Glens Falls Business Journal - May 2020

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MAY 2020

Annual Americade Motorcycle Event In Hotel, Tourism Officials Are Hit With Lake George Is Postponed Until July 21-25 Challenges As Summer Event Season Arrives Americade, a popular tourist attraction in the Lake George region for nearly 40 years, has been postponed during the COVID-19 crisis, but will be held in 2020.

The event is traditionally held the first full week of June, but will be pushed back until the week of July 21-25, said Americade organizer Christian Dutcher.

“The health of our community and our guests is paramount, but it is our sincere hope that by late July, it will be possible to bring Americade back to Lake George as long as there are no federal, state or local regulations that would preclude it,” Dutcher said. “We will be very sensitive to public health concerns. We will conduct Americade 2020 in a manner that is respectful of the terrible ordeal this pandemic has caused.’’

The 2020 “touchless’’ Americade will emphasize current public safety protocols including social distancing and hand washing and scenic tours rather than large group gatherings. Organizers will comply scrupulously with health and safety guidance and work closely with Warren County Public Health Services.

Specifically: • The number of people attending the Americade Expo will be restricted to ensure plenty of space between attendees.

• Some events that have historically attracted shoulder-to-shoulder crowds will not be held.

• Attendees will be encouraged to register electronically (instead of in person) and pay remotely.

• Americade 2020 will de-emphasize guided, large-group rides and instead facilitate unguided rides.

• For lunches during rides, participants will be encouraged to choose from a broad selection of restaurants to reduce crowding in any one

Americade, a major tourist attraction in Lake George, has been re-scheduled for July.

Courtesy Lake George Chamber of Commerce

establishment.

“Americade gives many people the opportunity to get out on the open road, see some of the most scenic and remote places and breathe the fresh air of the Adirondacks,’’ said Dutcher. “So many people have reached out to us and asked us to try to find a way to keep the tradition alive this year.’’

Dutcher noted that July is a busy time in Lake George, so Americade is reaching out to its local hospitality partners to ensure adequate accommodations will be available.

Lake George Mayor Robert Blais welcomed the decision. ‘’Americade’s decision to postpone rather than cancel is a welcome decision for our Continued On Page 13

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Although it is too soon to know what impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the local summer tourism season, the local business community is trying to remain optimistic.

In Lake George, it will be difficult for hotels to weather any lengthy closure. Dunham’s Bay Resort on the east shore just outside the village, is typically open year-round but has closed its 40-room hotel.

It’s restaurant remains open for take out only.

According to general manager Matt Taormino, the hotel furloughed about 10 percent of it staff. He credits the hotel’s New York City owner for making this possible.

“They made a commitment to us when this first started to make sure everybody would have a job that needed a job,” he said. “We’re fortunate that our owners take care of us. They really care about us and take care of the property.”

Taormino and his staff are using this time to perform preventative maintenance and make upgrades to bathrooms and banquet rooms.

Dunham’s Bay Resort and other local businesses in Lake George are relying on the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce for support and guidance.

“As our state government charts the reopening strategy, they are looking at it regionally. That is helpful for us,” Lake George Chamber Executive Director Gina Mintzer said. “For us that are in marketing and tourism, we are going to look at it from the standpoint that first we want to get our locals out and about safely and without fear.”

According to Amy Brannigan, senior director of marketing at Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs, the majority of 600 team members were furloughed after the hotel closed March 16. Management is working to develop a comprehensive plan for reopening

The Lake George Arts Project conducts the Jazz on the Lake festival each September.

R.J. DeLuke

that incorporates social distancing and cleaning protocols.

And Kevin Tuohy, general manager of the 168-room Holiday Inn on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, said “We are cautiously optimistic.

Although each time I read the news, it seems there is less good news coming out. But, at this point, we are going to do everything we can to make sure that we can be as busy as we can possibly be.”

Both Brannigan and Tuohy said their hotels depend heavily on the Saratoga Race Course season. If the track reopens without spectators, summer occupancy rates would plummet. Both hotels are typically at maximum occupancy Continued On Page 15

Warren County Tourism Businesses Form Marc Monahan Of NBT Bank Becomes A Commission To Plan Economic Recovery Chairman Of ARCC Board Of Directors The Warren County Lodging Association, local Chambers of Commerce and the Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with Warren County Tourism Department and government officials, have established a commission to develop specific guidelines and best practices for safely reopening businesses in the county.

Officials said the goal of the commission is to ensure the opening of businesses in the Lake George area safely, responsibly and with the health and well-being of the entire community, guests, and team members at the forefront.

Credible hotel and business experts committed to the safe operations of the region have invested significant efforts to develop an outline of communication and operational actions designed to understand guest needs and concerns and to position the tourism businesses in the Lake George region to safely welcome guests back as soon as possible, officials said.

The state criteria for area to reopen includes 14 days of decline in total net hospitalizations; at least 30 percent surge capacity in total hospital and ICU beds available; the ability to conduct 30 COVID-19 diagnostic tests for every 1,000 residents per month; and having a baseline of 30 people who can serve as contact tracers for every 100,000 residents.

All plans are in accordance with local, state, and federal government guidelines as well as the CDC. Efforts will continue as steps are finalized and communicated with respect to the following: • Education/communication. Ensuring that our

A commission formed in Warren County will examine ways to safely get tourism back. businesses, team members and guests understand their role in the wake of this pandemic.

• Density Control. Limiting capacity to 50 percent in early phases.

• Social distancing and screening. Strict compliance with local, state, and federal mandates • PPE equipment and supplies. For both team members and guests alike (sourcing, etc.).

• Sanitation and disinfecting. Using industry “best practices,” a detailed and specific set of steps, Continued On Page 2

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) announced that Marc Monahan, vice president and regional executive of NBT Bank, has been appointed as chairman of its board of directors.

“The ARCC has been blessed to have a long history of amazing board of director chairs,” said ARCC President/CEO Michael Bittel.

He said Monahan “continues this tradition. Marc’s business knowledge and passion for our community will help lead us for the next two years. Many thanks to Eric Gilbert as our past chair and for his service to our region’s business community.”

“Working with the Chamber has been a gratifying experience and I am looking forward to my role as chair,” said Monahan. “We currently have an engaged board and executive team ready for the challenges that lie ahead. I am eager to continue work side by side with Michael Bittel and his team Tricia, Amanda and Cheryl. Given the current economic challenges we all face ahead, rest assured that we will do everything in our power to support the local business community and our members.”

Monahan is NBT vice president and regional executive for the bank’s Glens Falls-Saratoga market. He joined NBT in 2010 as a member of the retail team and currently overseas the commercial team as part of the North Country.

He has over 17 years of experience in banking in various roles within the retail and commercial divisions of NBT. Prior to coming to NBT he worked in the Capital Region as a member of the management team in KeyBank’s retail bank.

Monahan started his career in the finance industry

Marc Monahan has been appointed as chairman of the ARCC board of directors.

Courtesy ARCC

as a member of Citi Group.

Monahan actively splits time partnering with community organizations like the ARCC and with his NBT Bank team to help businesses achieve their financial goals.

He has been involved with the Chamber on many levels dating back to his days as an ambassador when I first started his career in banking.

For a list of all 2020 ARCC officers and board of directors, visit www.adirondackchamber.org/ officers-board

2 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

As Cuomo Begins To Re-Open NY, Warren, Glens Falls Farmers Market Is Open For Washington Counties Said To Be ‘Close’ The Season At South Street Market Place Parts of New York’s economy in some areas of the can begin reopening in phases, but not the Capital Region, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on May 11.

At press time, some of the phasing-in could have started as of Friday, May 15.

Members of the group in the Capital Region leading the reopening effort include Robert Henke, Washington County board of supervisors vice chairman, and Ryan Moore, Warren County administrator.

Other members are Ruth Mahoney, Regional Economic Development Council co-chair and Albany market president for KeyBank; Mike Blue, Capital District Area Labor Federation president; Dan McCoy, Albany County executive; Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County executive; Rory Fluman, Schenectady County manager; Spencer Hellwig, Saratoga County administrator; Shaun Groden, Greene County administrator; Matt Murell, Columbia County board of supervisors chair, and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

Much of the state’s economy has been paused since the end of March to stop the spread of the coronavirus “We have abated the worst by what we’ve done and now we can intelligently turn toward reopening,” Cuomo said. “The timing will be different for each region, depending on the curve of the coronavirus pandemic. And it will be different for each industry depending on how essential the business is and how easy it is to social distance.

As of May 11, the Capital Region has not met all of the criteria to reopen by May 15. The

Mohawk Valley, Finger Lakes and Southern tier had met all seven.

Cuomo recommended all regions start on preparations for reopening. To do that, each region must appoint an oversight institution as its “control room” to monitor hospital capacity, rate of infection, PPE burn rate and businesses.

“This reopening phase is locally driven, regionally driven and regionally designed,” Cuomo said. “The businesses that can open are the businesses that are approved by that region and approved with these conditions. Every business that reopens is going to have to meet certain conditions. The state set a certain number of conditions, local governments may add additional conditions to those businesses and how they open.”

The regional control room team is made up of the government officials, academic officials, health care professionals and business leaders who will watch the situation in that region develop.

Cuomo said set the following pahses for reopening the state to business: Phase 1: Construction; manufacturing and wholesale supply chain; select retail with curbside pickup.

Phase 2: Professional services; finance and insurance; retail; administrative support; real estate, rental leasing.

Phase 3: Restaurants, food services; hotels, accommodations.

Phase 4: Arts, entertainment, recreation, education.

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The Glens Falls Farmers Market started May 2 for the season at the South Street Community Pavilion.

Organizers are taking precautions during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Glens Falls Farmers Market at the South Street Community Pavilion is open, taking precautions during the coronavirus pandemic.

It opened May 2.

Officials said the Glens Falls Farmers Market is considered an essential business during this time, and “will remain open as long as we can. “ Officials said not all the usual vendors will be present at the market in the upcoming weeks.

Organizers urged people to remember these safe practices while visiting the market: 1. With people’s permission, staff will sign credit card slips for those buying tokens.

2. People should refrain from visiting the market if they have flu like symptoms, colds, or any other illness. Anyone exhibiting signs of illness will be politely asked to leave for the community’s well being.

Courtesy Glens Falls Farmers Market

3. Do not self-serve items from vendors tables.

4. People who feel the need to cough or sneeze should do so into the crook of their arm, and seek a restroom to wash afterwards 5. Refrain from touching the face while at the market. Feel free to use a wash station afterwards.

6. Remember to stay six-plus feet away from others while attending the market 7. If possible, send only one member of a household to the market 8. Following the guidance from the CDC, wear a mask.

“With your help, we can keep the market as safe of a space as possible for our vendors and yourselves during this time of hardship. We appreciate your understanding,” said a statement.

