Glens Falls Business Journal - April 2020

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VOL. 32 NO. 02

HH The Business Newspaper of Warren and Washington Counties HH

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APRIL 2020

Area Chambers Of Commerce Are Conduits Ames Goldsmith Making, Donating Sanitizer For Businesses To Get COVID-19 Information To Glens Falls Hospital, Open Door Mission

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Local chambers of commerce are scrambling to provide support to their members during this unprecedented time of financial uncertainly. They have become information clearinghouses and are disseminating updated information related to COVID-19 as quickly as possible.

According to Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Mintzer, she is receiving as many as 150 emails a day on the subject.

“The information is coming in so fast. I get information from the county, state, federal government, and governor’s office,” she said.

“We are trying to keep abreast of all of that information that’s being thrown out there by government agencies to benefit those who need it the most. We are distilling that information and getting it out there through e-blasts and our social media platform.”

Michael Bittell, president of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, is doing the same for his 778 members.

“We are being very aggressive in working with our elected officials at every level— county, state, and federal—and making sure that our businesses are heard. In turn, we are also getting information out several times a day on state mandates and executive orders as well as federal programs,” he said. “We’re very stringent on what we send out. We research it. We verify it, and then we send it out. There’s just so much information.”

Much of this information concerns the payroll protection program (PPP). The $349 billion PPP is part of the governments $2.2 trillion stimulus relief package. Bittell and Mintzer have done their best to break down

the 883-page bill into what Mintzer described as “everyman language.”

“To understand the nuances and how that would benefit our business partners was arduous,” she said. “You have to look at all of the sources of information to see who explains it the best.”

The PPP makes loans available to small businesses through Small Business Administration-approved lenders. Borrowers are eligible for loan forgiveness of qualifying expenses such as payroll costs and rent during the first eight-weeks after loans are received.

Bittell has received many questions from his members about the program. In addition to answering these questions by phone and email, he also conducts teleconferences that include time for question and answer.

For example, he recently conducted a live teleconference with the Town of Johnsburg.

Both town supervisors as well as 16 business owners participated. Bittell addressed issues related to PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDL). EIDL’s, economic relief loans of up to $10,000, are being provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualifying business owners will not be required to repay advances on those loans.

PPP loans can only be obtained through banks that have been designated as certified lenders by the SBA. Bittell has asked his members to be patient with the local banks that are participating in the program. They are overwhelmed by the unprecedented demand for these loans, and the SBA’s E-Tran Continued On Page 3

Ames Goldsmith Corp., a South Glens Fallsbased manufacturer, has begun producing hand sanitizer for complimentary distribution to area nonprofits during the COVID-19 crisis.

The company makes silver salts and advanced silver and copper powders and flakes for electronics, healthcare technology and other uses. It has temporarily converted a portion of the manufacturing capacity at its Harrison Avenue, plant to the production of the alcohol-based sanitizer.

It began distributing the sanitizer to Glens Falls Hospital and the Open Door Mission in Glens Falls. Other area nonprofits may be added to the distribution list in the future depending on production capacity, company officials said.

“Our community has a need. We have the capacity and capability. It was a pretty easy decision to make for a company that’s been part of this regional community since 1860,” said Ames Goldsmith President and CEO Frank Barber.

Between its South Glens Falls headquarters and manufacturing plant, and its manufacturing plant in Glens Falls, Ames Goldsmith employs approximately 90 people. The company also has plants in New Jersey, Maryland, and West Virginia, along with international facilities in England, Scotland, Taiwan and Japan, bringing its total employment to more than 350.

“Ames Goldsmith has extensive experience working with alcohol products in our manufacturing processes, as well as manufacturing products to FDA guidelines for the healthcare industry. We have the scale to produce meaningful amounts of sanitizer quickly and safely,” Barber said. “We discussed the need with the hospital and Open Door and when they responded so enthusiastically, it was full speed ahead.”

Barber credited New York plant manager Mike

Workers at Ames Goldsmith in South Glens Falls fill containers of hand sanitizer.

Courtesy Ames Goldsmith

Forcier for the idea, and said he and Mike Herman, vice president of global quality systems, have led the production effort.

“I could not be happier with how these two individuals have stepped up to meet the needs of our communities,” Barber said.

Forcier is a co-owner of Springbook Hollow Farm Distillery in Queensbury, which has also been producing its own line of sanitizer.

Ames Goldsmith is purchasing all of the raw materials needed for the sanitizer specifically for this purpose and mixing them utilizing spare process tanks and mixing technology present at the Harrison Avenue plant. The company’s Continued On Page 7

Much Of The Construction Industry At A As Restaurants Close Around The State, Local Standstill Amid Struggle With Pandemic Eateries Transition To Take-Out, Delivery

BY SUSAN E. CAMPBELL Coming out of winter, construction companies were getting ready for building and renovation activity that accelerates with warmer weather. But the coronavirus pandemic has changed things.

The state has ordered non-essential projects be put on hold until further notice. The governor’s order also calls for one person at a tome on a work site.

“It is a challenge to keep a safe distance on a job site, which is why the governor put a stop to it,” said Thomas Albrecht Sr., CEO of Hilltop Construction Co. in Hudson Falls.

“Only one guy on a site is keeping things going,” said Albrecht. “So my cup is half full.”

Albrecht continued to pay all staff until April 2, when they became eligible for unemployment compensation. Some have been with the company 20 years and he expects “100 percent of them to return.

Their jobs will be there,” he said.

“We compensate well and promote a good environment to work in,” Albrecht said. He is “saddened” by the developments.

Even if more workers at a site were possible, Albrecht said his company and others would still be “getting inundated with materials delays.”

“The supply chain can be disruptive,” said Doug Ford, vice president in charge of sales and purchasing at Curtis Lumber Co. “Some truckers from Canada are not comfortable coming into the States,” said Ford. “Manufacturing of all kinds was shut down in Pennsylvania and that has had an impact.”

Many such operations in Pennsylvania “were since deemed essential and are coming back,” he said.

Like the other administrative positions at Curtis

Lehigh Cement Co. is temporarily laying off 50 of its 90 local employees.

Courtesy Lehigh Cement Co.

Lumber, Ford has been working from home. This the first time he has done so in 25 years with the company, he said.

The inside of Curtis shops are closed to all customers, but pick-up is available.

“About half the staff are on site in our stores, including materials handlers and front-line staff,” he said. “We have had no layoffs.”

At the headquarters in Ballston Spa, where Ford and about 200 other administrative personnel work Continued On Page 13

BY SUSAN E. CAMPBELL Restaurants in and around the North Country are handling the challenges of the coronavirus crisis with a sense of family, social responsibility, and grace as they continue to adjust to a different way of serving their customers and rethink what “business as usual” means to them.

The option for restaurants is making takeout available for curbside pickup, or delivering.

Some restaurants who were previously not involved in either practice are implementing them to stay afloat.

New York state’s restaurant industry is among the most impacted, losing $1.9 billion and more than 250,000 jobs, according to a recent report by the National Restaurant Association.

“Many restaurants have already closed and will never reopen, and restaurant employees are out of work, trying to figure out what’s next,” association President and CEO Melissa Fleischut said.

Locally, there is still restaurant activity.

The state mandate went into effect so abruptly that Tony Grecco, general manager at the The Log Jam Restaurant, said he was “shocked.”

“I knew it would happen, but not all of a sudden,” said Grecco, who has been with The Log Jam on Route 9 in Lake George for 30 years. “One weekend we are doing business and then Monday morning it was announced that we would be closing at 8 that evening.”

Grecco’s first concern, he said, was his

The Log Jam Restaurant is one of the local eateries still open, serving takeout meals.

Courtesy Log Jam Restaurant

employees and how they would survive. He has a staff of 90, full-time and part-time, and on a busy Saturday as many as 50 are on site.

A core crew has been with him ever since the shutdown, including four in the kitchen.

“Thankfully, with unemployment compensation, most are able to cope and pay their bills,” he said. “There are other provisions as well, such as the ability to postpone mortgage payments.”

Continued On Page 14

2 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020

Coronavirus Pandemic Creates Challenges Agencies Strive To Help Businesses; LDC For New York State Craft Brewing Industry Defers Payments For Existing Loan Holders The unprecedented situation presented by COVID-19 has created challenging times for all, with breweries as no exception. The small businesses of the New York state craft beer industry, as with many industries, are feeling the impact of necessary restrictions on public gatherings.

The potential short-term and long-term effects of COVID-19 on the state craft beer industry will be dependent on the actions of consumers and business owners, as well as local, state and federal policymakers, according to the New York State Craft Brewers Association (NYSBA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the industry through advocacy, education and marketing.

NYSBA is working closely with state policymakers to protect New York’s 5.4 billion-dollar craft beer industry, responsible for 20,000 jobs across the state.

After much negotiating between NYSBA and the state Liquor Authority, breweries can temporarily sell packaged beer in a closed, sealed container for curbside pickup and home delivery, officials said. All home delivery orders must be delivered by the licensee and/ or their employees or by a licensed thirdparty delivery service and accompanied with the purchase of a food item. These rules are temporary and are due to expire on April 15 unless extended or reduced by the State Liquor Authority.

“We are very grateful for the quick action by the governor’s office and State Liquor Authority to reach out and offer help any way they could,” said Paul Leone, NYSBA executive director. “There are also a number of options in consideration to allow tax and loan payment deferments, no interest loans and the elimination of late payments on bills to name a few. Although this will not fill the financial loss in both jobs and revenue in the short term, it will help breweries survive in these unprecedented times.”

State authorities and breweries have been

taking extreme precautions to keep craft beer safe and accessible to consumers statewide.

“We are still brewing and trying to have fun with it. Our primary focus is getting beer to our customers safely and effectively,” said Ethan Cox, NYSBA treasurer and president of Community Beer Works. “We are looking into methods for safe and effective home delivery services, however there are a lot of logistics involved.”

Craft breweries provide their communities with a place to gather, entertainment, food, and of course, fresh craft beer. In order to assist these small businesses, NYSBA is urging consumers to continue to purchase beer from local breweries via carryout, curbside pickup and home delivery, as well as merchandise and gift certificates from breweries’ online stores.

To make it easier, the official New York State Craft Beer App, created by NYSBA and available for all mobile devices, lists which services state breweries are currently offering.

The app features a map of every brewery in the state along with special hours, beer lists and more, found in the “details” section of each brewery’s profile.

Breweries across New York are also doing everything they can to continue operations and keep their staff employed, although many have already felt the impact, NYSBA said.

