Saratoga Business Journal

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 1

SBJ P.O. Box 396 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

VOL. 16 NO. 11

★★ The Business Newspaper of Saratoga County ★★

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JANUARY 2012

Home Builders’ Association Recognizes Duo As Area Business Leaders Provide Perspectives On Builder Of Year And Associate Member Of Year The Saratoga County Economy Going Forward

Annemarie Mitchell (left), owner of Legacy Timber Frames, and Margie Miller, who is in sales and public relations for Curtis Lumber, were recognized by CRBRA for their industry involvement.

Stock Studios Photography

BY BARBARA BREWER LA MERE Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association (CRBRA), the local chapter of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently announced that Annemarie Mitchell, CEO and President of Legacy Timber Frames and Margie Miller, who works in sales and business development at Curtis Lumber, are the winners, respectively, of its Builder of the Year and Associate Member of the Year awards.

Annemarie Mitchell and business partner Dan Rosenberger have operated Legacy

Timber Frames since 1988. Mitchell, whose background is in design, has worked every aspect of her company, from the field to sales and design. In recent years, her efforts have focused primarily on running the shop and business. She has also contributed considerable time and volunteer effort to the local and national chapters of CRBRA. She is a charter member and current chair of the Professional Women in Building Council of Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association. She is active in CRBRA’s Green Building Group and is Continued On Page 7

BY TODD SHIMKUS, CCE Whether you think our local economy will improve or not in 2012, there’s no escaping the fact that we’re all in this together. The fact is that we are fortunate that Saratoga County’s economy is driven collectively by businesses large and small from a diverse and wide range of sectors. Saratoga County has become a global destination for tourists, talent and trade as well as remaining a place where buying local from stores and farms in our local communities is important to many of us.

Looking ahead to 2012, there are a lot of signs that would indicate that Saratoga County is heading in the right direction, including: • Saratoga County continues to have the lowest property tax rate in New York State.

• There are significant private sector led developments throughout the County at places like the Clifton Park Center Mall and Rideret Center at Railroad Place.

• The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is expanding its pre-performance activities to attract more visitors and www. spac.org recorded more than 1 million unique visitors in 2011 alone.

• The Saratoga County Chamber has partnered with CEG and the Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer County Chambers as well as with the Albany International Airport to utilize a $750,000 federal grant and $500,000 of local matching funds to attract new carriers, new direct flights and more competition to the Airport in 2012.

• GLOBALFOUNDRIES will see the first wafers run through the production line in early 2012 at Fab 8 in Saratoga County and their Admin-2 building will be ready for occupancy this year as well.

• With monies from the new VLT at Aqueduct, NYRA will be increasing purses this

Todd Shimkus, President, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy Of Saratoag County Chamber Of Commerce

summer at the Saratoga Race Course and NBC will again be broadcasting live racing in a show called “Summer At Saratoga.”

• The City of Saratoga Springs is preparing to construct a 450+ space parking deck downtown.

• The Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership has received a state grant to construct a state of the art visitor center in Schuylerville.

• National Grid is projecting that utility rates will decline in 2012.

• During 2011 in partnership with SCORE, more than 400 hours of free technical assistance was provided to hundreds of entrepreneurs and small business owners at the Chamber to help them develop business plans and to obtain financing for their operations.

• The City of Mechanicville received a Continued On Page 6

Experienced Dentist Who Took A Hiatus From The Natural Foods Store Features Selection Of ‘Localvore’ Profession Has Now Opened Smiles For Life Dentistry Products Grown Within 100 Miles Of Saratoga Springs

Following a four-year break from his profession, during which he and his family sailed the world, Dr. Marc Johnson has opened another dental practice in Saratoga Springs.

Tina Bakkalapulo has opened For Earth’s Sake, a natural foods store that carries a selection of organic foods, cosmetics and gifts.

Stock Studios Photography

BY BARBARA BREWER LA MERE When Dr. Marc Johnson, DDS, was a small child, he was extremely fearful of going to the dentist, to the point that he would hide in a closet when he was supposed to be leaving for an appointment in hopes that he just wouldn’t have to go. In spite of those fears or perhaps out of empathy for others who had such fears, he later attended dental school at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1988. He began a practice, Saratoga Smiles, in Saratoga that same year with an emphasis on helping patients with extreme fear of dentists and whose dental

issues were such that having them addressed, in some cases, truly transformed their lives in ways, says Dr. Johnson, that “seemed like magic.” Once their dental issues were addressed and their appearance, self-confidence, and health were substantially changed by their new smiles, people went from being introverts to extroverts, loners to married folks, and various other seemingly miraculous changes. Dr. Johnson has found it very gratifying to bring about such changes and to be the person that the patient trusts to bring about what Continued On Page 12

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BY BARBARA BREWER LA MERE Tina Bakkalapulo, president of For Earth’s Sake, a new natural foods store opening in early January in Suite 102 of the Camen Building at 120 West Avenue in Saratoga, says that she has always wanted to own a natural foods store, created as one she herself would like to shop in, both in terms of décor (A thickly cut slab of a tree is a counter in the store.) and products offered. Besides a wide range of natural supplements from various manufacturers, For Earth’s Sake features groceries that include numerous “localvore” foods grown and

produced within 100 miles of Saratoga, “Not,” says Bakkalapulo, “just what can be found in any health food store.” Locally produced meats and vegetables and even localvore pickles are available. For Earth’s Sake is pleased to be supporting local farmers.

The store offers a variety of gluten-free foods, bulk foods, and frozen organic options, locally sourced where possible. Baking supplies and organic soups are also carried.

All- natural make-ups can be tried at counters in the store. From the Mineral Fusion Continued On Page 13

2 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

Owners Of A Bolton Landing Shop Featuring An The Equipment Leasing And Finance Association Eclectic Mix Open Second Location In Saratoga Releases Report On Acquisition Trends For 2012

Matthew Slaughter and his mother, Kathryn, have customized the inventory in their Saratoga Springs store to fit the needs of customers in the Spa City.

BY KATIE NAVARRA Next Summer, a Bolton Landing store promoting itself as a resource for second home owners and seasonal tourists, recently opened a second location in Saratoga Springs.

Owned by Matthew Slaughter and his mother, Kathryn Slaughter, the store features a mix of products including housewares, apparel, artisan items and other products that represent what it means to be living the lake house life.

The Saratoga location features many of the same products sold at the Bolton Landing store, but with a localized twist.

“In Bolton, we sell Lake George-themed needle point belts. In the Saratoga store we have track-themed needle point belts. We also have Saratoga zip code key fobs, and a line of Crystal from Poland,” Matthew explained.

Rod Bacon Photo

The Slaughters close the Bolton Landing shop for the winter, and wanted a place for the Christmas season.

“I had been looking around for a while and knew we wanted to be on Broadway in Saratoga,” Matthew said.

On October 28, Next Summer opened at 516 Broadway. Currently, the store is operating under a four-month lease, “but has the expectation of being there year round assuming everything goes well,” Matthew noted.

Next Summer’s Saratoga location is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–7/8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

“We are excited about being down here.

So many people from Saratoga come to our Continued On Page 13

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) which represents the $628 billion equipment finance sector, today revealed its Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2012. Given that every year U.S. businesses, nonprofits and government agencies spend in excess of $1.2 trillion in capital goods or fixed business investment (including software), financing more than half of those assets, these trends impact a significant portion of the U.S. economy. Growth, uncertainty and numerous end-user benefits underlie many of the trends that businesses acquiring equipment this year can expect.

ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton said, “Equipment acquisition has played a critical role in driving the supply chains across all U.S. manufacturing and service sectors. We have distilled recent research data, including the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s 2012 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook Report, comments and articles from industry experts, and member discussions at our meetings and conferences into our best insight for the top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2012.”

ELFA issued the following Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2012 to help businesses with their strategic equipment acquisition plans: 1. New equipment acquisition will gradually, but steadily improve. The equipment finance industry is forecasting nine percent growth in investment in equipment and software for 2012, indicating that equipment acquisition by businesses in many industry sectors will increase this year.

2. Replacement needs will continue to drive new equipment acquisitions. Aging of equipment and replacement needs will be the main drivers of new equipment acquisition, as businesses await stronger signs of economic improvement before expanding their equipment investment.

3. Uncertainty over proposed changes to lease accounting will have businesses playing a waiting game. The resolution of proposed changes to lease accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) later this year will have businesses waiting to find out how their balance sheets, earnings and other financials will be affected. Meanwhile, industry advocacy will continue to mitigate the negative impacts of lease accounting changes on U.S. businesses and the economy. The good news is that the primary reasons to lease equipment will remain intact, from maintaining cash flow, to preserving capital, to obtaining flexible financial solutions, to avoiding obsolescence.

4. Used equipment prices will rebound in many, but not all, market segments. The collateral value of many categories of equipment that ‘bottomed out’ over the last few years will rebound in 2012. Car and truck values will be particularly strong, and construction equipment also will hold its value. Certain segments, such as corporate aircraft, will remain at relatively lower values.

5. Equipment finance companies will enhance customer relationship and support capabilities to build competitive advantages. End users of equipment will benefit greatly from the

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efforts of banks and captive and independent finance companies to grow. They’ll be providing specialized areas of expertise and value-added customer services that will be a win-win for both lessors and lessees.

6. Credit availability will enable equipment acquisition for eligible businesses. Last year credit approvals for the equipment finance industry remained above 75 percent. In 2012, businesses seeking financing for equipment acquisitions will often find credit approvals higher in the equipment finance industry than from bank loans.

7. Organizations seeking ways to cut costs and increase operational efficiencies will look to technology innovations. The flexibility, scalability and relative costs associated with cloud computing and shared services will begin to compete with new IT equipment purchases for many businesses.

8. The continuation of a limited bonus depreciation will allow businesses to plan for equipment upgrades or expansions. The continuation of the depreciation bonus will allow businesses to write off 50 percent of the cost on new equipment purchases in 2012. It remains to be seen whether the 100 percent bonus depreciation rate that expired at the end of 2011 will be restored.

9. Global financial pressures will continue to add uncertainty to U.S. investment in equipment. The fallout from the euro-zone crisis and other international financial instability will be a wild card in how much U.S. capital investment picks up this year.

10. Individual equipment markets will see steady growth slightly below 2011 rates. Investment in agriculture, computer and software, industrial, medical and transportation equipment will be positive, but may not match 2011 growth rates. Construction equipment investment is likely to slow in the immediate near term, but could be buoyed by the energy and housing sectors later in 2012.

Businesses that want to learn more about how they can incorporate equipment financing into their business strategies may visit www.

EquipmentFinance101.org. For forecast data regarding equipment investment and capital spending in the United States, see the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s 2012 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook Report at http://www.leasefoundation. org/IndRsrcs/EO/.

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $628 billion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its over 550 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers.

ELFA has been equipping business for success for more than 50 years. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 3

Loca Luna Bar & Grille Serves Made-Fresh-Daily Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading Programs Mexican And American Fare In Ballston Spa Beneficiaries Of The Allegiance Bowl Proceeds

Michael and Rebecca Kane, who opened the Loca Luna Bar & Grille last spring, recently brought Patrick and JoAnn Coffey into the business.

BY KATIE NAVARRA Specializing in traditional Mexican fare and a number of American favorites, restaurant owners Rebecca and Michael Kane take pride in claiming, “the only thing frozen in our restaurant is our Margaritas,” Rebecca said. Loca Luna Bar and Grille located at 388 Milton Avenue in Ballston Spa does not include freezer space in the restaurant’s kitchen. “All of our salsa, dips, entrees, etc. are made fresh every day,” Rebecca said. “All our meat is bought across the street at Sander’s Meat Market daily.”

Prior to opening Loca Luna Bar and Grille in April 2011, the Kanes owned and operated a restaurant downstate. “I grew up in Clifton Park, but lived downstate for 20 years,” she said. “My husband is from

C. Mancini, Our Towne BSpa

downstate and we decided to move back here seven years ago.” Rebecca and Michael welcomed JoAnn and Patrick Coffey into the business as partners in November 2011.

Each night at Loca Luna Bar and Grille is theme night offering a combination of fun and daily specials. “Tuesdays are kids nights and kids under 12 get to eat free,” Rebecca noted. The family friendly atmosphere allows children to dine “parent free” in the Pirates Den Lounge area.

Wednesday nights are Buffalo Wing nights featuring $0.25 wings. Thursdays are “Dead Head or Parrot Head” nights. “We are Greatful Dead and Jimmy Buffet fans.

Every other Thursday night we play concert videos of either Jimmy Buffet or Greatful Continued On Page 12

Adirondack Trust Company officers recently presented a check for $10,000 to representatives of the Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading programs.

The Allegiance Bowl Committee Inc. recently presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to the Saratoga Springs Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading programs representing the proceeds from the seventh annual Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl featuring sprint football teams from Army and Navy.

“We are extremely pleased that the community turned out to support this charity event and its beneficiary, Saratoga Springs Pop Warner football and cheerleading,” said Scott Perkins, Allegiance Bowl Committee Chair. “The proceeds from the event will assist the Saratoga Springs Pop Warner programs in their mission to offer children the opportunity to participate in one of the nation’s most popular youth sports while developing character and confidence through

Stock Studios Photography

team play,” he said.

The Allegiance Bowl is made possible by the continuous support of the organizing committee and its primary sponsors: The Adirondack Trust Company, The Saratogian, Star Radio 101.3 and Time Warner Cable – Your News Now. The game took place at the Saratoga Springs High School football field with Apollo 11 astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin, pilot of the first manned mission to the Moon, serving as honorary chair. Dr. Aldrin presented an American Flag which had flown over the U.S. Capitol and was brought to the game via the Saratoga Skydivers parachute team. He also officiated the ceremonial pre-game coin toss. To date, the Allegiance Bowl has raised over $60,000 Continued On Page 13

4 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

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BST, an Albany-based financial and management consulting firm, has announced it has made a $2,000 contribution to Northeast Career Planning (NCP) in Menands. The check was presented by BST Partner Ron Guzior. The contribution was made through the BST Foundation.