A complete list of vendors is available at www. glensfallsfarmersmarket.com/vendors.html.

Warren County Commission Continued From Page 1

guidelines and procedures was developed.

• Signs and communication for both team members and guests.

• Guest insights. In conjunction with the Warren County Tourism Department, a standardized survey was developed to identify expectations of travelers and their most important aspects for future visitation and incorporate them into the plan.

• Implementation. Safely “open for the season.”

Commission members include: Tom Guay, The Sagamore; Dave Mentor, Country Inn & Suites,

Wakita, Scotty’s, Nordics, Park Lane; Juliana Laura Kohls, Courtyard by Marriott, Marine Village; Vinnie Crocitto III, Holiday Inn Resort; Frank Dittrich, Inn at Erlowest and Sun Castle Resort; Michael Bittel, Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce ; Ed Bartholomew, EDC Warren County; Gary Thornquist, Lake George RV Park; Becky Wood, Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark; Tyler Herrick, Spruce Hospitality; Gina Mintzer, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB; and Kathy Muncil and Sam Luciano, Fort William Henry Corp.

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 3

Glens Falls Hospital Gets Waiver From NYS Siena Poll: 31 Percent Of CEOS Expect The To Resume Elective Surgeries, Procedures Economy To Return To Normal In 6 Months

Glens Falls Hospital received a waiver after it showed the state it has a detailed plan in place to resume outpatient surgeries and procedures and still cope with COVID-19 patients.

Glens Falls Hospital has been granted a waiver

by New York state to resume elective outpatient surgeries and procedures.

In order to qualify, the hospital had to show that it has a detailed plan in place to resume these surgeries and procedures, and that explicit measures have been taken to insure a potential surge in COVID-19 patients can be handled.

The hospital has a plan in place to “surge” as needed by 54 percent in capacity and beds, officials said.

“This is great news for the community as well as the hospital,” said hospital CEO Dianne Shugrue. “A planned procedure does not mean it is not medically urgent. These are patients who need a painful joint repaired, a diagnostic cardiac procedure, a gallbladder surgery, and many other surgeries and procedures that are important to the health of our patients.”

She said all patients scheduled for planned outpatient surgeries and procedures must be tested for COVID-19 and can only receive their planned care if the test is negative. And they must quarantine before and after their procedure.

The hospital has developed guides for all patients who will be undergoing a scheduled surgical or outpatient procedure. All COVID-19 inpatients are cohorted away from the outpatient procedure areas. Should a procedure require a longer stay due to complications of any kind, the hospital has a wing sterilized and ready that has not been used for any sick patients, officials said.

“We also want to emphasize that we are well prepared to handle emergency cases, “ said Hospital CEO Dianne Shugrue. “If you have chest pains or you are injured—what ever the reason you think you should seek emergency care—we are open, we are taking every precaution to keep you safe, and keep our staff safe.”

Officials said the hospital will begin offering procedures immediately, with a goal of ramping up capacity as fast as is safe and prudent, beginning with simpler procedures and adding more complex procedures as the process evolves.. As capacity increases and the number of cases increases,

furloughed staff will be brought back as needed.

The state gave the hospital a waiver after the hospital provided a detailed plan showing that it would still be able to handle a surge of coronavirus patients.

The plan described how the hospital could increase its capacity by 54% if needed.

Patients must first be tested for coronavirus and can only receive non-emergency procedures if they test negative. They must quarantine before and after the procedure as well. Those who need to stay overnight will not stay in any unit used by coronavirus patients. The hospital has sterilized an entire wing that has not been used by any sick patients.

Coronavirus patients are also kept away from the outpatient procedure areas.

Meanwhile, the hospital did not receive any federal funding from the latest stimulus package round of funding for rural hospitals, and the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce is asking people to contact their U.S. representatives and support the hospital.

“We need your voice in contacting our representatives for their help in supporting the Glens Falls Hospital,” the Chamber said.

The representatives are U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, 518-431-4070, www.schumer.senate. gov/contact/email-chuck; U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, 518-431-0120, www.gillibrand. senate.gov/contact/email-me; and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, 518-743-0964, stefanik.house.gov/ contact/email.

Glens Falls Hospital (GFH) maintains a service area that spans 6,000 square miles across 5 diverse counties. Founded in 1897, it operates an advanced health care delivery system featuring more than 20 regional facilities. A vast array of specialized medical and surgical services are provided in addition to coronary care, behavioral health care, rehabilitation and wellness and others. The main hospital campus is home to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center, the Joyce Stock Snuggery birthing center, the Breast Center and a chronic wound healing center.

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Only 31 percent of CEOs expect the New York state economy to return to pre-virus levels of revenue and employment within the next six months according to a special Upstate New York Business Leader COVID-19 Survey from Siena College Research Institute (SCRI), sponsored by the Business Council of New York State, Inc. released in April.

Similarly, while only 5 percent have not suffered due to the virus and 35 percent think that their business will recover within six months, a quarter say by the end of 2020 and 35 percent don’t think their business will return to pre-virus levels until 2021.

“The results of this poll showed what many expected; businesses are hurting, especially smaller businesses and those in sectors whose operations have been most impacted by the reasonable stateimposed restrictions. Perhaps the most encouraging result showed employers expect their own companies and their industry sectors to recovery by early 2021,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State.

“At The Business Council we will continue to work with our elected leaders to convey the needs of the business community for a successful economic restart, recognizing that this will only be done as fast as public health considerations allow.

“The good news is, there’s real opportunity for New York state to partner with the private sector, who understands what it will require to ensure a stronger economy moving forward.”

The poll said 57 percent of upstate CEOs say New York’s primary focus should be addressing the public health crisis for the time being while 35 percent think New York state should plan to relax restrictions on business operations and move towards being back in business by the first of May, according to the poll.

Current expectations for revenues and profits, because of COVID-19, compared to 2020 projections are down significantly. Eighty-nine percent predict somewhat (32 percent) or significantly (57 percent) less revenue, and 87 percent forecast somewhat (27 percent) or significantly (60 percent) less profits.

Forty percent have already laid off employees and an additional eight percent anticipate more layoffs

by Aug. 1.

Fifty-eight percent plan to purchase fewer fixed assets in 2020.

“Despite having to lay off workers and downgrade economic projections, a majority of upstate CEOs agree with the sentiment expressed by one CEO: ‘people and health first, the economy can wait.’

The good news is that virtually all the CEOs we interviewed expect their business to survive this crisis. And 61 percent think that New York state’s ‘social distancing’ efforts, including restrictions on business operations in order to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 have been about right,” said SCRI’s Director Dr. Don Levy.

The poll said 46 percent of upstate CEOs are confident that New York State government will take the appropriate steps to assist businesses to weather the impacts of COVID-19 while 50 percent are not very or not at all confident. More, 59 percent, are confident that the federal government will take the appropriate steps to assist businesses recover from the virus’ effects.

Eighty-six percent are somewhat (45 percent) or very (41 percent) familiar with the new and expanded U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan provisions. Nearly three-quarters, 72 percent, plan to participate in the SBA Paycheck Protection Program while 26 percent plan to participate in the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.

“This virus has turned life upside down for virtually every New York business, just as it has for nearly every New Yorker. Almost every CEO took steps to protect staff and clients from the virus, more than three-quarters have employees working from home, two-thirds have cancelled planned initiatives and almost half have borrowed in order to meet ongoing expenses,” Levy said.

The the poll results “showed what many expected.

Businesses are hurting, especially smaller businesses and those in sectors whose operations have been most impacted by the reasonable state-imposed restrictions. Perhaps the most encouraging result showed employers expect their own companies and their industry sectors to recovery by early 2021,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of the Business Council of New York State.

4 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

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Tanya Tobias-Tomis Succeeds John Strong As Director Of The Lake George Arts Project Tanya Tobias-Tomis is the new executive director of the Lake George Arts Project.

She replaces longtime director John Strong, who retired.

Tobias-Tomis has close to two decades of nonprofit experience, including 12 years at Saratoga Arts, most recently in her role as associate director. She worked on many projects there, projects, including Art@Work + Home program and First Night Saratoga.

Tobias-Tomis was education coordinator at The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. In addition, she is on a number of boards of directors, including the Adirondack Folk School, the Hudson River Mill Museum and the steering committee for the Saratoga County EOC’s Latino advocacy program’s Estamos Aqui fundraiser.

The search for Strong’s replacement began in the summer of 2019, after he announced plans to retire at the end of the year. Strong stayed on through January in order to assist with the transition.

Lake George Arts Project was established in 1977. The organization manages year-round Courthouse Gallery exhibitions, the Lake George Jazz Weekend in September, and a

Tanya Tobias-Tomis was an associate director at Saratoga Arts before taking the Lake George job.

Courtesy Lake George Arts Project

Wednesday evening Summer Concert Series during July and August.

Lake George Regional Planning Board Helps Area Businesses Via Micro-Loan Program The Lake George Regional Planning Board is helping the region’s small businesses by offering working capital micro-loans for enterprises within Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, and Washington Counties.

The loans will be available for businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The funds are not to be used to pay off existing debt, refinancing other loans, acquire a position in business, purchase of equipment, investments, expansion, or personal expenses.

Lake Champlain and Lake George Regional Planning Board controls their regionally based Revolving Loan Fund program (RLF). This program provides financing throughout the area in order to support small business growth. The RLF program provides low-cost, short-term financing to businesses that are unable to obtain regular financing from the bank, officials said.

More than $13 million in loans have

been distributed to start-ups and business expansions in the five-county region.

Officials said all types of ventures can receive assistance, but the program targets small to medium businesses locally owned and operated. However, special consideration is given to businesses the provide full-time, year-round employment, as the creation of jobs and the ability to consistently supply them to its citizens are both important.

Applicants of the loans are asked to demonstrate how their project satisfies the economic needs of their region. Then, the projects are evaluated based on the community’s economic need, its readiness to execute, and the impact it will have on the community.

The applications are on a first-come, first-serve basis for evaluation and can be emailed, mailed or hand-delivered to: Lake Champlain – Lake George Regional Planning Board, 1 Lower Amherst St., PO Box 765, Lake George, NY 12845.

Regional Council of NYS Has Website With Information For Ordering Goods Online The Retail Council of New York State has launched RetailNewYork.com, an online directory for independent Main Street merchants of all sorts from throughout the state.

“Their stores might be closed for now, but they’re open for on-line and phone orders and ready to ship right to your door,” said Council President and CEO Ted Potrikus. “We want to fill the site with contact information for stores of every sort.

These are the Main Street merchants who need our support.”

“While we’re all waiting it out indoors, RetailNewYork is a great way to find your favorite stores and work out some retail therapy,” he said.

