Saratoga Business Journal - July 2020 by Saratoga & Glens Falls Business Journal

SBJ P.O. Box 766 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

VOL. 25 NO. 05

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Rochester Company Buys Former State Farm Ballston Spa Mayor Says Opening Street For Building In Malta, Starts To Lease Space Outdoor Dining Space Has Been Successful

Flaum Management Co. Inc has purchased this former State Farm Operations Center located off Northway Exit 12 in Saratoga County. It will be leased as commercial space. BY CHRISTINE GRAF Rochester-based Flaum Management Co. Inc has purchased the former State Farm Operations Center located off Northway Exit 12 in Saratoga County. The building sat empty for approximately two years before being auctioned off in March by Ten-X Commercial, an online real estate platform. The two-story, 124,171-squarefoot building was purchased by John Senese, owner of Calco Construction

in Farmington, Con., for $1.36 million, according to the Flaum. After purchasing the property, Senese sold it to Flaum Management Co. for $2 million. Flaum Management owns office, retail, and industrial properties throughout the state, including two properties in the Capital Region. Last year, the company purchased Latham Farms in a joint venture deal with Boston-based the Davis Continued On Page 20

A section of Front Street is closed to vehicles 4-10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to allow for more outdoor dining space during the virus pandemic that has limited restaurant capacity. BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER The Village of Ballston Spa has closed down a main commercial street during the coronavirus pandemic to make more space for outdoor dining for restaurants. A section of Front Street is closed to vehicles from 4-10 p.m. those specified days every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “The Village of Ballston Spa is open for business,” said Mayor Larry Woolbright. “It’s been going great. People are coming out. The restaurants are doing

good business. People really appreciate being able to get out again. We have a nice 15-foot-wide pedestrian path blocked off down the middle of the street so everyone has plenty of space to get where they’re going,” he said. “Restaurants are all out with their tables on the sidewalks, with plenty of space on the side streets. They’re doing good business, and they’re all relieved to be able to open back up after being shut down for Continued On Page 9

Grey Ghost Bicycles Inundated With Work GlobalFoundries Puts Plan In Works To Buy As People Take To Cycling During Pandemic More Land In Malta For Future Expansion BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Interest in bicycling has grown as a safe alternative for transportation, combating boredom and staying in shape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local bike shops, like Grey Ghost Bicycles in Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs, didn’t anticipate what that would mean for them. They have worked tirelessly to keep us with customer demand. “I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined the spring we had,” said Grey Ghost manager Steve Fairchild. With an established business in Glens Falls, Grey Ghost opened its second location in the plaza at 60 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs just before the pandemic hit. They were deemed by the state as an essential business, a determination that Fairchild said he thought may bring some challenges. But he never expected to experience the demand that he saw almost immediately. “As soon as the weather started to warm up in late March, early April, the demand just skyrocketed. Our inventory was almost immediately cleared out. Many of the bikes we sell are made in China and since most of the manufacturers closed, we couldn’t even order bikes. They just were not being made,” said Fairchild. The second part of the demand on the business was repairs. That is the primarily focus now at both locations, since the availability of new bikes is scarce. Fairchild said people are digging bikes out of basements and garages, many of which haven’t been used in years. “We have bikes coming in that need repairs of parts that are no longer being made. Some

of these bikes are up to 30 years old. We do our best to get them operating with parts we have in stock,” he said. “We can’t even order some parts because either they are no longer available, or the supply can’t keep up with the demand. It has been a challenge to say the least.” Fairchild said bicycle mechanics can be hard to Continued On Page 6

GlobalFoundries announced it has secured a purchase option agreement for approximately 66 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to what it calls its most advanced manufacturing facility, Fab 8 in Malta near the Luther Forest Technology Campus (LFTC). The land parcel is located at the southeast end of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP) campus, adjacent to Stonebreak Road Extension, between the Fab 8 facility and Hermes Road. Exercising the option to purchase the land and commencement of development to expand the company’s Fab 8 facility will be subject to zoning regulations and client demand, company officials said. “GlobalFoundries continues to demonstrate its commitment to economic growth in Saratoga County and Upstate New York,” said Darren O’Connor, Malta town supervisor. “I am pleased to hear that this latest step will enable future growth opportunities for GlobalFoundries for years to come.” The parcel is being sold at fair market value, with a purchase price determined by an independent appraiser, the company said. “Amid growing consensus in our nation’s capital for investment in semiconductor manufacturing, it’s more important than ever that we are ready to fast track our growth plans at GlobalFoundries’ most

GlobalFoundries has secured a purchase option agreement for approximately 66 acres. Courtesy GlobalFoundries

advanced manufacturing facility in the U.S.,” said Ron Sampson, GlobalFoundries senior vice president and general manager of U.S. fab operations. “With this agreement option, we now have additional flexibility to expand our footprint and position Fab 8 for future growth in Saratoga County and New York state, while strengthening U.S. leadership in Continued On Page 16

2 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

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Personnel Briefs

DeAngelus Goralczyk, PLLC (DG Law) announced that Rebecca Borden has joined the firm. Borden brings over two decades of experience in practicing law, with a concentration in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, banking and corporate law, and title insurance clearance and curative matters. Borden received a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Skidmore College in 1995. She earned a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law in 1998. Her work history includes handling all aspects of loss mitigation foreclosure alternatives on both commercial and residential properties, including handling title claims and title curative work. Additional areas of practice include zoning and land use, condominium law and formations, and business and banking law and commercial transactions. She is admitted to practice in New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont. She is a licensed title agent in Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Virginia. She is also a member of the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association. * * * Saratoga Hospital has promoted Jeffrey Methven to executive vice president, responsible for operations. Marcy Dreimiller has been named vice president of human resources. Both have more than a decade of experience in roles of increasing responsibility at Saratoga Hospital. Methven, of Saratoga Springs, previously was vice president of ambulatory services and chief human resources officer. He joined Saratoga Hospital in 2006 as vice president of human resources and, since then, has assumed responsibility for the hospital’s outpatient net-

Center For Economic Growth, Capital Region Chamber Pursuing A Possible Affiliation •

work of over 20 locations. As executive vice president, Methven will continue to be responsible for the operations of the medical group and many Saratoga Hospital outpatient sites. He also will work closely with other members of the hospital’s leadership team to oversee much of the organization’s daily operations. A graduate of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, Methven has an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester. He serves on the boards of the Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council and Saratoga Regional YMCA and is a volunteer coach with the Old Saratoga Athletic Association. As vice president of human resources, Dreimiller oversees all major human resources functions, including recruitment, employee relations, benefit administration, training and leadership development and compensation. She also is responsible for employee health, volunteer services and pastoral care. Dreimiller, of South Glens Falls, joined Saratoga Hospital in 2009 as director of human resources and was named associate vice president of human resources in 2017. Previously, she was the vice president of human resources at Glens Falls Hospital for 17 years. A graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, Dreimiller has a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She also holds the most advanced human resources credential, Senior Professional in Human Resources. Dreimiller has served as president of Shelters of Saratoga and the Warren-WashingtonSaratoga Employee Assistance Program and as chairperson of the Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Investment Board. In addition, she has served as secretary of the Adirondack Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Adirondack Business to School Partnership, Saratoga County Community Services Board and the Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center. * * * CAP COM Federal Credit Union, which has offices in Malta and Clifton Park, has hired Becky Daniels as the credit union’s director of community engagement. She will bring a depth of experience in her role on the community relations team lead by Continued On Page 16

The boards of the Center for Economic Growth and the Capital Region Chamber have agreed to form a Joint Task Force to pursue possible affiliation. The affiliation is being explored as CEG President and CEO Andrew Kennedy has accepted a senior position with Ostroff Associates, a leading government relations firm based in Albany. “On behalf of the CEG board of directors, I would like to thank Andrew for his leadership, implementation of the CEG investor model, and his commitment to the growth of the Capital Region over his years of service,” said Dr. John Bennett, Chair of CEG and president and CEO of CDPHP. “With Andrew’s transition, the CEG’s volunteer leadership took this opportunity to step-back to determine how to best proceed. Our belief is that business and community growth in the Capital Region requires a unified vision and coordinated strategy that was best achieved if CEG and the Capital Region Chamber were directly affiliated under one organizational structure.” “It has been a privilege and honor to serve as the president and CEO of CEG,” said Kennedy. “I am proud of the work done by the professional team at CEG who work day in and day out to not only market the Capital Region but serve as the resource for Capital Region businesses. As I transition to the new opportunity, I would like to thank the CEG board of directors and our investors for their support. It is through their efforts we have made the Capital Region stronger.” The Capital Region Chamber was formed in 2015 as an umbrella organization to align and unite similar-purpose organizations. Its organizational structure was intentionally designed should other organizations wish to affiliate. “The missions of the Capital Region Chamber and CEG are closely aligned, and there are strong synergies between organizations. The case for uniting these two

Expert electrical service.

CEG President and CEO Andrew Kennedy has accepted a position with another firm. Courtesy CEG

regional organizations is compelling,” said Capital Region Chamber Chair Paul Milton, president and CEO of Ellis Medicine. The affiliation structure under review leverages the strength of each organization. CEG would retain its identity and become a subsidiary of the Capital Region Chamber. From a member services perspective, the Capital Region Chamber would continue to serve the immediate four-county Capital Region, however CEG’s economic development role would remain the eight-county greater Capital Region, which aligns with counties served by the Capital Region Economic Development Council. CEG staff would combine with Chamber staff and the Chamber CEO Mark Eagan would serve as CEO of CEG. The Joint Task Force will be meeting over the coming months to conduct the necessary due diligence, officials said. It expects to present a recommendation to both boards in September.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 3

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Business Report

Capital Craft Beverage Trail Has Stops In Saratoga, Washington and Warren Counties •

Study Shows Tourist Interest In Saratoga County

BY TODD SHIMKUS With COVID-19, it’s hard to tell who is really willing to travel. No doubt there is pent up demand to get out of the house. But who and how many people are really going to visit other places? That would be valuable information. Thanks to the expertise of the talented professionals at Mind Genomics, we now have this information. We now have proof that people from the Capital Region, to New York City, to Massachusetts, Connecticut and places in between want to come back and visit us in Saratoga County within the next six months. They want to “Feel the Freedom” in Saratoga County. From June 5 -12, Mind Genomics completed detailed surveys with more than 3,000 people to help us find out how COVID-19 might have changed their motivation to visit Saratoga County. The survey sought to evaluate what messages might resonate and what safety precautions our businesses would have to take for respondents to feel comfortable traveling here. Here’s what we learned: 90 percent of the respondents have visited Saratoga County multiple times in the past. So they love Saratoga County and as much as 71 percent said they are “very likely” to visit in the next six months. That leaves 29 percent of the respondents who are not very likely to visit. So what’s deterring this 29 percent from visiting Saratoga County? Fifty percent said a lack of trust in venues enforcing proper safety guidelines is a deterrent. Thirty-nine percent said a desire to avoid crowds, and 39 percent also cited a lack of a COVID-19 vaccine as a concern limiting their willingness to travel. The top three safety precautions that our businesses and their employees can take that will motivate respondents to visit include: • 58 percent said masks worn by employees. • 57 percent said enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols. • 54 percent social distancing enforced by ownership. One of the unique aspects of the Mind Genomics survey process is that they combined messages that could test the types of experiences that would motivate respondents to visit Saratoga County

Todd Shimkus is president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Courtesy Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

specifically. By doing this, they were able to identify three different and distinct viewpoints from among the respondents and to help us determine what amenities to promote. One viewpoint included 50 percent or half of the participants. This group is extremely interested in visiting regardless of the messages we use. But, we can pique their interest even further by taking about dining, the great outdoors and horse racing. A second group includes 25 percent of the respondents. This group is motivated to travel to Saratoga County to experience outdoor recreation, health and wellness, in addition to arts, culture, and history. This includes natural springs, mountain hikes, our parks and the fact that Saratoga County is a great place to relax and de-stress. The third group is also about 25 percent of the respondents. This group will be motivated to visit Saratoga County if they can have the “quintessential” Saratoga experience. This group will respond to messages that pertain to the arts, culture, history, dining, shopping and horse racing. Using this Saratoga County focused information, the Saratoga County Chamber has created a new Feel the Freedom campaign. With funding from the Saratoga County Reopening Advisory Board and the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, this campaign includes digital, social media and television ads that mirror the geography of respondents surveyed by Mind Genomics.