Serving New York’s Capital Region for over 50 years, Northeast Career Planning assists individuals with barriers to employment in fulfilling their employment and self-sufficiency goals. The agency’s broad range of services will gauge individual’s interests and aptitudes, offers support and advocacy during the job search, and provides individuals with an opportunity to identify their skill set – and most importantly, reach their full potential.

BST has a long history of corporate donations to Capital Region not-for-profit and charitable organizations, and has decades of experience serving the not-for-profit community. The BST Foundation’s primary function is to facilitate BST’s larger contributions to these organizations, and other donations to the business community. In the future, the Firm hopes to expand the use of funds through the Foundation to include funding for educational purposes, and possibly a BST Scholarship. *

Non-profit arts service organization dedicated to developing and promoting a thriving year-round cultural environment in Saratoga County communities. www.saratoga-arts.org To i n i t i a t e a n d p r o v i d e programs and services that will enhance members’ ability to successfully conduct their businesses. www.saratoga.org

The Library is chartered to serve the residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District. www.sspl.org Create jobs, diversify the tax base, while improving the quality of life for the residents of Saratoga County. www.saratogaedc.com Looking to buy or sell a home in or around Saratoga Springs, NY? Are you a real estate professional looking for a licensed home inspection professional? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Spire Inspections offers a combined 30+ years experience and education in construction and home inspection. We are knowledgeable, friendly and are able to offer a quick turnaround on our clients’ inspection reports. Our promise to our customers: Quality, Honest Inspections with Personality.

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The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust has granted Franklin Community Center’s after-school prevention program, Project Lift, $5,000.00 toward continuing the program for the 2012 calendar year.

This is the second time Project Lift has received grant funding from The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust; back in 2008, they helped offset the cost of the program’s expansion into Geyser Road Elementary School.

The Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust in was established in 2004 and has given away millions of dollars to programs in our local community. *

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When the Rose Parade made its way through Pasadena on January 2, those who made organ and tissue donations via Saratoga Hospital were represented on the Center for Donation & Transplant’s (CDT) Donate Life float entitled “…

One More Day”.

The hospital partnered with CDT to honor individuals who choose to give the gift of life through organ or tissue donation. In appreciation, the CDT float in the 2012 Rose Parade featured a rose dedicated to Saratoga Hospital’s donors displayed in the Memorial Rose Garden on the Donate Life float.

Throughout 2012, Saratoga Hospital will fly a “Donate Life” flag each time the hospital facilitates an organ or tissue donation. The flag will then be given to the donor’s family in memory of their loved one.

The hospital will also fly the flag during National Donate Life Month in April to help increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation.

Right now, more than 100,000 U.S. patients are waiting for life-saving transplants. On average, 18 will die every day due to the lack of transplantable organs. One donor can save or enhance the life of up to 50 people.

CDT is the federally designated non-profit organization that coordinates the retrieval of donated organs and tissues at 43 hospitals throughout western Vermont and northeastern New York State. *

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Saratoga Bridges was the beneficiary of a fundraiser held at Juicy Burgers & More on December 11 at their restaurant in Ballston Spa. A $92 donation was generated from 10% of the gross proceeds before sales tax as part of Juicy Burgers’ support for area non-profit organizations. The funds will be applied toward Saratoga Bridges $10,000 annual goal for their Family Support Services.

Space Still Available For Exhibitors At Saratoga Rotary Club’s Annual Home & Garden Show Limited space is still available for exhibitors at the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club’s annual Home & Garden Show, which will be held Friday, March 2 through Sunday, March 4, at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The Show will feature roughly 130 exhibitors throughout the first floor of the newly expanded Saratoga Springs City Center, with a wide range of home and outdoor/gardening products and services, as well as great prizes. By securing a booth, home and landscaping-related businesses can exhibit their goods and services to the 5,000 people expected to attend the Show.

Typically, show visitors come from greater Saratoga Springs and the surrounding region, including southern Saratoga County (Clifton Park), north to Warren County (Glens Falls/ Queensbury/Warrensburg), and west to Fulton and Montgomery Counties (Johnstown/Gloversville and Amsterdam areas).

The remaining booth space is available for prices starting at $715. Further information about the Show and exhibitor terms is at www.saratogahomeshow.org. Any business interested in a booth should call Heather Kisselback at (518) 242-0506 or email ssrotaryhomeshow@gmail.com.

The Home Show hours at the City Center will be Friday, March 2 from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $1 for kids 5-12, under 5 free.

While most exhibitors will set up their booths beginning Friday morning, exhibitors with complicated set-ups or large items will be able to move-in on Thursday by special arrangement.

The Show is the major annual fundraiser for the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club, with proceeds being distributed to community organizations, youth scholarships, and international humanitarian projects.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 5

Business Registrations •

• A2Z Construction Andrew Carey 260 Greenfield Ave. Ballston Spa 12020

Saratoga Wedding Officiant Joy Burke 206 Regent St. Saratoga Springs 12866

5 Star Property Management Dean Seelow Dominic Refino Rebecca Bowman 2639 Route 9 Malta 12020

Project G.I.F.T. Giving Inspirational Family Time Chad P. Jorgensen 307 Daniels Rd. Saratoga Springs 12866

Re-Krut Services Romoncito Ramirez 9 Center St. Ballston Spa 12020 A1 Electric Alexander C. Morgan 130 County Rd. 70 Stillwater 12170 Guy’s Apartments Guy P. Bassi 309 Miller Rd. Rexford 12148 Marie Curpier Consulting Marie L. Green Curpier 8A Locust Dr. Greenfield 12833 A.J. Dental Studio Andrew J. Beaudet 100 Hudson St. So. Glens Falls 12803 Nourish NY Colette D. Martin 24 Walnut St. Saratoga Springs 12866 Woody’s Barbershop Joseph Wood 219 Broadway Suite 3 Saratoga Springs 12866 Resort and Rentals Sales and Marketing Management Steve Tomaso 12 S. Franklin St. B Saratoga Springs 12866 Baptizo Bath Products Hollie Thieverge 36 Oak Brook Commons Clifton Park 12065 M & L Property Management Marek Guirk 6 PD Harris Rd. Saratoga Springs 12866 Squish Squash Show Gary J. Hajek aka Chris Baskin Elizabeth A. Shea-Baskin-Hajek 17 Fernwood Road So. Glens Falls 12803

Brown Betty Farm Elizabeth Russell 4 Forest Way Gansevoort 12831 Michael A. LaPoint Michael Alan LaPoint 85 Lamplighter Acres Fort Edward 12828 Moriarty Construction Tim Moriarty 11 Dublin Dr. Ballston Spa 12020 Debralee Design Deborah L. Case 237 Louden Rd. Saratoga Springs 12866 Beltane Pottery Cathryn Hunt 20 Washington Ave. Ballston Spa 12020 Felicity Hair Styling Salon Ellyn Congdon 1859 Rte. 9 Halfmoon 12065 Black Mass Raymond Donin 3B Maclyn Meadows Ballston Lake 12019 Jeboline Judith Barnes 128 Fox Rd. Middlegrove 12850 Okie Stoogies Tabackie Shop Sherry Mann 209 Walnut St. Cornith 12222 Divine Massage Therapy Monika Kaczmarski 6 Merchant Rd. Gansevoort 12831 Dennis Kimani Kiingati Dennis K. Kiingati 9 Saratoga Ave. Round Lake 12157 Clark Enterprise Nathan R. Clark 104 Eastside Dr. Ballston Lake 12019

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Performance Studio Of The Arts Terrence Cage 1505 Rte. 9 Clifton Park 12065

Tepee Gallery Lidia Bazar 15 Saddle Brook Rd. Saratoga Springs 12866

Christopher Wemple Logging Christopher Wemple 1395 Armer Rd. Rock City Falls 12863

Welden Construction Mark Joseph Welden West Ave. Adirondack Inn #51 Saratoga Springs 12866

K.O. Johnsen Construction Kenneth Ohi Johnsen 1362 North Rd. Hadley 12835 Thompson Trailers James Thompson 26 Second St. Waterford 12188 Goodson Interiors Justin Goodson 5873 Lake Rd. Galway 12074 Chad Mayette Chad Mayette 227 Ballston Ave. Ballston Spa 12020 American Marketing Industries Philip L. Pallozzi 445 Ushers Rd. Ballston Lake 12019 David Izzo David Perez 20 Chesterwood Ct. Ballston Spa 12020 Extraordinary Ware Nancy J. Crandell 5743 Jockey St. Galway 12074 Three Bear Farm Michael R. Temoshok 5510 Mack Rd. Galway 12074 C-Town Motor Sports Elizabeth A. Smith 734 County Route 24 Corinth 12822 Tender Touch Massage Aber Vandenburg 24 North Shore Rd. Edinburg 12134 Simpals Alexander Dureaghin 52 Andrea Court Clifton Park 12065 Christine Neely Photographer Christine Neely 4 Primer Ct. Clifton Park 12065

The Natural Answer Molly Alger 3478 Boyhaven Rd. Middle Grove 12850 Tallman Enterprise Luke A. Tallman 4 Hamilton Ave., Apt. 3 Corinth 12822 Bay Side Construction William P. Freeman 315 Old Corinth Rd. Hadley 12835 Woodland Meadown Farm Charles A. Gerber Elaine K. Gerber 40 Bullard Lane Saratoga Springs 12866 Reihen Motors Dustin E. Stevenson 22 Hudson Falls Rd. So. Glens Falls 12803 Roberts Property Maintance Robert Weisgerber 86 Shields Rd. Edinburg 12134 Allied Property Services Carmen Isabella III 2 Fawn Dr. Ballston Spa 12020 Chelsea Ahl Photography Chelsea Ahl 20 Foxgrove Way Ballston Spa 12020 Dementia Care Options Diane P. Van Dusen 5 Pine Tree Place Clifton Park 12065 Buttons & Bows Family Child Care Jeanette Jangkum 41 Waterview Dr. Saratoga Springs 12866 Swampside Consulting Michael E. Flinton P.O. Box 278 5706 Sacandaga Rd. Galway 12074 Continued On Page 14

6 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL 2002 Business Of The Year The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County P.O. Box 766 • Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600 • Fax: (518) 430-3020 • www.saratogabusinessjournal.com Editorial: PeterM@saratogabusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@saratogabusinessjournal.com Publisher Harry Weinhagen Editor Peter Miller Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Peg Bacon Production Manager Samantha Bacon-Racine Photographer Stock Studios Photography

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2012 Economic Forecast Continued From Page 1 $200,000 grant to help expand its successful small business grant/loan program.

• Hotel occupancy was up in 2011 from Clifton Park to Saratoga Springs as both tourists and commercial business overnight stays increased.

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is poised to ensure that all of these positive developments result in new jobs

BY JIM TEDISCO As 2011 draws to a close, we can look back on this year to see that New York took the first steps to turning our economy around, reducing job-killing taxes on small businesses and making state government more accountable to taxpayers.

After years of over-taxing, over-spending and over-borrowing, the Legislature realized what I, and many of my Assembly Republican colleagues, have long argued -- the state is broke and the right choice is to pursue true fiscal reform. New York doesn’t have a revenue problem: it has a spending problem.

For the first time in recent memory, although not perfect, we passed a fiscally-responsible, on-time state budget that contained no new taxes or borrowing and actually reduced spending by $3.1 billion from the previous year.

We fought for the passage of a cap on property taxes to begin to put a lid on out-of-control property tax hikes. This year, to help reduce consumer energy costs and grow green jobs, we enacted the Article X law to allow new power plants to be built and made permanent the “Recharge New York-Power for Jobs” program.

In 2011, after much prodding, my Assembly Republican colleagues and I were successful in seeing a restoration of $1.5 million in VLT aid to Saratoga that will help keep property taxes down.

More recently, while not a perfect package, the Legislature and Governor were able to compromise and reform the tax code delivering a tax cut to middle class taxpayers and small businesses.

Last session, I was outspoken about saving millions of tax dollars and the environment by stopping the wasteful printing of bills. I’m pleased to report the legislature passed a bill I championed to enable the state legislature to go paperless, by amending the constitution to stop the placement of paper copies of bills on the 212 legislative desks and permit a digital copy to suffice. We’re forcing the government to move into the 21st Century with technology and save millions of taxpayer dollars, not too mention our environment.

These accomplishments are a great start but there’s more work to be completed in 2012.

Our top priority moving forward must be job creation and reducing the burden on small businesses.

Ten regional economic development councils have been created to promote job growth.

In the first round of grants, Saratoga Countybased projects received $5.9 million including $1.5 million for Amkor Technology for a new technology center, $158,900 for Specialty Silicone Products in Ballston to renovate existing manufacturing space, $568,000 to

and profitable ventures for more local people in 2012. We’re looking to expand access to SCORE’s services, to improve our tourism Ridereting efforts, to help local companies find the talent they need to serve their customers, to promote Saratoga County as a great place to live, and to collaborate regionally and locally with other organizations to do things we can’t do alone.

Jim Tedisco, Assemblyman, (R,C,ISchenectady-Saratoga.

Courtesy of Jim Tedisco

revitalize homes in Ballston Spa, and $200,000 in Mechanicville for a micro-business center to help small businesses and create jobs. As these grants are implemented, and future economic development council grants become available we need to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and on efforts to help the private sector create jobs and enable small businesses to flourish.

The state has asked local governments to do more with less by passing the tax cap and now it’s time for state government to enact a constitutional amendment to limit its own spending. A spending cap, along with mandate relief, will go a long way to help the private sector create jobs and lower property taxes for millions of New Yorkers.

Recently, I introduced legislation to stop government resources from being wasted by asking that all state agencies, the legislature, authorities and SUNY and CUNY schools receive authorization from the state Comptroller’s Office before trashing perfectly functional state resources such as furniture, electronics, equipment or vehicles. This bill is a companion measure to my “O.U.T. (Over-Expenditure/ Under-Expenditure/Transfer-Notification of Debt) Act,” which would prevent end-of-year taxpayer-funded spending splurges by some rogue state agencies that have left-over monies.