The council is also asking shoppers to support their local businesses by going online and leaving a review, referring a friend, or liking, commenting on or sharing the business’ social media links.

Listing on the directory is free for Retail Council members and, through at least Aug. 31, for stores that are not yet members of the statewide association, Potrikus said.

For more information about membership, visit rcnys.com.

“RetailNewYork gives visibility to those stores that you might not immediately think of when you’re shopping online,” said Potrikus. “We want to help businesses get customers through the door, even if it’s a

virtual door for now. We hope shoppers will use RetailNewYork.com as their resource to Shop New York.”

With more than one million retail establishments and nearly 15 million employees, the retail industry is one of the most important in the U.S., officials said.

The economic health of the retail industry, and ultimately its ability to provide millions of jobs and desired goods and services at reasonable prices, depends in large part on the regulatory environment within which it must operate.

The Council released this New York State data: • Annual retail sales exceed $251 billion.

• Retailers employ more than 941,000 workers in more than 77,000 establishments, also partnering with state and local governments as key entry-level employers for job training and opportunity programs throughout the state.

• Retailing has a payroll of more than $31 billion.

• Retail sales account for 20 percent of the taxable sales and purchases in the state’s tax base.

• Retailers large and small provide donations of cash, merchandise, and/or facilities to support community groups, schools, and other organizations in the villages, towns and cities where they do business.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 5

‘Argyle Cheese Farmer’ Opens Storefront In People Can Use NYS Labor App For Hudson Falls, Selling A Variety Of Products Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Claims

The Argyle Cheese Farmer owners David and Marge Randles opened this spot on Burgoyne Avenue in Hudson Falls, selling cheese, yogurt, doughnuts, bread and more.

BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Argyle Cheese Farmer, the cheese manufacturing business on the farm of David and Marge Randles, has opened a storefront location at 2358 Burgoyne Ave. in Hudson Falls.

The Randles cheese farm location in Argyle is on a 225-acre family farmstead dating back to the 1860s. The storefront in Hudson Falls gives the owners another outlet where people can find and purchase their popular products.

Their products can be found in many area stores and they also appear at farmers market events in the region.

The storefront held its grand soft opening at the end of April. In addition to cheese, milk and yogurt products, homemade doughnuts, strudels, buttermilk rolls, fresh bread, coffee and small gifts such as branded travel mugs and tea cups are available for purchase.

The Burgoyne Ave storefront is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The property has a serving window for those who do not wish

Andrea Harwood Palmer

to come inside.

Battenkill milk products from Battenkill Valley Creamery in Salem, fresh eggs and apples are also a staple offering.

Argyle Cheese Farmer uses milk from the family-owned farm to produce yogurt and artisan cheeses. The 225-acre farmstead has a herd of 50 cows, and is the site of a small outbuilding that houses processing equipment and supports retail operations.

The “cheese house” on the farm was built in 2007 for the processing of milk into yogurt, butter cream and cheese.

Marge Randles is an alumnus of the sixmonth entrepreneurial training program, Farm and Food Business Accelerator, run by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corp.

Argyle Cheese Farmer’s primary production facility is located at 990 Coach Road in Argyle, and is a regular stop on regional cheese tours. In the past, the farm has brought home multiple medals and blue ribbons from the Great New York State Fair and other events.

The state Depar tment of L ab or has launched an application for New Yorkers to apply for traditional unemployment insurance or the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

Officials said the one-stop-shop for unemployment benefits will connect people with the benefits they deserve faster, without requiring them to call the Department of Labor.

Due to cumbersome federal guidelines, New Yorkers were required to apply for regular unemployment insurance and be rejected before applying for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. With the new app, New Yorkers can simply fill out one form to get the correct benefits.

The DOL has also deployed over 3,100 representatives dedicated to answering unemployment benefit questions, seven days a week. This is up from 400 who previously manned the DOL call center prior to the pandemic.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began, DOL has paid approximately $2.2 billion in unemployment insurance benefits to 1.1 million New Yorkers, officials said.

“I have been unemployed before myself, and I understand the pain, fear and anxiety New Yorkers are facing. The DOL’s mission is to help our neighbors through some of their toughest days, and in the last week we have made great strides in updating our systems,” Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said. “While it appears the coronavirus pandemic is beginning to stabilize—at least from the public health perspective—we know that many New Yorkers are still facing an uncertain economic future, and the Department of Labor will continue to dedicate every resource available to helping New Yorkers weather this storm.”

The updated unemployment benefits app system will determine which unemployment program—unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance—people should apply for and then prompt them to

answer a specific set of questions.

The application builds on the new online system the department rolled out in partnership with the state Office of Information Technology Services and Google Cloud, to help manage the exponential and unprecedented increase in new claims resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program provides unemployment benefits for people who are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance. Examples of those covered by PUA include: Self-employed, independent contractors, people who worked for an app-based company, farmers, those diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have COVID-19 symptoms and are seeking a diagnosis, those living with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, those providing care for a family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19, s primary caregiver for a child unable to attend school or another facility due to COVID-19, those unable to reach their place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because they have been advised by a medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19, those scheduled to commence new employment that cannot reach their workplace as a direct result of COVID-19.

Those who became a major breadwinner because the head of their household died from COVID-19, those who quit their job as a direct result of COVID-19, those whose place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19, those with insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19; and people otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19 In addition, New Yorkers concerned about food insecurity are reminded that resources are available across the state.

New Yorkers seeking to file an unemployment insurance claim should visit labor. ny.gov or call the Telephone Claim Center at 888-209-8124.

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6 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

Adirondack Wine & Food Festival In Lake George Is Postponed Until September

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL 2000 Business Of The Year

Adirondack Regional Chamber Of Commerce

In light of current social distancing guidelines revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic, Adirondack Festivals LLC has rescheduled the 6th Annual Adirondack Wine & Food Festival to the weekend of Sept. 26-27.

The festival is normally held the last weekend in June. The decision to reschedule was made to help protect the health and safety of festival attendees and vendors, while providing an alternative date in 2020 with favorable weather, said Sasha Pardy, owner of Adirondack Festivals LLC. “Nothing is more important than the wellbeing of our attendees and vendors,” said. “But we remain hopeful that come September, we are able to host our festival barring any federal, state or local regulations that would prohibit it. We are treating this pandemic very seriously and we will do everything we can to make our event as safe as possible for everyone in attendance.”

The festival will continue its support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.

This is the third consecutive year BBBS is the beneficiary of the festival. Last year, the festival raised $15,000 for the organization.

The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival features 120 of New York’s wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, artisan food vendors, food trucks and more. The festival is a try-before-you-buy farmer’s market style event that also has a positive economic impact on the Lake George region.

According to festival officials, last year’s festival generated a $3.5 million economic impact, with over 4,000 hotel room nights generated in the area. This year’s festival attendance was expected to surpass 7,250. Survey data shows 85 percent of festival attendees plan their trip to Lake George specifically around the dates of the festival.

“The Adirondack Wine and Food festival is one of our region’s premier annual events,” said Lake George Mayor Robert Blais. “We are extremely grateful that they have chosen to reschedule the event until September rather than cancel for 2020.”

State Sen. Betty Little said the festival “has been a wonderful success, an event that will continue to grow in popularity. Rather than simply cancelling, deciding now to reschedule the event for later this year is the right move. This gives everyone plenty of time to plan for an early autumn event and to have something to look forward to.”

Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce said the

The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival has been rescheduled for Sept. 26-27. festival “has become a model event for use of the Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park. We have enjoyed watching this fun weekend event grow to the point of generating more than 4,000 room nights, bringing tourists with higher than typical incomes to the area. Late September will provide a beautiful autumn backdrop for this premier festival. Fall is a great season to visit the area as it can be less crowded than the summer yet provide great weather. Many of the same activities people enjoy in the summer can be enjoyed in the fall in Lake George.”

Joanne Conley, tourism director at Warren County Tourism said the festival “is a premier event that significantly impacts our early summer economy. Sasha and her team have given careful consideration to rescheduling and we are thrilled she has decided not to cancel. We look forward to welcoming back guests who have enjoyed this as a June event and a new audience who will discover a September Wine & Food Festival.”

Ticket holders will be contacted about the change in dates. More information about ticket sales for the September dates will be provided on social media and adkwinefest.com.

Newsletter subscribers will also be notified of the changes. People can sign up for the newsletter at adkwinefest.com/signup

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 7

•

Business Report Post-COVID-19 Return To Work Plan

BY DOROTHY ROGERS-BULLIS As New York state begins to look toward a postCOVID-19 reopening strategy, many businesses, organizations, and schools are trying to reinvent or re-imagine how they will safely operate. And it won’t be business as usual for most.

Each individual organization will need a thoughtful and highly customized approach, taking into account their business objectives, their space, and their employees’ work styles, while also creating appropriate social distance.

Here are some of our top tips for organizations as they explore their reopening options.

Create a committee. It’s going to take buy-in from numerous people in order to approve and implement a workable reopening plan. Your return-to-work steering committee should include leaders from HR, communications, and facilities, plus employee representatives. You’ll need their help with brainstorming ideas and managing expectations, as well as modeling positive behaviors.

Communicate. Input from employees is important, but it’s also crucial to keep people informed about what you are doing to ensure their safety. Keeping the lines of communication open is so important. If you are honest and upfront with staff and customers, encouraging people to ask questions and share their concerns, you will be able to gain their trust much faster.

Be flexible. Many businesses will need to reduce the number of work stations, so staggering people’s return to work is a natural solution that will increase comfort with this new normal. For example, if you reduce the number of seats in what had previously been a larger team area and add a modular cubicle solution, it allows for appropriate social distancing between employees.

Creating an A/B workday schedule, where employees alternate days working from home and working in the office, also reduces overcrowding.

New safety protocols. Many organizations are implementing health screening procedures, but businesses also may want to institute other new safety protocols. It may be wise to enact guest restrictions, limiting visitors to essential contractors or key customers.

Consider posting signage such as handwashing and social distancing reminders, and maximum occupancy for spaces. You may even want to institute traffic patterns to control the directional flow through your space. And don’t overlook previously communal phones, office supplies, dishware, and beverage and snack stations. It’s a good time to switch temporarily to single-user

• •

Dorothy Rogers-Bullis is owner and president of drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy drb Business Interiors

items, disposables, and grab-and-go options.

Rethink and repurpose spaces. In addition to reducing the overall number of seats in work, meeting and socializing areas (like reception, the kitchen, or café), we suggest some other re-configuration ideas. Consider temporarily dedicating enclosed conference and meeting rooms to individual seating. Rearrange work spaces so employees are no longer face-to-face, and install workstation screens or soft architectural solutions like wall systems or drapery.

Clean, clean, clean. One of the most important things we can all do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to keep hands and surfaces clean.