“The effects of the pandemic have been immediate and debilitating to our two brew pubs. We were forced to lay-off almost 90 employees yesterday,” said Chris Ericson, president of the NYSBA and owner of Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide Brewery & Public House. “While to-go beer sales and to-go food sales are available, the amount of revenue that will generate is token at best.”

NYSBA will continue to provide information and guidance as this situation develops. Craft beer enthusiasts can visit www. thinkNYdrinkNY.com to learn how they safely access and support craft beer. Breweries and staff can refer to www.newyorkcraftbeer.com for industry updates.

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BY RACHEL PHILLIPS In an area dependent on seasonal tourism, many local business owners are left with questions about what the coming months will bring as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Saratoga Race Course, the allure of Lake George and many local conventions and events such as the Americade bring thousands of people to the area each year, and with them, business for shops, restaurants and services nearby.

Businesses around the country are suffering, some forced to close and others operating on a limited basis.

In an effort to assist small businesses during this time of economic uncertainty, EDC Warren County President Ed Bartholomew, as administrator for the Warren County Local Development Corp., announced that the agency has deferred loan payments for businesses that have existing loan with the agency, for the months of April, May and June. The three months will be added to the back end of their loans, thereby extending the terms by three months.

LDC committee members have indicated that additional programs to assist businesses within Warren County are being discussed.

Regarding business shutdowns, Bartholomew said the initial list of services and industries deemed essential needed clarification. Certain industries, such as those involved in laying sewer lines or those doing emergency repairs, were exempt from the shutdown. However, it wasn’t as clear if businesses who existed further down the supply chain, such as those who made the pipes, or sewer valves, would be allowed to continue to operate.

“We spent the first 10 days talking to New York state about the various inquiries we’ve received from large and small businesses who thought they should be deemed essential,” said Bartholomew. “During that period of time, the governor expanded or clarified the type of businesses that would be eligible.”

The EDC is also currently assisting the businesses who are eligible for Small Business Administration loans. SBA is offering various incentive programs to help certain businesses affected by the coronavirus. There have been many revisions and clarifications with regard to eligibility. The EDC has not only been helping educate business owners about SBA

qualifications, but is also helping direct them toward banks and credit unions participating in the loan program.

In an effort to keep more manufacturers in business, Bartholomew said has also been working with businesses who are currently not manufacturing medical gear to see if they have the capacity to start making PPE, such as masks and medical gowns.

Working with banks, accountants and lawyers has been another facet of the EDC’s relief plan.

Bartholomew said due to the quarantine, many projects have been shut down or delayed.

But there are still projects, such as low-income housing developments in Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, still underway. But because they have to depend on teleconferences, even these projects are moving at a slower pace.

“The process is still moving, but not as quickly as it would be in person. It definitely is streaming in a positive direction, but at a much slower pace,” he said.

Bartholomew urged business owners to be introspective and use the situation as an opportunity to look toward future opportunities.

“While dwelling on this current situation, turn the page and figure out what you’re going to do when you get back in operation. Maybe some restaurants that in the past had not been doing takeout or delivery might want to do that. Maybe take a look at your menu or stock,” he said.

“I think that this is a challenging time for all businesses, and I think there is support and assistance out there,” he said. “For example, reach out to local business people who can lend some support or offer advice to what they’re doing. There’s an informal chain of people just throwing ideas back and forth amongst each other to see if there is anything they can do to support one another,” said Bartholomew.

“My final advice would be: Sometimes the strength of independent business men and women is their willingness to go through crises like this, but sometimes they’re reluctant to share their plight. This is a time when there are many resources out there to be helpful. They shouldn’t be embarrassed to reach out and talk to others to get help.”

For more information on relief for businesses affected by COVID-19, visit the EDC website, edcwc.org.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 3

Cleaning Services In Demand, Taking On Employees To Meet The Increased Demand

North Country Janitorial maintains a training facility for its employees that is a replica medical exam room modeled after those found in Hudson Headwaters heath centers.

Courtesy North Country Janitorial

BY RACHEL PHILLIPS With the emergence and spread of COVID-19, proper cleaning and disinfecting are more important than ever. As an essential service, there are several Capital Region commercial cleaning services still operating on the front lines during the pandemic.

When the first cases of COVID-19 broke out in the U.S., Matthew Montesi, president and owner of North Country Janitorial Inc. in Glens Falls, said he saw an uptick in business.

Initially, many businesses were requesting more thorough or more frequent services, he said. After

the state-wide lock down went into effect, many of his contracts had to freeze services. However, business has increased for clients in essential industries, such as medical facilities and hospitals.

Derek Foster, president of Daigle Cleaning Systems, has clients from Albany to Lake George.

He said is using displaced workers to fill the void and cover the increased demand for his company’s services.

“In our industry as a whole, we’re trying to do our part by helping those who are either out of work or are temporarily looking for something to keep them

Area Chambers

who have never used a food pantry before are using a food pantry. This is affecting people who a month ago thought their jobs were completely secure.”

Mintzer and her team have created a social media campaign to encourage people to order takeout from local restaurants. As part of their “takeout social media photo contest,” people have a chance to win prizes by submitting photos of their takeout meals.

The Lake George Chamber is also running social media and print campaigns to encourage tourism. They recently produced a Lake George travel guide, and the landing page on their website reads, “Better Times Are Up Ahead. Request Your Travel Guide Now.” Mintzer said they are also reaching out to groups that were forced to cancel conferences that were scheduled to take place at local hotels. Hotels typically book many events and conferences between late February and early April.

“We want to help them reschedule versus completely canceling these events,” she said.

Both Mintzer and Bittell have been told by some members that the economic impact of the pandemic is likely to result in the closure of their businesses. Their chambers are prepared to do whatever it takes to support these businesses and help keep them viable.

“We are all in this together,” said Bittell.

For more information, visit www. lakegeorgechamber.com or www. adirondackchamber.org.

Continued From Page 1 loan application system crashed just days after the program was implemented.

In addition to disseminating information on government programs, Mintzer and her team have been working to assess the needs of the chamber’s 450 members. They are asking business owners to fill out an economic impact survey that can be found on their website www.lakegeorgechamber.com. The website also provides updated COVID-19 information and lists the names and operating hours of businesses that remain open.

Mintzer is also utilizing webinars and video teleconferencing to connect with members.

For example, she recently conducted a “Women in Business” Zoom conference.

“I wanted to get a finger on the pulse of women business owners in order to find out how can we help them,” she said.

Some of the women who participated on the call run nonprofits, and they are facing the same challenges as business owners. For example, Mintzer said the Lake George Arts Project had three major fundraisers planned between now and the middle of June. As a result, they are facing a severe deficit in funding that may result in the cancellation of programming.

“Everybody is in same boat,” said Mintzer.

“The Open Door Mission went from serving 90 meals a week to 90 meals a day. And, people

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busy,” he said. “I’ve spoken with a few folks who are in the restaurant or bar industry who are reliant on tips. Unemployment isn’t able to cover their living expenses, so we’ve been able to train them and bring them on, and they’ve been able to help keep people safe and healthy and get a living wage at the same time.”

Though many of her clients’ offices have closed, April Weygand, president of April Fresh Cleaning, said she has received more requests from one-time clients requesting large disinfectant cleans.

“I’m hoping that people will realize that real clean is more than just ‘looking clean,’ and that ‘real clean’ takes time, and is therefore more costly,” said Weygand.

North Country Janitorial Inc. has five different divisions: janitorial, rental mat/laundry, resilient floor care, residential and commercial carpet cleaning and disaster restoration. Montesi said his company is particularly well-prepared to deal with the current pandemic thanks to its new training facility.

The training facility features a replica medical exam room modeled after those found in Hudson Headwaters heath centers. The facility also features a janitor’s closet, a waiting room and a kitchen, all of which are used to train new workers in how to properly clean these areas, as well as proper use of tools and equipment.

“We partnered with healthcare officers to plan how this should be done. There’s certain protocols in place from the CDC determining how offices have to be cleaned with regard to COVID-19,” said Montesi.

“Training is the key for the future of mentoring people in our field. It’s not just about picking up a mop and broom, it’s a little more technical than that.”

North Country Janitorial, who employs between 240-250 cleaners, is looking to hire more to help meet this increased demand.

North Country’s chief operating officer Chris Barden emphasized that a big concern for the company is keeping the employees safe, which they are doing through increased education and strict monitoring of equipment, disinfectants, and PPE. North Country Janitorial has also been offering advice to clients.

“Things to underscore are the importance of good cleaning and disinfecting, which are two separate processes. We’re still learning about this disease and how it works. I think it’s important to follow the directions from the CDC and the health

professionals, such as consistent and vigilant hand washing, as well as maintaining our distance from our most vulnerable populations.

“Minimizing our interaction even in the office, having phone conversations instead of in person conversations. We’re offering them service where we can, and even products to clients who would prefer to do things themselves.”

Weygand had similar advice for mitigating the risks of COVID-19.

“Disinfection is a moment-in-time. An office can be 100 percent disinfected, but as soon as someone sneezes or touches a doorknob, that disinfection is gone. Businesses can help by cleaning high touch points such as door handles, light switches, etc. frequently, as well as ensuring soap and water in the restrooms is full. If anyone is working in the office, professional cleaning is recommended.

“This is also a good time for carpet cleaning with steam, as well as tile and grout cleaning, because the COVID-19 virus is easily killed with high heat.”

April Fresh Cleaning operates out of Saratoga Springs, and offers services to clients ranging from Clifton Park to Queensbury. Along with full janitorial cleaning, they also offer carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning and residential move-in and move-out cleaning.

Daigle Cleaning Systems offers commercial and residential cleaning company offers office cleaning, all aspects of commercial maintenance, specialty work with trauma remediation, post-construction cleanups, apartment turnovers, as well as some house cleaning.

The company currently has 75 workers on staff, and is also looking to hire temporary workers to meet increased demand.

According to Foster, Daigle Cleaning Systems cross trains their employees, allowing them to be a “one-stop shop” for clients who need multiple cleaning services done.

Foster anticipates there will be another increase in clients requesting large-scale, one-time cleaning services for their offices when the pandemic winds down.

He said above all, he hopes his business can be of help to the community during this trying time.

“If anybody needs any guidance, if any folks that are in the restaurant or another business that has been closed or effected by this, if we can do our part in putting people to work temporarily to help them provide for their family, reach out and we’ll do whatever we can to help out,” he said.