After a three-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous challenges it presented for the local craft beverage sector, the Capital Craft Beverage Trail has started again and released its 2020 passport program. It began July 1, hosted by Artisanal Brew Works at 41 Geyser Road in Saratoga Springs. This year’s passport features 52 craft beverage producers from across the eightcounty Capital Region. Trail stops include wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, meaderies, and one kombucha maker, highlighting both local talent and New York state produce. The 2019 program ended in late March when the state shutdown nonessential businesses. “The passport is the pinnacle of what we at the Trail are trying to accomplish, in highlighting local producers and small business owners here in the Greater Capital District,” Daniel Kravitz, president of the Capital Craft Beverage Trail and general manager of Artisanal Brew Works, said in a press release. “Even though life as we know it has changed, the Trail is still focused on safely bringing together local beverage producers within the community. We want to stress that safety is our number one priority. Please be respectful of the conditions we are dealing with so we can keep everyone healthy and happy.” “Local breweries and distilleries are becoming more essential to both our local economy and our cultural footprint every year,” Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly said. “Saratoga Springs has always been a destination city, and now our attractions are becoming even more diverse with the expansion of unique local breweries and distilleries. “These businesses offer a unique opportunity for responsible gathering and socializing during these challenging times, so I am so excited that the Capital Craft Beverage

Trail is kicking off its 2020 Passport Program.” Passports are free of charge and are available at any of the producer member locations. Organized by county, the Passport map takes participants on a winding trail through Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties, collecting stamps and earning prizes along the way. The 2020 Passports will be good through June 2021. This year there are five prize levels. When participants make a purchase at a producer location, their Passport will receive two stamps – one on the producer’s page, and one on the tear-out sheet at the back. Participants receive a prize once they’ve received enough stamps to fill each of the five perforated pages. The Level 5 prize can only be redeemed by collecting stamps from all 52 producers in the Passport. The prizes are: Level 1, CCBT coozie; level 2, CCBT shot glass; level 3, CCBT fiveounce taster; level 4, CCBT waiters corkscrew; level 5, free ticket to a 2021 drink event. Area participants in the in the 2020 Passport program are: Saratoga County: Artisanal Brew Works, Common Roots Brewing Co., Druthers Brewing Co., Galway Rock & Saratoga Sparkling Co., Ledge Rock Hill Winery, Racing City Brewing/Oliva Winery, R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing, Unified Beerworks, Walt & Whitman Brewing, and Yankee Distillers. Warren County: Adirondack Winery an d Northway Brewing Co. Washington County: Northern Cross Vineyard, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing and Victory View Vineyard. Schenectady County: Back Barn Brewing Co., Druthers Brewing Co., Frog Alley Brewing, Great Flats Brewing, Helderberg Meadworks, Mad Jack Brewing Co., the Schenectady Distilling Co., and Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.

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Race Course To Start July 16 Without Fans; Travers Stakes Is Scheduled For August 8 The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin July 16 and will run races without fans due to the coronavirus, as they have been doing downstate at Belmont Park. Another big change for the meet is that the Travers Stakes will be run on Saturday, Aug. 8, rather than the last Saturday in Aug.. The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced the racing schedule featuring 71 stakes races worth $14.45 million in purses, encompassing 39 graded stakes and 18 Grade 1s. The meet ends Monday, Sept. 7. “We’re thrilled to be racing at Saratoga this summer and we thank Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his support and the support of horsemen who have worked with us to navigate the many challenges,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said. “While this will be anything but a traditional Saratoga season, we hope to provide a semblance of normalcy for both the local community as well as racing fans across the country.” The Opening Day card will be fortified by the Grade 3, $100,000 Peter Pan. The 1 1/8-miles test for sophomores was moved from its traditional home at Belmont Park to the Spa. Also on tap for the Saratoga lid-lifter is the Grade 3, $100,000 Schuylerville for juvenile fillies going six furlongs. The 40-day meet will feature at least one stakes race every live racing day, highlighted by the 151st renewal of the $1 million Runhappy Travers and the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney on Aug. 1, as the anchors of two of the biggest racing days in North America. After opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Whitney Day will feature three Grade 1 events, led by the historic Whitney, a handicap at 1 1/8 miles with an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7. The card is bolstered by the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November; and the Grade 1, $300,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy for 3-year-olds sprinting seven furlongs. The stakes-laden card also includes the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green for 4-year-olds and up on the turf and the $200,000 Caress, a 5 ½-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares. The Travers, traditionally contested at the end of Aug., will be held this year on Aug. 8 to properly account for the schedule adjustments and overall calendar for 3-year-olds in training due to the health and safety measures instituted to mitigate risk and combat the spread of COVID-19. The “Mid-Summer Derby” will still be contested at 1 1/4 miles for the country’s most talented 3-year-olds and is one of three Grade 1s on the day, joining the $300,000 Ballerina for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up going seven furlongs in a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. The day will also see sophomore fillies compete in the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Longines Test at seven furlongs, with the card bolstered by the Grade 3, $200,000 Troy, a 5 ½-furlong turf sprint for older males, and the Grade 3, $150,000 Waya, a 1 ½-mile turf route for older fillies and mares. The meet’s first Grade 1 will be on the opening Saturday, July 18, when the $350,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for sophomore fillies going 1 1/8 miles takes center stage, supported by the Grade 2, $150,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. A pair of graded stakes feature on Saturday, July 25, topped by the Grade 1, $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt, a handicap for 3-year-olds and up

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins this week, but with no fans. Courtesy NYRA

going six furlongs, and including the Grade 2, $200,000 Ballston Spa for older fillies and mares on the turf. New to the Saratoga stakes schedule are a pair of New York-bred races for older grass horses with the Lubash set for July 22 and the Dayatthespa for fillies and mares on July 29, both offering a purse of $85,000 for the 1 1/16-mile turf tests. The Grade 1, $500,000 Alabama for 3-year-old fillies going 1 ¼ miles is slated for Saturday, Aug. 15, which will also see the second running of the $500,000 Saratoga Derby, part of the Turf Triple Series for 3-year-olds. Its filly counterpart, the $500,000 Saratoga Oaks for sophomores, will be run the next day. Saturday, Aug. 22 will run the Grade 1, $400,000 Fourstardave, a handicap for 3-yearolds and up going one mile on the turf. The Grade 1, $500,000 Diana for fillies going 1 1/8 miles on the turf will be the feature on Sunday, Aug. 23. A pair of stakes for sophomore state breds originally scheduled at Aqueduct Racetrack, the NYSSS Times Square and NYSSS Park Avenue, will now be contested at Saratoga on Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 respectively, both offering a purse of $100,000 for the 6 1/2-furlong main-track sprints. The Grade 1, $300,000 Forego, presented by America’s Best Racing, a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up, shares center stage on Saratoga’s penultimate Saturday on Aug. 29, with the day also offering exciting racing action with the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer, a 1 ½-mile turf route for 4-year-olds and up that serves as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. The final weekend of the 2020 Saratoga meet will have six graded stakes. Four of those contests will run Saturday, Sept. 5, led by the Grade 1, $500,000 Woodward, a handicap for 3-yearolds and up going 1 ¼ miles. A trio of Grade 2 races will make for a strong card, including the $150,000 Jim Dandy for sophomores at 1 1/8 miles; the $200,000 Prioress for sophomore fillies going six furlongs; and the $200,000 Glens Falls for older fillies and mares competing at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. Sunday, Sept. 6 will be the date for the Grade 1, $250,000 Spinaway for sophomore fillies going seven furlongs, along with the Grade 2, $150,000 Honorable Miss, a handicap for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at six furlongs. The $250,000 Runhappy Hopeful, at seven furlongs for juvenile sprinters as the traditional final Grade 1 of the Saratoga meet, brings the curtain down on Closing Day Monday, Sept. 7.

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 5

Tully Rinckey Law Firm Establishes An Office Old School Pest Control In South Glens Falls In Saratoga Springs, Its Seventh In New York Specializes In Removing Various Insect Pests BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Tully Rinckey PLLC has opened a new office in Saratoga Springs. The office at 125 High Rock Ave. is their 13th worldwide and seventh in New York state. It is lead by partner Michael J. Belsky, who has over 20 years of experience practicing law in Saratoga County. Belsky, who had been working out of the Albany office, said he is excited to serve the Saratoga community where he has deep roots working as an attorney with Saratoga County Family and with state Supreme Court cases. His areas of experience are in matters related to divorce, adoption, child custody and support. “We are excited to be a part of the community and plan to give back where we can. I have always stayed connected to Saratoga,” said Belsky. The Saratoga office offers legal services covering family and matrimonial, trusts and estates, corporate, and criminal law. Michael Macomber, Tully Rinckey chief executive officer, said they will have about three to four employees in the new location. He said they have talked about opening an office in Saratoga for several years and felt the time was right to make it official. “The last few months have provided us with an opportunity to strategically review our business model and how we can better service Capital Region individuals and businesses. This is a great opportunity,” said Macomber. Both Macomber and Belsky said the new

Michael J. Belsky is a partner with Tully Rinckey PLLC. Courtesy Tully Rinckey PPLC

location offers everything they were looking for, including spacious conference rooms and plenty of parking. The other Tully Rinckey’s New York state offices are in Albany, Manhattan, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Binghamton. The firm also has offices in Washington, D.C.; Austin, Texas; Houston, San Diego, and internationally in Dublin, Ireland, and London. The firm website is www.tullylegal.com.

OxiFresh Carpet Cleaning, Serving Customers Throughout Region, Has A New Owner BY JILL NAGY OxiFresh Carpet Cleaning has a new owner, but he promises customers, “there will be no changes in your relationship with OxiFresh.” The only difference people will notice, said new owner Andrew Allen, is “when speaking to management you will now be working with me.” Allen was a technician and then manager with the company for three years. He began in 2017 as a technician. A year later, he was manager of operations. While he worked his way up, Allen was also a student at SUNY Adirondack where he earned a business degree. He was simultaneously a full-time student and a full-time employee at OxiFresh. This year, the employer offered to sell the franchise to him and he purchased it. As a “neat freak, almost OCD,” he said he is a natural for the carpet cleaning business. Furthermore, the company has “great customers” and “I like making people happy.” The company does residential and commercial cleaning of carpet, upholstery and floors. They also sell a hospital-grade disinfectant that, Allen said, will kill viruses in under five minutes—just spray and wipe. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he always asks customers if they have been sick before going in to do a job. He wears a mask and gloves and tries to keep disinfected an area six feet around him. The OxiFresh company is about 60 years old, Allen estimated. His franchise covers the territory

from Queensbury to Albany. For now, Allen is working on his own.Now that the COVID lockdown has opened up somewhat, he is looking to hire an assistant. He is also on the lookout for an appropriate building, probably in the Saratoga area, with space for an office, storage, and one or two garages. You can reach Allen at 518-812-4400 or by e-mail at Andrew.oxifreshocd@gmail.com.