Revisit your organization’s cleaning protocols and redouble your sanitization efforts on all shared surfaces. Establish a “clean desk/clean meeting space” policy so the cleaning crew is able to thoroughly clean all surfaces, and make cleaning supplies available to employees for periodic cleaning throughout the day.

We suggest selecting bleach-cleanable fabrics and finishes with antimicrobial properties to further promote a healthy office. It’s also a good time to think about your office air quality, evaluating your HVAC system and adding indoor plants, which are great at cleaning the air naturally.

By implementing these steps and suggestions, organizations will be well on their way to safely reopening their doors to employees, customers, and students. This is going to be our new normal for the foreseeable future, so we must all adapt.

These tips can help you put people’s minds at ease while keeping them safe and healthy.

Business Report Got Value?

BY MICHAEL CRUZ As we get ready to re-emerge, it is important for you to re-assess your business. The entrepreneur’s mindset is to set to succeed. As the world throws you obstacles, you always find ways to overcome them.

Well, we have been thrown a big obstacle.

What will you do? If you have not already, reach out to your best customers. Check in. See how they are doing. Even if they are shut down, this will be appreciated.

This will also help with your relationship when everyone is ready to fully engage. It is important to re-examine all aspects of your business. What you were doing before COVID-19 is not necessarily what you should do next. Examine your business plan. I often say that a plan is like a road map.

The only time you don’t need a map is when you are going where you have already been.

Or – when you don’t care where you are going.

Things are not going to be the same for quite a while. Your customers are having the same challenges you are. Everyone will be a little more cautious as to where they spend their money.

Each of us needs to make our own reassessment of priorities. We need to figure out which expenditures are required. And, which purchases we can delay until we are more sure of the recovery. If you want to make their priority list, the secret is in value creation.

Value creation is having your product or service provide more to the business than what it cost your customer. Understanding value forces us to have customer empathy.

You need to know what keeps your customer awake at night. To the extent, that you help solve that problem, you will have more success.

As much as you can, you want to be assessing your customers’ needs before your own. By

Michael Cruz, president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

Courtesy of Lighthouse Advisors LLC

doing that you create value for your customers.

You don’t have to ‘sell’ anything, if what you offer is needed by your customers. Helping them know that you have what they need is much easier. I assume you have more than one type of customer. Focus on listing out all of the different categories of people who buy from you.

Figure out what they want. Examine which of your offerings offer the most value and to which customer segment they apply. Now we have the basics of how to re-engage your business.

Focus on the best ways for you and (if you have) your sales team to let them know you are open again. What e-mail will you send?

Advertising? What personal connections and sales calls? Prepare to let them know how you can create value for their business.

Show then how your offering will grow their business. In turn, yours will grow too.

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8 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Health / Community Services Hudson Headwaters Renovated Women’s Stewart’s Shops Offers Funds To Help Center Has More Comprehensive Services Nonprofit Groups During The Current Crisis

BY SUSAN E. CAMPBELL Women’s Health, part of the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, reopened its doors on April 6 following months of interior renovation.

The changes make the center at 90 South St. in Glens Falls “an optimal experience” with more comprehensive services for women and their families, according to practice leader Sally Howard.

“We expanded up and down,” said Howard, who has been with the practice for three years.

“The physical expansion of the facility creates an environment where patients and providers feel they will get the best care.”

Hudson Headwaters Health Network has centers from Champlain down to Moreau and west to North Creek. The recently re-named Women’s Health became a part of the network in 2013, said Dr. Ted Denious, who co-leads it with Dr. Danielle Goertzen.

“A private practice called North Country Obstetrics/Gynecology was located here and wanted to join HHHN,” said Denious. “There were six practitioners in 2013 and there are 12 at any given time today, and the recent expansion gives us the space needed to accommodate more staff.”

The OB/GYN practice used only the middle of three floors back then. Now Women’s Health occupies the main and upper levels in a configuration of exam areas, office spaces and waiting rooms that “increase efficiency and offer a better use of space overall,” Howard said. “For example, a woman can enjoy the experience of an ultrasound with her family present in one area while patients with gynecological needs can be seen on another floor.”

According to Jane Hooper, community relations manager for HHHN, “there are large, bright waiting areas, spacious hallways and 13 restrooms. There is also a break room for staff.”

The lower level provides on-site laboratory space for Glens Falls Hospital, as well as maternal and fetal medicine provided by Albany Medical Center staff.

An important aspect of the reopening is that the array of health services provided is more comprehensive than ever before. Mental health and behavioral therapies have been added, and care management ensures that patients have all the services and links to social programs they

A staffer works at the newly renovated Women’s Center in Glens Falls.

Courtesy Hudson Headwaters Health Network

may need, according to Denious.

“Part of the reason for the name change is that this center is doing so much more and will continue to expand services,” he said. “Now people understand that visiting Women’s Health enrolls you in the entire Hudson Headwaters network with all its resources.”

He said the location across from Glens Falls Hospital “does optimize the care that can be provided and makes it more seamless.”

“The patient experience is so different now from what it was,” said Howard. “But our goal has always been increased patient satisfaction..

It is exciting to see the positive changes. We were fortunate to have a number of donations of wall art and photographs by some local and regional artists.”

“Especially with the COVID-19 virus,” Denious said. “As people remain housebound, having a practice that is nimble enough to optimize care in homes and at the office is especially relevant.”

There was no fanfare or ribbon-cutting at the reopening because of the pandemic. But the practice is hopeful that in June it may be possible to have a more public celebration.

Stewart’s Shops, which has a longstanding history of giving back to nonprofits in local communities, has started a fund to help.

“During these difficult times, the need is even more prevalent” to help nonprofits, a company news release said. “The coronavirus virus has impacted different groups in different ways.

Stewart’s is encouraging nonprofits impacted

by COVID-19 to reach out for additional help for sustainability. Grants will be given on a case by case scenario as they come in. There is no deadline for submission.

As of April 30, the company reported nearly $200,000 in grants had been awarded.

With an increased demand on services, many nonprofits are experiencing strains on budget, staffing and resources. “Whether you are a food pantry feeding families in need or a concert venue/theater uncertain about the future with ticket sales on hold for an indefinite time; there is no doubt that these current circumstances are difficult for everyone,” the company said.

“While we realize there are many resources today for frontline organizations, we have always been committed to help make our shops’ communities strong by supporting local nonprofits in many areas such as the arts, education, recreation and health,” the company said.

Requests for funds should be submitted at least three weeks prior to an event a group may need help with. Requests should be submitted at www.stewartsshops.com/online-

donation/?action=search.

Groups will receive an email notification that the application has been submitted for review.

The company reviews requests daily, Monday through Friday, and prioritizes responses by closest event date.

Those with questions can call (518) 581-1201, ext. 2190.

Among the grant recipients so far was At Home Independent Care Inc., which received money for gowns, face shields and face masks. They also anticipate additional expenses for wages related to overtime costs and COVID differential payments.

The Johnsburg Food Pantry requested funding for food as the demand had dramatically increased, stressing their budget, Stewart’s officials reported. CAPTAIN Community Human Services Inc. received support to address the dramatic increase to their emergency food pantry, meal delivery program to school-age children, as well as their senior citizen support program.

With some help from Stewart’s St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation will procure 50,000 N-95 masks and 100,000 surgical masks that protect frontline workers, preserving their ability to serve the community.

The Hyde Collection in Glen Falls is also an organization that is receiving a grant, according to the company.

“These are just a few examples of how Stewart’s supports our nonprofits within our communities,” the company said.

Albany Med Is Among First Hospitals To Use Plasma, Experimentally, To Treat Patients 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 flu 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 cuttingedge clinical research trials,” said Dr. Dennis P. McKenna, president and CEO of Albany Med. 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 518-262-9340.

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

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 9

COVID-19 Issues Cause Slowdown In Sales Hudson Headwaters Finds Telehealth At Medical Device Maker AngioDynamics Network A Big Help During Pandemic

In the three months prior to the pandemic, AngioDynamics reported sales of $69.8 million, but like many corporations, COVID-19 has had an adverse effect on business.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Medical device manufacturer AngioDynamics is experiencing a decline in sales as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the three months prior to the pandemic, the company reported sales of $69.8 million. This represented a 6.5 percent increase compared to the prior-year quarter, according to the company.

The growth was in all three of its business units— oncology, vascular interventions and therapies, and vascular access.

Officials said sales for medical device manufacturers began to plummet after hospitals were forced to postpone non-essential surgeries— surgeries that are able to be delayed without placing undue risk to the current or future health of a patient. These surgeries typically account for 40 to 50 percent of revenue at U.S. hospital.

“Because our customers are healthcare providers, many of the cases we support have been reclassified as elective,” said AngioDynamics communications director Saleem Cheeks.

The company has both a clinical team and a sales team. Clinical team members are often in the operating room with doctors who perform procedures using AngioDynamics’ medical devices.

“We’re still doing that to some extent, but it’s obviously at a much diminished rate due to concerns related to safety,” said Cheeks.

The company is using remote technology, in many cases, to provide that support.

“Our technologies are complicated and require support, and we’ve been able to support a number of physicians with remote, live-case support while they are doing procedure,” he said. “We are leveraging IPads and other technologies to provide that support. It’s been a learning experience for us.

While it’s not the way we have done business in the past, we are still being able to provide value and help to these patients that are in critical need of care.”

The company has also been making free webinars available to customers. A recent webinar featured a demonstration of the use of the company’s AngioVac Generation 3 system for a

complicated heart procedures.

Although some members of the clinical team are still working with doctors, the company’s sales force has been grounded. They are using the downtime to focus on training.

“As unfortunate as it is, it’s a good opportunity for our sales team to sharpen their skills. Our goal is to come out of this better than when we entered,” said Cheeks. “This is without question a stressful time for everybody. Our employees and their commitment and dedication to the mission has been unwavering and has allowed us to transition well.”

Because they are deemed an essential business, AngioDynamics has not had to furlough any employees. There are more than 500 local employees working at the company headquarters in Latham and the operation and distribution facilities in Queensbury and Glens Falls.

Despite the pandemic, the company’s medical devices continue to be needed for surgeries and procedures that are deemed essential, the company said.

“Our office employees are working remotely,” said Cheeks. “Our devices that healthcare professionals rely on to provide care are continuing to be manufactured and delivered by our team that continues to work in Glens Falls and Queensbury.

They are producing and shipping those devices and they truly understand the importance of that work.

Patients are still in need, and that need for care doesn’t go away. Everyone at Angio understands that and is delivering on those promises and our mission.”

According to Cheeks, the financial impact of the pandemic remains unclear.

“We are starting to see some facilities open up again, and it’s something we are watching closely,” he said. “Our priority is on the safety of our team and respecting the safety of our healthcare providers.”

