stability. Any proposals to reform Social Security could have lasting implications for current and future retirees.
Given the significant influence of economic factors on retirement planning, individuals must prepare for uncertainty. This involves not only saving and investing but also continually educating oneself on economic trends. Regular reviews of retirement plans can help adjust for changing economic conditions, ensuring that individuals remain on track to achieve their goals.
Moreover, financial advisors can provide valuable insights into how to navigate economic challenges. Consulting with professionals may help retirees or those nearing retirement to create robust, adaptable strategies that account for fluctuating economic conditions.
In conclusion, the economy significantly impacts retirement plans through inflation, interest rates, stock market performance, and governmental policies. To secure a comfortable retirement, individuals must actively consider these factors when formulating their retirement strategies. By embracing a proactive approach, educating themselves about economic trends, and seeking professional guidance, individuals can foster a more resilient plan that accounts for the unpredictability of the economy while striving to achieve their retirement dreams.
Business Report
BY MATTHEW BURNELL, CFP®, MBA
A question that is often asked to me in my line of work is what is a financial advisor? A financial advisor is a broad title and can go by many names, often depending on what a particular firm likes to use or may have meaning depending on the types of clients one works with or a specialty they may possess. A few names that can be interchangeable include financial planner, registered representative, financial consultant, wealth advisor, wealth manager, investment advisor representative, etc.
For this article we will use the term financial advisor. As Financial Advisors, one primary responsibility of ours is to understand the financial goals of our clients which can include businesses, organizations and/or individuals, and use that understanding to help develop a plan to reach those goals. This is often established early in the relationship and updated as needed. During this process, educating clients on the steps being taken to reach these goals is important.
The exact duties that we as financial advisors perform will vary from client to client and will depend on what, if any, area of finance the advisor specializes in. However, most financial advisors will perform some combination of the tasks below.
Investment management: Offer advice on or directly invest in assets based on the client’s risk tolerance and goals. Assets can include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, annuities, real estate, private equity and many other options. While we may handle the investment needs of our clients, we like to educate our clients as to how any of the investments meet their goals.
Taxation: Depending on the advisor, they may prepare tax returns, create tax plans and scenarios, educate or answer questions for specific individuals needs which can cover anything from the tax implications associated with actions taken in their portfolios to tax planning on the sale of a business that works into investable assets. As an example, our Wealth Management practice and tax practice allow us to coordinate our tax and financial planning for clients.
Retirement Planning: As financial advisors we like to run a financial plan to help clients make an informed decision on whether it is financially feasible to retire as they near that date. Having a strategy or plan on where retirement funding is coming from and how to distribute these funds to meet the client goals is a major point of this planning.
Estate Planning: Planning and solutions on how assets may pass to the next generation through wills or trusts or account titling or beneficiary considerations, planning around estate
taxes, reviewing and discussion of estate planning documents and often coordination with the client’s estate planning attorney. Reviewing the estate planning documents allows us to map out how assets may pass to heirs or plan on how to protect assets from creditors or taxation.
Insurance: Advisors may sell insurance or review & educate to plan for the mitigation of risk. Depending on the individual, this might include health insurance, life insurance, disability and longterm care insurance, and property insurance. Common general financial planning and advice: May include budgeting and cash flow, social security planning, health insurance, debt management, education planning, business succession planning and much more. Ultimately as advisors we like to be the first people a client thinks of when they have a financial related question and discuss.
As you can see from the above, there are many variables in the financial advisor realm. It takes many years and is often considerable education to become proficient as a financial advisor. Beyond that, it is also important that people work with an advisor that they enjoy working and interacting with and fits their communication style. If any of the above interests you, sitting down with us can help to identify where we may be helpful.
Securities offered through Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera firms are under separate ownership from any other named entity.
Matthew Burnell, CFP®, MBA, Financial Advisor, HK Wealth Management Group, Clifton Park.
David Kopyc, president of Retirement Planning Group LLC in Saratoga Springs.
Wednesday thru Saturday 4:30 - 9pm
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Glens Falls Hospital
Continued From Page 1
“The hospital, like many other entities, is facing staffing challenges,” Agnew said. “However, we have an exceptional corporate culture here so I think we’ll be successful in attracting the best people available.”
Mark Behan, chairman and founder of Glens Falls-based Behan Communications and cochair of the Emergency Department Campaign Steering Committee, was master of ceremonies at the gala. Behan has been a member of the hospital’s Board of Governors for more than 20 years, serving for a time as vice chair.