THE ADIRONDACK REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

thanks our frontline workers On behalf of our communities, we appreciate your service and sacrifice during this difficult time.

You are our heroes.

4 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020

Area Distilleries Switch To Making Hand Sanitizer To Help Prevent COVID-19 Spread

These bottles of hand sanitizer are being produced at Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery in Queensbury. The labels were provided by SheetLabels in Queensbury.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL 2000 Business Of The Year

Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce P.O. Box 766 • Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com

Editorial: RJDeLuke@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@glensfallsbusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke Editor Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Production Manager Graphic Precision Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Jill Nagy Jennifer Farnsworth Christine Gaf Andrea Palmer Rachel Phillips Glens Falls Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Warren and Washington counties.

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Glens Falls Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Warren and Washington counties and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. Third class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York.

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BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH With the coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation, using hand sanitizer is one of the strong recommendation of health agencies around the globe.

To help bolster supplies locally, some businesses have turned completely away from their normal mission and are making sanitizer.

When John Carr first opened up the Adirondack Pub and Brewery in Lake George, he never imagined that 20 years later he would find himself making hand sanitizer. He said his business has been making 1,000 gallons a week since the statewide shutdown came. His business isn’t close to its usual revenue, Carr said, but his priority is doing what he can to help not only Lake George, but surrounding communities.

“Making the hand sanitizer is helping us to keep the lights on. It has allowed me to keep my employees working,” said Carr.

Carr said his 10 employees work alternating shifts, making the sanitizer by hand. He said his employees are basically working in isolation, but are thankful for the opportunity to work with purpose. Carr also said that many people who have traveled to the brewery are discovering his business for the first time.

“Many people who have not been here before are able to check us out for the first time. They are getting their sanitizer while seeing who we are. They are even picking up some of our four gold medal winning whiskey products along with the hand sanitizer, sort of a small silver lining,” said Carr.

ADK Pub and Brewery has both pick-up and drive through options, something Carr said they implemented with the senior citizen

Courtesy Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery

population in mind. The sanitizer has a limit of one per customer, and 375 ml bottles are three per customer. For online orders and delivery go to adkbrewery.com/store.

Since the state ordered the temporary closure of bars and restaurants last month, Matt Colucci, owner of Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery in Queensbury, is among those responding to the need for sanitizer.

“We are more than happy to get to work.

Essential businesses who have to stay open need it for their employees, so we are working hard to try and help make that happen,” said Colucci. The distillery was about to lay staff off until the government asked distilleries to stay open to produce the desperately needed product.

Colucci said SheetLabels in Queensbury is donating the labels and Burch Bottle and Packaging in Waterford is providing the bottles.

SheetLabels Chief Executive Officer Adam Gray said they have been at work producing the labels needed by various local distilleries in order to prepare product for distribution.

“It has been a great opportunity for us to get to work and help the community, “ said Gray.

At Lake George Distillery in Fort Ann, owner Robin McDougall has his company responding to the call for help.

“We decided we wanted to do something for our community in this time of need and we knew we had the ability to make the product. Once the federal government and the state government relaxed the rules that were required to make it and provided us with the World Health Organization’s formula Continued On Page 5 

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 5

Siena Poll Shows 87 Percent Of New Yorkers Hudson Headwaters Network Furloughs 85 Say Coronavirus Is Impacting Their Lives Employees, Mostly In The Non-Clinical Field Some 87 percent of New Yorkers say that the coronavirus crisis is having either a somewhat or very significant impact on their daily life according to a new statewide survey of consumers released by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI).

Fourteen percent of New Yorkers say that they are under mandatory quarantine, 42 percent are self-quarantining, 39 percent are practicing social distancing while only 4 percent are going about life as usual.

Seventy-seven percent are either somewhat (32 percent) or very concerned (45 percent) that the coronavirus and its impacts will cause them serious financial problems, according to the poll.

Just over half of New Yorkers, 51 percent, are concerned with being able to meet their monthly financial obligations and 37 percent of all New Yorkers, 46 percent of those 18-34 years of age and 48 percent of those 35-49 years of age, are concerned with being laid off. Nearly 60 percent are concerned with their retirement savings or investments losing value, 49 percent are concerned about having to financially help other family members and 41 percent of all New Yorkers, and over half of young people and those making under $50,000 a year, are concerned with being able to afford food, the poll figures showed.

“The coronavirus crisis has turned life upside down for nearly all New Yorkers.

Ninety-five percent are either quarantining or cutting back on going out, not being around others and practicing social distancing,” said SCRI Director Don Levy.

“Almost as many, 82 percent, are worried

about their health.”

“And as the crisis continues, the emotional toll is starting to mount. Two-thirds of New Yorkers say that their anxiety level is up, 66 percent say they feel powerless and wish there was something more they could do and 62 percent say that ‘it’s starting to feel like this will never end.”

“With so many quarantining or keeping their distance from others, 53 percent of New Yorkers, over 60 percent of younger residents, say that ‘not being with other people is making them lonely’ and 60 percent of all New Yorkers, 66 percent of NYC residents, say that ‘if it wasn’t for the ability to see and talk to others via the internet, they think they’d be going crazy,” Levy said.

He said 76 percent of all New Yorkers say that they feel like they are enjoying the small things even more now and 75 percent say that they are appreciating the extra time that they are having with those that are close to them.

“Despite being forced to change the way we live, being worried about our health and the health of everyone we care about, concerned about our financial well-being, and having to live with the uncertainty as to when this will ever end, an overwhelming number of New Yorkers say that they are getting a chance to appreciate – whether by watching old movies, playing games or just being together – having extra time with those that they are close to,” said Levy. “And, with all the things to worry about – health, money, food and bills – most of us say that we feel like we are enjoying the small things even more now than before.”

for the product, we decided to begin,” said McDougall.

He said they outsourced the products needed to produce the sanitizer, glycerin and hydrogen peroxide, then started making 1,000 bottles to hand out to our community.

They also received aid from SheetLabels.

At Upstate Distilling Co., in Saratoga Springs, owner Ryen VanHall said as a result of their recent move, their distillery was not operational at this point, however he decided to join the effort.

“I’ll be going down to Yankee Distillers and assisting them with their production,” said VanHall. The Clifton Park distiller is another involved in the hand sanitizer production effort.

Yankee Distillery in Clifton Park has also created a hand sanitizer. It is available

for purchase in 64 oz. refill bottles. Yankee Distillers will also allow customers to fill any container they bring in for 50 cents per ounce from a sealed tank in the tasting room, according to said Matthew Jager, co-founder and distiller.

Purchases are limited to 64 oz. per household or one gallon per business for the first batch as Yankee Distillers continues to source and produce raw materials for the next batch.

If any business owners or institutional buyers need more for their organizations, they can e-mail us at info@yankeedistillers. com.

VanHall said Upstate Distilling is also selling off their on-hand inventory of whiskey and cocktails, donating 50 percent of the proceeds to local charities.

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has furloughed roughly 85 employees due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Furloughed staff will remain employees of the network under a leave status and the network will pay the full premium cost of health, dental and life insurance benefits during this time period, officials said.

Primarily non-clinical staff are affected by the furlough.

According to Hudson Headwaters CEO Dr. Tucker Slingerland, the network’s top priority is the health of the communities and patients, along with the health of the network that cares for them.

“Our top priority is to keep all health centers open, as it’s vitally important to our communities that we do everything possible to keep locations open as long as we have sufficient medical personnel available,” he said. “This is an extremely difficult decision, but a responsible one in order to protect the future of our organization and the future of every individual employee and patient we serve. When the current crisis ends, we have every intention of bringing all of our staff back.”

Hudson Headwaters, like many primary care providers across the country, has appropriately experienced a significant drop in patients coming to health centers due to important social distancing measures.

According to Slingerland, to protect patients and staff, the network has rescheduled or delayed many office appointments which can wait until the current crisis passes.

“The result of this necessary rescheduling and distancing is that almost overnight we’ve seen a profound drop in patients coming to our health centers,” he said. “Fortunately, the network quickly adapted to a new way of providing care, and we are now seeing almost half of all our daily encounters

through telehealth. Even so, we’re operating at less than half our previous daily patient volume.”

Across the network’s 19 locations, providers are still caring for patients and providing much needed COVID-19 “driveup” screening while those testing supplies last. Network clinicians are also providing over three hundred telehealth encounters per day to help patients address both acute and ongoing chronic conditions.

Officials said he network is also anticipating that much of its clinical staff will be needed in other settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes, due to COVID-19.

Slingerland said Hudson Headwaters has exercised a great deal of flexibility.

“Through all the challenges, and with the many that are likely to still come, Hudson Headwaters has done our best to meet patients’ needs, support our colleagues, and protect our families as well as our personal health,” he said. “Even so, we’re operating at less than half of our previous daily patient volume. We will continue to re-purpose as many jobs as possible. Despite all our careful and thoughtful adjustments, the organization remains overstaffed for the amount of work that currently exists.”

The network Executive Vice President of Finance Chris Tournier, emphasized that the network is financially stable, but that it must be fiscally responsible so that it can plan for the future.

“While the network has the resources to sustain several months of loss, we must also be judicious so that we have the strength to quickly ramp back up when the patient demand returns,” he explained. “We must also ensure that we have the capacity to step in for other patients and communities which may lose access to care.”

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6 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020

Concord Pools Sold To Its Vice President Of Pool Sales; Smooth Transition Anticipated •

This is the South Broadway, Saratoga Springs office of Concord Pools. The business was purchased by its vice president of pool sales, Jon Foshee.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Concord Pools of Latham and Saratoga Springs has a new owner.

Mike Giovanone, the former president and chief executive, recently sold the business to his vice president of pool sales, Jon Foshee.

Foshee worked 12 years working as a sales director and executive for Latham Pool Products. In February of 2019, he was asked if he would be interested in buying and running Concord Pools, with the intention of also managing the business.

“It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a tremendous offer. Everything seemed to line up and we worked together to make it as seamless as possible,” said Foshee.

The process, Foshee said, took about 12 months to complete. He said it was unlike any other deal he had witnessed because all sides sat down and worked together to find the best way to meet everyone’s needs.

“This is really a special group of people who made something special happen. You don’t always see buyers and sellers on the same side, but that is what you had here, everyone supporting every single person involved. I am proud of everyone who was involved in this unique deal,” said Foshee.

Giovanone will act as a sort of mentor to Foshee for the next three years as he

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develops a plan to take the company into the next phase of the industry. Foshee said Concord and Latham Pool Products have worked closely for years and are always willing to help each other with changes that happen with things like installations and maintenance. Concord and Latham pools opened a fiberglass pool distribution center in Queensbury.