Old School Pest Control LLC in South Glens Falls is owned by John Herbaly, who wants old-fashioned service and reliability to be the hallmarks of his new business. BY JILL NAGY John Herbaly wants old-fashioned service and reliability to be the hallmarks of his new business, Old School Pest Control LLC in South Glens Falls. After 20 years working for other companies, Herbaly opened his own business on June 1. So far, it is a family enterprise. Daughter Skylar designed the company’s logo, an owl wearing a mortarboard, sitting on a branch. Her sister, Larissa who loves owls provided the inspiration for that logo, ,her father said. They are still too young to work, he said, but the girls are learning the business. His wife, Lisa, on the other hand, runs the office. If things continue to go well, he expects to add another employee next year. Herbaly said he wants a company that has “old ways, deals sealed with a handshake, excellent customer service, and honesty behind the work. I wanted my company to be about people.”

Courtesy Old School Pest Control

He specializes in removing insect pests, including ticks, mosquitoes, ants and termites, and “I’m really good at wildlife. I love doing the service, solving the problem. That’s really what it’s all about,” he said. Although in business only for a short time, Herbaly said, “I have been pretty busy. I like it.” He said he has received good reviews and good feedback. Herbaly was born in Glens Falls Hospital, is a graduate of South Glens Falls High School and went on to SUNY Cobleskill. He moved away from the area for a while but has since moved back. The company is “truly local,” he noted. Headquartered in South Glens Falls, Old School Pest Control services all of Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties. The website is www. oldschoolpest.com and the telephone number is 518 724-6440.

6 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL 2002 Business Of The Year

Owner Of Altamont Company Has Possession Of Saratoga Polo Club; Future Yet Uncertain

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: RJDeLuke@saratogabusinessjournal.com Advertising: HarryW@saratogabusinessjournal.com Publisher & Editor Harry Weinhagen Associate Editor R.J. DeLuke Editor Emeritus Rod Bacon Sales and Customer Service Harry Weinhagen Production Manager Graphic Precision Photographer Stock Studios Photography Contributing Writers Susan Campbell Jill Nagy Jennifer Farnsworth Christine Graf Andrea Palmer Rachel Phillips Saratoga Business Journal is published monthly, the second week of each month, by Weinhagen Associates, LLC and mailed to business and professional people in Saratoga county. Saratoga Business Journal is independently owned and is a registered tradename of Weinhagen Associates, LLC, P.O. Box 766, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 (518) 581-0600. Saratoga Business Journal is a registered tradename in New York. Saratoga Business Journal has been founded to promote business in Saratoga county and to provide a forum that will increase the awareness of issues and activities that are of interest to the business community. Subscription price is $25.00 per year. Third class postage paid at Glens Falls, New York. Rights to editorial content and layouts of advertising placed with Saratoga Business Journal which are the creative effort of its contractors, and printing materials supplied by Saratoga Business Journal are the property of Saratoga Business Journal and may not be reproduced by photographic or similar methods, or otherwise, without the specific authorization of Saratoga Business Journal.

BY CHRISTINE GRAF In April, Saratoga Polo Association owners Jim Rossi and Mike Bucci turned over the deed to the historic club to Carver Laraway, owner of Altamont-based Carver Companies. Although Laraway’s plans for the 43acre property remain uncertain, many local residents are hopeful it will remain a polo club. Located on Bloomfield Road in the town of Greenfield, just west of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Polo Club is one of the oldest in the United States. It was founded in 1898 by William Collins Whitney, a financier, politician and owner of thoroughbred horses. Rossi and Bucci purchased the club for $1.2 million in 2004. Although they were successful in increasing attendance and sponsorship revenue, they were plagued by financial problems. They were also unsuccessful in efforts to develop apartments and condominiums on the property. In March 2018, Pioneer Bank initiated foreclosure proceedings on Saratoga Polo’s $3.2 million loan. Foreclosure was halted after Laraway guaranteed the loan. “Saratoga Polo fell on hard times last year and went through a foreclosure process

in summer of 2019,” said T. Padric Moore, the Clifton Park attorney who represented the owners. “Around November of 2019, we struck a bargain with the guarantor and successor mortgagee, Carver Laraway, whereby we were given six months to sell property free and clear of all liens.” In February 2019, club owners hired an online broker to auction off the property. Bidding for the property started at $4.3 million, well below it’s previously appraised value of over $6 million. Media reports earlier in the year said there was some consideration to a 2020 polo season, but those plans never moved forward. “We tried to auction off the property, but the auction process failed. We had some interested purchasers, but because of COVID 19, we lost all of our purchasers. In accordance with our settlement agreement that we had reached with Carver Laraway, we turned the deed over to Mr. Laraway’s company.” Laraway operates several companies including Carver Construction and Carver Sand and Gravel. In 2007, he purchased the Port of Coeymans, a deep water marine terminal located 10 miles south of Albany on the Hudson River.

Grey Ghost

through unexpected situations,” said Fairchild. They shop has a waiting period for repairs. Fairchild said they are being inundated with repair orders but says most customers have been understanding given the current state. “It has been overwhelming for us, and most people get that. We appreciate their patience,” said Fairchild. Both locations are operating on a limited basis with limited stock. Grey Ghost Bicycles is available online at greyghostbicycles.com. The locations are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Continued From Page 1 find and they have had to ensure they are meeting all current safety regulations, including having only so many people at a location at a time, for safety distancing reasons. He said they are used to circumstances not being ideal. When they opened their Glens Falls location, they were in a construction zone for a year due to a devastating fire at a neighboring building. “I guess you could say we know how to work

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 7

Cooperstown Distillery Moving Ahead With Continued COVID-19 Concerns Cancels Plans To Open A Saratoga Shop On Broadway Americade; Event Hopes To Return In 2021

This storefront at 453 Broadway, that used to be home to a Bruegger’s Bagels shop, will become the site of a Cooperstown Distillery outlet that will sell its crafted artisanal spirits and some food. BY JILL NAGY Work is ongoing to transform the former Bruegger’s Bagels shop at 453 Broadway into a Cooperstown Distillery tavern, bar, tasting room, and retail outlet. The original distillery in Cooperstown will continue to produce vodka, gin, bourbon, rye whiskey and rum. Owner Gene Mara visualizes several deliveries a week from the distillery to the Saratoga tavern. All the liquors are produced from grains grown at Inverness Farms, a small farm in Canajoharie. The Saratoga tavern will be the second satellite serving Cooperstown Distillery products. The first one is in downtown Cooperstown. The original distillery has been in business for seven and a half years. A small wooden bar, constructed in Morocco and purchased from a local attorney, is waiting to be installed as the tasting bar, Mara said. The shop will also serve New York state

craft beverages, mainly beer and cider, in addition to its own products. Plans also include a limited menu of bar food, said Mara. During the pandemic shutdown, Cooperstown Distillery has been producing hand sanitizer, he said. He has donated several hundred bottles of Cooper’s Clean hand sanitizer to Saratoga Springs and the company plans to donate more. The company has received enough wholesale orders to keep all of its employees working during the shutdown. Mara expects is could take up to three months to complete the renovation. He said the interior was not in good shape, so it will be a fairly major renovation. Currently, the company has 13 employees, Mara said. He expects to add at least 10 or 12 more when the Saratoga tavern opens. For additional information,visit cooperstowndistillery.com or call (607) 282-4246.

Americade, the motorcycle touring rally and a Lake George tradition of nearly 40 years, will not take place this summer, Americade organizer Christian Dutcher announced. The event was originally moved from June to July because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it has now been canceled. Officials hope it will return next year. “When we rescheduled Americade to July, I knew that it was a bit of a long shot. Attempting to create a safe event in the face of a global pandemic was a big challenge and would require numerous changes to ensure everyone’s wellbeing,” said Dutcher. “The odds of it being financially worthwhile were near zero, but we wanted to give it a try for several reasons. We didn’t want to be yet another event that canceled in 2020 (there was already enough depressing news). We knew that all of our partners (vendors and the local community) needed every bit of help we could give them. And we didn’t want to interrupt the 37-year tradition of Americade,” he said. “It was a challenging, financially draining effort, but we wanted to try. And man have we tried. Five of us have been logging long hours, doing our damnedest to make it happen. But the recent bad turn of events regarding COVID-19 in the U.S. makes it less likely that we could achieve the number-one objective we announced when we first set the July dates: It has to be safe.’’ Dutcher said Americade organizers had the popular Americade Expo and other events lined up, including factory demos and displays. Comprehensive safety plans were in place and broad motorcycle industry support had been secured. While organizers felt they could meet the challenges of managing potentially large crowds and maintaining social distancing, the recent national worsening of the virus could not be overcome “with a level of confidence that we felt was warranted,” he said. Americade draws participants from across the United States. Dutcher said, “the worsening trendline of coronavirus cases nationwide coupled with New York state’s quarantine restrictions on people from 16 states led to the final decision. “Out of concern for our customers and our community and out of respect for the work so

Continued health and safety concerns resulted in cancellation of Americade. Courtesy Americade

many are doing to protect our health, canceling Americade 2020 is the right step. We deeply regret having to disappoint our fans and the communities that have always supported us. We hope they will understand.’’ Americade will offer refunds for registrants or enable them to apply their 2020 registration fee to the 2021 event. Registrants who take the 2021 credit will receive early-registration privileges and a $20 additional credit. Dutcher thanked Warren County Administrator Ryan Moore, Lake George Mayor Robert Blais, Ross Levy of the Empire State Development Corp.’s I Love NY program, Lake George Supervisor Dennis Dickinson, Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino, Warren County Tourism Director Joanne Conley, Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Mintzer and Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce President Michael Bittel for their help and continued support. “Americade is truly a community undertaking. We could not do it without their help and advice,’’ said Dutcher.

Gordon Sacks Founder, CEO 9 Miles East Farm LLC Reads

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8 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

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Despite Building Closures, Senior Centers Provide Food Delivery And Virtual Activities BY SUSAN E. CAMPBELL The high-risk elderly population has faced greater challenges than most other demographic groups during the coronavirus pandemic. But although their doors are temporarily closed, local senior citizens centers have made sure their members stay safe through outreach and by shifting programs into the digital realm. The Saratoga Senior Center did one-on-one phone calls to nearly 2,000 seniors who were either active members or who had recently not renewed memberships, according to Lois Celeste, executive director. “Our first step was reassurance calls, then needs assessment,” Celeste said. “This resulted in a list of several hundred we have been calling daily.” There followed a second assessment call to anyone for whom the center had information and later, a third, she said. As the staff of the Greater Glens Falls Senior Center moved work to their homes, they made calls to the 1,100 members to assess needs, according to Executive Director Kim Bren. In some cases, a senior services specialist was called in to arrange rides, although with social distancing requirement the center’s 12-person van could not transport more than one senior at a time. “Many members who didn’t know exactly what we do are very appreciative and will be more active as we slowly get back to normal,” said Bren. “Staff has learned that talking to the members personally lets them hear different sides and opinions.” Celeste had been running out of space at the center, where she has been for the past 11 years, as demand for programs and services rose before the virus drove everyone to self-quarantine. “But that flipped on a dime when we learned we needed to shut down one of the area’s busiest senior centers right away,” she said. Early on, Moreau Community Center organized the delivery of face masks and hand sanitizer and stayed in touch with its base of