Currently, many agencies rush to spend-down excess funds on unnecessary and unapproved purchases. The aim of these bills and the driving force behind my philosophy of how state government should operate is simple: state government should, and must, respect your tax dollars.

We’ve come a long way to make New York open for business. But there are still miles Continued On Page 12

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 7

CRBRA Recognizes Two In Construction Field Continued From Page 1 certified by the National Association of Home Builders as a Green Building Professional. For the next five years, Mitchell will be a member of CRBRA’s Strategic Planning Group as head of visioning and planning. She has served on the board of both CRBRA and the National Association of Home Builders. She has attended NAHB board meetings in Washington, Milwaukee and Orlando. She is on the leadership ladder to be president of CRBRA in 2014.

Asked whether being a woman makes for additional challenges in being successful in the construction field, Mitchell replied that she has often found it to her advantage as, when a couple is purchasing a home, it is often the wife making many of the decisions regarding the construction project, and the woman appreciates Mitchell’s support of her decisions.

Men who might discount Mitchell’s knowledge or abilities in the field seem ready to accept her expertise, says Mitchell, “Once they get that I own the business” and not her husband, father, or brother. Mitchell found that establishing the Women in Building Council was important as a way of getting to know other women who are involved in construction, to encourage their participation in CRBRA, and their involvement in its leadership. The Women in Building Council is sponsoring scholarships for women studying the construction business in college.

They are also active in addressing constructionrelated legislative matters.

Legacy Timber Frames is involved in the design, manufacture, and installation of their products. They are located at 601 County Route 70 in Stillwater They work both with contractors and individual customers, who are primarily homeowners, though they have been involved in such commercial projects as the entranceway to Comfort Suites in Lake George.

They can be reached at 279-9108. Their website address is www.legacytimberframes.com.

Margie Miller’s initial experiences in the construction business involved a construction job on a power plant in Oklahoma in 1978.

She describes the work (in which she began as laborer and was quickly promoted to carpenter’s helper) as “brutal” and “challenging.”

She describes herself at that time as, “ Young, inexperienced, and shy,” and quickly adds that none of these adjectives would describe her today. She moved around the country with a then-boyfriend working on a variety of jobs, including mason’s tender and roofer.

Back east, Miller worked for a couple of local companies then set out in 1989 with her own roofing and remodeling company until 2000, when she began working for Schrader & Company, a higher-end full-service remodeling firm based in Burnt Hills. She loved working for Schrader and greatly admired their level of craftsmanship in everything from small repair jobs to $400,000 additions and learned a lot there about mill work and cabinetry.

Miller was approached by Doug Ford, director of Curtis Lumber’s flagship Ballston Spa store in 2008 to take on a sales position. She has found that she loves working with customers and learning about the supply side of the trade.

Her field experiences enable her to offer sound advice on what products might fit a particular application and she has a lot of empathy to offer contractors dealing with difficult working conditions, deadlines, and projects that aren’t working out as initially planned. She finds learning about the origins of some of the exotic woods that Curtis carries quite fascinating.

Miller has largely created her own position in that her experience in business development, coupled with her excellent customer relations, make it possible for her to work a single position that since last year has been divided between sales and public relations.

Along the way she began working with Schenectady Builders Association and was on their board as well as the merger board that evolved to bring about the joining of the Schenectady and Albany Builders Associations into the Capital Region Builders and Remodelers Association. Miller was president of the CRBRA board in 2005, its first female president.

After leaving her work with Schrader & Company, she was briefly not associated with CRBRA, but has rejoined as an associate member since coming to work at Curtis. She is involved in the Remodelers Council, both locally with CRBRA and at the NAHB level. She is a member of the Green Building Council, working to help

members be aware of what each has learned about green building practices and to educate the public regarding green building practices as well. The winner of the associate member award has also worked with NAHB at the national level on workforce development and various other committees.

As a member of the Women in Building Council, Miller has high praise for Annemarie Mitchell’s work in establishing that council, noting that Mitchell has been a “driving force” who put the two-state region “on the map” in terms of encouraging women’s involvement in organization leadership. Miller has been the first trustee of Professional Women in Building for the New York State and New Jersey NAHB Area 2 region. Miller is a member with Mitchell on CRBRA’s Strategic Planning Council.

In addition to activities directly involving CRBRA and NAHB, Margie Miller is involved in various capacities with Capital Region, Schoharie, and Warren-Saratoga-WashingtonHamilton- Essex BOCES. She acts on the advisory panel of the first two BOCES as a business person involved in the building trades to provide advice on curriculum, and with WSWHE BOCES Business First Council to advise them on strategic planning and how better to promote themselves. From time to time, Miller addresses students to help clarify their understanding of expectations in the real world of construction work. She is a member of the Southern Saratoga County Chamber and the National Association of Women in Construction. Miller is also an ambassador for the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce.

Curtis Lumber provides building supplies to homeowners and residential and commercial contractors in 22 locations in New York and Vermont.

Their corporate headquarters are in Ballston Spa as well as the flagship store located at 885 State Route 67. Their website address is curtislumber. com. The phone number at the Ballston Spa store is 885-5311. Margie Miller can be contacted at mmiller@curtislumber.com.

Saratoga And Glens Falls Business Journals Now Under The Leadership Of New Publisher With this issue, we introduce Harry Weinhagen as the new publisher of the Saratoga Business Journal and the Glens Falls Business Journal.

Harry has extensive experience in the media, having sold advertising for the Glens Falls Business Journal during its launch in the 1980s as well as selling advertising for both journals more recently.

In addition, he spent almost 20 years as the manager of several radio stations in Rutland, Vermont.

We also introduce Peter Miller as the new editor. In addition to operating several businesses in the Capital District, Peter has a long history as a writer for both business journals.

Both gentlemen are committed to continuing the philosophy of the journals: bringing readers timely, positive business news of the area while supporting the business community in any way possible.

Peter Miller has been named editor of the Saratoga and Glens Falls Business Journals.

Stock Studios Photography

Stock Studios Photography

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

8 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Health & Fitness Health Clubs Help Members Keep New Year’s Resolutions To Tone Up And Live Healthier

BY BARBARA BREWER LA MERE Okay, New Year’s Day has come and gone.

Still trying to figure out how to commit to that resolution to live a little healthier? Some local health clubs offer some inspiration.

At High Rock Health and Fitness, says owner Chad Stevens, an initial 90- minute consultation with a certified professional trainer will clarify and ascertain exactly what your fitness goals are and work with you to find a fitness plan suited to your lifestyle. Looking to lose weight? Just firm up a little? Really wanting to be a competitor in bodybuilding contests? Maybe you would like some help in recovering from an injury. Wishing you had some new social milieu in which to hang out and meet some new people? Just wanting to find some more energy? These are all matters that can be addressed at High Rock. The facility offers weight lifting and free weight training. Cardio training, personal training, and group fitness classes are all possibilities. Classes are offered in yoga, Pilates, Zumba, hip-hop, and boot camp style exercise. Les Mills Body Pump and Body Combat classes are available as well. There are trainers who are members of the International Federation of Body Building. Massage is available to help the recovery from that injury.

All personal trainers at High Rock are trained in healthy nutrition. The energy recovery bar offers whole food and healthy shake options and trainers can recommend shakes that are optimally nutritious for pre-workout, post-workout and meal replacement situations. Visits to the energy recovery bar need not necessarily be tied to workout times. Members who would like to come in just to grab a healthy snack and use the facility’s wi-fi access are welcome to do that.

There are small seminars offered at the gym to help people see how to tailor meal plans to fit their lifestyles and personal preferences. Chad Stevens is writing a cookbook with an initial intent for its circulation to be in-house among High Rock Health and Fitness clients, showing people how to set up meal plans to change their lives, including how to set up a week’s healthy meals by setting aside a 4-hour block of time once a week.

(In his “spare time” aside from being a fulltime police officer and owner of High Rock, Stevens embroiders. That is to say, he heads a company called C & C Embroidery that provides embroidery services primarily to policemen and firemen for application of professional emblems to their jackets and uniforms.)

High Rock is committed to helping out in the community as well to helping bring health and fitness to people with really acute health needs.

They contribute free memberships to people from Headrow House who are fighting various addictions, to give them an opportunity to develop a new positive addiction to to replace the old destructive ones. High Rock is providing free services to a woman committed to losing weight so that she is an eligible donor of a kidney for a family member who needs one.

If you are reading this story as a guest in a Saratoga hotel, hoping to stay on track with your fitness commitments while you’re traveling, know that High Rock offers “transient” membership service, pro-rated from the monthly membership fee of $34.95 depending on the number of days that you will be in town wanting to use its facilities. Just let the person at the desk know you’d like transient membership.

Tina Marzano, co-owner with her husband of two Snap Fitness facilities in the area, offers a variety of programs to help clients live healthier lifestyles.

Stock Studios Photography

If you’d like to know more about High Rock Sports and Fitness, located at 165 High Rock Place in Saratoga, you can check their website, hrsfitness.com, for schedules and information.

The gym is open from 5am to 10pm weekdays and 7am to 7pm on weekends.

Gold’s Gym, in its Clifton Park, Latham, Niskayuna, and Guilderland franchises, is Ridereting to New Year’s weight loss resolvers in a big way. Charlotte Todd, Ridereting Coordinator for those four sites, has local D.J.’s touting a 12-week weight loss challenge program that begins in January. At the end of the challenge, winners at the 12-week weigh-in are eligible for prizes, with local winners submitted on up the Gold’s Gym chain. There were local winners at the national level last year.

Gold’s Gym offers a full suite of about 60 classes at the Clifton Park location, with about 200 classes across all four of the above-mentioned sites. As at High Rock, new members are provided with an initial fitness interview and assessment to establish their goals, help trainers to understand what’s worked and what hasn’t for that member and what the member’s level of experience is with gym programs, from rookie to expert. Members then choose whether they would like to train individually with a personal trainer, in a small group of four or in a group

exercise class with up to forty participants, and whether they would like to exercise in one hour or half-hour sessions. Options include working with equipment, work in the cardio theater, mind-body work like yoga or Pilates, or classes in the main studio in step aerobics, weight lifting, martial arts, or boxing.

The nutritional aspect of fitness is part and parcel of Gold Gym’s fitness package. They offer a line of nutrition-dense products from Isagenix, providing an ideal mix of carbohydrates, fats, and protein combined in the best way for the body to absorb the nutrients contained. Using a 30-day solution of Isagenix, Charlotte Todd reports that some members have lost 17 to 20 pounds.

Todd stresses that Gold’s Gym strives to make their gym experience a fun one so that members signing up for an initial 30-day membership or the 12-week challenge will be motivated to stay members beyond the term of their initial commitment.

Hours at all four of the facilities for which Todd is Ridereting coordinator are 5 am-11pm Monday through Friday and 7am to 7pm on weekends.

Tina Marzano is the owner with her husband, Jim, of the Clifton Park and Gansevoort franchises of Snap Fitness, a Minnesota-based Continued On Page 14

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 9

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

SPECIAL SECTION

Corporate Tax & Business Planning

CPA Firms Provide Expert Strategic Planning Advice To Clients To Enable Them To Succeed

BY PETER MILLER Everyone has felt economic conditions getting tighter in recent years. Consumers feel it every time they shop for food or buy gasoline. Business owners feel it at tax time. Or when it’s time to replace aging equipment. Or time for health insurance premium payments. Or with every competitive bidding situation. Or pretty much all the time.

It is tougher to make a buck today than it has been for decades. You need all the help you can get, and perhaps the best way to maximize profitability and minimize taxes and other expenses is with a strong business plan.

Whether you think of it as a financial plan or a strategic plan, the planning process can help prepare your business for the future. Although the next year or five years will rarely unfold just the way you’ve planned it, you’ll be better positioned for whatever challenges and opportunities come along. In many cases, creating a plan simply makes things happen.

Most business owners and managers are experts at what they do, whether it is technology or service. But many are not adequately prepared to do the detailed analyses and projections required by the strategic planning process. That’s why the most successful business executives enlist the aid of a financial and business consulting professional to guide them.

A number of CPA firms in our area provide a broad array of these services in a wide cross-section of industries. Accounting system design and reporting, employee benefit plan administration, merger and acquisition advice and succession planning are just a few of the ways these professionals can help you assure a prosperous future for your firm.

Gordon Robbie, managing partner of the Albany office of the Bonadio Group, feels that there has never been a greater need for well-developed strategic planning in businesses of all sizes than exists today. While managers today have access to more information than ever before, the need to tie it all together in a comprehensive plan is critical.

“Management consulting is a substantial part of our business,” said Robbie, “and one way that we approach that is by employing a number of former CEOs in our firm. These are people who have run companies and been faced with strategic

decision-making, and who can provide real-world advice to a client facing similar challenges.”

Robbie described Bonadio Group’s Perpetual Profit Program (P3), which analyzes the procedures within a client firm. “We ask, ‘How does this company do its work?’ and once we understand that, ‘How can it be improved?’ Many clients in the construction industry have been hit hard by the slowdown in commercial and residential building.

They must make changes and do things differently, and we help them explore their options.”

“On the other hand, some companies are doing very well in this economy,” said Robbie. “As a result, good people are very much in demand for management roles today.”

Robbie pointed out that Bonadio Group has a large forensic accounting division with more than 20 certified fraud examiners who are quite busy. “Tough times often cause people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do,” he said. The firm provides both fraud investigation and risk prevention services.

Gordon Robbie is also a Certified Exit Planner.

Succession planning is becoming a critical issue today in closely held companies, especially with aging Baby Boomers getting ready to retire. Succession in any company is inevitable, and owners must plan for it.

Contact Gordon Robbie of the Bonadio Group at 464-4080 or visit the website: www.bonadio.com.