Foshee said during the winter the company employs around 25-30 people but have about 75 on staff during the summer.

With the current COVID-19 crises, Foshee said that they have had an inf lux of calls for people wanting their hot tubs serviced because so many people are home.

He said he anticipates the possibility of more consumers looking to install pools, since most people will not be planning a vacation given the uncertainty of the duration of the virus.

Concord Pools & Spas is the 20th largest pool builder in North America, according to Pool and Spa News. Only three builders in the Northeast outrank them, including one in Connecticut, one in New Jersey and one in Ontario, Canada.

They are located on South Broadway in Saratoga. COVID-19 special store hours are listed on their website at concordpools.com, along with a Notice Regarding COVID-19 Store Operations.

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Business Report Marketing During Uncertain Times

BY SARA MANNIX How on earth do you market your business during uncertain times I am frequently asked how businesses can market during Covid-19. Although every situation is unique, my advice is, don’t stop marketing, but change how you are doing your marketing.

Your customers have fears and uncertainties.

Understanding those fears and how they relate to buying your product or service, will help you do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) that can be used to inform your plan.

Here are 13 ideas to consider when marketing your business now: 1. Think about who you are marketing to.

This may seem pretty obvious to you as you already know who your customers are But, I am encouraging you to imagine your customer’s current state of mind. They are isolated in their home, concerned about the future of their business and finances, but also hopeful for the future.

2. Speak to that customer you just imagined.

Every word you write should consider their current circumstance: Every time you write an email, make a call, create a social media post or create an ad, modify your marketing message to speak directly to that customer. For example, Visit Great Britain has created amazing marketing campaigns which say “we can’t wait to welcome you back again soon”.

They are respecting that the person can not come and visit now, but are looking forward to the future. They are also staying top of mind to hit the ground running, as they know the rule that it takes at least 7 touches to generate a sales lead.

3. Be helpful. Lanette Akerson of the Plant Doctor normally maintains beautiful indoor plants for local corporate offices, which she can no longer access. She is using her extra time to start a blog for those same corporate business owners who now find themselves at home. Her blog showcases her expertise on plants but is focused on the now—how to plant a garden.

Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Regional Chamber of Commerce, isn’t out asking for memberships, he’s out supporting the members who need it most by tirelessly posting on social media about takeout available at local Saratoga restaurants. How can you help your customers?

4. Be Human. Take a look at Morgan and Co.’s Facebook Page, The chef-owner, Rebecca, is often holding today’s takeout menu or talking directly to us about what she has made for today’s individual specials or family takeout meals.

5. Alleviate your customers’ fears. Know their fear and address it head on. For example, many hotels are writing to their guests about new, more flexible, cancelation policies, posting safety statements and sharing their cleaning protocols.

6. Be old fashioned. Write a letter or email with no other purpose but to encourage. I recently received two of the most beautiful letters from people I work with. The humanity of the personal notes that were sent just to uplift me in this difficult time were so appreciated and meant so

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Sara Mannix is the founder and CEO of Mannix Marketing.

Courtesy Mannix Marketing

much. They will never be forgotten.

7. Update your website. How long has it been since you took a good hard look at your website?

Now is the perfect time to look at every page and improve it word by word and photo by photo.

Service businesses should focus on industry and service specific case studies.

8. Content is king. For SEO and search engine ranking, if you find yourself with a little extra time on your hands, use it to write a blog, create helpful video content or take great photos for your website.

9. Focus on your reputation management.

Your clients who may have been too busy before to review you online might now have the time.

Google your business name plus the word reviews and see what comes up. That is where you want to ask your happy clients to review you.

10. Try something new. Have you always focused on Facebook? Learn about Instagram.

Try out TikTok B2B. Post to Linkedin. Are you in a retail business? Market on Pinterest.

11. Sign up for the Facebook Small Business Grants program. Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits. Sign up now for updates, and apply for the program as soon as it becomes available.

12. Improve your Bing Places and Google My Business Listing. Not sure how? Google it or call your webmaster. You should be working on those listings every week.

13. Paid Search or SEO? If your buyers are buying right now, then there is no better time to jump on paid search. However, if sales have slumped, a better investment is organic search engine optimization as that has long term results and value.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to marketing so you have to follow your gut. Let empathy be your guide but don’t slow down. Dig in your heels, do the marketing planning and execution that you always wanted to but never had the time to do.

I am a firm believer that those that wisely invest their time and or money in marketing during tough times will gain market share and come out ahead.

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 7

Stewart’s Shops In The Region Relying On Takeout, Stepping Up Their Safety Policies •

Stewart’s officials say frequent product deliveries to the shops and efficient systems at the manufacturing and distribution plant prove to be important in keeping shelves stocked.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Not all businesses are having to scale back on their workforce as a result of COVID-19.

Grocery stores are facing the challenge of the sudden and dramatic demand for products.

Convenience stores are facing similar challenges, including Stewart’s Shops.

Erica Komoroske, public relations specialist for Stewart’s Shops said “the traffic at our shops has increased for grocery items like milk, bread, eggs and other grocery items but because of our vertical integration, we are able to keep up with demand.”

Stewart’s is used to having an ongoing schedule of deliveries, including popular local products, like milk and eggs. Officials said eggs have been in especially high demand, but they are working with local farms to meet the needs of the community.

“Frequent deliveries to the shops and efficient systems at the manufacturing and distribution plant prove to be an important asset to keep our shelves stocked with the products needed,” said Komoroske.

They have looked specifically into ways to keep the demand for certain products in stock.

“We are working closely with our suppliers to restock hand sanitizers, cleaning products and toilet paper and other essential items,” said Komoroske.

One way to keep up with the demand is to increase staff. Komoroske said they are looking for help. They are currently hiring and applicants can apply online at www.stewartsshops.com/careers.

Price Chopper has also been hiring at stores across the region. Officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Stewart’s Shops also stepped up safety measures to protect their customers and partners. The stores are cleaning and sanitizing as frequently as possible.

There is no in-store eating and congregating of any kind at the shops is not allowed. The company for the time being is not accepting bottle returns for the protection of our customers and partners.

The stores have adapted coffee service procedures. It continues to offer continue to offer the self-serve coffee station. But staff will pour coffee and add requested amounts of sugar, milk or creamers if requested by customers. This service does exclude refillable mugs. Staff routinely sanitizes the coffee counter, coffee pots, and handles, the company said.

With COVID-19 tests remaining in short supply, Stewart’s Shops is supplying the gasoline to power the generators at the Community Care Physicians COVID-19 testing site. Community Care Physicians has opened a drive-through testing option in Latham for patients suspected to have COVID-19. It is the first testing site in the Capital Region that is unaffiliated with a hospital.

Schools are still obligated to offer meals to families in need in their district. Stewart’s Shops donated paper bags to the Argyle Central School district to make transporting these meals much easier. This district serves hundreds of meals each day for students.

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Business Report Re-Boot

When we get ‘the other side’ of this shutdown, it will be critical to hit the ground running. Here is what you can do NOW. Start with your business plan. A reboot will allow you to challenge whether your business is headed in the right direction. Consider whether you have the right product mix. Are you focused on the right markets? Which products or services provide you the best margin? Which have the most need in your market? You can adjust your strategy now, while you have time.

When given the all clear – quickly notify customers that you are back. Use social media.

Use ads. Most importantly, call them! Make sure your sales teams are armed with your adjusted plan and reach out to as many customers as possible. It is critical that you re-establish relationships.

While you are at it, look at your people. Who are your strong performers? Who are not? Do you have the right team? If not, this is also a good time to be interviewing stronger players. How have employees reacted during the shutdown (even if you are not completely closed)? Stressful situations and how we react often send strong signals about underlying character. Pay attention to who has adapted well. Equally important – which people have not reacted well.

Go back and work on your customer list. Think about who your good customers are. Group them as A, B or C customers. Everyone will have some cash issues. Even if they were open, revenues are diminished. You should expect some price pressure. Or people asking for terms. Don’t let

Ames Goldsmith Continued From Page 1

normal product manufacturing is continuing uninterrupted during this time. The company has begun producing the sanitizer in 200-gallon batches and will distribute it in one-gallon bottles.

“Ames Goldsmith has been a good friend to Glens Falls Hospital for many years, but this act of generosity goes above and beyond,” said Cindy Sherwood, vice president of development for Glens Falls Hospital. “They are truly going out of their

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Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

Courtesy of Lighthouse Advisors LLC

your bottom feeder customers put you in a bind.

You may want to be more flexible with good customers. But, resist the urge to work too much with C customers. You are not a bank.

If you need some help, someone to talk to for an hour, please contact a mentor or advisor. Get some outside thinking.

And, a shout out to the Adirondack Chamber for their tireless help to the community through this crisis. They have been a fantastic source of information.

A little preparation now will help you get through this in good shape! way to make this sanitizer for no reason other than it’s good for our community.”

“It’s so incredibly thoughtful of Ames Goldsmith, our neighbor here in the First Ward, to step up and help the not-for-profits who are on the front lines of this battle to protect our community,” said Kim Cook, president and CEO of the Open Door Mission, which operates a homeless shelter at its Warren Street, Glens Falls, location. “We are doing everything we can to keep our shelter residents and our staff safe, and this sanitizer is a very welcome help. We can’t let the virus in the door.”

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

Insurance / Medical Services Hospital Gets FDA OK Emergency, Sick Leave SUNY Empire State Staff, Alumni Contribute For Plasma Treatments Enacted For Pandemic To Help People During COVID-19 Pandemic Albany Med is among the first hospitals in the country to obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to use convalescent blood plasma therapy to experimentally treat critically ill patients who are infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Convalescent plasma therapy—or plasma from a survivor of an infectious disease— was the same treatment used during the 1918 f lu pandemic.

When fighting illness, the body produces antibodies—proteins that counteract a pathogen. Antibodies remain in plasma for weeks or months after recovery. The antibodies in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 attack the virus and can potentially be useful as a treatment for the virus, Albany Med officials said.

Albany Med’s first plasma donation was collected from an employee who has fully recovered from COVID-19, officials said.

It has been administered to a critically ill patient at Albany Med admitted with COVID-19.

“As the region’s only academic medical center, Albany Med participates in many cutting-edge clinical research trials,” said Dr. Dennis P. McKenna, president and CEO of Albany Med. “We are honored to have the ability to administer this experimental therapy as we fight this global pandemic and hope that it can provide the life-saving treatment these patients inf licted with COVID-19 so desperately need.”