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active seniors, according to Executive director Donna Nichols. “We are a community center and seniors are a part of our commitment,” Nichols said. “We didn’t close but both youth services and senior services were suspended.” As a result, Nichols said she had to lay off Moreau’s preschool director and senior director. Like her peers, she applied for and received a federal PPP loan. While runs to the local supermarket had to be eliminated, all of the centers continue to bag and deliver groceries and provide curbside pickup. All of the executive directors stressed that if any senior have a need, they should just call. Members around the community have missed the social activities and association centers provide them. Some already have “Zoom fatigue,” Celeste said. “They want to come back,” Nichols said. “But all in good time as we try to figure out how to Continued On Page 9

Business Report Lower ‘Reliance Rate’ During Retirement

BY ROBERT SNELL If you have decades to go until you retire, you don’t need to panic over volatile financial markets. You have plenty of time to regain lost ground and potentially achieve more growth in your investment portfolio. But what if you are nearing retirement or already retired? After all, you will probably need to draw on your investments to pay for some of the costs associated with housing, food and the many other expenses you incur in daily life. So, is a down market cause for alarm? It shouldn’t be. And you can help reduce your stress level by understanding your “reliance rate.” As its name suggests, your reliance rate tells you how much you rely on your portfolio— rather than other sources, such as Social Security or a pension—to meet your income needs during retirement. Your reliance rate can influence your emotions and investment behavior. A higher reliance rate may tempt you to make emotional decisions during a market decline, since your portfolio is supplying more of your needs. However, if you respond to a steep market drop by making dramatic changes to your portfolio, you may actually increase the likelihood that your money may not last. This is especially true if you move a large portion of your portfolio to cash, as cash does not typically provide growth potential to help keep up with inflation. There is no “recommended” reliance rate for everyone, But, as a general rule, the higher your reliance rate, the more sensitive your portfolio may be to fluctuations in investment prices. Here are some suggestions: • Adjust your expenses. During retirement, some of your expenses, such as commuting and other costs associated with work, will go down, but others—particularly health care—will go

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Robert Snell, financial adviser with Edward Jones Financial in Saratoga Springs. Courtesy Edward Jones Financial

up. You can’t control all these expenses, but the more you can keep them under control, the less pressure there will be on your investment portfolio to provide you with income. • Review your plans for Social Security. You can file for Social Security benefits as early as 62, but your monthly checks will then be reduced by about 30 percent from what you’d receive if you waited until your full retirement age, which is likely between 66 and 67. You can receive even more if you wait until 70, at which point your benefits will “max out.” • Keep cash and short-term investments in your portfolio. Try to keep about one year’s worth of living expenses in cash or cash equivalents, and about three to five years’ worth of expenses in certificates of deposit and other short-term income-producing vehicles. Having these assets available can help you avoid liquidating longterm investments when their prices are down.

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 9

‘Share A Step For Seniors’ Event Raises U.S. Census Bureau: Age Group Of 65 And A Record Amount In Excess Of $30,000 Older Exhibits Rapid Growth Since 2010 The Wesley Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Wesley Community, said its recent Share A Step For Seniors virtual fundraiser raised more than $30,000 to support local seniors served by The Wesley Community. That figure is a record for the event since its inception in 2018, officials said. Donations were received via the virtual fundraiser, which invited community members to work toward a fitness-oriented goal while raising funds. The money will support continued efforts to serve residents and staff during the coronavirus global health pandemic. The Wesley Community is a nonprofit senior living campus in Saratoga Springs with more than 700 residents. The 2020 edition of Share A Step For Seniors included 50 participants and more than 150 sponsors and donors. The annual event has now raised more than $41,000 and participants have traveled more than 4,200 miles since its inception “We are proud to announce a record-setting amount of more than $30,000 for this event, which will go a long way in helping to support the many seniors on our campus,” said J. Brian

Nealon, CEO of The Wesley Community. “We are extremely grateful to all of the participants, sponsors and supporters of this event, who not only went above and beyond to help us raise record funds but also helped promote and improve the health and wellness of our community.” The weeklong fitness initiative, which began on June 19 and ran through June 26, offered participants the opportunity to raise funds while working toward a fitness-oriented goal, such as running or walking a mile per day. Members were asked to track their workouts, share their progress on social media and encourage friends and family to support their efforts via a donation. Major sponsors of Share A Step For Seniors included Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family, Jim LaVigne and Mary Gavin, Mannix Marketing and Saratoga.com, CDPHP, Ruth Pouliot, Lisa Cardone-O’Connor of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Fingerpaint and T.C. Equipment. For more information about The Wesley Community, visit www.thewesleycommunity. org.

Senior Centers

Continued From Page 8 reintroduce them safely.” “Socialization is critical for seniors,” said Celeste. “They are isolated anyway, having lost a partner or their eyesight or their mobility ... But our message is, stay home and stay safe.” When interviewed, half of the seniors around Saratoga County who responded told Celeste that they wanted to come back into the center, but many were unsure. All of the directors have the governmental green light to open their doors on a partial or trial basis and they are doing so according to CDC protocols and with a high degree of caution. “The staff is coming in one or two at a time to conduct activities, but it will be slow getting back to normal,” said Bren. “We want our members to feel safe while enjoying themselves, but if they don’t feel ready to come in for crafts, for example, they can still participate virtually.” Moving activities to online chat sites has been successful. Anyone who needs help getting set up on apps are getting the needed training. Celeste has done ongoing technology assessments and Nichols said her staff is using the internet to “help seniors stay smart and healthy in this unprecedented time.” “Our outreach is about gentle education, such as talking about using masks,” said Nichols. “We have a very active Facebook page and are posting anything from public health information to town of Moreau services to stay connected.” Bren said classes and events range from virtual exercises class to a book club and online

cooking class. Saratoga Senior Center typically brings in Skidmore seniors over the summer to assist with educational programs, and this summer is no different. They just conduct their classes virtually, Celeste said. Most sources of funding for area senior centers have “virtually gone away,” said Celeste. Nichols said that the funding stream for the Moreau center is “fairly diversified” and largely donor based. “We are not sitting pretty, but we are okay,” said Nichols. “People are generous. And our thrift store, which has an income stream, reopened July 6.” Bren said much of their funding comes from the city of Glens Falls and Warren County Office for the Aging. She has taken advantage of her time at home to research different grants, and has secured financial support from the Tri-County United Way, the Charlie Woods Foundation, and a Stewart’s Foundation fund dedicated to nonprofit organizations affected by COVID-19. “Most of those resources will go toward operational and programming needs,” said Bren. “The members have responded to our fundraising efforts, too.” Fundraisers for community and senior centers are planned throughout the summer and fall. To learn more, visit gfseniors. com, saratogaseniorcenter.org, and moreaucommunitycenter.org.

The U.S. Census Bureau released estimates showing the nation’s 65-andolder population has grown rapidly since 2010, driven by the aging of Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. The 65-and-older population grew by over a third (34.2 percent or 13,787,044) during the past decade, and by 3.2 percent (1,688,924) from 2018 to 2019. The growth of this population contributed to an increase in the national median age from 37.2 years in 2010 to 38.4 in 2019, according to the Census Bureau’s 2019 population estimates. “The first Baby Boomers reached 65 years old in 2011,” said Dr. Luke Rogers, chief of the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Branch. “Since then, there’s been a rapid increase in the size of the 65-andolder population, which grew by over a third since 2010. No other age group saw such a fast increase. In fact, the under-18 population was smaller in 2019 than it was in 2010, in part due to lower fertility in the United States.” In 2019, over half (29) of the states had a median age older than 38.4 years, including all nine states in the Northeast. Eleven states were in the South, six were in the Midwest, and three were in the West. Since 2010, the nation’s under-18 population declined by 1.5 percent, from 74,182,279 to 73,039,150.

The report said that in 2019, one in five people in Maine, Florida, West Virginia and Vermont were age 65 or older. Maine had the largest share (21.2 percent) of population in that age group, followed by Florida (20.9 percent), West Virginia (20.5 percent) and Vermont (20.0 percent). Utah had the lowest percentage (11.4 percent) of population age 65 and older followed by Washington, D.C. (12.4 percent), and Alaska (12.5 percent). Utah also had the lowest median age (31.3 years) in 2019, up 2.1 years from 29.2 in 2010. North Dakota was the only state whose median age declined (1.7 years) between 2010 and 2019. In 2019, North Dakota’s median age was 35.3 years. Of the 3,142 counties in the United States in 2019, 57.3 percent (1,799) had a median age between 40.0 and 49.9 years; 34.2 percent (1,076) had a median age between 30 and 39.9; 6.8 percent (215) had a median age 50 or older; and 1.7 percent (52) had a median age younger than 30 years. Between 2010 and 2019, the median age increased in 83.2 percent (2,614) of counties. During this period, the median age dropped in 15.9 percent (500) of counties and stayed the same in 28 or 0.9 percent of counties. In 2019, Sumter County, Florida, had the highest median age (68.1 years), and Madison County, Idaho, had the lowest median age (23.3 years).

Ballston Spa Dining Continued From Page 1

so long,” said Woolbright. The village started closing off the street in early June. Woolbright said they are evaluating periodically as things progress. “If restaurants are able to open back up at full capacity, they probably won’t need it anymore. Until that time, it’s going to continue, until the weather starts to get bad,” he said. “I’m hoping that some of the other shops start putting stuff out, when they see the crowds coming downtown for the restaurants. I’ve had conversations with some of the retail spots, and they’ve thought it might be worth putting things out on the sidewalk. I think it’d be nice if we got a little more critical mass to our activity, in addition to our restaurants,” said the mayor. He said newspapers accounts from other areas sparked the idea and some local business owners also suggested it. “Being a small village, we were able to mobilize a lot quicker than bigger, more complex places. We put it together in a matter of weeks, and pulled it off.” Four restaurants are serving alcohol on

municipal property. Property applications were filed by Woolbright with the state liquor authorities to allow it. A license or permit was not needed for anything besides the alcohol. Those restaurants are the Next Door Kitchen & Bar, the Front Street Social Club, the Sunset Grille and Henry’s Irish Tavern. “It took me a couple of days, all day, to get the applications together,” the mayor said. “The whole packet was about 15 pages. We had to get it in five days before we wanted to start, to allow for processing time. I sent it all in on a Thursday afternoon, and I got a response from the State Liquor Authority about 20 minutes later,” said Woolbright. “They were expecting to be overwhelmed with requests, so they were at full staff waiting for applications ... We were able to start without a hitch,” said Woolbright. “It’s been great. People are just so happy to get out. It’s been very successful, and I’m really happy with it,” said Karen Sherman, owner of the Sunset Grille. “I’m very grateful to the town for doing this, and for helping businesses along when it’s been quite difficult.”

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10 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

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Construction

MLB Construction In Malta Remained Busy Renovation, Rebuild Of Thruway Rest Stops Despite Statewide Coronavirus Shutdown Will Start This Year By Investment Group

MLB Construction did the renovations at Saratoga Springs City Hall on Broadway after the building was extensively damaged by fire in 2018. BY LISA BALSCHUNAT The COVID-19 ramifications and restrictions may have delayed commercial construction projects in the region, but Malta-based MLB Construction Services has been busy. The company recently completed or is nearing completion on five projects in the area, totaling about $56 million. Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located within Saratoga Springs State Park, experienced a makeover on a grand scale when

Courtesy MLB

MLB got involved 12 months ago. “This design-build project was true collaboration at its best,” James Dawsey, company president, said. It involved demolition of the concession and restroom facilities and construction of concession areas, new restrooms, a VIP area in the new two-story building, room for small indoor performances and an outdoor pavilion. About 75 workers constructed the new Continued On Page 11

New York’s Thruway rest areas are in line for a major makeover. The state Thruway Authority board of directors has approved a $450 million, 33-year deal that will require a private consortium to revamp all 27 service plazas along the 570-mile superhighway system in the coming years. Officials said the upfront costs will not fall on toll payers. Instead, a consortium, known as Empire State Thruway Partners, will spend $300 million to rebuild 23 rest stops and extensively renovate the remaining four, with construction set to begin next year. It will also be required to pay the Thruway Authority at least $51 million in rent and invest another $103 million in improving the rest stops over the course of the three-decade-long contract, according to the Thruway Authority. In exchange, the consortium led by the John Laing Group, a private investment firm, will get to operate the restaurants, shops and facilities at the rest stops for 33 years. Officials said that will likely attract a significant profit. The private firms will be allowed to keep what’s left of the sales the rest areas produce each year after giving 0.84 percent of receipts to the Thruway Authority for rent. Empire State Thruway Partners is projecting more than $10 billion in gross sales over the course of the contract, according to the authority. “The upgrades planned with this redevelopment project include innovative, modern initiatives to improve the customer experience for the tens of thousands of travelers who use the service areas every day,” Thruway Executive Director Matthew Driscoll said.