Kevin Hedley of Hedley & Co. PLC, points out that whether you’re a startup or a mature business, you need to decide where you want your business to go next and come up with a business plan to get you there. “That’s where we can help,” he said. “We call ourselves a CPA firm for all seasons.”

“It begins by helping you determine the best form of legal business entity for your situation. It might be a sole proprietorship, a partnership, limited liability company or a type S or C corporation.

Each form has its advantages for the owner(s).”

“We can help set up a bookkeeping system to assure that you have good accounting records, which will help prevent problems, allow for informed decisions, and help drive your business to greater success,” said Hedley. ”Everyone in business has a similar need: how to keep most of the dollars that come into my business and turn over the least dollars to the

Kevin Hedley heads a Clifton Park CPA firm that offers a long list of services designed to help clients prepare for the vagaries of doing business.

Stock Studios Photography

IRS. Tax planning is a major part of our range of services. Sometimes it makes sense to separate business segments in order to spread risk, and take advantage of different tax treatments (tax arbitrage). We can help you determine when that is appropriate.”

“At some time or other most businesses have need for capital. We can help you acquire loans, evaluate risk, help with SBA applications, and more. If you’re looking to expand or buy a business, we can perform the due diligence required to evaluate the prospects for new company,” he added.

“Your fringe benefit package can attract the best talent, motivate employees and foster loyalty.

To remain competitive, you may have to be cre-

ative, and we can help you evaluate the options, plus set up and administer the plan,” said Hedley.

You can reach Kevin Hedley at Hedley & Co. at 348-2079 or via the website: www.hedleycpa.com.

Steven Ellwanger, CPA, focuses on smaller clients and is dedicated to close personal contact and good communication. “Many new clients have come seeking better communication with their accounting firm or tax adviser, and that is what we provide. We help to set up an accounting system that allows you to keep track of your expenses all year long, not just at year-end,” said Ellwanger. “We also provide training to get you up and running. It is very important to know how you are doing at all times.”

Continued On Page 11

10 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 11

New Managing Partner At BST Sees The CPA Profession Adapting To Changing Marketplace

BY PETER MILLER On January 1, Stephen Ferraro began his new role as Managing Partner at BST, an Albany-based financial and management consulting firm. Ferraro was elected to the post by the board of directors in November.

He joined the firm and the board in 2005.

Ferraro said he expects to become more involved in the management of the consulting firm in his new position, and plans to, “work toward BST’s overall growth and viability, building on 35 years of success and exceptional service to clients.”

In its long history, BST has grown to more than 100 staff, with nearly half of those holding numerous professional certifications and accreditations, including certified public accountant, certified fraud examiner, accredited in business valuation, certified financial forensic analyst, certified internal auditor, accredited investment fiduciary analysis, certified government financial manager, certified financial specialist, and certified business appraiser. The breadth and scope of this firm is something of which Ferraro is very proud.

“I believe strongly in the servant-leader philosophy of management,” said Ferraro, “which fits well with the philosophy of BST. We serve our clients best by gaining a comprehensive understanding of their goals for the organization and providing expertise in those areas that can help them achieve those goals. As a business leader, you have a vision for your firm, and our job is to offer solutions that can get you there.”

“In order to provide exceptional service to clients, we’ve made a sustained effort to attract the best people to BST and to foster their growth both in technical skills and in soft skills – the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Twice each month, we hold workshops involving staff from each of our offices, making presentations and leading discussions on a wide range of topics from new industry regulations to balancing your personal and professional life. These events bring our people closer together, and, ultimately, permit us to offer greater value to our clients,” said Ferraro.

“We continually monitor major trends in the CPA profession, and work to position our firm to best serve the needs of our clients and our team members. Some of those trends indicate that clients will expect more of their CPA firms in terms

Steven Ferraro is the new managing partner at BST, an Albany-based CPA firm.

Courtesy Of BST

of breadth of experience and knowledge within a given industry or specialty. That’s why we’ve grown into a firm that offers expertise in many diverse areas, including fraud and forensic accounting, wealth management, economic damage litigation, and third-party management of pension and employee benefit plans.”

He noted that many consulting and CPA firms across the nation are facing the dual challenge of how to grow in a flat economy and how to plan for eventual retirement of the current executives in those firms.

“Many such firms are led by principals who are within ten years of retirement. As they evaluate future directions, many consider a strategy of mergers and acquisitions to sustain growth. We are continually looking for such ‘tuck-in’ mergers to extend our growth, create additional opportunities for current team members, and supplement our specialty service offerings.”

Ferraro joined BST in 2005 through a merger of his firm with BST, and has served as a member of the board of directors. “We have a very involved and effective internal board at BST, and as managing partner, I’ll work with and report to them.”

BST serves both businesses and individuals with a special emphasis on closely held, family-owned businesses across many industry segments. Individuals can look to BST for financial planning and wealth management, as well as estate, gift and elder care advisory services.

To reach Stephen Ferraro at BST, call 4596700 or visit the website: www.bstco.com.

Businesses Plan For Success Continued From Page 9 Basic bookkeeping and accounting procedures will provide information to prepare income and payroll tax returns, manage operations, obtain credit, and contribute to efficient management. In addition, Ellwanger can help with tax decisions, lease vs. buy decisions, and advice about what you can deduct and when.

“Strategic planning can help you understand where your business is currently, where you want to be and how to get there. I help you realize your business goals,” said Ellwanger. “I can help you identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.”

“If you’re interested in buying or selling a busi-

ness, I can help you classify portions of the sale as good will, equipment, or whatever yields the greatest tax advantage,” he added.

Ellwanger’s firm serves retail, wholesale, notfor-profits, restaurants, contracting/construction, technology, professional and service firms. “Both startups and established businesses sometimes need guidance with compliance issues. I provide as many or as few services as you deem necessary.

My goal is to establish a long-term relationship with each client.”

Contact Steven Ellwanger at 932-1079, or visit the website: www.ellwanger.us.

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH Stock Name

Closing Price 12/16/11

Closing Price Closing Price Closing Price 12/23/11 12/30/11 1/6/12

Albany Int’l

23.55

24.00

23.12

23.27

AOL Time Warner

34.59

35.96

36.14

36.55

Arrow

23.14

23.44

23.44

23.84

AT & T / SBC

28.85

29.87

30.24

29.68

Ballston Spa National Bank

31.00

31.00

31.00

50.00

Ball

34.63

35.80

35.17

37.12

Bank of America

5.20

5.60

5.56

6.18

Barnes & Noble

16.08

14.45

14.48

11.19

Best Buy

23.19

23.28

23.37

24.22

Crystal Rock* Holdings, Inc

0.69

0.6975

0.7520

0.80

Espey

22.60

23.92

23.31

22.12

First Niagara Financial 8.50

8.60

8.63

9.01

GAP Inc.

18.30

18.61

18.55

18.00

General Electric

17.01

18.23

17.91

18.65

Home Depot

40.42

42.09

42.04

43.20

HSBC

37.16

38.51

38.10

38.31

IBM

183.57

184.75

183.88

182.54

Int’l Paper

27.79

29.24

29.60

30.94

Key Corp

7.18

7.78

7.69

7.98

Lockheed Martin

77.10

81.41

80.90

79.98

Lowe’s

25.02

25.27

25.38

26.34

McDonald’s

97.49

100.15

100.33

100.60

M & T Bank

72.75

76.89

76.34

79.45

National Grid

47.49

48.97

48.48

47.11

NBT Bancorp Inc.

21.53

22.27

22.13

22.31

Panera Bread

135.44

140.10

141.45

139.66

Plug Power

2.08

2.14

2.04

1.93

Quad Graphics

14.33

14.16

14.34

14.60

Staples

14.08

14.18

13.89

14.51

Starbucks

43.48

45.44

46.01

46.72

Sysco

28.90

29.43

29.33

28.92

Target

52.20

51.70

51.22

48.95

Trans World

2.25

2.27

2.5299

2.28

Trustco Bank

5.31

5.59

5.61

5.68

Verizon

38.78

39.98

40.12

38.33

Walmart

58.27

59.99

59.76

59.00

*Vermont Pure Holdings changed its name to Crystal Rock Holdings, Inc effective May 1, 2010.

This list of quotations is provided through the courtesy of Robert M. Schermerhorn, CFP, Saratoga Financial Services, Securities offered through LPL Financial / Member: FINRA and SIPC, with offices in Saratoga Springs, NY.

12 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

Smiles For Life Dentistry

2012 Economic Forecast

Continued From Page 1

Continued From Page 6

they thought was impossible. He continued Saratoga Smiles as his practice for 18 years, selling the name of the practice to another Saratoga dentist as he retired in 2006 and he and his wife set out to fulfill a lifelong dream of sailing the world.

They took their two children with them, “boat-schooling” them for four years with curricula provided by Calvert Distance Learning, and spending time in six countries. The time came when it was time to come home to Saratoga and for their children to begin living out those things that children do when they become teens, not that they hadn’t had exciting adventures and made friends all over the world.

In the meantime, their father kept hearing about advances in dentistry “that made it sound like so much fun” that he just had to start learning to carry out the exciting new procedures, using laser dental cameras that eliminate the need for gloppy impressions and learning to do crowns, veneers, and restorations, including implants, some made with newly developed materials, often in a single appointment, with the patient under sedation until he or she wakes up with a new smile.

Since September, Dr. Johnson has been studying in a continuum of dental implant

seminars led by Dr. Arun Garg, who has, according to Johnson “taught more people to place dental implants than anyone else on earth.”

Weeks of training culminate in a 3-day dental “marathon” in the Dominican Republic, providing dental services from sun-up to sundown.

Fees for participation in the seminars go to pay for follow-up care for patients treated by continuum participants. Dentists who have completed Dr. Garg’s seminar continuum are welcome to participate in return “marathons” without paying additional seminar fees.

Dr. Johnson anticipates that his new practice, Smiles for Life Dentistry, will open at 170 South Broadway in Saratoga in mid-January. He has enjoyed seeing his office designed “exactly the way I want it to be.” He describes his “small staff of wonderful people” as “rock stars in their own world.” He will again be offering care for high fear patients; “dental solutions; no problem too complex.” Offering completion of solutions within a couple of appointments under sedation, he looks forward to being told as he has been previously, “That was the best dental visit I ever had.”

Appointments for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday can be made by calling 886-8610.

Smiles for Life Dentistry’s website address is my518dentist.com.

Loca Luna Continued From Page 3 Dead on one of the walls,” she explained, “there are food and drink specials and free prize giveaways.”

Fridays are Happy Hour Happy People nights offering two for one house drinks and Sundays are Pay It Forward nights. “If you go onto our Facebook page and tell how you payed it forward, the best pay it forward story wins a free dinner entrée,” she added.

Loca Luna Bar and Grille is open Tuesday through Thursday 4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Monday. Follow Loca Luna Bar and Grille on Facebook and check for specials and upcoming events regularly.

Reservations are accepted. For additional information call 490-2073.

5L^ ,THPS (KKYLZZLZ MVY ^^^ ZHYH[VNHI\ZPULZZQV\YUHS JVT Peg Bacon peg@saratogabusinessjournal.com Peter Miller PeterM@saratogabusinessjournal.com Harry Weinhagen HarryW@saratogabusinessjournal.com Ads ads@saratogabusinessjournal.com Business Briefs businessbriefs@saratogabusinessjournal.com Circulation circulation@saratogabusinessjournal.com Personnel Briefs personnelbriefs@saratogabusinessjournal.com Press Releases pressreleases@saratogabusinessjournal.com

to go. As a new year approaches, I have renewed optimism that 2012 will bring

BY MATTHEW ANDRUS The notion that the non-profit sector has reached a crossroads in viability is a misnomer.

The fact of the matter is whether or not we can turn ourselves around and get back on the right road. To do that we have to revisit and clear up some misperceptions about the nonprofit’s true value to society and the economy as a whole.

In New York State alone, the non-profit sector employed 1.25 million people in 2010, 14 percent of the state’s workforce, accounting for almost $148 billion in revenue to the economy.

According to the New York State Comptroller’s office, New York State has come to rely heavily on non-profits to provide basic service to its inhabitants. At the same time state government is not only reducing funding for non-profits but has in fact a history of state agencies making late payments.

The assumption that the government shortfall can be made up by private donations is a false one. Not because of the downturn in the economy but that for most non-profits private donations is only a small portion of their funding stream. According to the Congressional Research Service, “the nonprofit sector gets only 12% of its operating revenues from private donations . . . and earns another 29% of its revenue from government payments for contracts (sometimes called grants).”

For some non-profits in the capital region though, the entirety of their funding stream is dependent on local and state government grants or contracted services. My organization, the Southern Adirondack Tobacco-Free Coalition, which is a grassroots coalition of individuals and local agencies committed to creating tobacco-free communities, is funded wholly by the New York State Department of Health, Tobacco Control Program.

As a result, in the year 2012, the buzzword for my agency and many in the non-profit sector is sustainability. In other words, the capacity of this agency to endure for the long term maintenance, of not only the individual’s well being but for that of the entire community’s.

It’s about using what we have for the greater good. NYS has raised $10.5 billion in tobacco revenues over the past six years JAMES T. TOWNE, JR., ESQ. While the legal profession as a whole is in tumult from the effects of the recession and an oversupply of law graduates, for 2012 Saratoga County’s attorneys appear to be better situated for another solid year. The continuing tidal effect of Global Foundries as it moves towards its operational phase is best reflected in the condominiums and apartments opening in the greater Saratoga Springs area. The development along Route 9 between exits 12 and 13 in Malta remains an eye opening testament to the changes taking place in Saratoga County.

More residents means an increased need for legal services. Being a service industry, the influx of new residents to the area has caused a growth spurt of large Capital Region law firms seeking a Saratoga presence. The formula for continued success remains the same-work harder and smarter and you can stay even with the recent past despite the increased competition. That is the good news.