Albany Med seeks additional plasma donors for treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Eligible donors must be fully recovered from COVID-19 with no symptoms for at least 14 days.

Candidates will be retested to ensure that the virus is no longer in their system.

Once approved, the donations will then be collected by the American Red Cross similarly to how blood donations are made.

To determine eligibility, those who have recovered from COVID-19 can call 518262- 9340.

The Mayo Clinic is the coordinating site for the Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective April 1.

FFCRA helps the U.S. combat the workplace effects of COVID-19 by reimbursing American private employers that have fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for the cost of providing employees with paid leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The law enables employers to keep their workers on their payrolls, while at the same time ensuring that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus. WHD administers the paid leave portions of the FFCRA. “The bill provides unprecedented paid leave benefits to American workers affected by the virus, while ensuring that businesses are reimbursed dollar-for-dollar. This is one of a number of important actions being taken to protect and sustain workers and their families during this time of need,” said Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia.

“With so many workers and so many employers struggling with the effects of these unprecedented conditions, this rule provides answers and relief,” said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Cheryl Stanton. “We remain committed to providing the information and tools required for employees and employers alike to be fully informed about their rights and protections under this new law.”

WHD recorded a webinar on April 3 to provide interested parties a more in-depth description and help them learn more about the FFCRA. To view the webinar visit www.dol.gov/agencies/ whd/pandemic.

WHD provides additional information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19 and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act at www.dol.gov/ agencies/whd/pandemic.

SUNY Empire alumnus David Theobald, CEO of Stat Staff Professionals in Saratoga Springs, and his team not only donated their remaining N95 masks, they began to create hand-sewn masks.

SUNY Empire State College students, alumni, faculty, and staff are creating opportunities to support those in need in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. From sewing masks to organizing blood drives and donating computers, to establishing a fund to assist students, the SUNY Empire community is ramping up its efforts across the state, officials said.

“It’s incredible how people have found helping others as a way to cope with this situation,” said college President Jim Malatras. “The giving back, the genuine concern for our neighbors, and the outpouring of support is overwhelming, and I expect it will only grow in the weeks to come.”

As reports of a global personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage began to come in, SUNY Empire alumnus David Theobald, CEO of Stat Staff Professionals (SSP) in Saratoga Springs, and his team not only donated their remaining N95 masks, they began to create hand-sewn masks. These colorful masks have been shared with SSP staff, family members, and clinical staff throughout the community.

“We did this because we want to make sure our staff are as safe as possible,” said Theobald.

“During this pandemic, it has been brought to the forefront that we have an extreme lack of supplies and being nurse owned and operated, we make sure to act as a family to protect our caregivers.”

Theobald earned both his RN, BSN and master’s in nursing education from SUNY

Empire State College. Stat Staff Professionals is a nurse-owned and nursed-operated staffing organization focused on connecting quality caregivers with hospitals in need of healthcare professionals.

Terri Maher, a nurse, licensed master social worker and SUNY Empire adjunct instructor, is also a member of the Monroe County Disaster Mental Health Response Team. Maher has been volunteering her time fielding hotline calls from anxious residents in an effort to help an overloaded Department of Health.

Sammie Maitland, a SUNY Empire State College student working toward her bachelor’s degree in business, management and economics, initiated a grassroots effort to create avenues for positive connectivity for those who are struggling with social isolation, stress, and anxiety.

Maitland’s conversations with faculty and staff, and her desire to help others find coping strategies, led to the development of SUNY Empire Connects. This collection of live, virtual programs offers study skills workshops, health and wellness activities, and arts and culture explorations.

“The best thing that you can do for yourself and for others right now is to breathe, and then to be compassionate, and have self-compassion,” said Maitland. “As we adapt and adjust to this new normal, we must take it day-by-day. Slowly but surely, we will get through this.”

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 9

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Business Report

Empower Recovery For Your People, Business

BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON, MBA, CLTC The COVID-19 crisis is an event like no other in our lifetime. It is forcing us to live life in a new way. In some cases we feel we have lost control of our future and lives.

Fear of the unknown and perceived loss of control are just two of the issues all of us are dealing with in our personal lives and in business.

It’s now safe to say there will be no going “back to normal.” Instead, what we are currently experiencing IS the new normal and it will be this way for a while. So, how do you protect your business, operate during this unprecedented crisis, and emerge stronger on the other side?

There are myriad of insurance policies that address this concern such as business interruption coverage, disability insurance and business overhead expense insurance to name a few. However, I’m talking about an insurance that protects your most valuable asset, your people.

Everyone in an organization plays integral role in the survival of a company.

Hopefully most employees have basic benefits such as health insurance and group disability to protect themselves and their families if they are physically injured or sick. But what about their mental health and emotional well being? Many traditional insurances fail to address mental health, which can be even more debilitating to a person, their family and ultimately the employer they work for.

A coverage every employer should think about is trauma coverage. It’s one of the most cost effective benefits to offer and has probably the highest utilization of any insurance, next to health insurance. The world is ever changing and in every day life and work, people face trauma.

Trauma coverage was created to empower the recovery of individuals and families with financial security, physical recuperation, and emotional well being after trauma.

Trauma coverage provides employees with trauma counseling, 100 percent of their regular income (up to a cap), 100 percent of a family member’s regular income (up to a cap) providing at-home support and reimbursement for out-ofpocket recovery care expenses, like co-pays, child care and/or travel.

COVID-19 is fresh in our minds and has heightened the importance of this coverage.

However, trauma coverage also addresses other incidents we face in life such as aggravated and sexual assaults, domestic violence, bullying, natural disasters, acts of terror, mass shootings, witnessing violence and contraction of an infectious disease. For many of our clients, we also had a grief Counseling session built into the

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Brian Johnson, Director, Business Development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.

Courtesy of Lighthouse Advisors LLC

policy to specifically address COVID-19.

If an employee has a family member pass due to the disease, they receive two therapy sessions over the phone from a masters level or higher mental health professional and action steps at the end of the counseling. The counseling benefit of trauma coverage is what many employers are drawn to.

Too often mental health goes untreated because of either the stigma associated with counseling, confusion where to turn and/or the cost involved. Counseling through trauma coverage is conducted confidentially either over the phone, for up to three months or via an artificial intelligence web application that was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Counseling has been proven to assist employees with a successful recovery after a traumatic incident or experiencing PTSD. Trauma coverage gives employees an easier path to receive the assistance they need. With this coverage, there is no underwriting and virtually every profession is eligible. Employees even have the option to voluntarily cover family members under their policy, making this is insurance one of the most comprehensive protections an employee can own.

Our country and people are resilient and we will recover from the current pandemic. It may take some time and life may look a little different going forward, but we will carry on.

Trauma coverage only makes recovery from any traumatic incident easier on a person, their family and employer.

Johnson is Director, Business Development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.

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Business Report

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We’re All In This Together

BY MICHAEL BITTLE In just one short month, our community has changed due to COVID-19. We have completely changed the way we work, interact and live.

Many businesses are on hiatus due to executive orders and guidance, others are running as “essential business” only. Everyone is looking for that magic answer on when this will be over, and when can we get back to normal.

I have seen so many people step up and answer the call to this challenge and help each other and our community. The selfless passion that I have seen in this region has shone brightly over the past month. From people donating masks, to our health care systems, to others donating food, time and money.

Our front-line workers have expanded beyond healthcare, law enforcement and fire. Those working at restaurants, day care, food stores, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and retail stores are but a few on the front line.

Seven days a week we receive emails and phone calls from business owners asking, “what can we do to help?” Even through the stress and challenges of the situation, many of our business leaders want to do one thing, help.

How can we help each other? Stay positive.

I am not downplaying the stress, the health effects of the situation, or the challenges to our business community and the community as a whole. I have found the power of staying positive during tough times makes a tremendous difference in our outcome. Being positive can help you individually, but staying positive can tremendously impact those you speak with throughout the day.

What has the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) been doing to support our community during this crisis?

First and foremost, we have been speaking with our members and non-members. These phone calls are focused on state and federal programs such as Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the Paycheck Protection Program and unemployment insurance. Questions arise about Gov. Cuomo’s latest executive order and the guidance that follows. These phone calls also center around how employers can

Michael Bittel, ARCC chief executive officer and president.

Courtesy ARCC

best support their employees and what other programs can help them and their families.

Things are changing on a minute-by-minute basis. The ARCC continues to send out updated information to our members through email, Facebook and our website. As things, we make sure we vet the information and the source before we put out anything to the public.

We have been working with other chambers, economic development corporations, and many other entities (private and public), locally and around our region, to provide the best support we can. Working together is vital in making sure we are doing what we can to support our community. The talent in this area is amazing from each of our chambers, EDCs, LDCs, etc. Together we can provide so much more than working apart.

We continue to advocate on behalf of the business community with our government partners at all levels: Town, city, county, state and federal. ARCC was a guest at a teletown hall meeting with Supervisor Hogan of Johnsburg and 16 businesses. In addition, the ARCC hosted a “Call with your Legislators” on April 8 with 150 members participating.

Continued On Page 16

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Alyssa Hackett Passionate About Her Real Estate Agents Get ‘Essential’ Status, But ‘Wolf Hollow Home Inspections’ Business Still Move Cautiously With Aid Of Technology

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Alyssa Hackett opened Wolf Hollow Home Inspection last year and is certified to perform both home and mold inspections and works in numerous counties including Albany, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington.

She is willing to travel within a 1.5 hour radius of Albany.

Just six months after graduating from high school in 2001, Hackett enlisted in the Navy. She had no intention of entering the military but felt a call to serve after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A few months later, she deployed to the Middle East aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy.

After serving, she returned home and worked at a variety of different jobs before earning a degree in social work from the College of Saint Rose.

After receiving her degree, she worked for the Alliance for Positive Health and provided mental health services to the LGBTQ community. She also worked as the program director at the Pride Center of the Capital Region until she and many of her colleagues were laid off in 2016.

For the next three years, she worked odd jobs. She also did home maintenance and repairs and considered getting her general contractor’s license. It was at that point in time that she met someone who worked as a home inspector.

“He told me about the job, and I said, ‘I can walk into a house, point out things that are wrong, guide people through the emotional process of buying their home, and not be the responsible party for having to fix anything?” she said. “It seemed like a match made in heaven.”

The following week, Hackett enrolled in C.A.T.S. Home Inspection Training School. Four months later, she obtained her license. Before opening Wolf Hollow Home Inspections, she worked for an established home inspector and performed some 100 inspections.