As hospitals begin to resume elective surgeries, Cheeks said AngioDynamics will work with each one on a case-by-case basis.

If anything good comes from the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth will fall into that category, Hudson Headwaters Health Network Chief Medical Informatics Officer Dr. Kevin Gallagher said.

“I think this is an exciting time in health care and a really great opportunity for us to redesign our care delivery,” he said in an interview about the organization’s telehealth program, which expanded rapidly to accommodate COVID-19 concerns and social distancing guidelines.

“I think we’re just at the tip of the iceberg with how we can get creative with this.”

Hudson Headwaters Community Relations Manager Jane Hooper said the network was planning to introduce telehealth this year over a number of months, but the pandemic dramatically upped that timeline.

Gallagher joined Hudson Headwaters March 2, and just days later telehealth became the main focus of his work as the organization had to start addressing how to minimize COVID-19 exposure for patients and providers.

He and other network leaders started meeting in the main conference room and mapping out how to deploy virtual visits.

They discussed information as it came, including regulation changes that made different platforms more accessible and certain services billable.

Officials said the group created and tested out the virtual appointment process, and made sure they understood the documentation requirements and that staff knew how to support the program.

For example, front office staff needed to learn how to talk patients through the process of downloading apps for the telehealth appointments in case they were not familiar with those programs, and nurses and providers had to know how to interact with patients via telehealth.

Within a matter of weeks, the program was up and running across all of the network’s 19 community health centers, with behavioral health providers, social workers, primary care doctors, pediatricians and obstetrician/ gynecologists doing virtual visits, Gallagher said.

Hudson Headwaters providers currently conduct telehealth appointments to monitor patients with well-controlled high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, and to do adult medication checks and follow-up visits.

“You really can do a lot of chronic disease management, medication adjustments and some acute issues can be handled as well,” Gallagher said.

Hooper said patients who have video appointments are sent emails with links to Zoom meetings. At the appointed time, they log in and a nurse or medical assistant checks them in before the physician comes in for the meeting.

“It’s super convenient; nobody needs to leave their homes,” Hooper said.

Both Hooper and Gallagher emphasized that people should access care if they need it.

“One of the biggest things we don’t want to have happen is for people to delay care because they’re afraid to leave the house or that they’re going to get sick if they do, and then have something catastrophic happen with their chronic disease,” Gallagher said.

Telehealth visits present an alternative to in-person visits, Hooper said, adding that the organization is taking precautions at its health centers, including the use of masks and the institution of barriers that block staff off from patients.

Certain components of an examination, like taking vital signs, are limited by video visits, Gallagher said. But skin or musculoskeletal issues are still diagnoseable via video.

“We can see where they’re having a problem, you can guide them on some certain diagnostic maneuvers,” Gallagher said.

Hudson Headwaters emphasized that providers should use good clinical judgment as the outcome of a video appointment might still be an in-person visit, what they now refer to as “brick and mortar” medicine.

“There’s still a ton of value in doing a video visit if it leads to an in-person visit or if you direct someone to an urgent care center because they need a different level of evaluation,” Gallagher said.

He said patients have responded positively to the program and specifically mentioned essential workers who have been able to do their appointments during a break at work rather than losing half a day to see their providers.

Patients at all the Hudson Headwaters health centers are now able to selfschedule video appointments through the organization’s website. Staff monitors the “reason for visit” field to make sure that a video visit is appropriate for patients’ needs.

Additionally, the website includes guidance on what conditions would be appropriate for a telehealth visit versus an office visit.

Beyond COVID-19, telehealth could present opportunities to connect younger people to primary care through the technology they constantly use and help overcome barriers to care, such as transportation access or poor weather, Hooper said.

She added that college students who are away from home and snowbirds could make use of virtual visits to go over medications or check their blood pressure.

“I think this has opened up a new way of delivering health care that I think is going to change the way we do it forever,” Gallagher said. “I think that’s a good thing.”

10 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Construction

NYS Builders Association Asks Gov. Cuomo Stewart’s Shops Plans To Build Shops Are On To Start Now, Not Take Phased-In Approach Hold, But Company Will Open New Ones The New York State Builders Association has gone on record to ask the state to allow construction to resume right away— statewide—rather than wait for the proposed phased approach by region that the governor has outlined.

Lewis Dubuque, association executive vice president, said in a May 4 statement that homebuilders “have a limited time-frame based on the weather to undertake construction of residential housing. It is critical for the building industry to get back to work to capture as much of the remaining construction season as possible,” according to the statement.

“Residential construction companies that reside in areas that border other states further risk losing valuable subcontractors who may search for employment in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and Ohio where construction is currently ramping up,” he said.

In late April, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo outlined a phased plan to re-open New York and re-imagine a new normal for the state starting with construction and manufacturing.

He said the plan will be based on regional analysis and determinations. Based on CDC recommendations, once a region experiences a 14-day decline in the hospitalization rate they may begin a phased reopening.

Phase one will include opening construction and manufacturing functions with low risk.

But few details have yet to be released.

Cuomo said the phased reopening would be based on individual business and industry plans that include new measures to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. The state is consulting with local leaders in each region and industry to

formulate these plans.

“Gov. Cuomo has indicated the importance of a regional approach to restarting New York economy. Unfortunately for New Yorkers, market-rate residential construction is currently considered an essential industry in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Delaware, but not here in New York,” Dubuque said.

“Further, New Jersey and Vermont are allowing projects that are currently under contract to be completed with a maximum of five employees on the job site, and Pennsylvania is allowing construction projects to resume with four people on a job site.

He said the current essential business construct does not have to be changed in any way to accommodate residential construction.

Building code officials, material suppliers and local government officials are already considered essential.

“It is not too much to ask for New York to allow residential construction companies to resume working on projects that were already in place before New York shut down businesses on March 22.” Dubuque said. “Home builders are ready and able to respond to Gov. Cuomo’s challenge to ‘re-imagine the workplace.’ We are currently working diligently at this difficult time to provide innovative ways to respond to this crisis by continuing to provide employment and shelter for New York state’s residents.”

According to Dubuque, “the residential construction work environment is uniquely situated to effectively limit the spread of coronavirus to the public and protect workers at the job site with safety protocols. That is why every other state has already allowed marketrate residential construction to resume. We believe that New York should, as well.”

During the shutdown caused by the coronavirus, Stewart’s Shops has had to scale back on building new stores, cutting the 2020 construction budget by 40 percent.

BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH With New York state’s businesses “on pause,” many construction projects came to a complete halt. Stewart’s Shops are feeling the effects and have had to freeze several projects in the works.

While the company reports they are still able to open new stores, they have had to scale back on their construction budget, according to Erica Komoroske, public relations specialist for the company.

“We have had to delay nearly 12 projects and we’ve cut our 2020 construction budget by 40 percent. At this point, we are four to six weeks behind schedule,” said Komoroske.

Komoroske said they have not been able to get the approvals needed in a timely manner, with many municipality offices being closed. This has not only set them back on their time line for beginning projects, but it has also stopped projects already in process.

The state may soon be relaxing its call for stopping construction projects, but municipal approvals are another matter.

“We have experienced delays in getting town planning approvals and building permits. Because concrete and blacktop plants have been closed,

our projects have been delayed even further,” Komoroske.

Despite the setbacks, the company has plans to open three new locations, including one in Glens Falls.

“We are happy to say that our Ridge Street shop in Glens Falls will be open at the end of May. We will open a brand new shop in New Windsor in early June and our new shop in Port Henry will likely open in late July,” said Komoroske.

Stewart’s is also planning to go ahead with plans for an excavation of a 60,000 square foot expansion of a warehouse, dairy, and bottling plant in Greenfield. The project is planned to begin in early June, tripling the size of their commercial kitchen, with additional cooler and dry good storage space, according to Komoroske. The company is managing to continue to plan what they can within the current restraints set by the Governor’s office.

“The delays have certainly impeded our aggressive construction schedule, but we are slowly getting back into more of a construction groove with restrictions being lifted and look forward to offering the communities we serve new and expanded Stewart’s Shops,” said Komoroske.

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GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 11

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SPECIAL SECTION

Education/Training/Personal Development P-Tech Program Offered Through BOCES Business Consultant Sees Need For Examining Helps Address Local Skilled Labor Shortages How Companies Will Look Post-Pandemic

BY CHRISTINE GRAF New York State P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programs have been designed to address critical skilled labor shortages that are impacting manufacturing and technology companies throughout the state.

Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative (WSWHE BOCES) was the first to offer the program locally. It is called Southern Adirondack P-TECH. “We were one of the first 16 cohorts (partnerships) in New York state to receive a seven-year grant to create the program. We received the grant in 2013, and that was a planning year for us. Our first cohort of students started in 2014 and are graduating this year,” said Kim Wegner, lead coordinator for Innovative Programs at WSHWHE BOCES. “There wasn’t a lot of guidance. It was a thought and idea based off a program that launched in 2009 at a school in Brooklyn. (The state) decided they wanted to expand program across state. There were some guidelines, but we built the program as we moved through it. Where we are today is not where we were six or seven years ago.”

Each of the New York State P-TECH partnerships features a three-way alliance that includes local school districts, local businesses, and one or more SUNY or CUNY educational institution.

Southern Adirondack P-TECH partners with SUNY Adirondack and local businesses and school districts. The program is currently offered to students at Saratoga Springs, Queensbury, Hudson Falls, South Glens Falls, Corinth, and HadleyLuzerne school districts.

P-TECH is a six-year program that offers an integrated high school and college curriculum with a heavy emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Students who complete the program receive a Regent’s diploma, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, and industry-specific credentials. The program is offered at no cost to students.

“There is no cost for anything right now,” said Wegner. “Their textbooks are paid for, a laptop is issued to them in junior year, and their college tuition paid as long as they stay within degree program.”

There are two degree programs—called pathways—for students to choose from. The advanced manufacturing pathway leads to an AAS in either electrical technology or mechatronics.

The information technology/computer networking pathway results in an AAS in either networking or cybersecurity. Students choose their pathway when they are juniors in high school. It is not until they are seniors that they choose from the two degrees options within their selected pathway.

The P-TECH application process begins when students are in 8th grade. Those who are accepted into the program officially begin the program in 9th grade but are required to attend a one-week one summer STEM camp after completing 8th grade. During 9th and 10th grade, P-TECH students remain at their home schools but are required to complete 25 hours of bridge activities.

“These are basically extended learning opportunities that mostly take place after school or on Saturday,” said Wegner. “They all project based off of two pathways. The bridge activities were designed to prepare students for college classes they will take in years three and four of the program. The curriculum was developed for them to learn skills

Expert electrical service.

they would need before they started taking college courses.”