Now the bad news facing the entire profession. While the Saratoga County practitioner has been largely insulated from those adverse economic circumstances facing lawyers and law firms nationwide, clearly there is a pressing need for firms to reposition their focus and services to better meet the new reality the profession finds itself situated in. There is a “new normal” attorneys and law firms need to accept and address in order for our profession to remain viable and profitable. That “new normal” will invariably come to the Capital District. The statistics point to upwards of 10,000 unemployed attorneys in New York State and perhaps 31,000 underemployed attorneys in the state. Law schools continue to accept too many students to fill an ever dwindling number of openings. Nationwide the story is the same everywhere. There are simply too few openings for new positions and far too many applicants.

For example, the District Attorney’s office in California’s Santa Clara County just hired 14

new opportunities for reform and further economic growth.

Matthew Andrus, Media/Comm. Coordinator, So. Adk, Tobacco-Free Coalition, Saratoga.

Stock Studios Photography

alone, yet in the past three years funding for anti-smoking programs such as cessation and youth prevention has been cut by 50%.

In the current fiscal year, New York State will spend a mere two percent of tobacco revenues on tobacco control.

Late last year, several statewide health advocacy organizations including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the American Lung Association released a report entitled Up in Smoke. The report documents how New York State spends less than four cents of every dollar it raises from tobacco on anti-smoking programs. In fact, New York State will only spend 16% of the amount recommended by the Center for Disease Control on tobacco control efforts this fiscal year. Yet for every dollar spent on tobacco control, three taxpayer dollars is saved, making the reduction of tobacco use not only an effective investment in New York’s future but in its overall economy.

To get back on the right road we need to remember that financial support of nonprofits reaps tremendous benefits, not only in creating healthy communities in which to live, work and play but also in lowering the cost of health care for business and government which in turn benefits the entire economy.

James T. Towne Jr., Esq.; Principal; Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C.; Saratoga.

Courtesy of Towne, Ryan & Partners

lawyers-700 people applied for those positions.

Speaking from experience, for a position in our Albany office we received 84 resumes in 3 weeks when the ad for the position was finally pulled as the response became unmanageable. For an opening in our Saratoga Springs’ office, we received 43 resumes in 10 days. At last count there were perhaps 11 class action lawsuits against law schools by irate unemployed graduates facing no prospect of employment. Congress is interested in reviewing the American Bar Association’s role in law school certification and oversight. Our profession should expect profound changes in the years to come from these and other factors.

Law firms which remain entrepreneurial and proactive will continue to flourish. Invariably, all firms face the phenomenon of the increasing involvement of the law in business and personal matters and the need for professional assistance for these matters, juxtaposed with the cost of accessing these necessary services.

Continued On Page 14

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 13

•

Available Commercial Real Estate Properties We’d like to promote your commercial property. Call us, 581-0600.

For Earth’s Sake Continued From Page 1 •

Robin Dalton and Tamara Valentine of Roohan Realty are listings agents for The Mansion Bed & Breakfast consisting of 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, a grand foyer and stunning hardwood floors. A huge price reduction was recently made on this property offering several commercial opportunities. It includes The Edgewood Cafe open daily and has banquet facilities for hosting weddings and conferences. History abounds in this property listed on the National Historic Registry (circa 1750). Located in Northumberland just over 10 miles from Broadway in Saratoga Springs, the property is easy to show or stop in for breakfast and take a look. All in move-in condition ~ please call for details. Offered for $325,900.

587.4500 RoohanRealty.com 519 Broadway • Saratoga Springs Robin Dalton Tamara Valentine

Hedley & Co. To Donate Total Of $20,000 To 20 Worthy Organizations Over Course Of The Year “As Hedley & Co., PLLC begins its 20th anniversary year, we will be donating a total of $20,000 to 20 worthy charities over the course of a year in celebration of serving our clients and our community,” announced Kevin Hedley, partner and founder of the company. “Our goal is to give back by supporting those organizations that serve so many.”

Partners Kevin Hedley and David Kobylar are asking members of the community for their help in the selection process. “We

are asking for recommendations of organizations that we should support,” Hedley observes. “Hedley & Co. has a dedicated page on our website, www.hedleycpa.com, where members of the community can submit and vote on recommendations of worthy charities, and where they can let us know how the proposed organization has made and will make a positive difference in our community.” Eligible organizations may self-nominate through the Hedley & Co. website.

line, they contain no parabens, phallates, or petroleum, known to be harsh to skin, and are free of known carcinogens. Tata Harper will be coming to the store to do a presentation regarding natural cosmetics in late January. The store carries the Good for You Girls line of cosmetics, skin care products and perfumes for teen and tween girls. A presentation regarding the Good for You Girls line will likely occur in February.

All-organic soaps and shampoos are sold at the store, along with Love & Toast brand fragrances and Priti NYC chemical free-nail polishes For Earth’s Sake’s gift department features products from Alchemy Goods, including wallets and purses made from recycled bicycle tubes. Gifts from Resource Revival translate recycled bicycle chains and sprockets into a

variety of items. Bamboo fabric scarves and throws are also available. The store sells We Wood watches with faces, hands and bracelets made of wood. Bakkalapulo says, “They look like Rolex.” Sprout brand watches are made from corn resin and organic cotton and use mercury-free batteries.

For Earth’s Sake is a family-owned business. Bakkalapuro and her husband have over 20 years business experience from a building business. She also has experience as a legal assistant.

The store hours are Monday to Friday, 9-7; Saturday, 10-6; and Sunday, 11-5. The store’s website, forearthssake.com, includes a video that discusses issues related to ingredients commonly contained in popular cosmetics.

Next Summer

Check Presentation

Continued From Page 2

Continued From Page 3

location in Bolton Landing that we thought Saratoga would be a great place to be,” Matthew said.

Prior to opening Next Summer in Bolton Landing in 2008, Matthew was a land use attorney and a graduate of the urban planning masters program at Cornell University. With his family, he bought and rehabbed a 100- year-old hardware store in the heart of Bolton Landing to create his original store.

For more information about the Saratoga location, visit www.suppliesforagoodlife.com or call 886-8212. For additional information about the original location in Bolton Landing, visit www.thelakehouselife.com or call 644-2774.

for youth athletic programs in the greater Saratoga Springs area.

Sprint football is regulation, varsity-level tackle football with one exception; no player may weigh more than 172 pounds three days prior to game day. The sport is known for its quick, explosive play where there is an emphasis on athleticism and play execution rather than on player size. Teams competing in the Collegiate Sprint Football League include Cornell, Mansfield University, Penn, Post University, Franklin Pierce University, Princeton, Army, and Navy.

For more information, visit the bowl game’s web site at www.allegiancebowl.com.

14 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

Fitness Clubs

2012 Economic Forecast

Continued From Page 8

Continued From Page 12 Critical in meeting that process is the continued utilization of technology into the practice both for the sake of efficiencies as well as to address clients’ needs for advice.

While the profession adjusts to the impact of social media devices such as Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter, their ultimate effect

Keith Roberts, pictured here with High Rock Health & Fitness co-owner Christine Stevens, can perform a thorough evaluation for a client prior to starting them on a program. fitness chain, 1400 franchises strong, in locations around the world. (Members can use their $34.95 membership in any location worldwide without additional cost.) The Clifton Park and Gansevoort locations are approximately 1 and 3 years old respectively. As with the other two fitness businesses, new members begin addressing their fitness goals with a fitness assessment. Strength, flexibility, weight and other factors are measured to arrive at a fitness score between 1 and 40.

Based on the fitness score and the individual’s goals, workout goals are established to help the member to understand how many calories must be burned and how many hours of effort it may take for him or her to arrive at the status that he or she would like to achieve. New members are given an equipment orientation to learn how to properly use the equipment, including the gym’s Woodway treadmill, a German-built treadmill, made without hardwood planking, providing a more cushioned and quieter workout, accommodating even those with bad knees. Class options include stretching and vertical core exercises (no lying on the floor for crunches), boot camp, spinning, and strength and cycling. Yoga classes are offered in Clifton Park. Members have access to an online community discussion board to discuss their exercise progress and difficulties with peers and fitness professionals around the world. They can type in their fitness goals and be guided to those goals by a printout of workouts drawing from a pool of 17,000 possibilities. There is access as well to 3000 workout videos.

Nutritional and meal planning services can also be accessed online, with printouts provided of meal plans matched to individual needs and preferences. Numerous healthy recipes can be found as well. Information about vitamins and supplements sold at Snap Fitness centers is available on the website along with an entire encyclopedia of medical conditions, written and maintained by various medical professionals. It addresses not only exercise and nutrition matters but things like developing a more positive attitude and how sleep patterns affect calorie usage. (Lack of sleep can lead to an increase in the body chemical cortisol, which interferes with the body’s ability to burn calories.)

Snap’s member advantage program offers

Stock Studios Photography

discounts on purchases in various national retail chains. Local franchises develop discount arrangements with local merchants. Members referring a friend for membership receive a free month of membership. There are membership discounts for employees of particular corporations and for members of the military, police forces, fire companies and emergency squads.

Tina Marzano really appreciates the relationships she and her staff have with their members, a friendliness that makes members feel comfortable to share the details of their lives such as that a woman is trying to lose weight so that she can conceive a child or that another is looking to slim down for her wedding. One man admitted that he only began coming to Snap because his wife was coming, but found the fact that people there really cared about him and his life was what kept him coming.

A member who joined early in 2011 wrote to Snap staff from his hospital bed after he had had a serious health issue that required emergency surgery in early December to thank them for the progress that he had made in his health status in the past year that likely had prevented his recent episode from being deadly. Class sizes at the Gansevoort and Clifton Park sites tend to be smaller, with fewer than 10 people. (Personal trainer services and classes require members to pay and additional fee.) Marzano’s staff are professional people, many from health care backgrounds.

Snap provides fitness challenges throughout the year. An 8-week weight loss challenge connects local winners with a national sweepstakes.

A couple from Gansevoort won a prize trip to San Diego two years ago. For a fee, members can connect with a “Body Bug” program. The Body Bug is an accelerometer that attaches to the waist and provides measurements of calorie use and other bodily functions. It awards points for high caloric use. Anybody receiving over 500 points in 2 weeks is eligible for a prize.

The Gansevoort Snap Fitness is located at 1340 Route 9, next to the Rock Hill Bake House. The Clifton Park location is 821 Main Street, by Van Patten Park. The phone number in Gansevoort is792-0039. Clifton Park Snap can be reached at 670-0050. The website address is www.snapfitness.com. Members can access the facilities 24/7.

Lots of options, resolvers! Make your move!

BY BARRY POTOKER The Saratoga Builders Association is coming off a record-breaking Showcase of Homes event this past fall. We presented 19 new homes from 16 award-winning builders, all displayed in Saratoga County. Sponsorship, traffic, ticket sales and monies donated to charity were up this year. In 2010, the Saratoga Showcase of Homes saw 16 new homes and back in 2009, unfortunately the event was cancelled. So, where are we headed?

On behalf of our organization, we are excited and optimistic about the future. This is especially true in our local area where I expect a slow but steady growth in the building industry. The last few years have certainly been a struggle for new construction and housing starts for a variety of reasons, yet we are trending up in many areas. For example, spending on residential construction projects jumped by 3.4% during the fall of 2011, and new singlefamily housing notched its fifth consecutive month-to-month spending increase in October.

We also see home renovations and remodeling projects maintain modest to strong activity.

We see all these trends continuing into 2012.

As I write this column, the overall economic news suggests a continuation of this flat recovery. Consumers in recent months have indicated that they view their current economic and future financial situations more favorably. Builder confidence in the Rideret for newly built, single family homes edged up two points as reported by the National Association of Home Builders index. This Riders the third consecutive month in which builder confidence has improved, and brings the index to its highest point since May 2010.

Although nationwide indicators are helpful, we must again think local and understand what is happening here in our own backyard.

Just look around and see the construction projects and residential developments that are underway. The unemployment rate in Saratoga County is consistently one of the lowest in the state. It’s also important to note that new home

Business Registrations Continued From Page 5

Precise Home Improvement Mansie Ram 9 Lori Lane Clifton Park 12065 Hudson Photo By Brook Scott Brooke Scott McConnell 69 Second St. Saratoga Springs 12866

Rod Bacon Photo

Barry Potoker, Executive Director, Saratoga Builders Association, Saratoga Springs.

Courtesy of Saratoga Builders Association

construction and remodeling affects employment far beyond the actual structure. Only about half the jobs created by building new homes are in the actual construction, the rest are in housing related industries that produce building materials and provide services to both home builders and home buyers.

The Saratoga Builders is a non-profit, specialized professional trade association representing the entire building industry. We are committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality of life in Saratoga County. Our members include home builders, developers, remodelers, suppliers, sub- contractors, financial institutions, architects, engineers, realtors, attorneys and other industry professionals.

Our organization has grown by 25% over the past two years and we have become much more active in our local efforts. The SBA membership is truly a talented, creative and visionary group of individuals and businesses. We are fortunate to live and work in a vibrant community that is passionate and determined to continue moving forward to make our special place called Saratoga County, that much better for all of us.

BY BRIAN M. JOHNSON It’s no secret that our population is aging.

The first of the baby boomers are beginning to retire and it’s now estimated that roughly 10,000 people per day are turning age 65 in our country, and that trend will continue for decades to come. What does this mean to us? We’re starting to see the cause and effect right before our eyes. Advances in medicine and technology are leading to longer life expectancies, yet many government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, that have helped our family members through their “golden years” are in jeopardy. Tucked into the Affordable Care Act was the late senator Edward Kennedy’s CLASS Act, the first national

Epiphany Mediation & Counseling Dianne B. Tucker 146 Cemetery Rd. Schuylerville 12871

A billboard on Route 9 in Clifton Park helps get the word out about the 45th anniversary of The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.

on the availability of legal services remains negligible locally. The development of niche practice areas with limited competition also affords some safe havens going forward.

Obviously branding those unique firm characteristics is an essential ingredient in any future firm success.