“I see this as indispensable to the future of our community,” he said. “A great hospital has to have a great emergency department, and these days the emergency department is really the front door to the hospital. And this is a particularly busy one with more than forty-thousand visits a year. The hospital serves an area that is about the size of Connecticut.”
Behan noted that almost every family has had some experience with an emergency department. Whether it’s a child who gets hurt, someone injured at a sporting event, or an elderly person in frail health the emergency department provides a safety net of care for those in the community.
Glens Falls Hospital President and CEO Paul Scimeca echoed Behan’s sentiments about the importance of a strong emergency department. In a video issued by the hospital, he noted that they serve a population spread across a 6,000-square-mile area. He said the next fullservice hospital with an emergency room to the north is 114 miles away.
“That’s a huge region of people that when they need care they come down to Glens Falls and depend upon the Sheridan Emergency Department to be there to respond to their needs,” he said.
He added that the region is attractive to visitors year-round, but particularly in the summer.
“Travelers from all over the state as well as from Canada come to the Glens Falls/Lake George region for vacation, and when those folks have an unexpected medical need arise we often see them in the hospital, particularly in the Sheridan Emergency Department. We’re there for those people when they’re at their most vulnerable, and are able to care for them and their families,” he said.
Arrow Bank
Continued From Page 1
During the past decade six branches have been opened in the immediate Capital Region in places such as Troy, Schenectady, Rotterdam and Colonie.
DeMarco said Arrow Bank sees opportunities to expand to Rensselaer and Columbia counties, the Hudson Valley and perhaps even western Vermont and Massachusetts.
“We can’t go too far, but western markets that touch ours are certainly possibilities,” he said.
A significant upgrade to the hospital’s technology will be the addition of a dedicated CT scanner in the Emergency Department. According to Emergency Medial Director Dr. Douglas Girling, this will vastly improve the delivery of services in the department.
“This is going to allow us to get our critical diagnoses far quicker than we’ve been able to get them previously,” he said. “One of the areas we’re really focused on is treatment of strokes, which is very time-sensitive. Getting a CAT scan quickly is the cornerstone to treating strokes efficiently. “
He noted that when the scanner is out of the department it adds 10 to 15 minutes on to every stroke patient coming to the department.
“That’s a significant amount of time when we’re trying to get treatment to them within thirty or forty minutes of them actually hitting the door. So having the CAT scan in the department will reduce that ten-fold. It literally will take a minute or two to get our critical CAT scan, get our results while the patient is still in the emergency department and we can initiate treatment based on that. So it’s really a game changer for our particular department and for our patients,” he said.
Another improvement to the department will be in the area of behavioral health.
“Since COVID we’ve seen an incredible increase in the number of patients in need of behavioral health services,” said Donna Kirker, senior vice president of patient services and chief nursing officer. “We are challenged to be able to meet those needs in the current space and care environment, providing a safe space not only for the patients and visitors but also for our clinical team who has to often intervene at the most vulnerable point in a patient’s crisis.”
To meet those needs some of the rooms in the department have been designed to be converted to a behavioral health room at a moment’s notice.
“We want to be sure that while we’re assessing the patient and beginning their treatment they’re in a safe space, they’re in a supportive space, and the ability to have those rooms that can convert quickly to provide and respond to fluctuations and senses, that will be so important to us going forward,” said Scimeca.
Those wishing to support this project can make a gift online or by texting give2gfh to 50155. There are also naming opportunities for those who would like to honor or memorialize a loved one in a special way. To do this go to foundation@glensfallshosp.org.
“We believe our biggest strength is our commitment to the communities we serve. When we’ve gone into a new market we’ve really emphasized and show how we give back and support the community. A community bank is only as strong as its community.”
“Our people are going to be involved,” he said. “Financially we’re going to support the community. We’re a true community bank.”
Previously, Saratoga National Bank had advertised itself as “The Thoroughbred of Banks.”
Plans call for rolling out a new Arrow Bank marketing campaign that will cover the company’s entire territory in coming weeks, DeMarco said.
Cannabis Products Are Becoming Popular For Both Medical And Recreational Use
BY ROD BACON
For millennia the cannabis plant has been valued for its use for fiber and rope, food and medicine, and for its psychoactive properties for religious and recreational use. It has also gone through periods of being accepted and being banned by countries throughout the world.
Currently, cannabis use is legal in 24 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Guam for recreational use and in 39 states for medical use. It became legal for medical use in New York state in 2016 when the Medical Cannabis Program was implemented and for recreational use in 2021 when the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law.