This is a rendering of what new rest stops along the State Thruway will look like. Courtesy State Thruway Authority

The contract is not yet final. It still needs approval from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Attorney General Letitia James’ office. The private consortium still has the ability to break off the deal if it can’t obtain financing because of turmoil in the financial markets, which is of particular concern given the uncertainty created by the coronavirus crisis, officials said. The John Laing Group is an investment firm that specializes in infrastructure. The firm took over operation of Connecticut’s rest areas in 2016.

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Core Tech’s 140,000 SF Expansion Project At Its Ballston Spa Facility Nearing Completion BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH Core Tech Industrial Corp. is looking to wrap up the construction of a $1.7 million expansion of its Ballston facility factory by late summer. The just over 140,000 square foot project is a ref lection of the growing demand for equipment at power plants in both the Capital Region and across the country, according to the company, located at 2 McCrea Hill Road. Owner George Hubschmidtt said Core Tech designs and produces mechanical, electrical, and fire suppression equipment for several large manufacturers. Many of those customers, he said, have a strong need for power generation equipment. The demand has not wavered during the pandemic. “We were immediately deemed as essential” when the state shutdown many businesses. “It has presented itself with challenges at times, but we have been able to keep up with whatever safety precautions we have needed to take,” said Hubschmidtt. Construction of the project met with some coronavirus-related delays, like getting permits while municipality offices were closed. Despite those delays, Hubschmidtt said Plank Construction in Schenectady has worked diligently to keep

construction, which only began in April, on track. The mild weather throughout the spring, Hubschmidtt added, was helpful in keeping the project going and on target. “I really have to give credit to Plank Construction. They have been outstanding to work with during this time,” said Hubschmidtt. At Core Tech’s McCrea Hill Road complex, the manufacturer plans to have large-scale testing and assembly capabilities. The expansion will add around 14 positions over the next two years. Core Tech is a full-f ledged original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of complex, integrated systems for the power industry. Hubschmidtt also credits success of the project to the partnership he has with local government, who he described as supportive of the local economy. He said the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation aided Core Tech in the process of getting the project up and running. “We are so fortunate here in Saratoga County. I know that sometimes the process of getting permits and approvals can be tough, but they have really been so great to deal with,” said Hubschmidtt. Core Tech’s website is cticus.com.

Curtis Lumber Is Building New Store In Schodack, Turning Old One Into Warehouse BY JILL NAGY Curtis Lumber is building a new store in Schodack and recently purchased two stores formerly operated by Bellevue Builders Supply, one near Binghampton and the other in the Cobleskill area. The new Schodack store will be close to an existing store, but nearer Columbia Turnpike and more visible from Route 20, according to Rich Keating, vice president for sales and marketing. The existing store was built in 1971. The new one will contain 25,550 square feet of sales space, some 7,500 square feet larger than the present outlet, said Keating. It will include more showroom space for kitchens, lighting equipment, and windows. The former store will be re-purposed for warehouse use. Munter Enterprises in Middle Grove is the general contractor. Cotler Architects of Latham designed the new building. If all goes well, the new store will be open for business in early 2021. Keating expects about 30 employees to staff the new Schodack store. Overall, Curtis Lumber employs 650 people in its various locations. Annual sales are about $215 million, he estimated. About 65 percent of their customers are contractors. Categorized as an “essential business,” Curtis has stayed open throughout the pandemic.

Business was slow during the lockdown period but the company did not furlough or lay off anyone, said Keating. That decision is paying off now with the company going “flat out,” as contractors and do-it-yourselfers try to make up for lost time, he said. Many of their contractor customers had to furlough employees, Keating said. “Now, we are hearing that they have a year’s worth of work. It’s just a matter of how much they can get done in the balance of the year. Their building season has been abbreviated.” Keating speculated that now that the vacations have been cancelled, many people are using the vacation money for home projects. “They’re home all day and they see the projects that they needed to do. It’s been very, very busy,” he said. Particularly, “decks are off the charts right now.” After 130 years in the lumber and building supplies business, Curtis Lumber is busier than ever and still growing. Jay Curtis, the current president, is the fifth generation to head the company and his son and daughter are the sixth generation to work there. The company has 22 locations, two in Vermont and the rest in New York state, in locations from the Catskills to the Canadian border.

MLB Construction Continued From Page 10

additions and the company was aware of the many people who to walk, jog and bike in the park/ “When COVID-19 hit, we were diligent to be in compliance and astutely aware that we were working in a public place that was being used more than normal this spring,” he said. “Everyone did their best under unique circumstances … keeping the end users in the forefront of our minds.” One MLB project that was halted during the shutdown was renovating Saratoga Springs City Hall. It was severely damaged by fire in 2018. MLB has strived to match or exceed the 19th century architectural style during the renovations. “The city has been very happy with the results,” Dawsey said. “The right craftsmen were on the job at every turn. The four-story renovation was a big undertaking.” Over the past two decades, MLB has worked on over 70 projects in the city of Saratoga Springs. One project was at Saratoga Race Course. “This month we are celebrating the one year anniversary of completing a $25 million project is less than eight months,” Dawsey said. “We built through the rain, ice, sub-zero temperatures. Then in the spring, we worked around a million dollar horses’ morning workouts.” The MLB crew worked 12-hour days for months on this project, he said. The original NYRA construction schedule proposed a two and a half year build, but it turned into an eight-month project. Another historic renovation project in the works for MLB is the Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany. The firm is working in a 120-year-old building that housed the Nabisco Baking Co. The three-story renovation was deemed nonessential during the COVID-19 shutdown, but has kept pace to be completed by Aug. 31. “We built a new stage, rehearsal rooms, a

black box theatre, a paint booth and props room. Everyone is excited about this project,”Dawsey said. Dawsey said he sees “Capital Rep” as a key piece of development for the south end of Albany. Most recently, MLB’s Phase 1A of a six-year effort for Skidmore College’s Center for Integrated Sciences reached completion and Phase 1B is underway. The $29 million project includes expanding existing buildings, constructing additions to the Dana Science building, demolishing an existing structure and making renovations to others. The four-phase project is expected to completed in May 2024. The company was recently awarded a $5.43 million contract by the Port of Albany Commission to build a 60,000-square-foot warehouse to handle the influx of wood pulp shipments. Dawsey said the project is bringing 50 to 60 workers on the job site, including subcontractors. It began in June and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31. “Digging in Albany is always interesting,” Dawsey said. “We never know what we’ll find ... This time, we found molasses lines for grain silos. We followed all of the safety precautions to remove them, and started the project weeks ago. It’s a straight-forward project—a rectangle construction that is needed quickly.” Port of Albany houses grain, forest products, cocoa, beans, salt, molasses, scrap iron, steel and wind energy products. Molasses has been a key import since the mid-1940s, used as a supplement in animal feed. MLB has been in operation since 1947, with its headquarters in Malta and an office in Apex, North Carolina.

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12 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

SPECIAL SECTION

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL

Office/Computer/New Media Designers Of Office Space Help Safely Get Employees Back Into Their Work Spaces BY JILL NAGY As business owners prepare to re-open in a changed world, many are turning to office designers for guidance in meeting new requirements for minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Dorothy Rogers-Bullis and her business drb Business Interiors in Saratoga Springs offers her own office as an example. Several employees are still working remotely. She encourages others to work in the office at alternate times. When clients arrive, they are asked to sign in and out, wear face masks and have their temperatures taken. “People want to get back to work,” she said. “Some people work really well at home” but, in general, “not a lot of good work gets done at home.” There are too many distractions. In addition, people working at home miss the connections, collaboration and creativity of a shared workplace. Lisa Boyle of the Boyle Group in Ballston Spa advises clients on how to reorganize their work space. For example, in an open office plan with everybody at eye level, desk and tables have to be moved apart, she said. Often, barriers are needed. The result is a reduced capacity. “It is still an evolving situation,” Boyle said. “There still isn’t much known about coronavirus and the indoor environment.” Rogers-Bullis agreed. Policies and rules change every day. “You have to be able to pivot,” she said and space is often an issue. “We are in the business of making people productive in their spaces. We help them figure out how to work safely,.” Glass or plexiglass partitions are part of many reconfigurations, Rogers-Bullis said, but her company’s emphasis is on logistics more than re-furnishing. We are “very creative” in finding solutions, she said. “It doesn’t mean that you have to buy all new furniture.” While Boyle also encourages clients

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to reorganize their space using existing products, her company is a manufacturer’s representative for OFS, a healthcare furniture manufacturer, and its subsidiary, Health Care Furniture. She recommends looking for furniture with hard surfaces that can be cleaned easily or fabric that is easy to clean and can tolerate bleach. Her emphasis, she said, is on “physical changes in an office that can be made without spending lots of money.” Boyle has sample floor plans on her website, along with advice on reconfiguring a workplace for social distancing and privacy. She also sells a variety of screens, both fixed and mobile, and of various heights. Other aspects of the new office, such as air treatment systems, are not part of these designers’ toolkits. Rogers-Bullis has been in business since 2009. Her showroom is on Regent Street, right Continued On Page 14

IS WORKING FROM HOME NOT WORKING FOR YOU?

Business Report Working From Home A Joy?