House Wizards Joyce M. Johnson Joughberry MHP Lot #53 Saratoga 12866

Brian M. Johnson, CLTC; Director; New York Long-Term Brokers, Ltd., Clifton Park.

Courtesy of New York Long-Term Brokers, Ltd.

plan for Long-Term Care Insurance. However, in October 2011, the Obama Administration announced they were scrapping the plan, essentially because the numbers could not be worked out. The Act would’ve created adverse selection and only provided Americans with a small benefit to pay for costly Long-Term Care services at home and in facilities. Medicaid, the primary funding source for nursing home care in New York has also seen deep cuts. Last February, a Medicaid redesign committee appointed by governor Andrew Cuomo approved a vote to cut billions in health care spending and across-the-board reductions for Medicaid providers. So what does this mean for us? What is the message that is being sent? Most Americans tend to panic at first and voice disdain, but eventually resolve to find solutions, it’s what we do. It’s also a reason why the Long-Term Care Insurance industry has experienced growth in 2011 and is poised to do so again in 2012. As Continued On Page 16

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The food is always fresh and available for eat-in and take-out, as well as delivery.

Call 583-3411.

The Stadium Cafe, 389 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, is one of the places to go in the region for sports fans. In addition to good food, a long bar and all types of beer, wine and spirits, the cafe has 25 TVs, including a 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122; X 9â&#x20AC;&#x2122; high definition projection screen. All the NFL contests are on each year, as well as games in the major, and even not-so-major sports.

Horse racing season is also popular at the restaurant, which has jockey silks hanging on the walls, as well as jerseys of famous baseball, football and basketball players.

The menu runs the gamut, with chicken wings, all kinds of burgers, multiple sandwich options, hot chicken dishes, wraps, and numerous soups and salads to keep the lunchtime crowd happy.

Dinner entrees include steaks, fish, and chicken platters. There is a varied assortment of fries to go with meals, for those inclined, including the famed Saratoga Chips. Many of the dishes are named after themes or horses associated with the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous race track.

The Stadium Cafe is open 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Call 226-4437 for more information.

The Wine Bar at 417 Broadway in Saratoga Springs specializes, as the name suggests, in wine. But there is also a menu of culinary delights with unique international theme specialties.

Along with such wines as Martin Sancho, Moulin-A-Vent and Chianti Classico

by Le Cinciole, diners can enjoy appetizers like a warm medley of olives and herbs that make up the olive salad; the Wine Bar salad with arugula, frisĂŠe and pears dressed with a pear vinaigrette; or a pizzetta, which has caramelized onion, apple, aged gouda and parmesan cheese.

Various kinds of cheese and cheese salads are also among the many choices.

Tru drunken goat cheese from Italy, immersed in red wine for 40 hours; Cobb Hill Welsh cheddar from Vermont, or miticana from Spain.

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;sweetâ&#x20AC;? menu can include the Wine Bar warm chocolate cake, an ice cream medley, mĂŠnage a truffle with brandied cherries, or strawberry rhubarb crisp.

The Wine Bar has grown from a 40-seat bar with light fare to a two-level establishment, with light plates, entrees, a selection of gourmet cheeses and house-made desserts.

During the summer months, the sidewalk patio is open. One room is the cigar room with easy chairs and a comfortable sofa, where smoking is permitted. The rest is smoke free.

The Wine Bar is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4-11 p.m. Major credit cards are accepted.

The telephone number is 584-8777.

Legends Cafe, located at 102 Congress St. in Saratoga Springs, offers an excellent selection of soups, hot and cold sandwiches, wraps, salads, and pastas.

The sandwiches and wraps are named after famous athletes and some celebrities. The Namath is a grilled ham with provolone, roasted red peppers, red onion, and pesto sauce, for example. The Doctor J is chicken cutlet in hot sauce, lettuce, and bleu cheese dressing. The Jeter is chicken cutlet, romaine lettuce, and caesar dressing, and there are a great many more, including the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Veggieâ&#x20AC;?

Jackson.

Salads are plentiful, named after people like Seinfeld and shows like â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Honeymoonersâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cheers,â&#x20AC;? all freshly prepared. Diners can also name their own ingredients for a sandwich or wrap. Wraps include the Pacino, with grilled chicken in spicy Buffalo sauce, lettuce, celery, bleu cheese dressing, in a white flour tortilla; and the The Brando: salami, pepperoni, cappicola ham, provolone, lettuce, black olives, and balsamic vinaigrette, in a garlic and herb tortilla.

Delicious side dishes include chicken wings, bruschetta, jalepino poppers, garlic bread, fries and macaroni and potato salads. Italian pasta dishes are also available.

The Lake Ridge Restaurant offers fine dining in a cozy atmosphere that draws patrons in often.

Chef/Owner Scott Ringwood and partner Bob McKenna create dishes that are of the highest quality using the freshest ingredients. Ringwood is known throughout the area for his sauce and glaze work for many of his dishes, which adds to the dining experience.

Only the highest quality meat is offered, with dry-aged beef, free-range chicken, and the freshest seafood available.

The restaurant is famous for its creative entrees such as Pecan-Crusted Pork Chop, Veal Jacqueline, Sirloin Apra, and the house favoriteâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Swordfish. Salad, sandwiches and new entrees have been added to the menu.

Within the past year, Ringwood has added a bar that offers a wide selection of popular drinks.

The Lake Ridge is also known for private functions, parties, wedding showers and anniversaries, with a capacity for up to 40 patrons. The setting is perfect for these events with an attentive wait staff and fine food.

The Lake Ridge Restaurant is located at 35 Burlington Avenue in Round Lake.

They accept Visa, Master Card and AMEX. Luncheon is served from 11:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; dinner from 4:30 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8:45 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and 3:00 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8:00 p.m. Sunday. They are closed on Monday.

To contact the restaurant, call 518899-6000, or visit their Web site at www. lake-ridge.com .

Whether it is a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner dining in or a coffee onthe-go, The Fortunate Cup Coffee CafĂŠ is happy serve customers in Saratoga Springs.

The contemporary coffee shop dĂŠcor is warm and welcoming, offering a full dining-in menu experience. All food is made to order.

Chef/owner Doreen Kamen opened The Fortunate Cup in September 2008 with a hometown take on eat-in or drive-

thru. Both of these options are available, and in addition to coffee, loose leaf tea is brewed fresh by the cup.

The CafĂŠ offers a comfortable place for people to meet, and is a welcome addition to Saratogaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s West Side transformation.

The Fortunate Cup offers a clean, inviting atmosphere that includes a fireplace, large-screen television, free wi-fi access and a conference room that can be rented for private meetings. There is also ample parking.

The conference room may be reserved for business meetings, office parties, book clubs and private luncheons. It offers get-together options for as many as 16 patrons.

Hot drink specialties include the signature Fortunate Latte with espresso, steamed milk and caramel sauce. Cappucinos, cafĂŠ Americano, Chai Lattes and custom-roasted coffee are also available.

Fresh-brewed teas and cold drink specialties include frappes as well as smoothies of strawberry, raspberry, banana, peach, mango and pina colada flavors. Italian sodas, iced chai, coffee and tea round out the extensive specialty drink selections.

Gelato, made locally with only the freshest ingredients, is offered in six different flavors. Fresh paninis, wraps, salads and Belgian waffles provide satisfying meal selections throughout the breakfast and lunch hours.

The Tuscan Sun Panini offers proscuitto, tomato, mozzarella and basil pesto.

There is also a Classic Vegetarian Panini.

The Signature Panini for the CafĂŠ is the Breakfast Panini grilled on a Belgian waffle. The West Side is made with ham, eggs, spinach, peppers, mozzarella and garlic. A special fruit and yogurt parfait and kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paninis round out the menu offerings.

The Fortunate Cup Coffee CafĂŠ is located at 120 West Ave, Saratoga Springs. Dine-in hours are Monday through Wednesday, 7:00 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 8:00 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00 p.m.

Drive-thru is open Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m.; 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.

For more information or to view a complete menu, visit The Fotrunate Cup at its Web site www.fortunatecup.com. The telephone number is 226-0800.

16 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

2012 Economic Forecast Continued From Page 14 people endure the emotional and financial devastation that Long-Term Care events may bring, they begin to think about their own lives and children. They want to avoid being a burden, protect the money they’ve worked so hard for and have options for the best care. Long-Term Care Insurance was specifically designed to pay for these services; ensuring retirement and estate plans are carried out the way they were intended to.

This year we’ve seen insurance companies enter and exit the Long-Term Care Insurance Rideret and experienced rate increases on older policies. However, these things are done to make sure the insurance company can follow through on the promises made to their policyholders; and making good they are! The nation’s 10 leading long-term care insurance companies paid over $10.8 million in daily claim benefits in 2010 according to a new study conducted by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). This represents a 53 percent increase over the daily value of claims paid by the same entities in 2007 according to study findings. “Every single day, long-term care insurers pay benefits for home care, assisted living and nursing home care,” explains Jesse Slome, executive director of the national trade organization.

“Benefits paid by just these leading insurers totaled nearly $4 billion for the year, an amount that will keep growing as more aging

BY MELISSA WARD Social media has not peaked, I don’t think it ever will, it will simply continue to change and evolve. In 2012 more businesses will realize the benefits of Social Media Marketing and increase both time and money investing in it.

Businesses will also become more knowledgeable in targeting the right prospects as opposed to trying to be all things to all people. Even companies that consider themselves “traditional” will begin to embrace Social Media. The advantage these businesses have is a plethora of data on best practices. They will bypass the “spaghetti against the wall” method, and do Social Media right. It is more important then ever for business to define their target, know who their perfect customer is and invest their resources properly into getting in front of those prospects. With the variety of tools available, businesses can clearly define and measure their Social Media goals and calculate ROI. The biggest trend is big goes small. Larger companies will micro target their audiences and point them to landing pages or social media profiles that speak directly to that audience. This will help companies capture various audiences for a particular product or service, as they will be able to speak to that audiences’ issues (and know how to solve them) Micro targeting has been very successful in political campaigns, smart business notice that. Additionally, more and more companies are realizing the value in utilizing Social Media outside the Ridereting department. Customer Service responsiveness is a huge benefit in the Social realm.

Crowdsourcing product / service development by getting existing customers opinions goes a

policyholders qualify for benefits from their coverage.”h A new generation of Long-Term Care Insurance policies are here. They have a greater degree of premium stability due to representative actuarial claims data. The policies are priced appropriately and offer a number of options that allow consumers to customize their coverage so that the plan runs parallel to their budget, strategy and/or beliefs. We’re even seeing an increase in the number of insurance companies with Linked Benefit contracts.

These contracts are Life Insurance policies by definition, but allow the policyholder to accelerate the death benefit to pay for Long-Term Care services either at home or in a facility.

The industry is seeing many consumers with older Life Insurance policies simply exchange them for this newer generation of policy. There are solutions available using insurance and legal strategies; sometimes the two in concert together, that can give you and your loved ones the peace of mind that is priceless.

Outlook for the Long-Term Care Insurance industry is bright, despite what you hear because there are two facts we can’t ignore: Americans are aging and living longer and the government is shifting more of the responsibility to us to plan for ourselves. Don’t sit on the sideline. Educate yourself; because there are options out there now; better options than we’ve ever had before to plan for our extended health care.

Melissa Ward, Managing Partner, NewWard Development, Clifton Park.

Joan Heffler Photo

long way to keeping a loyal customer. Other departments will increase their use of Social Media as a viable tool to help the business not just grow, but grow smarter. Utilizing Social Media in this way creates advocates because people see that the business cares about what they think - that is a huge win for both the company and the consumer.

Facebook pay per click campaign investments will continue to increase as businesses realize the powerful niche Ridereting abilities.

Targeting affluent consumers who love boats?

Target people who read Yachting Magazine.

Because so many users on Facebook list interests, authors, education, hobbies, workplaces, etc.. micro targeting has been simplified. In

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Staff

addition, more time will be spent on content via company blogs, valued and meaningful articles on their web sites and in other mediums, such as video. These items can be shared and potentially go viral when done well.

Smart businesses are researching their consumer. When you make a hotel reservation, most hotels ask for your email address.

It’s pretty easy for a hotel to see how many facebook, twitter or linked in connections you have. Being an active user in Social Media could eventually earn a customer some perks in the hopes of them leaving that hotel a positive review.

Micro Blogging sites like twitter will also continue to “pare down” the noise. With the ability to create lists, people have greater

control on the conversation. Again, it becomes about targeting your message, connecting with people on a real level, speaking to people like people not mass messaging audiences like they are cattle.

Consumers are becoming savvier, they too are crowdsouring. Only for them, they are Crowdsourcing their purchases by paying attention to what their peers like and don’t like.

Review sites are extremely useful and play a large role in consumer behavior. Business will benefit from keeping an eye on their reputation and listening to what costumers have to say about them.

Internet Ridereting as a whole is taking a larger percentage of Ridereting dollars, social media leads the pack in the method of choice.

BY DENNIS BROBSTON Forecasts are a lot like New Year’s resolutions. They are riddled with self-serving optimism but the promises for a better year tend to fade away once we settle back into old habits.

In the case of Saratoga County’s economy we have many real reasons to feel optimistic.

Over the past 30+ years we have had a plan to diversify and grow our tax base, create quality jobs for our residents, improve our quality of life and invest wisely in infrastructure. In Saratoga County, we don’t rely on quick fixes; we plan our work and work our plan.

Our conservative nature has worked to our advantage. We didn’t experience the housing bust the way other parts of the US did. Prior to the recession, we had close to 5,000 new homes approved - but never built. Our real estate property values corrected slightly but we didn’t see the bust seen elsewhere. Despite some bumps in the road with our County budget and crushing state mandates, we still live in a County with the lowest property tax rate in the State of New York and we continue to get good value from our tax dollars.