There are 285 adult-use cannabis dispensaries in New York state that recently surpassed $1 billion in retail sales generating nearly $150 million in tax, fee and fine revenue.
For those who don’t want to use cannabis with a high THC content there is cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical found in the cannabis plant that is non-impairing. It can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions without giving the user a “high” and running the risk of developing physical cravings.
According to Sammy Foda, the founder of Two Strains Cannabis Company, his customers use his products to deal with pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. Foda said he uses it for relaxation and stress relief.
“When I was 15 years old a traumatic event brought about a drastic change in my personality,” Foda writes on his website. “It was at this time that I discovered the relief that alcohol and marijuana could bring me.”
Foda noted that it took him years to work through his issues but on November 4, 2016 he decided he “would not use for just that day.”
“I’ve been sober one day at a time since then,” he noted.
His story is on the company website because Foda believes “many in recovery still have to deal with severe pain, anxiety, depression, and other ailments. Low THC/high CBD cannabis can be an alternative.”
Foda founded Two Strains, which is a dispensary-style hemp flower and cannabinoid retail store, because he felt there were others like him that could be helped by his experience. He started in a kiosk in the Aviation Mall in Queesnsbury on November 1, 2019 and soon moved into a storefront in the mall.
“Our main goal is to help, and we are so grateful to be able to offer a solution to people in our community at the most reasonable prices we can,” he said.
His store, which he says is not officially a medical dispensary, carries a wide variety of CBD options as his primary product line. Because some of his customers suffer from serious medical issues like fibromyalgia and traumatic brain injury there is also a line of hemp-derived Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC products. These are allowed under federal law as long as they have less than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis.
He operates under duel licenses from the Office of Cannabis Management, one a cannabinoid hemp distributor permit and the other a cannabinoid retail license.
Foda gets his product primarily from Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, Tennessee, Michigan, North Carolina, and New York state.
For more information go to 2strains.com. Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries, which operates 101 retail locations across 14 U.S. markets under the name RISE Dispensaries, opened its Clifton Park store in 2019. It initially offered only medical marijuana products but expanded to adult-use cannabis in June 2024 following a complete remodeling of the store.
“Th at was an exciting day, allowing us to meet and celebrate with the community,” said Commercial General Manager for New York Lincoln Campbell. “At RISE we believe cannabis can create more positivity -- whether it’s creating jobs, generating tax revenue, or giving back through social impact initiatives.”
The profits from the first day of adult-use sales were donated to HicksStrong, a local nonprofit organization that supports veterans and active-duty service members and their families by providing them with free confidential mental health services.
“RISE off ers premium, high-quality cannabis products in a welcoming environment,” said Campbell. “All Green Thumb products available to both medical patients and adult-
use customers are held to New York’s medical testing standards established by third-party testing labs.”
Campbell clarified that RISE is not an acronym. “It represents the dispensary’s mission to elevate the cannabis retail experience,” he said.
A wide range of products is offered in the various forms popular with users. These include flower, vape, edibles, pre-rolls, tincture, topical, and concentrates. Green Thumb’s award winning brands such as &Shine vapes, Beboe gummies, Dogwalkers pre-rolls, Doctor Solomon’s , Good Green, incredibles, and RYTHM indoor hand trimmed flower are available.
“We are proud to bring patients and adult use customers safe, high-quality and consistent products across categories,” said Campbell.
The Clifton Park dispensary’s team is comprised of 25 members that include Personal Care Specialists, pharmacists, delivery drivers and more.
Delivery to medical patients is available within a 40-mile radius of the dispensary. They also have exclusive access to roll-through order and pickup services.
To qualify to purchase medical marijuana a person must first visit a health care provider registered with the New York State Department of Health and obtain a form certifying he or she has a medical condition that can be helped by cannabis use. Following that a state-issued registry identification card must be obtained. To get the card proof of identity and New York state residency must be shown.
Qualifying medical conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord nerve injury, Epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pain, Neuropathy, Huntington’s Disease, PTSD, and substance use disorder.
All adult use customers need to purchase cannabis through RISE is a state-issued ID and cash or debit card. There is an ATM on site.
Adults 21 and older may possess up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis outside their home for personal use.
The Clifton Park dispensary gets it product from a state-of-the-art Hudson Valley production facility in Warwick, which was opened in 2023. This facility is at a former medium security prison that housed about 1,000 inmates, many of which were incarcerated for drug offenses.
“The importance of this is not lost on us at RISE and Green Thumb,” said Campbell. “We are committed to reversing the harms done by the War on Drugs.”