BY MARK SHAW As anyone with small children at home will tell you, this working at home thing is not all it is cracked up to be. Parents are now employees, educators, day care and much more. This means more than ever we are relying on technology to get our work done. With everyone leaving the office and its technology security blanket, we are opening doors to cyber-attacks. I know what you are thinking, another article about cyber security and how everything we are doing now is terrible. That is not really the case at all. The facts so far have proven that there has been no major spike in cyber crime, but that does not mean we should not consider some simple and easy ways to work at home safely. There are several small steps you can do to protect yourself and your company’s data. If you are an employer, you can use this time to refresh what might be an outdated training program. Consider a cyber-security training program. Even a technology firm like ours still does education for all our staff. OrbitalFire Cyber Security does a great job training, educating, and testing our staff to ensure we all know the basics in the ever-changing battlefield against the bad guys. First thing is always training. All the technology in the world cannot fix human error. Secondly, we recommend that if possible do not have your work computer be the same one your children use for games and surfing the internet. Using a work device or, if they are unable to provide one, at least a secondary laptop or desktop that its sole purpose is work is advisable. Separating the family computer from the work computer can help to ensure nasty malware has a harder time impacting you. Thirdly, if you are going to have this computer for work only, you should ask your employer to help you protect it. Security is like an onion, there are many layers. Anti-virus, antimalware, and crypto-defense type software is a must. This stops the basic first level attacks. Adding in a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to safely connect you to your company’s network is another layer to that security onion. This ensures that all the data between your

Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech). Courtesy StoredTech

computer and your employer’s network is secure and encrypted. Adding 2FA (Security that requires two pieces of data to allow access) to any company web applications will stop most hackers cold. This is where you use your computer and, in most cases, your smart phone to add an extra step before accessing information that is in the cloud. If you follow some of these simple steps, you will have a better security position both for yourself and your company. Cyber security is not a technology problem, it is a business problem. Every one of us can do simple things to control how we use and interact with our data. Most of these tips can be used on the personal side as well. Consider using two factor authentication (2FA) for your online accounts. Many of us do this already because our banks made it mandatory but consider adding it anywhere else you might have personal data you do not want to leak. Almost any reputable website has the option, most of us ignore it or just skip it when asked. Now is the time to take a moment and change that behavior. Lastly, in the crazy times we are now living, it is important to take a time out and realize that like everything, this too shall pass.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 13

NBT Bank Re-Opens Branch Office Lobbies SUNY Empire State Has Its First Fully With Health, Safety Protocols Now In Place Online Degree Program In Security Studies

Customers visiting NBT lobbies, like this one in Saratoga Springs, are asked to follow new protocols. Office space was modified to help ensure customer and employee safety. NBT Bank has expanded its services to include full branch lobby access with the implementation of protocols to protect the safety of its employees and customers. The bank had its lobbies closed for business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing ATMs, the internet and drivethrough windows for services. Appointments are no longer required for customers to visit a branch lobby. “NBT has spent weeks developing a careful approach that both expands branch access and ensures that our employees, customers and communities remain safe,” said NBT Bank President of Retail Community Banking Joseph R. Stagliano. “Thoughtful consideration has included a market-by-market analysis of conditions, close coordination with local government and health officials and strict adherence to state and federal guidelines.” Customers visiting NBT lobbies are asked to follow new protocols to ensure customer and employee safety. Face coverings are required to be worn inside and all customers must bring valid photo identification. Fewer customers are allowed in the branch at the same time. Directional f loor

Courtesy NBT

stickers provide guidance to promote social distancing. Plexiglass screens are in place in teller windows and customer service desks. Hand sanitizing stations are available in all branch lobbies NBT has also implemented increased cleaning of all branches with extra focus on high-touch surfaces like ATMs, doors, counters and drive-up windows. NBT will continue to monitor the coronavirus environment and adjust as necessary to ensure the proper level of safety is maintained throughout our branch network, officials said. Customers can also continue to access digital banking services 24/7. Customers can visit www.nbtbank.com/ access to learn about branch hours. NBT Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth management services from locations in seven states, including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut. The bank and its parent company, NBT Bancorp Inc., are headquartered in Norwich, N.Y. NBT Bancorp had assets of $9.95 billion as of March 31, the company said.

SUNY Empire State College is implementing its first fully online, accredited bachelor of science degree program in security studies to help meet the growing need for modern security experts in high-demand positions in homeland security, emergency management, disaster relief, and law enforcement in the U.S. and around the world. Officials said the program can be completed entirely online, providing students with flexibility and convenience to earn their degree around the demands of their busy lives, as well as face to face at SUNY Empire campuses and learning hubs across the state. The program was approved by the state Education Department earlier this month. SUNY Empire’s program will prepare students for careers in security policy, emergency management, and criminal justice in the private and public sectors, examining complex global security issues through the perspectives of the social sciences, legal studies, and international relations. It will examine issues of homeland security, terrorism, privacy, and law enforcement policy and practice to prepare well-rounded leaders in these fields. SUNY Empire established the program to meet student and workforce demand and to curb the pending shortage of experts in a host of security-related fields. The need for security professionals in supervisory roles, including police and fire, is expected to increase by approximately nine percent in the next six years in New York state, and by five percent throughout the U.S., officials said.

“Around the world, people and communities are facing more and more complex security issues as the world becomes smaller, technology advances at a rapid pace, and we face increasingly severe natural disasters,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “SUNY Empire’s new online security studies program will prepare graduates for the challenges of understanding and combatting today’s complex and constantly evolving security threats in a field with growing job demand. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to enter into or advance in this field.” Frank Vander Valk, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and interim dean of Digital Learning, Innovation, and Strategy, said the college developed the program “in response to student interest, workforce needs, and an institutional commitment to provide a venue to study and discuss some of the most important issues we face today.” He noted that, “Over the years, we’ve welcomed many students from all branches of law enforcement and the military, nongovernmental organizations, emergency services and various security fields, and we designed this degree as an option for them.” Enrollment in security studies is open for the fall semester. In addition to accepting transfer credits from other institutions, SUNY Empire also awards students with additional credit for life experiences through its prior learning assessment process, which evaluates learning acquired outside of the traditional classroom.

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14 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

Adirondack Trust, Saratoga Hospital Team Up To Help Businesses Resume Operations Saratoga Hospital and Adirondack Trust Co. are teaming up to help businesses resume operations safely. With support from Adirondack Trust, the hospital has launched the COVID-19 Business Safety Consultation Program to help area employers review their safety plans and finetune practices on screening, masking, social distancing, contactless interactions, disinfectant use and other measures that can help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. “We want to see our region reopen safely—to help keep our community healthy and get people and businesses back to work,” said Charles V. Wait Jr., president & CEO of Adirondack Trust. “This is uncharted territory, so most businesses could use some help. Saratoga Hospital has had great success managing these issues since the start of the pandemic. They’re the logical partner for this effort.” The free consultation, provided by Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Occupational Medicine, includes: • An on-site visit to assess issues, including work flow, staff-to-staff and customer-to -staff interactions, meeting space, distance between desks or stations, break rooms, rest rooms and other key spaces. • Recommendations on employee and customer screenings for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. • Masking best practices. • Cleaning and disinfecting protocols. • Review of the New York Forward industryspecific guidelines for reopening.

Safe Office Space Continued From Page 12

off Union Avenue, in the former Skidmore College Spa Little Theater. She can be reached at 518-306-5233. She and some staff are in the office everyday while six other employees divide their time between home and office.

• Help completing the state-required COVID-19 safety plan, which must be available on-site for state officials to review upon request. Participating businesses receive a customdesigned social distancing tool to help mark off the recommended six-feet required for social distancing. At the conclusion of the site visit, businesses receive a “COVID-19 Safety Plan” certificate, which they can display to promote their commitment to safety. “At Saratoga Hospital, it’s our job to set and maintain the health standards of one of the largest work forces in the county, to stay on top of the latest developments and government requirements—and to share what we’ve learned to benefit the entire community,” said Dr. Michael Holland, an international expert and the medical director of occupational medicine and employee health at Saratoga Hospital. “This program is a wonderful way for us to support local businesses and help keep our community safe and healthy.” Holland and his team can also assist businesses with other coronavirus-related services, including testing employees for the virus, helping with contact tracing if necessary, and determining when employees are well enough to return to work. “COVID-19 will be with us for quite some time, and we are determined to do everything possible to maintain the hard-fought gains we’ve achieved,” Holland said. To schedule an on-site consultation or learn more, contact Taryn Woodard at 518-886-5414 or twoodard@SaratogaHospital.org. The Boyle Group has been in business for nine years. They cover a territory that includes all of New York state except for New York City and Long Island. They have a showroom in Ballston Spa. They also have kept open through the pandemic and the two other employees have also worked throughout. They can be reached at 518 288-3174.

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Business Report Everyone Is Their Own Movie

BY APRIL P. WEYGAND Are you welcoming people into your business for the first time in a while and need some help navigating New York state rules on how to do that? New York state is tough, and they want us to be prepared. There are some common-sense rules: wash hands, use hand sanitizer, wear masks, use tissues, and clean and disinfect surfaces. The words cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, electrostatic spraying, and fogging are being thrown around a lot lately. However, they are not the same and should not be used interchangeably. “Cleaning” is the act of removing soils and germs from a surface. It doesn’t usually kill anything, but it does remove them by washing them away. “Sanitizing” means reducing the number of bacteria by 99.9 percent to a level considered safe by public health organizations. Many over-the counter products sanitize in less than 30 seconds. It’s important to note here that Sanitizing kills bacteria, but it does not kill viruses. That’s where Disinfection is necessary. “Disinfection” means using a product registered by the EPA to kill 99.99 percent of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Why does it have to be registered with the EPA? Because it is considered a poison by the EPA. Most of those same products that sanitize in 30 seconds or less require 5-10 minutes of dwell time to disinfect. And this is the area where people get confused. “Dwell time” is the amount of time a product needs to remain wet in order to kill pathogens. The dwell time is different for every product, so it’s important to read the label. If you are using a disinfectant wipe and it dries in two minutes, the surface is being sanitized, but not disinfected. The new buzz words in cleaning are “electrostatic disinfection” and “fogging.” Electrostatic sprayers add a tiny electrical charge to droplets of disinfectant, so that the chemical seeks out and lands on a surface, completely enveloping and disinfecting that surface. Fogging is similar, but lands directly on surfaces so a multi-directional approach is necessary to completely envelop a piece of furniture. The professional cleaning industry has seen some issues arise and I wanted to share this: What people consider “cleaning” is a process. One shouldn’t disinfect a surface without cleaning it first. Most disinfectants will not penetrate through dirt, dust and mineral deposits; they need to be removed in order for the disinfectant to get to and kill the bacteria and virus. Additionally, once the disinfectant has

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April P. Weygand, president, April Fresh Cleaning. Courtesy April Fresh Cleaning

done its job and the pathogens are dead, one must actually wipe the surfaces clean where possible. The other big question in the cleaning world is whether the droplets of disinfection from these sprayers are large enough to remain wet for the necessary dwell time. This is an individual question with no one right answer. If a company promises to disinfect for you, ask them what that entails. Too many people are coming in just to spray-disinfect and run, and to collect a quick buck while they’re at it. Make sure they are cleaning thoroughly. An ATP meter can measure the cleanliness of a surface, both before and after cleaning. So what should you clean and how often? Daily cleaning with a disinfectant is usually fine. I like to clean the touch points such as door knobs, light switches, door pushes, bathrooms fixtures, remote controls, phones, etc. at least once per day, twice in busy locations. It’s important to remember that “clean” is a moment in time. A clean surface is contaminated the moment someone touches it. There are products using nanotechnology that leave behind a film or a “skin” that continually kills germs for a specified amount of time. Nanotechnology isn’t new. It’s been around for years but only getting a lot of attention now. There are many companies pushing for its use, but one must read the fine print. Does it actually kill viruses? Some do, some do not. They are calling them “self-cleaning surfaces.” There are also practices that involve UV light as a disinfectant, but the cleaning world is still evaluating the efficacy of those practices. In either case, clean is the absence of germs, even dead germs.

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 15

Common Roots Brewing Co., At The End Of Plug Power Acquires A Challenging Road, Is Ready For The Future Pennsylvania Company

The owners of Common Roots Brewing Co. opened their business in a new building after its original one was destroyed by fire. V&H Construction built the new structure. BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER Common Roots Brewing Co. is open at its new, expanded facility at 58 Saratoga Ave. in South Glens Falls. The 15,000-square-foot facility is on the site of the company’s original brew house that was gutted by fire in March 2019. It is open seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m. for to-go sales only from the new taproom. It will open with beer-to-go service and outdoor on-premise seating, as allowed by guidelines imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A gastro pub-style menu will be rolled out with food to go. Phinney Design Group in Saratoga Springs designed the structure. V&H Construction of Fort Edward built it. Christian Weber founded the company with his father, Burt Weber, in 2014. “We understand it’s a destination spot for a lot of people,” said Weber. “The experience of coming to Common Roots has always been really important to us. Right now, the only thing more important than the experienced and the culture, is safety. Safety is our number-one priority so our staff and customers have a safe and comfortable experience.” The facility has a restaurant with a state-ofthe-art kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven, in addition to an expanded tap-room, conference room for events, four Tesla charging stations outside, an expanded biergarten with two fire pits. With the re-opening, Common Roots has brought on new professional positions to the team. Dan Biddiscombe, former general manager of Downtown Social, joins the management team. Also added were Chris Grasso and Rich Wilson, both formerly of City Beer Hall, and Greg Hutchinson, formerly of Three Penny Taproom.