During their junior and senior years of high school, P-TECH students spend half of the school day at SUNY Adirondack’s Saratoga or Queensbury campus. While on campus, they take college classes taught by SUNY Adirondack professor. They also receive lab instruction from BOCES instructors.

“We built labs on campuses for the career and technical education part of the program,” said Wegner. “The IT lab has routers and switches and cables. The advanced manufacturing lab has 3D printers, lathes, thermoforming machines. They get to practice on all of the technology in the lab so that if they go out on a job shadow or an internship, they have seen all of that before.”

Students also have opportunities to complete internships with some of the many local companies that are part of the Southern Adirondack P-TECH partnership. For example, Wegner mentioned a student who did an internship at Praxis Technologies, a metal injecting molding company located in Queensbury. The student is now working at Praxis part-time and has been offered a job upon graduation.

“Our industry partners also give students challenges to work on. They give them a problem to solve. Those types of industry challenges have been invaluable,” said Wegner.

This year’s 8th grade P-TECH recruitment was in full swing when the COVID-19 pandemic brought things to a halt. As part of their extensive marketing campaign, program representatives conduct information sessions at local schools as well as at SUNY Adirondack. Because those efforts have been temporarily suspended, this year’s application deadline has been extended to May 30.

“It’s up to districts to decide how they recruit and who they offer the spots to. We provide guidelines of who the target students are for this program.

If you look at the P-TECH model that it is put out by the state, they are looking for socioeconomic disadvantage, first familial college, minorities, academic difficulties—things like that,” said Wegner.

“We are targeting that forgotten middle—that kid with the 80 average. That kid that if they were engaged—if they found a passion for one of these technologies field--that it would ignite a fire in them and that they would want to be in school and do better. We’ve seen it happen multiple times.”

Although the program is in the last year of its seven-year, $2.3 million grant cycle, Wegner said they have been promised funding for the 2020-2021 school year.

“We got informed by the governor—pre COVID—that all Cohort 1 schools were going to receive the same amount of funding for 2020-2021 as they did in 2019-2020. We are expecting to get funding again next year,” she said.

When asked about the success of the program, Wegner said, “We had two students from Hudson Falls who really transformed their lives. Had it not been for this program, they might not have gone to college. They are graduating with their associate’s degrees and they are employed. Any time you have that, it’s a success. We are getting better every year at making sure that we are getting the right students in the program and better at the development of the program.”

For more information, email: kwegner@ wswheboces.org or visit www.sadkptech.org.

518.389.7411 MrElectric.com/Queensbury Locally Owned and Operated Franchise

BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Brian Rollo, a leadership coach and cultural business strategist, is re-examining his business model in response to the business climate caused

by COVID-19 and challenges employers will face.

“I’m always thinking, ‘What is three steps from now? How is this going to change business for me, and for the people I help?’ There are three key things businesses will need to think about as we move into a new normal,” said Rollo, who does business as Brian Rollo Consulting.

“First, in what way do we bring people back into the office now that we’ve built the infrastructure for them to work remotely. How many and who?

Or is it more efficient to allow people to work from home? Do we build a hybrid workforce?” said Rollo.

“Second, there’s going to be real conversations going forward on social distancing and wearing masks. If everyone is back at work, how do we navigate some staff feeling comfortable attending closely-packed meetings when others don’t? What does that look like? What if some people are more comfortable wearing a mask while others are not, and will that become its own source of unintentional bias?”

“Third, businesses will need to think about sick day policies. In the past, most companies had a set amount of sick days or PTO. If you used up those days, you better be at work whether you’re healthy or not. And if you use PTO, you’re giving up a vacation day. So the unconscious prompt is to come to work sick, even contagious. There’s going to be real liability ahead if your policies encourage employees to come to work sick and it causes someone else to catch COVID-19.”

Rollo spent many years in corporate senior management and HR, managing employees both in-person and remotely.

“From my time on the front lines, in HR and in senior management, I’m trained to see both sides—the employee and the employer.

I understand how leadership needs to reduce liability while also keeping people coming to work so they can do what they’re supposed to do. There are two sides to the issue, and companies will need to balance them both. It’s helpful to have a consultant who thinks about these things all the time,” said Rollo.

Rollo said he started to transition his professional services implementation in March, when businesses began closing both voluntarily and by mandate.

“I had to pivot, like many of us. I had in-person engagements that were suddenly canceled. I had business that evaporated overnight. I’ve had to think about what companies need now that they didn’t need before, and about what they don’t need now that they needed previously,” said Rollo.

Brian Rollo helps businesses through his company Brian Rollo Consulting.

During the shutdown, Rollo has presented customizable, interactive live webinars on managing remote employees and virtual teams.

One of his popular webinars, “Advancing Your Workplace Culture In Challenging Times”, focuses on how businesses can move forward and keep employees engaged during a crisis.

“Webinars implemented for a company are highly customizable to the business. I meet with the leadership team ahead of time to see exactly what they want to get out of it and do my best to make it collaborative so we all arrive at the intended results,” said Rollo.

“If I have 40 people in a virtual room, I can put them out into breakout groups of three or four people for small group discussion. It’s almost easier than if they were sitting in the same room physically,” said Rollo.

Though interactive webinars have been the most tactically relevant transition for Rollo during the shutdown, his main business focus is organizational development consulting, executive coaching and leadership development.

“The focus is on helping leaders adapt to this new normal, and adapt to what people need from them. Oftentimes that is different than what they needed before,” said Rollo.

“Going forward, I want them to know I am there to help them tackle these problems head on.

There is a lot of uncertainty businesses have right now. Many feel like they’re in a bubble because they’re trying to solve problems on their own,” said Rollo.

12 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH Stock Name

Closing Price 4/3/2020

Closing Price 4/9/2020

Closing Price 4/17/2020

Closing Price 4/24/2020

Closing Price 5/1/2019

Albany Int’l 42.13 47.81 48.00 46.60 51.14 Arrow 23.95 28.77 26.35 26.11 28.50 AT & T 27.46 30.73 31.23 29.71 29.90 Ball 62.17 69.94 70.20 65.27 65.61 Ballston Spa National Bank 47.00 48.00 48.00 48.00 48.00 Bank of America 20.03 24.86 23.28 22.18 23.08 Best Buy 53.48 65.99 70.40 71.88 72.26 Citizens Bank 16.94 22.11 19.52 20.24 21.42 Espey 17.45 18.40 18.70 18.51 19.01 General Electric 6.73 7.14 6.84 6.26 6.50 Hilton 55.94 68.45 75.62 71.37 72.03 Home Depot 178.70 201.53 209.42 212.18 218.57 Int’l Paper 29.37 34.17 31.85 31.13 33.91 Key Corp 9.07 12.01 10.81 10.90 11.07 Lowe’s 82.20 95.31 198.87 98.75 104.46 Martin Marietta 169.51 208.19 198.87 177.35 186.59 M&T Bank 91.67 114.75 105.48 105.06 107.20 McDonald’s 160.33 183.70 186.10 184.02 182.66 National Grid 51.22 56.50 56.96 58.13 57.36 NBT Bancorp Inc. 32.27 34.97 31.71 31.21 31.81 Plug Power 3.35 3.82 4.52 4.40 3.92 Quad Graphics 2.09 3.01 2.56 2.64 3.37 Starbucks 63.05 73.88 77.10 75.58 73.79 Sysco 39.50 49.59 50.31 53.08 52.76 Target 92.57 104.20 113.42 107.82 108.23 The TorontoDominion Bank 39.44 43.07 40.54 38.90 40.56 Trans World 3.29 3.75 4.24 4.11 4.37 Trustco Bank 4.92 5.86 5.37 5.49 6.18 Verizon 54.70 57.44 58.46 57.93 56.83 Walmart 119.48 121.80 132.12 129.44 122.92 This list of quotations is provided through the courtesy of Robert M. Schermerhorn, CFP®, Saratoga Financial Services, Securities offered through LPL Financial /Member FINRA & SIPC, located in Saratoga Springs, NY. www.SaratogaRetire.com

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Warren County Local Development Corp.

Loan Program Helps Small Businesses The Warren County Local Development Corp. has created a loan program to help small businesses recover from economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of $200,000 has been allocated for loans of up to $15,000 each with a 4 percent interest rate. Repayment of a loan must be within four years, with loan payments deferred for the first two months, officials said. There is no prepayment penalty.

To be eligible: • Applicants must be either sole proprietors, independent contractors, self-employed, or an LLC operating within Warren County. They cannot previously have received Payroll Protection Plan or other loans.

• Businesses must have 20 or fewer full/part time employees.

• Loans may be used for working capital, payroll, rent, utilities, mortgage and monthly expenses.

• They must have been in business for at least two years.

There is no application cost, though a closing fee of up to $125 may be required.

Officials said the money can be used for working capital, payroll, pay roll, rent, utilities, mortgage and monthly expenses.

It cannot be used for paying off existing debt, refinancing other loans, acquiring a position in a business, purchasing real property, buying personal equipment, investments, expansion of a business or personal expenses.

The loans can be for up to $15,000, though the board reserves the right under special conditions to undertake small variations to that amount. Loan payments (principal and Interest) will be deferred for first two months Fort more information contact Ed Bartholomew EDC Warren County, at ebartholomew@edcwc.org or at 518-761-6007.

Federal Reserve Expands $600 Billion Business Loan Program; 4-Year Terms Offered The Federal Reserve has expanded its $600 billion Main Street Lending Program to serve much smaller businesses.

The move comes after the Federal Reserve accepted more than 2,200 comments about the proposed lending program from people, businesses and nonprofits. The Fed has yet to set a start date, saying that will be “announced soon.”

The minimum loan amount under the program will now be $500,000 for new loans and priority loans, down from the originally proposed $1 million, opening up the program to smaller businesses. The “expanded” loan type will be a minimum of $10 million, designed for larger businesses.

The ceiling for loans will also be raised to companies with up to 15,000 employees or up to $5 billion in annual revenue, compared with original thresholds of 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in revenue when the program was first announced. That means much larger companies will now qualify for the program.

There will be a new type of “priority loan” in which the Federal Reserve will buy 85 percent of the loan made by a bank, as opposed to the 95 percent the Fed will buy through its Main Street New Loan Facility and Main Street Expanded Loan Facility, announced earlier this month.

All the loans will be for four-year terms with an adjustable rate of the London Interbank Offered Rate, or Libor, plus 3 percent,which means a range of around 2.5 percent to 4 percent, with interest and payments deferred for a year.

Companies that have received funding from the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program can still be eligible for Main

Street funding provided they meet the latter program’s criteria.

For qualifying businesses, the process is the same as with the PPP: Go through partner banks to either take out new Main Street loans or receive boosts to existing loans. The businesses must “commit to make reasonable efforts” to maintain staffs and payroll.