In addition to the Clifton Park dispensary Green Thumb operates two other duel-licensed facilities in Syracuse and Henrietta near Rochester and two medical dispensaries in Manhattan and Long Beach.
According to Campbell, at present there are no immediate plans for more RISE dispensaries.
“But we are continually exploring opportunities to expand our footprint,” he said. “Green Thumb remains committed to growing its presence in regions where there is demand for both medical and adult-use cannabis.”
For more information log on to risecannabis.com.
From Christmas Trees To Maple Empire: How A Warren County Farm Th rived
BY PAUL POST
A family-run Warren County firm has parlayed robust Christmas tree sales into a booming maple products business.
River Bend Christmas Tree Farm in Lake Luzerne provides fresh-cut trees to nearly 1,000 customers each year.
But starting in late winter, 78-year-old Bruce Carpenter and his wife, Rosann, spend several weeks producing maple syrup on land they own in Minerva.
Their son, Jim, 43, puts his RPI business degree to good use by marketing trees and maple with a variety of social media platforms.
“Trees are a higher ticket item, but maple because it’s consumable can be sold year round,” Jim said. “During COVID we had a lot of syrup and not a lot of places to sell it so we trademarked the name, Saratoga Maple, and built a mail-order business where we ship gifts all over the country.”
In addition to traditional syrup flavors, the Carpenters age maple in a bourbon barrel to make bourbon maple syrup and a bourbon maple cream. They also make a maple walnut topping, maple jelly, hard and soft candy and a gourmet pancake mix that comes in a breakfast gift basket with bags of mix and Adirondack maple syrup.
Recent holiday sales were up 30 percent year over year.
“We set another record,” Jim said. “On Christmas Day there were still people ordering maple gift baskets and products. This holiday we shipped to Germany, Great Britain, Hawaii, Alaska and hit most of the other states. It was really an exceptional year.”
“The response to that business is humungous,” he said. “It just keeps growing. We’ve had calls from everywhere.”
New doors have recently opened at independently-owned ShopRite supermarkets in and around Philadelphia.
“They were looking for a maple walnut product, came across ours and want to carry it,” Jim said. “It’s wet walnuts and syrup used as a sundae topping. Now they want to add other products and create a maple section. The person I dealt with talked to other independent store owners in the Philadelphia area and they’re interested in getting in on it, too. So we expect to be in a number of ShopRites this year.”
The maple season keeps getting under way earlier and earlier, in large part due to global warming trends.
“We used to go the first of March,” Bruce said. “Now you want to be ready by the first of February.”
With increased technology, the Carpenters hope to get more yield from the trees they tap. A vacuum system, for example, draws out more sap.
“Plus we might add more taps and lines and use an internet monitoring system so we know when sap is flowing,” Jim said. “One of the challenges is that our sugarbush, in Minerva, is so far from the farm here in Luzerne.”
River Bend is just one of many Christmas tree farms in the surrounding area.
Saratoga County alone is home to Buell’s Trees (Gansevoort), Candy Cane Farm (Moreau), Bob’s Trees (Galway), Fogg Hollow Farm (Charlton)
the Patricia Lawrence farm (Rexford) and Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa.
“We had a good season,” co-owner Garth Ellms said. “We set records the first weekend after Thanksgiving. It came out of the gates swinging.”
Tree sales account for about 40 percent of the farm’s diverse revenue stream. Ellms is one of the region’s most popular autumn “agri-tainment” destinations with everything from pumpkin sales to a variety of children’s games and attractions such as mechanical singing chickens and a moo-moo train.
Tree farms and apple orchards provide a good outlet for many types of locally-produced food products.
“During the fall we sell local honey and maple syrup,” Ellms said. “People just want to take a piece of the local community home with them. The honey we sell is from a man who handles hives on our property. Maple comes from Hop City Maple, about a mile down the road.”
In response to growing Christmas tree demand, the Ellms recently purchased a nearby 72-acre field. Part of it will be used to plant seedlings, which they purchase from suppliers in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The rest will be leased to a local farmer, ensuring that the land stays in agricultural production.
“We usually plant between 2000 and 5000 trees per year,” Ellms said. “Now we’re planting 14,000.”
During COVID, many farms harvested more Christmas trees than normal, in part because there was a large influx of new customers seeking any kind of outdoor, family activity they could find. In addition, COVID impacted farms financially so they made up for it by selling more trees, which reduced supplies in subsequent years.