Hackett said the home inspection business is a natural fit for her and that she enjoys “exploring every dark corner” of a property.

From the time she was a child, she has had an interest in home maintenance and repair.

“I was that kid that wanted to know why

Alyssa Hackett does home inspections in counties including Warren and Washington. everything worked the way it did,” she said.

“My parents used to give me handheld video games, and I wanted to take them apart and then got in trouble for not being able to put them back together. I had a deep desire to know how things work.”

Most of Hackett’s work has come from referrals from real estate agents and former colleagues from her time working in social justice. She prefers to work with agents who share her desire to prioritize relationships.

“What I set out to do was find agents that would be excited when I found things in a home that would provide their clients extra awareness about whether or not this was the right property for them,” she said.

Business at Wolf Hollow Home Inspections grew steadily, but has slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although her rates are standard for the industry, her commitment to her customers goes beyond the norm.

“I take what I do very seriously. Someone is using my knowledge and expertise before making the largest investment they will probably ever make,” she said.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Local real estate agents and brokers have been forced to change the way they do business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Until this month, the work of real estate agents was considered non-essential, creating a severe hardship. This month, that was relaxed somewhat, but challenges still exist.

New York state opened up part of the real estate market on April 1 with a the ruling that residential and commercial showings and some other limited functions are essential businesses and can continue.

According to Empire State Development, the following functions are considered essential: residential home and office showings, home inspections and residential appraiser work. But the state asked real estate agents to continue to telecommute or work from home to the maximum extent possible.

Under the guidance, brokers can visit properties to conduct virtual showings, and they can oversee transactions or signings at their offices as long as they follow social distancing protocols. Appraisers and inspectors can also visit properties for inspections.

The New York State Association of Realtors urged agents to limit person-to-person contact and keep six feet between people.

Equitas Realty owner Janet Besheer said that her more than 20 agents are relying on technology to connect with their buyers and sellers. They had not been able to show properties or have in-person meeting with clients early in the pandemic. The company’s Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls offices were closed, but she has not had to furlough her two W-2 office employees.

“So far, we have not laid anyone off,” she said.

“I’m waiting to see what is going to happen with this PPP (payroll protection package). I’m trying to keep everyone onboard, and if we can get this assistance, we will definitely be able to do that.”

The $349 billion payroll protection package is part of the U.S. government’s $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package that was recently signed into law. It is intended to ensure that small business owners can continue to pay their employees during the pandemic. The aid will be delivered in the form of loans provided by Small Business Administrationapproved lenders.

“Our industry has been given a great responsibility in this time of crisis to help meet the needs of New York’s residential and commercial property buyers and owners, and the overall welfare of the local and state economy,” said NYSAR President Jennifer Stevenson. “But our priority must be to the safety of our customers, clients and indeed for ourselves, as we all continue to practice socially responsible distancing that is helping to flatten the curve during this national health crisis. Our mantra must be ‘safety first, work second.”

“While our industry is one that relies on personal contact to best serve our clients, during this crisis, we will all need to adjust our approach. For example, you must limit person to person contact and observe the six-foot separation guidance,” she said.

In the midst of these uncertain times, Besheer said brokers and agents are still working but have been relying on technology to do their jobs.

“If this had happened 20 years ago, we would have been totally dead in the water,” she said. “We are using technology to allow clients to virtually visit homes. For us, it’s being creative. We are communicating through things like Facebook Live.

And we are texting and emailing to stay in touch with our clients. As agents and as brokers, we are doing everything we can with our technology to help bridge the gap and keep people aware of what’s happening and aware of properties that are for sale.”

Real estate agents throughout the country are relying on virtual open houses and showings to allow buyers to view properties. The number of 3-D home tours available on real estate web site Zillow have increased 326 percent from this time last year.

Although the majority of buyers have put

Equitas Realty agents are relying on technology to connect with their clients. their home buying plans on hold, Besheer said there are exceptions. Some buyers have unusual circumstances that prevent them from waiting out the pandemic.

“There’s very little inventory on the market right now, and when a well-priced property come on, people are jumping on it,” she said. “We have seen people putting offers in without seeing it in person.

That means we have to rewrite our contracts to indicate that everything in that contract is contingent on getting into the house in addition to having it inspected and everything else.”

Deed contingencies must also be written into these contracts. This is necessitated by the fact that deeds cannot be filed for as long as county offices remain closed.

“That’s another contingency in the contract,” she said. “They can convey the property, but the deed may be held up until they can get it into the county offices.”

Attorneys, banks, and notaries involved in pending real estate transactions have also had to adjust the way they do business. Closings are still taking place, and the governor granted notaries the approval to utilize audio-video technology to complete their notarial acts.

Although notaries must follow strict protocol when using this technology, Besheer said not all attorneys are comfortable with the process. For example, a local attorney told Besheer that she arranged for documents to be notarized in a parking lot. The attorney and client had no physical contact, and the documents were placed in the open trunk of one of their cars. The attorney was able to witness the signing of the documents from a distance before removing the signed documents from the trunk.

Besheer said the pandemic has caused buyers to become hesitant, but she is hopeful the economy will rebound quickly. She expects there to be surge of buyers and sellers after social distancing restrictions are lifted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has occurred at a time when agents are preparing for their busy season.

According to data from the National Association of Realtors, 40 percent of home sales take place between the months of May and August.

“There was no way we saw this coming. It wasn’t like a recession or a depression where it was a systemic thing that was happening over time.

When this thing hit us, our economy was at its highest level ever,” Besheer said.

It is because of the strength of the economy before the pandemic that Besheer is hopeful that it will rebound quickly. She and other agents both locally and throughout the country are ready to make up for lost time.

NYSAR is working on further guidance for how communities can be served while adhering to these critical important health directives.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 11

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Entrepreneurship

Sign Maker Whose Work Is In Adirondack SCORE Mentorship Program Provides Park To Make Signs For Yellowstone National Entrepreneurs With Hands-On Assistance

Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, made these signs for the Adirondack Park and does work for other North Country and local entities.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF An area maker of custom wooden signs, whose work can be found in Warren County outdoor facilities and parks, recently secured a contract to make signs for Yellowstone National Park’s historic Lake Lodge.

Malta resident Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, will make signs for the lodge, which was built in 1891 and is undergoing a $19 million makeover. According to Thomson, it was well-known Montana historical architect Ken Sievert who recommended he be chosen to make the interior and exterior signs for the lodge.

The signs will measure between 5-8 feet in length and will be framed in logs. Scott Phillips of Adirondack LogWorks in Schroon Lake will be making the frames.

For the past 30 years, Thomson has worked full-time as a social worker for New York state. He operates Adirondack Jim’s out of his home woodshop and made his first carved wooden sign 12 years ago when decorating his yard for Halloween.

“When I started, I didn’t know anything about how to carve signs. I spent the next two to three years reading books and watching videos,” he said.

The quality of his signs improved dramatically over time and he was encouraged to sell them at craft shows. In 2012, Thomson invested in a website and learned to use social media.

“I have a background in psychology and research, so I know all about data and analyzing data,” he said. “It (Facebook analytics) tells you everything you need to

Courtesy Adirondack Jim’s

know about who your customer is.”

Thomson said his customer base has evolved over time. When he started, the majority of his customers were local. Today, his signs can be found throughout the United States and as far away as London.

An “average” sign from Adirondack Jim’s costs approximately $300. The average wait time is eight weeks. All signs are made from wood that won’t rot or decay.

“The wood I use is very expensive,” said Thomson. “I’m not interested in cutting corners.”

Many of his customers have homes in the Adirondacks and are part of what he described as a high-end demographic. They are very concerned with tradition and preservation.

“My whole marketing approach was based on the fact that I share my passion, which is the Adirondacks,” said Thomson. “I don’t have a hard time advertising because people come to me.”

His signs can be found throughout the region including at the Adirondack Welcome Center in Queensbury, Word of Life Camp in Schroon Lake, YMCA Outdoor Adventure Camp in Saratoga Springs and Whitney Industries in the Adirondacks.

Thomson said he looks forward to the day he retires from the state and can focus fulltime on Adirondack Jim’s.

“I’ve always enjoyed being a social worker, but when I’m gone I don’t think anyone will be saying, ‘Hey, do you remember Jim Thomson?’

But my signs—because of the materials I use—will be around for generations and generations to come. It’s my own little piece of history.”

BY CHRISTINE GRAF As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, small business owners are facing unprecedented challenges, according to Bill Edwards, local coordinator of SCORE of Northeast New York.

He said his team of volunteers is prepared to offer assistance to these business owners in whatever way possible.

SCORE is a network of volunteer expert business mentors. Founded in 1964, the nonprofit group has grown to include a nationwide network of more than 10,000 volunteers and approximately 300 chapters. It offers its services free of charge and receives it primary funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). As a result, they only work with businesses that are considered small business based on SBA criteria.

The Northeast New York chapter has four local offices that are housed by what Edwards referred to as “host locations.” The Clifton Park office is hosted by Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the Saratoga office is hosted by Saratoga County, the Malta office is hosted by the Saratoga Prosperity Partnership, and the Glens Falls office is hosted by the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Edwards has been volunteering for SCORE since retiring from the corporate world at age 65. He opened the first SCORE office in the area in 2016. During his business career, he was a senior financial officer for a Fortune 500 company where he specialized in buying and selling companies. He also worked for 20 years as the corporate vice president and regional director of the world’s largest consulting company. Additionally, Edwards was on the faculty at Skidmore College and SUNY Albany.

According to Edwards, it was through his volunteer work at Perkins School for the Blind that he first became familiar with SCORE. At the time, the school was manufacturing up to 90 percent of the world’s braille machines.

They were experiencing production problems and turned to SCORE for help. Edwards was so impressed with the organization that he joined it.

One of his first clients was Gail Hamel, owner of Lake George human resource company Hamel Resources.

According to Hamel, SCORE was instrumental in helping her to start her own business. In addition to providing her with guidance on how to legally structure her business as a corporation, they helped her develop a business plan that was both realistic and thorough.

“Bill provided guidance to me to focus on exactly what it was that I would be doing. This would help me to be able to speak to potential clients as to the specifics of what I could offer to them. That may sound simple, however, in my case, I needed a lot of help in determining those services,” she said. “I would not have been successful in launching my business if it were not for Bill Edwards and SCORE.” Edwards said he appreciates when former clients share their positive experiences with SCORE with the public. It is because of positive word of mouth that they are able to attract so many new clients.