In 2010, we saw unemployment dip as low as 5.7% and in 2012, we expect to see unemployment drop and continued job growth as our tech sector expands. In 2011 we saw twelve supply chain companies locate near the fab, lease nearly 150,000 square feet and bring along close to 250 new jobs. We have at least a dozen more companies looking for space in the Saratoga County area and we expect to see more as Globalfoundries begins production in 2012.

Initially, around half of the new jobs will be filled by people from around the globe with experience in the semiconductor industry. We will continue to see more cultural diversity and new residents who will consume our services, add to our tax base and enrich our communities. Over the long term most companies will want to hire local which means our schools are working hard to develop stronger STEM curriculum to meet future workforce needs.

That means that all of our children will have a

better chance to stay in the area.

SEDC continues to work to diversify our job opportunities, grow our tax base and take advantage of the global spotlight shining on us. With the partnership and collaboration of our 450+ investors, members and partners, we will continue to work with our communities to continue this mission.

Our first job is to make sure our existing companies have the resources they need to adapt to the changes in the global economy and take advantage of new local business opportunities. We will see more inquiries from the green-tech sector like solar panel manufacturers which see opportunities in the US energy Rideret and are attracted to the R&D and skilled workforce. Communities like Corinth, which experienced a devastating loss after International Paper closed its 100 year old plant in 2002, may see new high-tech opportunities reinvigorate the community.

2012 will be a prosperous year for us but will be just one year in a continuing multi-year, multi-decade plan to make Saratoga County a great place with rich history and a prosperous future.

BY CHRIS HARMON Growth of the US dollar is picking up modestly so consumers are willing to spend on dining out more frequently than in years past. It appears that people are inclined to be attracted to restaurants where prices and menus are family friendly. Families have a tendency to be regulars where there is table service in an informal atmosphere with moderately priced food. The casual dining Rideret, between fast food establishments and fine dining

restaurants, is becoming the norm.

Regardless of trying to lose weight, Americans are looking for healthy choices. Restaurants are creating healthy options. Some menus list calorie counts for individual items. The National Restaurant chef survey of top trends include: Smaller portions for a smaller price, A variety of salads, Appetizer combos, and Locally grown produce, wine and beer.

Even America’s “favorite food,” the hamburger, is

Dennis Brobston, President, Saratoga Economic Development Corp., Saratoga.

Courtesy of Saratoga Economic Development Corp.

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Rob Spring Photography

Rob Spring Photography

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 17 often made from healthier “Kobe-style” beef, better cuts and smaller portions. A history of Kobe beef from Wikipedia; Wagyu cattle (Kobe) originated in Japan. The mountainous terrain results in farms being isolated in small regions so the herds can not mingle, yielding significantly better quality meat than from other breeds of cattle. Farmers hire workers to massage the animals to prevent muscle cramping because the cows do not have sufficient room to roam. The cattle are fed on grain fodder and beer or sake is added to their feeding regimen. The special feeding techniques make the meat superior in marbling and ratios of unsaturated versus saturated fat. Because of the popularity of the Kobe beef in the US, “Kobe-style” beef has been created. Domestically raised Wagyu have been crossbred with Angus cattle so that they are more able to survive in the US climate.

American ranches have replicated the Kobe tradition by providing the Wagyu herds with beer and a mixture of corn, alfalfa, barley and wheat straw.

Cuts of “Kobe-style” beef are more Rideretable to the typical American buyer because of the darker meat and bolder flavor than the true Kobe, which is whiter meat and more expensive.

“People are attracted to a restaurant by more than just good food. Good food is only a part of the dining experience. Just as important is the way people feel while in the restaurant. This emotional and physical response is a result of the atmosphere.

The surroundings and decorative details combine to create an atmosphere.”, says Thomas Quinn, Michigan State University, “Atmosphere in a Restaurant”. Concept plays an important role in welcoming guests. The surrounding atmosphere can relax patrons and make the whole dining experience seem better. Restaurants that are trendy and have a unique style, with staying power, are

BY GORDON M. BOYD On a given day in New York State, electricity in Western New York might cost four cents per kilowatt hour, in the Capital Region seven cents, and in New York City 10 cents or more. Sometimes, power in the Capital Region costs more than New York City. Nearly always, the price of electricity in eastern counties is between 20% and 200% higher than Central or Western New York.

Congestion in the electric grid routinely raises energy costs for the Capital Region by up to $200 million per year, a hidden tax that stymies economic growth, burdens consumers and frustrates municipal fiscal managers.

So how did this come about? And what can be done?

In the 1990s, New York State restructured its electric utilities, ordered them to sell their power plants and created an electricity Rideret run by NYS Independent System Operator. This Rideret system was superimposed on a transmission grid that was designed for utilities that formerly owned everything from the power plant to the customer’s meter.

The new system (now about 15 years old) tries to integrate Rideret demand for power and an antiquated transmission network that at points inhibits the flow of power from areas where it’s created to areas where it’s needed.

Wherever more power is demanded, but there’s a shortage of generation, the price goes up, like Saratoga County and the Capital Region, along with most of eastern New York right down to New York City. The excess cost can add up. A 20% to 30% premium over a year can cost $80 million to $200 million in the Capital Region alone.

Transmission congestion costs consumers

DOE’s 2012 Transmission Congestion Study promises the most rigorous analysis yet of the problem.

Saratoga County is part of the DOE’s designated Mid-Atlantic Area National Corridor, which means that we will get some priority. Once DOE decides what the solutions are, it will be able to

Chris Harmon, Co-Owner, The Stadium Cafe, Saratoga Springs.

Stock Studios Photography

successful in today’s competitive Rideret.

With that said, whatever you are looking for, if you eat-out or take-in, fast food, casual or fine dining, Saratoga Springs has 133 offerings from which to choose. That makes the literal “piece of the pie” much smaller for each establishment.

Although Saratoga Springs relies on tourism, especially in the summer months, there is an abundance of industries located in the area to keep our economy thriving. The growth of the surrounding area, with construction of the AMD manufacturing (Global Foundaries) site, in Luther Forest, should positively affect the businesses in downtown. As consumers become more educated and interested in purchasing from local restaurants, the regional economy will reap the benefits.

Gordon Boyd; President; EnergyNext, Inc.; Saratoga Springs Courtesy of EnergyNext, Inc.

plenty no matter how much they try to conserve or how smart they are in procuring energy supplies.

There are three standard fixes for congestion: 1) more power plants generating downstream of the congestion, 2) more transmission to get around the constraints, and 3) voluntary consumer curtailment (known as Demand Response Programs) for times when congestion is worst.

Governor Cuomo made an issue of congestion costs during his 2010 campaign. State Senator Roy McDonald, and Congressman Chris Gibson have also called attention to the problem.

The U.S. Department of Energy has started to look closely at transmission congestion, though mainly to assure reliability of the grid, not to lower prices for consumers and businesses. Nevertheless,

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Membeship Committee

BY PETE BARDUNIAS Since coming to Clifton Park last March, the one thing I’ve noticed most is the smiles. In the vicinity of the Bridges, people are relatively happy these days, whether business owners, corporate executives, or residents in general. Not that some people don’t get annoyed over various issues like the recent county budget fight, or noise ordinances in Malta, but the positive attitude in this region is very evident. There is a sense that good times, if not here already, are just around the corner, and it’s a privilege to be a part of this revolution.

The optimism stems from many positive developments. First and foremost, GLOBALFOUNDRIES is on schedule to begin commercial production by the end of 2012, with over 1000 permanent employees on site and an equal number of construction workers continuing to build the plant that is the lynchpin for our county’s economic future. Secondly, various other large firms such as Momentive and nearby GE continue to employ a large number of our residents. A new crop of medium sized businesses such as clean room supplier Pearce Micron are coming to the area, joining longtime icons such as Specialty Silicone Products, Cascades Paper and others in providing job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. It’s no stretch to say that southern Saratoga County is the manufacturing epicenter of Tech Valley!

Innovation is also keeping us smiling – three new urgent care centers are well on their way to completion, as are some new high-tech office parks.

The Clifton Park Center renovation is nearly complete, and other complexes are either being built or filling to capacity with new tenants. Intermodal rail is coming to Mechanicville, and even a barge or two has been known to ply the Erie Canal carrying cargo the old fashioned way in a 21st Century world.

Marine recreation and farm businesses continue to add character and a sense of continuity with our roots and heritage, and in the case of farms, a needed local food source.

BY TOM ROOHAN Another year is in the rear view mirror with a lot having happened and much is going on a head of us that is very exciting.

Here in Saratoga County we are blessed with low unemployment. There are 62 counties in New York State and only Hamilton County had lower unemployment. This did not happen by accident.

It is the result of a lot of hard work by The Saratoga County Chamber, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency and our local elected officials at every level.

Business is on the grow in our area. In downtown Saratoga Springs, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the revitalization of the Saratoga Springs City Center from a front row seat at my office which is right across the street. The enclosing of the loja, addition of the second floor and two floors of windows on Broadway & Ellsworth Jones Place are a welcome bright spot on Broadway. The new marquee announces the guest to our “All American” city as well as updates us two important events like First Night. And the best news of all is that bookings are up more than 33%.

In our office we are also seeing increased office

start the wheels in motion for added transmission and possibly other answers.

Energy consumers in regions like ours that are affected by these costs must shop aggressively for electricity, and consider fixed pricing to avoid congestion-induced spikes in daily rates.

Pete Bardunias, President/CEO, The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, Clifton Park.

Courtesy of The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County

As our economy heats up, chambers of commerce should be strong advocates for the needs of our business community, and facilitators of new opportunities. We bring business owners together through networking, but also assist them in acquiring new tools and skills. The social media revolution, for example, has been a huge opportunity for us to interact with members and for member businesses to reach the public and each other. Another important role that our regional chambers of commerce must perform is to ensure that businesses both large and small are part of the action. Do the words “Tech Valley” mean anything to a dry cleaner, insurance agent or pizza place in Halfmoon or Waterford? They may not grasp the details of nanotechnology, but more shirts to clean, policies to write and calzones to bake mean a lot. It is vital that all segments of our business community are integrated into the new economy and know that they belong, and it’s our job as chambers of commerce to help make this happen.

Tom Roohan, President, Roohan Realty, Saratoga Springs.

Stock Studios Photography

rental demand as new, small businesses start up or existing business move out of the basement of there home to take up residence in an office building. Small business across the country is the Continued On Page 18

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Committee Rob Spring Photography

Rob Spring Photography

18 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012

2012 Economic Forecast

Empire State College And Clinton Community College Agree To Seamless Transfer Program

Continued From Page 17 backbone of our economy and their growth is a positive sign of an improving economy. On a larger scale we are experiencing a $17,500,000 investment by Albany Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital in a first joint venture on Route 67 at exit 12 of the Northway. This new facility will open in the fall of 2012 as a high-end urgent care center equipped with a helipad and operating 24 hours a day. Saratoga County is also witnessing an increase in high quality apartments with choices like Ellsworth Commons of Malta, The Springs of Saratoga Springs and Rideret Center, which will boast a new “Urban” Price Chopper. Also in the works is more parking in downtown Saratoga Springs that will be ready when the Saratoga Race Course opens this July.

BY TORI J.E. RILEY The Washington County Local Development Corporation welcomes 2012.

As part of a historic initiative to transform New York State’s model for economic development and job creation, Governor Cuomo announced that up to $1 billion in economic development funding would be made available through a Consolidated Funding Application, making a fundamental shift in how economic development resources are allocated.

With that, our strategic action plan includes a high priority on outreach to the existing business base to best assist them in navigating the “Open for Business” process. It is imperative to provide these resources and opportunities that encourage the private sector to invest and expand business operations here. We will continue providing our Small Business start up and expansion classes, working with the County officials on Planning and infrastructure build out projects, as well as implementing a Ridereting campaign to targeted industries.

Furthermore, we’re exploring a new adventure with our Warren County partners to administer a bi-county revolving loan fund. We’re excited to have an opportunity that provides a central office space for three of the regional organiza-

It has been said that the real estate Rideret should be viewed much like the weather in that what affects and impacts it is on a local basis. I believe this to be an accurate statement. Interest rates are at record lows; and as of this writing if you put 20% down you could mortgage the purchase of a new home for a 3.25% fixed rate for 15 years. And we are experiencing good existing home inventory as well as aggressive pricing from the many awardwinning builders throughout our area. There is no reason to wait as it is hard to believe that current pricing will remain as affordable or that interest rates will stay this low.

Our area is in an extraordinary position and Saratoga Springs was just named one of the Top 10 Winter cities by Livablitiy.com.

Students at Clinton Community College can now seamlessly transfer their associate’s degree credits when working toward a bachelor’s degree at Empire State College.

Courtesy Of Clinton Community College

Tori Riley, Executive Director, Washington County Local Development Corp., Ft. Edward Courtesy of Washington County LDC

tions ( EDC Warren County, Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency and the Washington County LDC) to work within. The benefits of having a myriad of economic development organizations under one roof really emphasizes that we are “Open for Business”. Lending, site Continued On Page 20

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John E. Jablonski, President, Clinton Community College

Alan R. Davis, President, Empire State College.

Courtesy Of Clinton Community College

Courtesy Of Empire State College

State University of New York Empire State College and Clinton Community College have formally entered into an agreement that will ease transferability of community college credits to a four-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree at Empire State College.

The Pathways Transfer Program is designed for Clinton Community College students who have completed or will complete an associate degree, A.A., A.S. or A.A.S., prior to enrolling at SUNY Empire State College. Through the agreement, all of the credits earned at Clinton Community College can be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree, B.A., B.S. or B.P.S., at Empire State College providing a seamless transition for Clinton Community College graduates.

“The Pathways agreement removes barriers of time and place and makes it easier for Clinton Community College graduates to live and work in their communities while earning a SUNY Empire State College bachelor’s degree,” said SUNY Empire State College President Alan R. Davis. “Our partnership builds on the SUNY systemwide efforts facilitating student transfer, and President Jablonski and his team have done outstanding work in making this agreement possible.”