“We were always open four weeks before COVID,” Ellms said. “It’s been three weeks the past few years because we didn’t have enough trees. But we’re coming back from that. What we have in the fields now is good.”
Seedlings are 12-18 inches tall when planted and trees grow approximately one foot per year, so it takes about eight years before trees are ready to harvest.
Fields will be prepped for planting in spring, but tending to trees is an ongoing process that involves mowing to keep weeds down, and trimming to make sure each tree is well shaped.
“It’s non-stop I guess,” Ellms said.
Mary Jean Packer and partner Dave Campbell operate Mapleland Farms in Salem, Washington County.
“Everybody says you must be so busy in March and April. That’s when guys who work in the woods are tapping and gathering sap, boiling and bottling syrup,” she said. “But autumn and Christmas are extremely busy. It started in September with apple orchards, corn mazes and garden centers all doing fall ‘agri-tainment’ events. They all want maple products in their gift shops. Then we barely catch our breath and we’re shipping maple candies shaped like Santa Claus.”
“The direct-to-consumer aspect of Christmas trees, sheep farms selling yarns or maple syrup farms selling maple syrup is not to be underestimated when it comes to the economic impact of agriculture in our region,” Packer
Two Strains Cannabis Compay store front is located in Aviation Mall in Queensbury. Courtesy Two Strains Cannabis
Jim Carpenter hangs a Christmas wreath on display at River Bend Christmas Tree Fam in Lake Luzerne.
Courtesy River Bend Christmas Tree Farm
RPI And GlobalFoundries Partner On Semiconductor Workforce Development
Building on several ongoing collaborations, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and GlobalFoundries (GF) are working together to further grow and strengthen the semiconductor workforce in the region.
RPI has launched a partnership program with GF to provide their employees with opportunities to pursue degrees and enhance their skills in semiconductor technology. Th rough dedicated RPI scholarships and GF’s tuition assistance program, GF employees will be able to pursue a new Master of Science in Semiconductor Technology (MaST) degree and take part in other graduate programs including Rensselaer at Work certificates.
Under the expanded partnership, GF has pledged a gift totaling $150,000 over the next three years to sponsor RPI students who have a strong interest in the semiconductor industry, interwoven with an internship opportunity. The initiative aims to incentivize students to join the semiconductor industry.
“When industries and educational institutions seek ways to work together, great things happen,” said Rebecca Doerge, Ph.D., provost at RPI. “Th is advancement of our ongoing partnership with GF further solidifies the Capital Region’s preeminence as a hub of semiconductor research and manufacturing while addressing workforce development needs that are at the core of the CHIPS initiative.”
Employees at GlobalFoundries can enhance their skills in semiconductor technology through a partnership with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
facility;
* Collaborating on STEM outreach initiatives to K-12, community colleges, and beyond to enhance the semiconductor workforce pipeline;
In addition to investing in workforce development, GF and RPI plan to explore joint semiconductor research and work together to attract top researchers to lead these projects.
“RPI has a strong history of semiconductor research, education, and innovation. With the growing workforce demands of the chip industry in upstate New York, we are committed to developing and supporting new programs and partnerships with industry,” said Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., dean of the RPI School of Engineering. “We have enjoyed a wonderful partnership with GF around workforce development and look forward to deepening our collaborations.”
“Together, we are creating opportunities that will drive technological advancements and strengthen the industry.”
Th is expanded partnership builds upon GF and RPI’s existing collaborative workforce development portfolio, which includes:
“At GF, we are committed to fostering a diverse and skilled semiconductor workforce. Our partnership with RPI is a testament to our dedication to developing the next generation of innovators and leaders in the semiconductor industry,” said Hui Peng Koh, vice president and general manager at GF in Malta.
* Leveraging and expanding on the success of the collaboration between RPI and GF on unique industry-university courses focused on cutting-edge chips topics;
* Engaging RPI students in paid internships, co-ops, and job opportunities each year;
* Hosting students and faculty in the RPI-Hudson Valley Community College Semiconductor Scholars program at GF’s Malta
The RPI-GF initiative furthers regional and nationwide efforts to reshore semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. According to a 2022 report from Deloitte, the global semiconductor industry is expected to surpass one trillion dollars in revenue by 2030. However, the industry faces a significant talent shortage, with more than one million additional skilled workers needed over the next six years.
Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which aims to make the United States a leading chips manufacturer, universities, including RPI, and leading semiconductor companies like GF are preparing the workforce that will not only run semiconductor fabs but also innovate the essential chips of the future.