He said it is word of mouth that also helps SCORE recruit mentors. His team of mentors currently numbers between 25 and 30, and they are always looking for more. All mentors must go through a screening process that involves two interviews. SCORE asks mentors to commit to working five hours a week for 50 weeks. Mentors in this area serve for an average of eight years.

“Our mentors refer others, and they tend to be in an age bracket where the youngest are in their mid-50s,” said Edwards. “They are the ones who have the experience. We have so much talent that of the 24 North American classifications codes for businesses, we have experience in 22 of those categories.

Our mentors are interested in using their experience and giving back to the local community because we live here we want to see them succeed.”

The businesses that SCORE works with fall into three different categories.

“One of them is startups, and it doesn’t have to be a full-time startup” said Edwards.

“We go through a planning process with them. The second is early stage companies.

Very often people get into trouble because they never went through the stages of really understanding what they were getting into.

The third are operating companies—36 months and greater—and they tend to have functional problems that they encounter.

Right now, because of the virus (COVID-19), there are cash flow problems.”

Edwards estimated that less than 50 percent of their clients are startups. Many of the other companies they work with are experiencing expansion and growth. Some need assistance with acquisitions and mergers.

Local business owners who are interested in working with SCORE can contact Edwards directly for a phone consultation. He can be reached at 518-893-7364.

For more information on SCORE, visit northeastny.score.org.

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12 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH Stock Name

Albany Int’l Arrow AT & T Ball Ballston Spa National Bank Bank of America Best Buy Citizens Bank Espey General Electric Hilton Home Depot Int’l Paper Key Corp Lowe’s Martin Marietta M&T Bank McDonald’s National Grid NBT Bancorp Inc. Plug Power Quad Graphics Starbucks Sysco Target The TorontoDominion Bank Trans World Trustco Bank Verizon Walmart

Closing Price 03/06/20

Closing Price 03/13/20

Closing Price 03/20/20

Closing Price 03/27/20

65.33 31.04 37.03 76.05

44.11 28.29 34.47 63.84

37.55 24.77 28.45 54.89

47.98 25.85 29.84 64.38

60.00 25.71 73.82 27.98 21.22 9.40 90.45 228.51 35.71 14.87 105.31 238.75 125.13 198.86 66.55 33.14 4.33 3.96 75.34 66.95 105.95

58.17 24.16 61.06 23.66 20.00 7.85 78.63 205.67 33.44 12.73 96.49 198.25 112.75 177.13 55.69 31.23 3.38 3.23 69.92 47.07 101.02

58.17 19.67 51.65 17.52 20.09 6.52 61.60 152.15 29.51 9.19 66.36 153.62 98.76 148.49 49.65 31.21 3.32 3.26 58.03 35.33 97.40

58.17 21.60 62.47 19.96 17.10 7.62 69.15 190.55 30.62 11.20 86.98 181.22 107.29 164.01 57.47 31.39 3.72 3.11 66.34 50.45 94.74

48.78 4.16 7.01 56.87 117.23

43.42 2.78 5.85 54.17 114.10

36.91 3.13 4.66 51.80 113.97

40.50 2.92 5.31 52.77 109.58

Friday closing quotes for local stocks of interest provided by Thompson ONE courtesy of Pamela Green, Financial Planning Specialist and Paul Hebert, Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, member SIPC in Glens Falls, NY, phone 518-793-4181. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments.

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Business Report 5 Keys To Navigating Market Pullback

BY MEGHAN MURRAY As an investor, you constantly want to see your portfolio move just one way – up. But that’s not possible, because the financial markets will always fluctuate.

So, if you’re going to invest for many decades, you need to be prepared for many ups and downs. Still, the recent market pullback from record highs, caused largely by the coronavirus, may have you particularly concerned. How can you navigate this environment?

Here are five suggestions: • Avoid the temptation to panic. This pullback, while unsettling and unprecedented because of its speed, won’t last forever. And when it ends, you’ll still want to be invested in the financial markets, because the biggest gains usually occur in the earliest stages of a market rally. Of course, there are no guarantees in the investment world, but we’ve seen many examples of this pullback/ rebound pattern throughout history.

• Measure your progress against your goals.

In the midst of a market downturn, it’s tempting to look back longingly at the peak value of your portfolio, and that’s especially true these days, when that high point may well have been just a couple of months ago.

But this isn’t a good “measuring stick” of your financial situation. Instead, consider the overall progress you’ve made toward your longterm goals since you first started investing. If you’ve been at it for quite some time—at least a decade—you’ll probably see that you’ve actually come a long way, despite what’s happened lately.

So, if your goals haven’t changed, your strategy to achieve them shouldn’t either.

• Put time on your side. If you are investing for goals that may be two or three decades away, you have the advantage of time to overcome market downturns, even severe ones. After all, you weren’t going to be cashing in long-term investments now, anyway.

That’s not to say this pullback is irrelevant, of course—it may indeed slow your progress toward your goals, but it still shouldn’t stop you from achieving them. Here’s another point: If you need money from your portfolio for short-term goals, such as a wedding or a long vacation, you

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Meghan Murray is a financial advisor with Edward Jones Financial in Queensbury.

Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

should keep those funds in investments that offer greater protection of principal— such as highquality bonds and government securities—and are far less susceptible to fluctuating financial markets.

• Benefit from diversification. The headlines show how much the major stock market indexes, such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, have fallen. But if you’ve built a diversified portfolio, containing a mix of stocks, bonds and other investments, your own results, while not great, are probably much better. Although diversification can’t always prevent losses or guarantee profits, it can help reduce the impact of volatility on your holdings and smooth out returns.

• Go “against the crowd.” When prices are falling, it’s not hard to join the crowd and start selling, in an attempt to “cut losses.” But cutting losses really means locking them in. Right now, prices of quality investments are lower than they’ve been in years, which can make for compelling buying opportunities for those investors willing to go against the crowd.

Even by following these moves, you can’t eliminate all the effects of the market drop, but you may be able to create a softer landing for yourself.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 13

Construction Projects Delayed

Business Briefs

Continued From Page 1

in a separate building, there are kitchen and bath showrooms where customers usually browse for ideas and place their orders. Now personnel assist clients by using their tablets and cell phones to show what items look like so that they can make selections by video, Ford said.

“One positive thing that may come out of this crisis is that the industry is exploring technology that it was not using a few months ago,” he said.

Another is the positive atmosphere among employees.

“The employees are looking out for one another and have the sense that we are in this together,” Ford said.

At Lehigh Cement Co. in Glens Falls, David Creyer, plant manager, said due to the tremendous slowdown in construction projects throughout the New England region the company was forced to temporarily discontinue most of the cement making operations, as well as its quarry operations in the Town of Moreau.

He said the finish cement grinding operations in Glens Falls would continue at this time, “and we will continue to meet our customers’ needs using the large quantities of cement we currently have on site.

As a result of these actions, Lehigh will be forced to lay off 54 of our 90 local employees. The layoffs are expected to be temporary.

He said the company would pay 100 percent of the affected employee’s health insurance upon layoff and is providing assistance in applying for unemployment and other layoff-related benefits.

At Precise Painting & Wallcovering serving the Glens Falls area, owner Jay Dickinson is facing his first layoff in 43 years.

“We have a staff of 18 and have been buried with work we can’t do now,” said Dickinson.

He said there have been winters when his company may be short staffed, but this year they were “swamped” up until the crisis. Now he has to limit his workers to one per project, whether interior or exterior, residential or commercial, and regardless of the size of the building.

Some homeowners may be nervous about having workers inside their homes for the foreseeable future.

But Precise Painting’s high-end clientele this time of year is largely absent.

“We have second homes and vacation homes in Lake George that we get ready for the owners to move into,” Dickinson said. “Usually we have October through May to touch up cracks and paint and do other maintenance.”

One such home is 70,000 square feet, others may be 10,000 square feet or more.

“I’m figuring out how to get those projects done with only one person,” he said. “But I am confident we will work our way through.”

Dickinson said he is “amazed at how the public

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has responded to how we all should act. Job sites have turned super clean. The staff often gets the flu this time of year, but not this season because of these new practices,” he said. “I think it will be a long time before relaxing these standards of hygiene.”

Dickinson’s company is “the only contractor allowed in Glens Falls Hospital right now,” he said.

“We did the coronavirus command center there.”

He said his estimator is busier than ever.

“There is no limit to what he can bid on,” he said.

“He does bids remotely from home, based on floor plans and parameters he receives electronically.”

The professionals all recognize the financial impact on the community as a whole.

“My heart aches for the nonprofits who rely solely on gift givers,” Albrecht said. “I can imagine a company that was instrumental in supporting an organization going into survival mode. Everyone is in survival mode right now. You can’t give all your cash away.”

“The construction industry was in very good shape, both residential and commercial,” said Barry Potoker, executive director of Saratoga Builders Association, a nonprofit trade group. “Prior to the virus, demand was for a lot more building.”

“The rules of engagement are somewhat unclear, as you would expect,” Potoker said. “This is a devastating change for residential construction. If projects are unsafe, the sites are to be made safe and then shut down.”

“Saratoga Builders Association has 160 members who are not just builders, but mortgage companies, lumberyards, HVAC companies, and others affected by new rules,” he said.

There are many other professions tied to the construction industry with their work trimmed or eliminated. Architects, engineers, real estate agents, attorneys, masons, electricians, plumbers and roofers are among them.

Meanwhile all non-essential construction has been limited to one worker per site, even if only a few days from completion. Potoker said, “How much can one person get done on a residential home?”

Potoker said that the 25th annual Saratoga Showcase of Homes scheduled for mid-September may be delayed, or worse.

The residences showcased, most of which are under contract with a buyer, may not move along unless and until the residential construction mandate is lifted.

“We are in a holding pattern because these are high-end private homes and deemed non-essential,” Potoker said.

Construction trade associations throughout New York have reportedly asked the state to allow residential construction to resume while maintaining strict adherence to the higher safety standards recently imposed.

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Zobel & Co. Kitchens in Glens Falls has won “Best Of Service” on Houzz, an internet platform for home renovation and design.

This is the fifth year in a row that Zobel & Co. Kitchens has won the award.

The firm, specializing in custom kitchen design and cabinetry, was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 2.1 million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz badge is awarded annually. The Customer Service award honors are based on several factors, including the professional’s overall rating on Houzz and client reviews.

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result of the COVID-19 virus restrictions, the Charles R. Wood Foundation is extending the online grant application submission deadline from to May 1.