“We are pleased to join with Empire State College in announcing this transfer agreement,” said Clinton Community College President John E. Jablonski. “It provides a clear roadmap for our students, and it underscores the notion that Clinton is a great place to begin studying for a bachelor’s degree.”

Dean Gerald Lorentz, of the college’s Northeast Center, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cheryl Reagan at Clinton Community College also signed the agreement.

With appropriate advising, Clinton Community College students may complete up to 80 lower-division credits including the associate degree at Clinton Community College as long as the courses meet bachelor’s degree requirements. The remaining 48 upper-division credits will be completed at Empire State College. In addition, Clinton

Community College students can complete their bachelor’s degree without leaving their communities.

SUNY Empire State College faculty mentors educate learners online and face-toface through independent studies, seminars and residencies at 36 locations across New York state, including Plattsburgh.

Clinton Community College is one of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system. Founded in 1969, Clinton Community College is situated at Bluff Point, approximately four miles south of Plattsburgh. The mission of Clinton Community College is “to provide educational programs that enrich minds, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life in our region.” The college offers a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs that support workforce development. Clinton is particularly recognized for its outstanding nursing program and the Northeast’s first and only associate’s degree program in wind energy and turbine technology. Noncredit contract training is provided to local business and industry.

Clinton Community College enrolls approximately 2,300 full-time and part-time students.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout 2011, SUNY Empire State College was established in 1971 to offer adult learners the opportunity to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York. Students learn through independent studies, online courses, seminars and residencies. Learners also may earn credit for prior college-level learning from work and life experience.

The college serves nearly 20,200 students worldwide at 36 locations in New York state and online. Its 63,000 alumni are active in their communities as entrepreneurs, politicians, business professionals, artists, not-for-profit agency employees, teachers, veterans and active military, union members and more.

For additional information, visit www. esc.edu. For more on the 40th anniversary, please follow this link.

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JANUARY 2012 • 19

Personnel Briefs •

• Christopher J. Rosetti, CPA, CFE, CFF, a Partner with BST’s Valuation, Forensic, and Litigation Support unit, recently conducted two separate fraud detection and prevention training seminars. The first was conducted in Switzerland for some of the country’s largest companies; the second in Arkansas, for companies that included WalMart, Tyson Foods, and JB Hunt.

Rosetti has extensive experience conducting fraud and forensic reviews, having performed the same throughout the US, Africa, Puerto Rico and Cuba. He has also developed and provided fraud detection and prevention training internationally to various business entities. His specialties include conducting corporate fraud investigations; forensic analysis of financial documents; forensic analysis of insurance claims; and providing fraud and ethics training for organizations.

Rosetti currently serves on the Board of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Foundation and is a member of the AICPA’s Fraud Task Force and a former member of the AICPA’s Fraud, Forensics and Litigation Conference Planning Committee. *

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BST, an Albany-based financial and management consulting firm with offices in New York City, is pleased to announce that Ronald L. Guzior has been appointed Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Financial Services department, as well as Partner-inCharge of the Tax department in the Albany Office.

Guzior joined BST in 1988, and held several positions before being named a Partner in 1998. He has extensive expertise in several specialty service areas, including not-for-profit organizations, construction contractors and closely held businesses.

He is a member of the Firm’s Quality Control Committee and Board of Directors, and is a past recipient of the Certificate of Educational Achievement in Non-Profit Accounting and Auditing.

A licensed CPA in the State of New York, Guzior is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Siena College. Guzior currently serves as a Board member of St. Peter’s Health Partners, is a member of its Finance Committee and is Chairman of its Compliance and Audit Committee. Guzior is also Past President of the Northeast Chapter of New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. *

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The Hon. Frank B. Williams, retired Supreme Court Justice, has joined Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., of counsel, in the firm’s Saratoga Springs office. Judge Williams will focus his practice in Litigation, Mediation and Arbitration. He received his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and his law degree from Albany Law School.

Judge Williams has had a long and distinguished career in the public sector, as well as in private practice. Most recently, he served 16 years as a New York State Supreme Court Justice, from 1994 to 2010. Prior to that time for 10 years, from 1983 until assuming his position as Supreme Court Justice, Judge Williams was County Court Judge in Saratoga County. From his admission to practice law in 1971 until his election as County Court Judge, he was in private practice in Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs and was also served as a part time Assistant District Attorney for Saratoga County, and as Chief Assistant District Attorney for five years.

Judge Williams served as Co-Author of the New York State Bench Book writing on “Expert Witness” and “Evidence” topics. He was the recipient of both the New York State Trial Lawyer’s Association’s Hon. Felix J. Aulisi Award for the Fair Administration of Justice (1997) and the Capital District Trial Lawyer’s Association’s Hon. Edward S. Conway Award for Judicial Excellence (2002).

Judge Williams has been a member of the Saratoga Springs Elk Lodge 161, the Saratoga

Springs YMCA, past officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Saratoga Springs Lion’s Club, member of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Trust, member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, member of the Lake Avenue PTA and serves on the Executive Committee of the Saratoga County Bar Association. *

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Saratoga Hospital has named Cynthia Pratt of Middle Grove, Alicia Lavitt of Bolton Landing, and Candy Norton of Saratoga Springs as Service Stars for the months of August, September, and October, respectively.

Pratt works as a Personal Care Assistant. She started her employment in 1981.

Lavitt, who is a Registered Nurse, has been with the Hospital since July 2001.

Norton works as a Nutritional Services Representative. She has been with the Hospital since October 1978.

The Service Star of the Month program recognizes employees and volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty to provide great service to our customers. Hospital wide celebrations were held in their honor. *

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Mark M. Rider, Esq., of Ballston Spa has joined Towne, Ryan & Partners, P.C., of counsel, in the firm’s Saratoga Springs’ office. Rider will largely focus his practice in conjunction with the firm’s municipal practice group. He received his B.A. from the University of Rochester in 1969 and his law degree from Albany Law School in 1975. Rider served in the United States’ Army from 1969-71.

Rider served 14 years as the full time Saratoga County Attorney, from 1997 until December, 2010 when he retired from that position. Prior to being named as full time County Attorney by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, Rider served as a part time CountyAttorney from 1985 until 1997. He was in private practice as well from 1976 until 1997.

Rider served as a delegate to the New York State Bar Association on behalf of the Saratoga County Bar Association, where he also served as President of the County Bar Association. Additionally, he was a member of the Committee on Professional Standards of the Appellate Division Third Department. The primary role of the Committee is to protect the public, deter attorney misconduct and preserve the reputation of the Bar. Rider has been a member of the Ballston Spa Lions Club for many years. He received the Legal Aid Society’s Distinguished Service Award in 1993 and the New York State Bar association’s President’s Award for Pro Bono Services on 1996. *

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The Saratoga Builders Association Inc. Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Doug Winters to the 11-member Board. Winters is the owner of Spa City Builders, a custom home builder for the past 8 years.

The Board and membership has ratified this year’s slate of officers to serve a two-year term; Jesse Boucher of Kodiak Construction – President; Alec Stephens of SAS Builders – First Vice President; Doug Ford of Curtis Lumber – Second Vice President; Jeff Pietrosanto of Pietrosanto Insurance – Treasurer; Mark Johnson of Boise Cascade – Secretary; Tony Verhaeg of Verhaeg Building & Remodeling – Immediate Past President.

The other SBA Board members are Sonny Bonacio, David Carroll, David DePaulo and John Witt. Matt Parenteau recently stepped down from the SBA Board after serving the organization for 11 years including three years as its President.

Auction House Caters To Collectors, Thrifty Buyers

BY PETER MILLER Antique collectors and thrifty consumers will be pleased to learn of a new business in Mechanicville that is designed with both groups in mind. Saratoga Auction & Consignment has opened at 36 Saratoga Avenue.

Proprietor Keith Greattrax says the business handles everything from fine antique furniture and collectible items to refrigerators, freezers and used furniture. The business has both a showroom that is open every day or by appointment, and regular auctions, which are held every other Friday night.

Greattrax said he has been involved with antiques since the age of 15, when he joined other family members in the business. The storefront is a new venture for him. In addition to the showroom and Friday auctions, Greattrax is also available for off-site auctions and estate sales.

“Business has been good so far,” said Greattrax.

“It’s a good sign when a startup can pay its bills, and that’s been the case since we opened. After a break for the holidays, the Friday auctions will resume on January 6 and continue every two weeks. Customers have come from near and far – we’ve had folks from Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire, as well as all over the Capital District.”

“We’re always actively buying and selling, we’re looking for estate sales, and we are insured,” he added.

You can find Saratoga Auction & Consignment at 36 Saratoga Avenue in Mechanicville, or you can call 538-5712 for more information.

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Robert T. Schofield, a partner with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, was sworn in as president of the Albany County Bar Association on Tuesday, January 10 at the Albany County Courthouse. He has served on the Association’s Board in various capacities since 2004.

Schofield has been with Whiteman Osterman & Hanna since 2000.

His areas of expertise include public sector labor and employment law, collective bargaining, education law, and general litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Schofield was the confidential law clerk to the Hon. Justices Bernard J. Malone, Jr. and Joseph Harris of the New York State Supreme Court and had previously served as an Appellate Court Attorney with the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department.

Schofield will devote his term to the Association’s continued efforts to support and improve the profession and judicial system. The Albany County Bar Association has over 1,300 members. *

John Stahl, owner of The Growth Coach of New York in Canajoharie, NY, was accepted for membership in the Consulting Alliance, an association of the Capital Region’s leading independent consultants focused on professional learning and business development.

The Growth Coach of New York is a business coaching firm that uses business coaching processes to improve the lives of small business owners and corporate executives in Albany and Saratoga Springs, NY. A business owner for more than 30 years, Stahl is a Certified Business Coach with the Growth Coach System. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah.

He has written articles for national publications and has spoken on business topics at regional and national conferences. He has consulted on projects for Brown and Stanford University.

*

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2012 Economic Forecast Continued From Page 18 selection, programs, incentives anything an individual interested in doing business would need is accessible by opening one door.

In addition, it’s also an opportunity for both counties to better communicate and think more regionally. Although we will all maintain our own identities, we will also share resources and be able to assist each other with various administrative and operational communications.

I’m very grateful and appreciative of the camaraderie with the regional economic developers within the Capital Region. Many of these professionals have been in the game for a long time and have been kind with sharing information, stories, successes and

challenges. They’ve also been very generous with guidance and suggestions. This group has impressive projects to hang their hats on and I am looking forward to continue learning as much as I can and bringing those resources and models back to the towns and villages in Washington County to implement or, in some cases, simply learn from.

We’ve been diligently compiling data to analyze our assets, needs and challenges throughout 2011. Despite the national economy climate, businesses in Washington County are not only holding their lines; many are reporting growth that exceeded their projections. A plethora of manufacturing; from high-tech, to medical, to

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traditional operations successfully operate in our rolling hills and rural landscapes.

As in 2011, we believe we’ll continue welcoming more R&D laboratory operations as well as agri-manufacturers. We have three technology firms with expansion plans already slated and have discussions happening with potential for the near future.

So, 2012…It’s not are we ready for it…It’s is it ready for us. The LDC office has their sleeves

BY STEPHEN KYNE As we prepare to say goodbye to the year that was, we look to the dawning of another with wonder and anticipation. What will the coming year bring? Will the US economy slip once more into recession, or will it continue to recover and bring future prosperity?

Forecasting the economy is certainly no easier than forecasting the weather, and meteorologists have a hard time seeing much past the next few days. That being said, let’s look at some longrange expectations for the economy in 2012.

Overall, we expect more of the same for the US in 2012.

The consensus among economists appears to be that the US will experience continued slow growth over the coming year, and is unlikely to slip into recession. We expect growth in Real GDP from 2-3%.

Unemployment will likely remain high, as uncertainty around government regulation will continue to force businesses to improve efficiency and productivity by investing in improved technology rather than additional labor. We expect improvements on the jobs front, but a return to a normal unemployment level of ~4% in 2012 is extremely unlikely.

Unemployment, or the threat thereof, has forced many households to adopt austerity measures of their own. As the potential for decreased income due to unemployment, coupled with the actual, or perceived, inaccessibility of additional credit sources has weighed on the average family, they have been forced to get their fiscal houses in order, and many households are better positioned today, than they were prior to the recession.

Continued government gridlock will hamper growth during this election cycle, as each party blames the other for the current predicament, holding itself out as the only path to prosperity.

Whatever your political leanings, remember that media coverage of politics and the economy exists only to sell advertising, and the best way to get you watching is to keep you concerned. Incidentally, it’s also the best way to get you to the polls.

We expect continued increased growth in the emerging economies, as their burgeoning middle class begins to demand the amenities of modern living that have been enjoyed in the west for de-

rolled up, our noses to the grindstones, we’re eager to take on any challenge and ready to learn more about how we can be most effective and efficient; then implementing that knowledge into helping to create a truly dynamic business environment for all existing businesses and those businesses choosing to bring their operations here. We’re dedicated to work side by side to assist however we can to help business succeed and grow.

Stephen Kyne, Partner, Sterling Manor Financial LLC, Saratoga Springs Courtesy of Sterling Manor Financial

cades. Improving living conditions, healthcare, and personal freedom in these regions will help fuel their growth.

Europe is not likely to fare as well as the rest of the world, and is widely expected to enter recession in the coming year, as countries in the Eurozone continue to grapple with their new fiscal reality, and the impact of voluntary or forced austerity measures begins to be felt. The failure of the social experiment, that is the modern European welfare state, will reshape the fiscal and monetary policies of nations within the zone, and should create stronger economies in the years ahead. Lower corporate taxes and a decrease in the role of government in Canada, have already played an important role in helping to boost that economy and lower unemployment there.

Remember that these are forward looking statements, and an event could occur tomorrow which reshapes our outlook, so you should continue to work with your independent financial advisor to ensure you are taking the steps required to maintain your personal economy.

Securities and investment advisory services are offered solely through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.