The Main Street Lending Program is funded by $75 billion from the $2.3 trillion CARES Act and is part of a larger $454 billion in CARES Act funding earmarked for the Fed to help backstop programs meant to help businesses. The money bolsters the Fed’s ability to add credit to the existing monetary system, thus increasing the overall amount of dollars available to lend and fuels a slate of new programs meant to combat the economic damage caused by COVID-19 and social distancing measures put in place in recent weeks.

The other Federal Reserve programs include a loan facility for the PPP to allow banks to lend more to their customers by using existing loans as collateral for fresh money, as well as a new Municipal Liquidity Facility that will buy up to $500 billion in state and local government debt to allow them to continue to borrow at reasonable rates and avoid drastic cuts in services and jobs.

The changes also come as hundreds of thousands of small businesses rush to claim a portion of the hundreds of billions of dollars set aside for the second round of the SBA’s PPP, a forgivable loan in which most of the proceeds must go to payroll expenses. That money is expected to be fully authorized in the next few days, officials said.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 13

•

Business Briefs

The Salvation Army of Greater Glens Falls and the Tri-County United Way conducted a drive-thru food pantry on May 7 the Washington County Fair Grounds.

Statistics provided by the Salvation Army include: • 1784 people served in 397 vehicles, representing 517 households, 946 adults, 550 children and 288 senior citizens.

• 37,000 pounds of food was donated by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY • 600 gallons of milk was donated Battenkill Valley Creamery.

• 4600 boxes of tissues were donated by Irving & Scotties.

• Thousands of masks were distributed by SAIL (Southern Adirondack Independent Living).

• Two forklifts and drivers were donated Rojcewicz Trucking.

It was accomplished by 214 volunteers from the public and 12 agencies who served a combined 974 hours.

• •

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo extended the state’s moratorium on COVID-related residential or commercial evictions through Aug. 20.

The governor also announced the state is banning late payments or fees for missed rent payments during the eviction moratorium, and allowing renters facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to use their security deposit as payment and repay their security deposit over time.

“During these incredibly difficult and stressful times we must protect New Yorkers who are facing financial hardships due to COVID-19,” he said. “The majority of people in the state live paycheck to paycheck, and all of a sudden the paychecks have stopped for these individuals but the rent bill keeps coming in. In March we issued a moratorium on all residential and commercial evictions, and we are going to extend that moratorium to provide some relief to those New Yorkers who are struggling.”

Pioneer Bank’s Purchase Of Insurance Group Terminated During COVID-19 Unrest

BY CHRISTINE GRAF After two years of negotiations, the agreement which would have allowed Pioneer Bank to purchase Jaeger & Flynn for $12.75 million has been terminated.

With more than 85 employees working in offices in Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and Glens Falls, Jaeger & Flynn is the third largest health insurance broker in the region.

They also offer human resources consulting and a variety of other services.

According to Pioneer Bank CEO Tom Amell, it was Jaeger & Flynn President and CEO Thomas Flynn who ultimately made the decision to terminate the agreement.

“His reasoning for it made good business sense,” said Amell. “The decision was made primarily because of COVID-19 unrest. It happened at a time when there was an out clause in the contract. We were so close to getting final touches on it, and then the world changed on us. We mutually agreed to take a deep breath, step back, and make sure our underlying business are strong.”

Although the agreement has been terminated, Amell is hopeful that Pioneer Bank will be able to move forward with the acquisition at a later date.

“We hope to revisit this by the end of the year when people get back to work and our economy strengthen—when the world goes back to normal again,” he said. “We have a great relationship, and it’s a perfect strategic fit for the two companies. The clients that

they attract are in our sweet spot—middle market businesses that are local companies.

We were already referring clients back and forth.”

The acquisition would have been Pioneer’s largest to date. In 2016, they acquired Anchor Agency Insurance, a personal and commercial insurance company with 25 employees.

“As a community bank, we don’t want to just be transactional,” said Amell. “We want to build relationships, and that’s important to them (Jaeger & Flynn). We want to be in a relationship business where we help our clients with things like health insurance, wellness programs and consultation on HRrelated topics. That’s what small businesses need. I firmly believe that the pain points for business owners are in that space. We want to be that company that really helps them.”

In addition to putting a halt to the acquisition, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Pioneer Bank’s daily operations.

Their branches are open for drive through banking, and many employees are working from home. They are an approved lender for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program and received over 400 applications for the initial $349 billion that was made available.

Applications are now being processed for the additional $310 billion in funding was added on April 27. “It’s been a 24/7 effort,” said Amell.

Personnel Briefs

Three longtime community leaders have joined the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation board of trustees.

Dr. Jordan Blackwood, Terry Celadon, RN, and Michael Mihaly, AFIM, are the new members.

Blackwood is a board-certified cardiovascular disease specialist at Glens Falls Hospital’s Adirondack Cardiology in Queensbury. He has overseen the congestive heart failure clinic, while also serving as director of cardiovascular rehabilitation. He previously served at Danbury (Connecticut) Hospital and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. He earned his undergraduate and medical training at Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine, respectively.

Celadon, of Queensbury, assistant director at the Joyce Stock Snuggery, is an area native who has had a decades-long relationship with Glens Falls Hospital. She began her career as a graduate nurse and over nearly 20 years, advanced to staff and leadership roles at what would later be known as the Joyce Stock Snuggery.

Mihaly, is vice president/investment department manager for Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. He is also president of North Country Investment Advisers, Inc. He brings two decades of experience in the investment industry to the board, as well as several years of community volunteering, through the Wellspring DVRC in Saratoga Springs and the Children’s Museum in Saratoga Springs.

Also new in 2020 is the appointment of Katherine Herlihy Schwenker as the chair of the board of trustees, Andrew Brodie as vice chair, and Marc Monahan as secretary.

* * *

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced May 8. that SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras will chair the state’s new Reimagine Education Advisory Council to assist schools and colleges in adopting technological innovations to reopen safely in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUNY Empire Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Meg Benke will also serve on the council as an expert in higher education, particularly online and distance learning.

The 19 members of the task force will consider how to utilize technology to provide more opportunities to students, how schools can share educational resources, how technology can reduce inequities, and better meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Malatras has served on the state’s COVID-19 Task Force for the past two months.

Benke is a leader in adult learning and emerging technologies, and previously served as SUNY Empire’s dean of the Center for Distance Learning from 1995 through a period of high growth and experimentation in online learning programs.

SUNY Empire State College led the country in the development of fully online degree programs, with the first online courses launched in 1995, and in the provision of comprehensive virtual student services.

She was inducted into the International Continued On Page 16

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Americade Postponed Continued From Page 1

region’s economy. Our great family resort has the ability to host a wide variety of events successfully and cooperatively. We look forward to working with Americade and blending them into our busy season.”

Sen. Betty Little said Americade “is a tradition that motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country look forward to each and every year.

Canceling the event not only would be a major disappointment, it would be a big financial loss for the region. It is great news that Americade will happen, though a little later in the summer, but no doubt with the same enthusiasm and at a time critical for the recovery of many of our small businesses.”

Lake George Town Supervisor Dennis Dickinson said the decision was “very good news for Lake George. So many of our small businesses depend on Americade and so many Americaders love coming back to Lake George. Maintaining the continuity of this event is important to everyone.’’

Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the local community of small, family-owned businesses are appreciative of Americade’s

continued support.

“Americaders can count on the warm welcome they’ve come to expect and Lake George’s trademark hospitality, delivered gratefully, cheerfully and at a safe distance,” she said.

“Tourism sales tax revenue is vital to Warren County’s ability to deliver essential services to our people, and Americade is vital to tourism.

We are grateful to Americade’s organizers for their commitment to working with us to ensure the event can be conducted in a safe manner in this very challenging year,” said Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino, chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors Tourism Committee.

Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce President Michael Bittel said holding Americade 2020 in July will be a “testament to our resilience as a community and an expression of confidence that better days are ahead. Hospitality is what we do here. People are counting on us. We will do this safely and we will do this well.’’

Dutcher said he hopes a “full-throttle” Americade will be possible again in the Summer of 2021.

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Rachel Dutra, owner of Rachel’s Café and Spice Co. , holds her popular cinnamon rolls that are among the offerings people can pickup at the Glens Falls establishment.

BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Rachel Dutra, owner of Rachel’s Café and Spice Co., has shifted her business model to keep her business open during the COVID-19 crisis.

Many other restaurants in the region have done the same.

The café continues to operate, offering full meals, soup, baked goods and an ala cart menu.

“We did a lot of brainstorming on how to stay relevant. Since people were at home, we focused on things people would be eating at home. I started with quarts of soup that were fresh, freezable and re-heatable. I had no idea what I was about to unleash on myself,” she said.

“The response was phenomenal. People buy 12 or 14 quarts of soup. They keep some and gift some. We produce over 50 gallons of soup a week right now,” said Dutra.

The cafe, at 240 Warren St., Glens Falls, also offers “take and bake” meals.

“It’s something people can take and finish at home. The meal is prepared in the restaurant and is almost complete upon pickup,” said Dutra.

Dutra offers extra-large cinnamon rolls that routinely sell out due to their popularity.

She recommended pre-ordering to make sure enough are available.

“We never once considered closing. It didn’t seem right. I felt that if I closed, I would only be contributing to the hysteria I was seeing. There has to be some kind of normalcy to life. My husband and I are running the restaurant, and my employees have been amazing,” said Dutra.

“The community effort that circled around our area is amazing. We see people taking care of each other—taking care of their neighbors, their local businesses. It’s because of our community that we’re here. I’m so appreciative that everyone is willing to support their local businesses as much as they have. It was well worth the stress, the mystery and the unknown of the shutdown,” said Dutra.

Radici Kitchen & Bar at 26 Ridge St. in Glens Falls first opened their doors earlier this year, just weeks before the shutdown. Brian Bowden, co-owner, is offering ala cart as well as family meals for 2, 4 and 6 people. Curbside pick up is available 4:30 - 6:30 with orders placed before 5:30.

“You gotta be resourceful and flexible right now. Since the beginning, we stayed open and kept a finger on the pulse of what was going,

Andrea Harwood Palmer

and what our guests wanted. Everyone’s been receptive,” said Bowden.

“I’d like to see things get going in the region again sooner rather than later, even if it’s in a diminished capacity. We’ve got a long road ahead of us and the sooner we start the recovery process, the more comfortable people will feel over time,” said Bowden.

The restaurant is currently hiring, as some of the furloughed employees did not feel comfortable returning to work.

“We’re really grateful for the support we’ve received so far. We’ve currently been open for takeout longer than we were open for dine-in.

We’re being adaptive, we’re open to change, we’re anticipating our guests’ needs and wants,” said Bowden.