Courtesy V&H Construction

“We put in a much larger brewer system. When we burned, we were doing around 5,000 barrels a year. When we open, we’ll be doing around 8,000 a year. When we’re fully operational, hopefully sometime over the winter or spring, we’ll be closer to around 12,000 barrels a year,” said Weber. At the time of the fire, Common Roots was the 23rd largest brewery in New York state, out of over 700 breweries, according to Weber, and were in the top 8 percent of breweries in the country in terms of volume. “We distribute down to New Jersey and throughout New England. When we open, we’ll be even larger than we were before,” said Weber. Now that Weber and his team are back in their own facility with the brewing system to which they are accustomed, they will be rolling out new brews with regularity. “When we had the temporary taproom up and running, we were doing quite a few fun taproomonly beers on our three-barrel pilot system. There’s a lot that we kept under wraps. So, we have a lot of beers ready to go,” said Weber. The menu will change throughout the seasons, depending on what is in season and what can be purchased in bulk locally. “That’s really important to us—to maintain our relationships with our farmers and our local food systems already in place,” said Weber. The Common Roots brewing system is built by Fronhofer Design LLC in Glens Falls, a subsidiary of Fronhofer Tool Co. in Argyle. The system is entirely automated and can be run from a smartphone if necessary, he said. “We’re really excited about the level of beer we’ll be able to produce in terms of consistency and maintaining a super high quality. When it comes to beer, that’s what’s most important— coming out with something that is high quality and consistent,” said Weber.

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Plug Power, which has an office in Clifton Park, has acquired United Hydrogen Group and Giner ELX, prompting the Latham fuel cell maker to increase 2024 revenue projections from $1 billion to $1.2 billion. The company announced in June that it completed the acquisition of the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts companies. The moves are part of chief executive Andy Marsh’s strategy to position the upstate New York company to generate at least half of the hydrogen its customers use from renewable energy sources by 2024. “As a team, we can accelerate the adoption of low carbon and zero carbon hydrogen on a global scale,” Marsh said in a news release. United Hydrogen Group Inc. is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pa., and operates a plant in Tennessee that is capable of producing 6.4 tons of liquid hydrogen per day with plans to expand to 10 tons soon. Giner ELX of Newton, Mass., developed one of the world’s largest electrolysis hydrogen generators and other technology that can be used for on-site refueling of hydrogen fuel cells, according to Plug Power. Marsh and Plug Power rolled out a strategy last fall focused on supplying more hydrogen to customers that use the company’s fuel cells. Customers currently use about 27 tons of hydrogen per day, officials said. Following the acquisitions, Plug projects customers will use about 100 tons a day by 2024. The acquisitions also prompted Plug to revise operating income projections. Instead of reaching $170 million in operating income by 2024, the company now expects to reach $210 million by that time, the company said. “It was definitely interesting completing this project during a pandemic,” he said. “We were so humbled last year by the community’s outpouring of support after the big fire. We’re so thankful for our community. We look forward to later down the road when we can have a big celebration.”

16 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

GlobalFoundries To Buy More Land

Personnel Briefs

Continued From Page 1

semiconductor manufacturing.” GlobalFoundries employs nearly 3,000 people and has invested over $13 billion in Fab 8. The company recently announced it is bringing the facility into compliance with both the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) standards and the highly restrictive Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). GlobalFoundries delivers differentiated feature-rich solutions that enable its clients

to develop innovative products for highgrowth market segments. It provides a broad range of platforms and features with a unique mix of design, development and fabrication services. With a manufacturing footprint spanning the U.S., Europe and Asia, GlobalFoundries has the flexibility and agility to meet the dynamic needs of clients across the globe, according to company officials. It is owned by Mubadala Investment Co. For more information, visit globalfoundries.com.

REGIONAL STOCKWATCH Stock Name

Closing Price 06/12/2020

Albany Int’l

57.61 57.76 54.34 56.94

Arrow

27.94 28.24 27.39 28.49

AT & T

30.49

Ball

68.33 70.68 67.34 71.81

Ballston Spa National Bank

43.45 43.45 44.49 44.49

Bank of America

24.78 25.80 23.15 23.29

Best Buy

77.77 81.20 84.80 87.45

Citizens Bank

25.82 25.35 23.16 23.76

Espey

18.83 18.70 16.81 17.42

Closing Price 06/19/2020

29.79

Closing Price 06/26/2020

29.08

Closing Price 07/02/2020

30.08

General Electric 7.24 7.14 6.48 6.82 Hilton

77.45 76.17 71.16 74.52

Home Depot

242.39 246.65 241.01 248.50

Int’l Paper

34.92 34.86 33.80 35.35

Key Corp

13.21 13.35 11.76 11.71

Lowe’s

126.05 133.83 129.41 135.71

Martin Marietta

197.09 211.02 202.79 213.49

M&T Bank

109.00 111.05 100.46 100.59

McDonald’s

189.03 186.56 179.74 183.52

National Grid

57.36 57.77 59.19 58.16

NBT Bancorp Inc.

30.30 30.33 28.74 29.24

Plug Power

5.06 5.48 6.83 9.10

Quad Graphics

3.35 3.43 3.11 3.15

Starbucks

72.57 75.40 71.57 73.78

Sysco

53.37 53.81 52.30 54.06

Target

116.93 120.56 117.02 119.12

The TorontoDominion Bank

45.90 44.44 42.73 43.86

Trans World

5.85 6.56 7.18 7.52

Trustco Bank

6.22 6.06 5.90 6.04

Verizon

56.51 55.54 53.16 54.79

Walmart

117.68 119.85 118.32 119.21

This list of quotations is provided through the courtesy of Robert M. Schermerhorn, CFP®, Saratoga Financial Services, Securities offered through LPL Financial /Member FINRA & SIPC, located in Saratoga Springs, NY. www.SaratogaRetire.com

Continued From Page 2

Susan Rosko Fogarty, CAP COM’s chief relationship officer. Daniels will oversee community relations efforts consisting of CAP COM School Banking, CAP COM @ Work, public relations and the CAP COM Cares Foundation. She will also lead the CAP COM Cares Foundation board of directors in a key officer position as vice chair to ensure alignment of foundation bylaws, plans and vision. Daniels joins CAP COM after serving as executive director of Discover Schenectady, an exclusive tourism promotion agency for Schenectady County. Prior to this role, she was the digital marketing leader for GE Renewable Energy in Schenectady; CEO and strategist of Little Pond Communications; and community outreach specialist for the Center for Donation & Transplant, Albany. * * * SAIL is pleased to announce the addition of Tyler Whitney as senior director of administration and operations. He will be overseeing 11 grant-funded programs and staff

across agency. Whitney is a SUNY Albany graduate who brings experience from his previous director-level position at SAIL, and his most recent management position at Fidelis Care. SAIL is an important part of the nonprofit business community and plays a vital role in serving people with disabilities across the region. * * * Adirondack Orthodontics, a locally owned and operated orthodontic practice that serves the Capital Region and has an office in Clifton Park, announced that Dr. Garrison Copeland has joined its growing team. Copeland previously practiced orthodon-

tics for seven years in Cleveland, Ohio. For the past two years, he continued training at BronxCare Health Systems, where he focused in cosmetic and implant dentistry and was named chief resident. This year, he volunteered in the hospital’s Family Medicine Department, assisting COVID-19 patients with treatment and recovery. Copeland earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He completed post-graduate orthodontic training at Case Western Reserve University in Chicago. * * * SEFCU has hired Kendra Rubin to its executive team as chief legal officer. In the new role, Rubin will be SEFCU’s general counsel — working with internal and external business partners, providing legal advice and strategy to senior management and managing external legal counsel relationships. She will also oversee contract administration, regulatory compliance and advocacy. Before joining SEFCU, Rubin was vice president of government affairs at the New York Credit Union Association, where she led the association’s state and federal lobbying and advocacy. Rubin previously worked in various positions with New York state, including as deputy director for the Bureau of Program Counsel and Health Insurance with the state Department of Health and various positions within the state’s Executive Chamber. Rubin graduated from the University at Albany and Albany Law School. She was named Albany Law School’s Rising Star in Government in 2017 and one of City and State’s Albany 40 under 40 in 2019.

SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 17

Business Registrations •

• • Sweet Marcellas Baked Goods Sompet McMasters Marcella McMasters 4 North Pointe Drive Clifton Park 12065 STS Consultants Timothy Dalaba 5 Amy Drive Moreau 12828 Gifford Contracting Anthony Gifford 331 Rowland St. Ballston Spa 12020 Pale Horse Arsenal Thomas Kearney 163 Hudson Ave. Mechanicville 12118 Dr. Vincent Scicutella Chiropractor Dr. Vincent Scicutella 7 Wells St. Saratoga Springs 12866 Nova Studios Travis Bull 95 North Central Ave. Mechanicville 12118 Totally Baked Adrienne Peterson 121 Ellsworth Ave. Mechanicville 12118 Clearview Financial John Scheidegger 184 Edie Road Saratoga Springs 12866 Rental Saratoga Kenneth Schooley Debra Schooley 12 Beacon Hill Drive Saratoga Springs 12866 Delap Driving School Ronald Delap 13 Sand Spurrey Road Ballston Spa 12020 Bethy’s Bakery Elizabeth Shultes Ronald Shultes 58 Quiet Harbor Road Saratoga Springs 12866 Always Nice and Shiny Romica Suciu 24 Whistler Court Saratoga Springs 12866

Spa City Property Services Kevin Lacto 13 Amber Way Ballston Spa 12020 Simply Sprinklers Mark Egan 15 Brookline Drive Clifton Park 12065 Weber Wired Derrik Weber 106 Starks Knob Road Schuylerville 12871 Pignone Data Management Amanda Pignone 800 Arnold St. Ballston Spa 12020 Phoenix Landscape and Design Eliza Carey 398 Maple Ave. Ballston Spa 12020 Biggie’s Breaks Ian Warren 227 Round Lake Road Ballston Lake 12019 Violet Rose Art Madison Rose Blodgett 2207 Heritage Way Gansevoort 12831 Saratoga Sews Elizabeth Kormos 89 Hyde Boulevard Ballston Spa 12020 Selfridge Studios Melissa Keith 553 Selfridge Road Gansevoort 12831 Gordon Creek Property Management Paul Bowman 237 Wilton Mountain Road Corinth 12822 BMG Property Services 157 Meehan Road Mechanicville 12118 M Rahal Jewelers Mounir Rahal 48-50 Saratoga Ave. South Glens Falls 12803 Cardinales Care Care Peter Cardinales 295 Saratoga Road South Glens Falls 12803

Business Report COVID-19 Changes

BY MICHAEL CRUZ Your employees are working under new circumstances and new expectations. In fact, we all are, you included. After years of working to ensure good culture, we now see each other less often. How are you ensuring that remote working and less meetings do not negatively affect your company culture? Locally, we have been able to pass through the crisis mode. Yet, every time we watch the news, we are treated to doom scenarios. And as employees and coworkers hear those stories, it creates anxiety. We’re bombarded with messages like “new normal,” “social distancing” and, of course, “lockdown.” In the face of that, it is hard to do back to (old?) normal. Therefore, some of the changes are for a while. You can focus on that in your business. What makes sense for one business will not make sense for another. You will find ways to make your teams physically safe. Yet, what all businesses face is the need to keep everyone engaged. As leaders, we need to focus on keeping our people psychologically safe. There is a lot to react to right now. Each and every person has a different capacity to accepting and adapting to the changes. How can you help your people do what is needed in a different environment? Leadership teams need to engage with people on an individual level. What is good about your working situation? What is not? What challenges you are experiencing? How are you? And most important. What can I do to help?