The foundation is currently accepting online grant applications from IRS approved 501(c)3 organizations whose projects or programs assist children, healthcare or the arts in the Lake George Region and surrounding areas.

Eligible applicants are invited to visit www.charlesrwoodfoundation.com to submit an online application by May 1 for consideration at the next meeting of trustees.

The next subsequent deadline will be Sept.

1 for consideration at the fall meeting.

Information about grant applications can be obtained online at www.charlesrwoodfoundation.com, by calling 800-8391821, or by writing to: Charles R. Wood Foundation, c/o Foundation Source, 55 Walls Drive, Suite 302, Fairfield, CT 06824.

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D’Ella Honda of Glens Falls has earned the 2019 President’s Award from American Honda Motor Co. Inc. for excellence in all business areas, including sales performance, sales experience, service performance and business operations.

The dealership is one of 183 top-performing Honda dealerships in America to receive the award for 2019.

D’Ella Honda will receive a trophy, recognition materials to display in its showroom and promotional recognition in an advertisement by American Honda Motor Co. Inc. Each employee will be rewarded for their individual contributions to the success of the dealership, the company said.

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The Adirondack Trust Co. reported it has once again secured a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, the nation’s premier bank rating firm.

A five-star rating indicates that the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 55 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in the most prestigious bracket as an Exceptional Performance Bank.

BauerFinancial, Inc., based in Coral Gables, Fla., is an independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983.

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In consideration of operational challenges that local non-profits may face as a

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Restaurants Affected By COVID-19 Continued From Page 1

The Log Jam wasn’t geared to take-out service, being too involved with hundreds of guests to accommodate to-go orders, he said.

Upon closing, Grecco had to find recipients for volumes of fresh food, selling fish and meats to employees at cost and donating meals to the hospital and nursing homes, he said.

“We are doing our part for our own peace of mind,” said Grecco. “The community is very supportive.”

The first week of take-out service was slow, “but the staff not only wanted to do it, they suggested we do delivery too,” he said. The Log Jam trimmed the number of entrees and appetizers and began preparing just one fresh vegetable side a day “to keep it simple and reduce waste,” Grecco said.

“We have combined the lunch and dinner menu to 20-25 items including four sandwiches, down from 16,” he said. Beer, wine and cocktails are available for take-out as well.

“A month in, we have made some changes and adjustments, but we are happy with the decision,” he said. “We are keeping The Log Jam going and getting the name out there.”

Further down Route 9 in Wilton, Chez Pierre Restaurant is also meeting the challenges of adjusting their kitchen and staff to a new way of serving customers.

“We are not known for putting our food in a box or a bag and running it to someone’s car,” said Pia Baldwin Field, who runs the family-owned restaurant with her husband, head chef Lincoln Field. “But when we knew what was coming our way, we asked ourselves some what-ifs. Such as, what if the staff cannot survive without the gratuities they normally rely on.

“Some of our staff have other jobs, such as schoolteacher, factory worker, and construction worker,” she said. “They told us, give the work to the others.”

•

The reduced staff was willing to do take-out, which Chez Pierre has done before but not on a large scale, Field said.

The biggest challenge is the fast pace of take-out, Field said.

“When you’re sitting down enjoying a cocktail and ordering an appetizer, you don’t think twice about waiting an hour for your entree,” she said. “American people have gotten used to eating out and now many are getting tired of cooking, but may also expect their dinner to be ready sooner than we are accustomed to.”

But, she says, “the community wants small businesses to survive. It’s heartwarming.”

As a service to the community at large, the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce has a link on its website posting which restaurants are open for take-out or delivery, their times, locations, and contact information.

“During the last week of March we began reaching out to all of our restaurant members to gather this information and update it daily,“ said CEO Michael Bittel. “We are also partnering with Warren County Tourism so that the ‘Open For Business’ link includes restaurants that are not members of ARCC.” Commenting on food distribution, Bittel said there have been issues for some time.

“The farmers are growing food and there is still milk and butter, but there are processing issues affecting distribution, such as manning the facilities,” he said.

Bittel said there was already a shortage in warehousing, trucking and shipping positions for the past 10 years in the North Country, but the problem has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

ARCC serves Warren, Washington, and northern Saratoga counties. As part of the outreach, Bittel and his associates are also connecting with hotels and nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

Business Registrations Blue Collar Property Maintenance Shawn Fleeman 27 Warren Lane Queensbury 12804 Zinnia Aesthetics Alisha Delzotto 375 Bay Road, Suite 104 Queensbury 12804 CMK Construction Randy Kuba 38 Pinewood Road Chestertown 12817 Mike Waite Woodcraft Contractors and Nursery Michael Waite 74 Alpine Ave. Queensbury 12804 Insta Cleaners Jenny Thompson 5B Smokeridge Road Queensbury 12804

Auto Bonn Mobile Car Wash & Detail Service Noah Bonn 53 Masters Commons South Queensbury 12804 Little Rascals Family Daycare Center Kimberlee Tooker 7 Luzerne Road Queensbury 12804 Dunbar Pest Control Nicholas Dunbar 10 East Branch Drive Queensbury 12804 Unicorn’s Jewelry Box Amy Beh 561 Howe Road Lake Luzerne 12846 Upstate Morning Glory Bakery 147 Bay St., Apt. 3 Glens Falls 12801

Here For Your Loved Ones Darlene Antoine 42 Sewell St., Lot 11 Lake George 12845

Fly Fast Group Spencer Bray Jacob Zanoni 14 Hudson Ave., Apt. 304 Glens Falls 12801

Patriot Joseph Bernard 11 Tutthill Road Queensbury 12804

Rounds Fir Farm Lee Rounds 71 McGlashan Road Chestertown 12817

Dogsrcool Christine Kerman 2657 Route 28 North Creek 12853

It’s the Icing On Top Mary Margaret Hlywa 106 Bay St. Glens Falls 12801

Diamond Homecare Ashley Schusteritsch 24 Lady Slipper Drive Queensbury 12804

Proper Trim and Carpentry Daniel Reed 10 Victory Court Warrensburg 12885

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020 • 15

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Business Briefs

Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. announce the promotions of John Marcantonio to vice president and Whitney Burger to assistant vice president.

Burger is responsible for maintaining, growing and servicing the company’s municipal relationships. She joined the bank in 2018 and will continue to work closely with branch staff and business partners to offer a variety of products and services to meet customer needs.

She attended Ithaca College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in communications. In 2013, she was a recipient of the “20 under 40”

•

Awards from The Post-Star.

Burger currently lives in South Glens Falls and is an active member in her community. She serves as treasurer of the Warren Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition and she is an ambassador for the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Marcantonio joined Glens Falls National in 2016 as an assistant vice president. He is responsible for establishing business relationships with new customers and expanding financial services offerings to current customers based on his local knowledge and business experience.

Active in the community, he serves on the board of the Alzheimer’s Association of NENY and was named its Volunteer of the Year in 2019. He is also a coach for South Glens Falls Little League and Adirondack Youth Hockey Association.

Marcantonio holds a bachelor’s degree in business public management from SUNY Utica and lives in South Glens Falls.

New Company Will Take Over Concessions At Track; Mazzone Hospitality Will Be Involved The New York Racing Association selected Chicago restaurant and concessions giant Levy as the new food and beverage vendor for Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park.

The multi-year contract will bring several hospitality companies to the tracks, including Mazzone Hospitality of Clifton Park.

Levy is the concessions manager for the home stadiums of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. The company also is the food and beverage vendor at several auto and thoroughbred racetracks including Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Churchill Downs in Kentucky.

“Few venues and events match the impact Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park have had on our sports culture,” said Andy Lansing, Levy president and chief executive.

NYRA sought proposals from prospective food vendors in January, one year after the racing organization announced it was ending a 25-year relationship with Centerplate.

That opened up an opportunity that Mazzone Hospitality founder Angelo Mazzone has been pursuing for years:

Managing food and beverage at the FasigTipton thoroughbred auctions and hosting private events for the racing community.

“These kind of deals are the whole reason we partnered with Compass,” Mazzone said.

“Before that, we weren’t big enough to go after them.”

Mazzone partnered with Compass Group of England in July 2017. That positioned him to expand his catering and corporate food service businesses and develop relationships with large arena concession companies like Levy.

“It took a lot of work to put this together, but it is well worth it for such a prestigious account,” Mazzone said.

Levy and Mazzone Hospitality are working out logistics for the upcoming racing seasons. Mazzone expects the concessions and food and beverage contract will employ a combination of 300 Levy and Mazzone staff during the Saratoga summer meet.

Mazzone Hospitality will focus on highend catering events and potentially will be involved with the track’s $30 million, 36,000-square-foot 1863 Club that opened last year.

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16 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • APRIL 2020

COVID-19 Pandemic Leads Lake George Boat Commission To Delay Boat Inspections

Due to concerns regarding the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, the Lake George Park Commission is delaying implementation of its mandatory boat inspection program until June 1, as opposed to the traditional May 1 date.

Commission Chairman Bruce Young said the decision was made to protect the health and safety of the boating public and the commission’s boat inspection staff.

“The commission must balance the risk of new introductions of aquatic invasive species versus the health and safety of the public and our staff,” said Young. “An analysis of launch data from the past six years of the mandatory inspection program shows a lower risk for invasives introductions in the month of May compared with the summer months.

Only 4 percent of annual decontaminations occur in May, and most boats are being launched for the

first time of the season.”

Boaters are still required to have a Lake George boat registration sticker for 2020, and all boats still must arrive at Lake George “clean, drained and dry,” said Dave Wick, commission executive director. “Please be sure to plan your trip to Lake George in advance, and make sure your boat is clean and registered before you launch into the lake.”

The commission will be visiting launches regularly to help ensure compliance with these laws. Questions regarding the status of state launches on Lake George should be directed to the state Department of Environmental Conservation at 518‐623‐1200.

To get a 2020 Lake George boat registration sticker, visit the commission website at www. lgpc. ny.gov.

In This Together

more than ever a conduit of information on what businesses are still open, what their hours are and what services our members are providing.

Our members are talented and knowledgeable, and often pass along free information from one member to all to help each other.

The ARCC has been serving our community since 1914. If you have questions, if you need a connection, if you need information, if you need an ear, we are here for you. We hope to be of service during these times, because we know one thing: We are in this together.

Continued From Page 9

A Lake George Park Commission staffer washes a boat before it launches into the lake. This year, the boating inspection program has been delayed for a month.

Courtesy Lake George Park Commission

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