Adirondack Pub & Brewery, at 33 Canada St., Lake George, continues to operate the beverage side of the business and is now making hand and surface sanitizer, as other craft breweries have chosen to do in order to help during the COVID-19 pandemic and also slay afloat business-wise.

John Carr, owner of the Adirondack Pub & Brewery, also owns High Peaks Distillery the next block over and several other businesses and properties in Lake George and Glens Falls.

“I’ve got a lot of great, hard-working employees who wanted to get to work. They didn’t want to sit around at home. My team is busy brewing beer, distilling whiskey and making hand sanitizer,” said Carr.

The pub has a to-go tent open at High Peaks Distillery, 1 Canada St., Lake George, Friday through Sunday afternoons. Fresh beer, cider, craft soda and whiskey is available.

Adirondack Pub has partnered with the New York State Distillers Association on production and distribution of hand and surface sanitizer nationwide. It can be purchased by pre-order and can be picked up or delivered directly to customers’ homes.

“We’re preparing for when we’re able to reopen. We have tons of fresh air and large outdoor seating areas. We can safely manage customers and staff, and keep everyone safe,” said Carr.

“In our region, the politicians and the business owners have certainly been doing a great job working together for a common goal,” said Carr.

GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020 • 15

Tourism Hit With Challenges Continued From Page 1

during track season.

“We certainly hope that is not the case as that is the demand driver in the market for everyone,” said Tuohy. “This hotel long term is solvent and will be financially viable. I worry about small businesses—not just hotels—but all of the small businesses that rely on track to drive their revenues.”

“We’re in constant contact with those folks. We also have the Holiday Inn brand behind us, and they are constantly giving us information and updates. It’s changing by the minute,” Tuohy said during the first week of May. “There’s a lot to digest right now. Clearly the business model is going to change quite a bit. We aren’t going to run the way we always have even when we get back to the new normal.”

“We are listening carefully to the governors guidance as well guidance from the New York State Gaming Commission,” said Saratoga Casino Hotel’s Brannigan. “We are developing a plan that will focus on the safety of our guests, team members, and the community. When they say it’s okay, we want to be ready to open the doors as soon as possible ... We are cautiously optimistic, but we don’t think it’s going to be in May, but would love to see it in June.”

Brannigan said the Saratoga Casino Hotel hopes to resume harness track racing as soon as possible.

She expects it will initially take place just a few days a week without spectators. They also plan to resume weddings at The Lodge at Saratoga Casino Hotel as soon as the state allows.

“We are guarded about how this is going to transpire as a season, but I think that we’re going to be the fortunate ones because of the radius we are from New York City, and Boston, and New Jersey,” Dunham Bay’s Taormino said. “I think we have that unique environment where people will be able to come and feel a little safer than normal.”

Taormino said industry experts are advising hotels to expect an occupancy rate of 15-30 percent during the month they re-open. Staff efforts are on cleaning, “going into the room, spraying it down, stepping out of the room, going back in, cleaning it, and wiping every single thing down one more time before we exit.”

Dunham’s Bay Resort has received cancellations as well as new bookings for the summer tourism season. Eighty percent of the people who had rooms booked for Americade in early June rescheduled their bookings to the new July 21-25 dates. “I feel very positive about that,” he said. “I also feel positive about moving forward. I lived on Long Island during 9/11, and we got through that and came out on the other side. We will endure this.”

“We might be wearing masks for the next year. No one knows,” Mintzer said. “Everybody

is thinking about how to revamp traffic flow. For example, how does Natural Stone Bridges and Caves come up with a way to make their trails one-way in and one-way out? How will Six Flags be lining people up from ticketing to getting on a ride?

These are the conversations that are happening.

There are just so many unknowns related to mass gatherings.”

According to Tanya Tobias-Tomis, executive director of Lake George Arts Project, she remains hopeful that the Jazz on the Lake weekend will take place on Sept. 19-20 outdoors in Shepard Park. It is the nonprofit’s largest event. Its largest fundraiser, Bands and Beans, scheduled for the end of March, was canceled.

The organization’s operating annual budget is just under $200,000. In addition to receiving income from fundraisers and contributions from local businesses, they receive revenue for the sale of art in local galleries. If galleries are not open, they will lose additional revenue. Because all of their programs and events are offered at no cost, they receive no revenue from ticket sales.

“We aren’t really quite sure what it will mean.

We will do our very best to avoid having it negatively impacting the programs we present. We aren’t interested at all in cutting salaries for artists.

That is core to our mission. We also want to offer the same quantity of programming, so we don’t want to cut programs,” she said. “We are hoping to find new avenues for support.”

Nonprofit arts organizations will require new ways to engage audiences Lake George Arts Projects hopes to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The nonprofit has also applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Disaster Injury Loan (EDIL). They did not receive a PPP loan during the initial disbursement of funds but are hopeful about the second wave.

“Right now, our resources are so limited and unpredictable,” said Tobias-Tomis. “We are cautiously optimistic and are planning as if all of our programs will take place. That being said, in the background we are also planning contingency programming as well as new programs that we could offer that may eventually become mainstays in our programming depending on how artists and the public respond to it.”

“There’s also a very real fear that we won’t be able to do the things we do best,” she said. “We are all in unchartered territory, and we are all bearing the weight of sustaining an organization when we have never had to deal with an impact this wide and coming from this many angles ... Non-profits are very good at adapting to one of those attacks at a time but have no experience with something so wide reaching. But, we will be stronger after this.”

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16 • GLENS FALLS BUSINESS JOURNAL • MAY 2020

Metrix Online Learning Helps Businesses And Those Seeking Jobs With Its Services

BY CHRISTINE GRAF Metrix Online Learning is being offered free of charge to residents and businesses in Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.

The online learning platform was developed

by Albany-based NY Wired for Education. It features more than 5,000 different courses in everything from Microsoft Office to disease prevention. The majority fall under the categories of information technology, basic business, retail service, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Classes are available online and can be accessed any time of day, any day of the week.

Subscription costs for Metrix Online Learning are paid for by the three-county consortium of one-stop career centers in Warren, Saratoga, and Washington counties. These centers are located in Glens Falls, Ballston Spa, and Fort Edward and are funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The WIOA was designed to strengthen and improve the country’s workforce.

According to Liza Ochsendorf, director of Warren County Employment & Training Administration, the consortium pays for unlimited licenses for the Metrix Online Learning program. As a result, their clients and business partners and are able to access the platform free of charge.

Registering for Metrix Online Learning is typically done in person at one of the three county career centers. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, users are now able to register virtually. Registration is not limited to career center clients. Anyone who resides in one of the three counties is eligible to use the platform free of charge.

After registering, users will receive unlimited access to all course offerings for a period of

•

six months. After that, they will need to visit one of the career centers to renew their free membership.

The list of courses is extensive. The website is sww.metrixlearning.com. Jobs in healthcare fields and clerical skills are highly featured.

“This is an opportunity for people who are unemployed or unemployed to increase their skill sets. Or, if they are looking for a career change, they can use it to assess where there strengths are in these different fields,” said Ochsendorf. “It also provides an opportunity for businesses to up-skill their employees. We have hotels that are currently using Metrix, and they are using this downtime to up-skill some of their employees on hospitality courses.”

According to Ochsendorf, the consortium has been offering free usage of Metrix for several years. They are working to make more individuals and businesses aware of its availability.

“We want to continue to expand the use of Metrix. We could even use it for recruiting,” she said. “For example, an employer could say they only wanted to interview people who scored over 80 percent on certain hospitality courses.”

She said it also possible for businesses to customize courses offerings. The opportunity for course customization is included as part of the consortium’s contract with Metrix.

“Historically, Metrix has been used for individuals,” said Ochsendorf. “Now we are pushing it out where it can be used more for organizations and businesses to up-skill their employees. The goal ultimately is that we get more businesses to use it as a pre-screening took, and we can help them with that.”

For more information, visit www.thejoblink. org.

Business Registrations • Blue Collar Property Maintenance Shawn Fleeman 27 Warren Lane Queensbury 12804

Mike Waite Woodcraft Contractors Michael Waite 74 Alpine Ave. Queensbury 12804

Zinnia Aesthetics Alisha Delzotto 375 Bay Road, Suite 104 Queensbury 12804

Insta Cleaners Jenny Thompson 5B Smokeridge Road Queensbury 12804

CMK Construction Randy Kuba 38 Pinewood Road Chestertown 12817

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

Personnel Briefs

Continued From Page 13 Distance Learning Hall of Fame for her contributions to adult and online learning, and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Achievement in Online Learning by an individual in the Online Learning Consortium (OCL) in 2007. She also served as president of OCL’s board of directors for six years. She also serves as a member of the state Regents Advisory Council.

* * * Morgan Stanley announced that Kathleen Grasmeder, managing director, portfolio management director, financial advisor in the firm’s Glens Falls and Oneonta Wealth Management offices, has been named to Forbes Magazine’s list of Top Women Wealth Advisors for 2020, listed on forbes.com.

The “Top Women Wealth Advisors” is a select group of individuals who have a minimum of seven years of industry experience. The ranking, developed by Forbes’ partner SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors and weighing factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews.

Tully Rinckey PLLC announced that Michael P. Murray has joined the firm as chief marketing officer.

He will be responsible for building and implementing innovative marketing and public relations strategies that support the firm’s growth plan, and support the attorneys across the firm’s practice areas and industry specializations.

Murray brings over 20 years of professional services marketing experience. Prior to joining Tully Rinckey, he served as the director of marketing for Whiteman Osterman & Hanna.

He also served as marketing manager for BST & Co., CPAs. He has also previously served as assistant zone marketing manager for State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. in Ballston Spa. His background includes advertising, direct marketing, web site development, social media and email marketing, business development, proposals, collateral, press releases, and database management.

Murray earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of Saint Rose, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Seton Hall University. He is a member of the Legal Marketing Association, and a current board member and director of the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany Foundation. He previously served as a board member for the American Marketing Association Capital Region Chapter.

Patriot Joseph Bernard 11 Tutthill Road Queensbury 12804

Little Rascals Family Daycare Center Kimberlee Tooker 7 Luzerne Road Queensbury 12804

Dogsrcool Christine Kerman 2657 Route 28 North Creek 12853

Dunbar Pest Control 10 East Branch Drive Queensbury 12804

Diamond Homecare Ashley Schusteritsch 24 Lady Slipper Drive Queensbury 12804 Andy Campo Graphics Andrew Camp 203 Farr Lane Queensbury 12804 Upstate Morning Glory Bakery 147 Bay St., Apt. 3 Glens Falls 12801

Unicorn’s Jewelry Box Amy Beh 561 Howe Road Lake Luzerne 12846 Rounds Fir Farm Lee Rounds 71 McGlashan Road Chestertown 12817 It’s the Icing On Top Mary Margaret Hlywa 106 Bay St. Glens Falls 12801