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Michael Cruz is president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury. Courtesy Lighthouse Advisors LLC

When you have all of this, you and your team need to brainstorm on little and inexpensive things that you can to reinforce the sense of community. If you have some people working remotely, know what you can do to promote your shared values. Make sure that your work environment provides some fun activities. Build communities of interest. Perhaps have some chat areas or mail lists for people with similar interests. If we work to tether everyone to our bigger goals, we can keep turnover low and help our teams get and stay productive.

18 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

Great Offtrack Places To Watch Live Racing At Saratoga Race Course BY ERIN NUDI - COURTESY OF SARATOGA.COM

A ROUNDUP OF WHERE TO WATCH THE RACES & CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF THE TRACK With the horses racing on without fans in attendance at the Saratoga Race Course's 2020 meet, fans may be wondering where they can catch the action. We've put together a list of where you can see the excitement live at restaurants, bars, and hotels starting on opening day, July 16. Please note: With regulations changing on a near-daily basis, it's best to contact establishments ahead of time to confirm details and reservations. Go All Out With Your Track Viewing Experience Make a day of it - or longer! - with these track viewing options:

RACING CITY BREWING

PAVILION GRAND HOTEL

Center your whole night or weekend around horse racing at the Pavilion Grand Hotel, which has a unique, all-inclusive package to consider -- the Saratoga Summer Rate. This package includes horse races shown via large screen TVs on their rooftop, along with a $50 gift card to 30 Lake Restaurant for rooftop use, $100 NYRABets gift card for use on your personal account, and much more. The live airing of the races is only available to guests utilizing this package.

Find More Exciting Opportunities to Watch the Races The following restaurants and bars all plan to air the races.

THE PARTING GLASS

The Parting Glass opens daily at 11am and you can watch horse racing on their big screen while enjoying food and beer specials. Reservations are not necessary.

PEABODY'S

Peabody's has plenty of TVs for horse racing and plans to air OTB, TVG, and MSG. They'll be open during the races and may charge a small table fee (call the restaurant for updates at 518.886.8673). This popular sports bar is known for their amazing wings, so make sure to order some along with your cold beer for the races.

SARATOGA STRIKE ZONE

Saratoga Strike Zone will air the races on their 10 TVs. This is a great family-friendly option for fans who can bring the kids to enjoy bowling, bumper cars, and more.

THE WINE BAR

Wine-lovers will want to head to The Wine Bar to watch the races live while enjoying a glass of something delightful. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (which are Dark Days anyway). Racing City Brewing has the largest projection screen in the area at 23x14 feet along with several TVs, and their spacious building is excellent for social distancing. The kitchen is currently closed, but they will allow guests to bring food or order takeout. They will have beer, wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, and small snacks available.

BURGERFI

BurgerFi will broadcast live horse racing all summer. In addition to their burgers they also serve beer and wine.

MOUZON HOUSE

There is a $25 deposit to reserve the table, which is put towards the final bill. They will open at noon on all race days and plan to host watch parties on the weekends. Guests will be able to buy the Daily Racing Form, enroll in DRFBets or NYRABets, and fund their accounts for immediate use.

Mouzon House will offer horse race viewing on their rooftop and the outside bar. Happy hour is 4pm to 5pm daily during the summer.

THE ADELPHI HOTEL

Diamond Club Restaurant inside the Embassy Suites will air the races and will have private viewing rooms available.

Reserve your personal table and watch live racing from the Saratoga Race Course and beyond at The Adelphi Hotel. Upon arrival guests receive a personal-sized bottle of champagne to sip while watching simulcast racing on the giant projector screen and 65" flat screen TVs. There will also be a "trackside" photo area, local vendor booths, and guests can order from the trackside dinner menu throughout the day. While admission is free there is a $35 minimum food and beverage required. This minimum is subject to change on grade 1 stakes weekends.

PRIME AT SARATOGA NATIONAL

Prime at Saratoga National plans to offer reserved tables on race days from 12:30pm to 6:30pm on the outside terrace and patio. The package includes the table with premier televised views and audio simulcast races from the Race Course, and there are several other complimentary perks. The cost is $50 per seat, which includes a $30 per person food and beverage credit.

DIAMOND CLUB RESTAURANT

KING'S TAVERN

King's Tavern will be open during the day for guests to come in and bet on their phone, drink their famous "mugs," and chow down on delicious grub.

THE NIGHT OWL

The Night Owl will show the races at their main bar. They have recently been hosting "Session Saturdays" with a DJ on their expansive patio, so hang out after Saturday races for some tunes.

PINT SIZED

There will be TVs indoors and out at Pint Sized, which is where beer-loving horse racing fans should go to check out their 12 constantly rotating taps and canned craft beer.

PUTNAM PLACE

Putnam Place has the largest LED video wall in downtown Saratoga, where they plan to air the races. Stick around after the races to enjoy happy hour from 5pm to 7pm, live music on the patio from 7pm to 10pm, and a DJ from 10pm to 1am. They are closed on Tuesdays (a Dark Day).

TAVERNA NOVO

Taverna Novo has five flat screen TVs and plans to show the races Wednesday through Sunday from 3pm to 9pm.

WEST SIDE SPORTS BAR & GRILL

West Side Sports Bar & Grill plans to air the races on all of their TVs and will offer daily race specials. Wherever you choose to enjoy live horse racing this season, keep in mind that restaurants, like many businesses, are in tough and unprecedented times. Be kind, adhere to regulations, and tip well!

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SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020 • 19

Newly Renovated Offices in the Heart of Saratoga

Available Commercial & Residential Properties

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We’d like to promote your commercial or residential property. Call us, 581-0600.

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444 BROADWAY/CAROLINE ST Suite 201 Second Floor 1100 Sq.ft. 3 Private Offices Large Common Room with Separate Reception Area. $2300/month plus utilities Suite 301 Third Floor 1200 Sq.ft. Large Corner Office 2 Large Workspaces Bathroon and Galley Kitchen $2000/month plus utilities. CONTACT

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Mark Straus 518 857 2238 Patrick Donovan 518 698 0564

667 Ridge Road, Queensbury $749,900 Updated historic colonial, currently a bed & breakfast, bordered by country stone walls and rural views. Unique opportunity to live a charming lifestyle while remaining close to urban amenities. Center hall style has been preserved with multi-pane deep set windows, wide pine floors, and 3 gas fireplaces. Grounds include swimming pool surrounded by perennial gardens, lush landscaping and fenced yard. Views of sunrises and sets over the mountain ranges of Vermont and the Adirondacks. 2 bedroom, 2 bath owners’ quarters with private kitchen, fenced yard, laundry room, and 2 car garage. 5 guest rooms, all with en suite baths. Commercial kitchen, stainless steel appliances, island, granite, dining room, porch, zoned air, automatic generator, parking, storage, walk-in closets. Agent owned.

Listing Agents: Brittany Alexander & Megan Alexander 518.683.5159 | balexander@roohanrealty.com 732.690.9312 | malexander@roohanrealty.com

20 • SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL • JULY 2020

Cookies & Cream On East High St. In Malta Offers Ice Cream, Milk Shakes And More

Kids enjoy some of the tasty products at Cookies & Cream in Malta, open daily, featuring streaming music, a patio and places to sit and relax. BY ANDREA HARWOOD PALMER A new ice cream parlor has opened up in Malta, adjacent to Finishing Touches Home Décor at 450 East High St. in Malta. Doug Dockendorf developed the idea with Finishing Touches founder Shelly Walker. “I had the idea of developing a shop with another retail space attached to it. I own part of Finishing Touches as well. Shelley Walker (owner of Finishing Touches Home Decor) and I own the property together, so we developed the idea that we would put two shops together on the same space,” said Dockendorf. “We found a great old historic building. It used to be the old Town Hall. I redesigned the small section in the back of the property

to make it what it is now,” said Dockendorf. The ice cream parlor is located around the back of the property, near the patio. Customers can walk next to the adjacent park while eating their ice cream. Dockendorf will have live music at the venue, and places to sit and relax. “Right now we stream music through speakers. It’s a pleasant atmosphere, under all the trees and awnings. It’s a beautiful patio,” he said. Soft serve and hard serve ice cream will be available, with Perry’s homemade ice cream on the menu. Dockendorf owns four other businesses in the region: Priority Electrical, 1-888 Chuck-It, a house-f lipping company, and part of Finishing Touches Home Décor.

ON SALE NOW

State Farm Building Bought Continued From Page 1

Companies. The 89-acre retail center is located just off the Northway in Latham. The company also owns the 165,000-square-foot Queensbury Plaza on Upper Glen Street in Queensbury. Chief Operating Officer Loren Flaum said his company was excited to add another Capital Region property to its extensive real estate portfolio. “We love the Capital Region and the job growth and the economy,” said Flaum. “When this property came to market, we really liked it. We have a long track record of turning around vacant buildings and leasing them out in Upstate New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Albany. “We just loved the bones of the building, the location, and what’s going on in Malta with the hospital, the new YMCA, and GlobalFoundries. We are really bullish on Saratoga County.” The building sits on 25 acres and has 485 parking spots. It has the largest f loor plates (the amount of leasable square footage on an individual f loor) in the Albany region also has two 54-person training rooms, according to the company. Flaum said it is likely that the building, now called Malta Grove, will have multiple tenants. Peter Struzzi from Pyramid Brokerage Co./Cushman & Wakefield in Latham, is leasing the building on behalf of Flaum Management.

Although the company is using an outside leasing agent, they are very hands-on when it comes to managing and maintaining their properties, said Flaum. “We do all of our own management and maintenance and have an on-the-ground facilities team in Albany for Latham and Queensbury,” said Flaum. “We are very tenant focused and community focused and economic development focused. We really look forward to becoming part of the Saratoga County and Malta community. “We’re open for business and ready to be extremely competitive. We will be below the market with our lease rates because we made such a good purchase on the building. We want to reinvigorate the building and bring life to it, and we will do renovations based on tenants’ needs.” Members of the Flaum team take an active role in the properties they manage. Future tenants of Malta Grove can expect regular visits from them. “We try to be there a few times a month,” said Flaum. “We like to show our face and be a part of the community. We don’t want to be an absentee landlord or absentee community partner. Everywhere we own property, we are very big into the community philanthropically and from an economic development perspective. That’s very important to us. ”

The ice cream parlor opened in late June and had 400-500 visitors on Saturday and Sunday each, said Dockendorf. Five people were hired for the shop. “We have some really cool things we’re going to do during the wintertime. We want to do some garden igloos, where folks can come in and enjoy ice cream all the way through the year, all the way to January,”

he said. “The property is remarkable. It’s a great use of an older building. It goes back to 1835. We changed the color, the hardscape of the property. We have some old photos of the property, and they’re just amazing,” said Dockendorf. The shop is open from noon to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

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Quantities are limited. This collectible ﬁrst-edition game is available for purchase at: Adirondack Trust branches Proceeds from the game sales will beneﬁt the Adirondack Trust Community Fund and their Lend-A-Hand Grant program.

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