Business

Hannaford Supermarkets Commits to 100 % Renewable Energy By 2024

SARATOGA SPRINGS — As part of its sustainability strategy and in recognition of Earth Month, Hannaford Supermarkets this week announced its plan to be fully powered by renewable energy by 2024—a commitment that makes the retailer the first large-scale supermarket business to match its bold commitment with such an aggressive timetable. “Doing what’s right for our business includes doing what’s right for our associates, community, and our planet. Powering Hannaford with 100-percent renewable energy sources will make an immediate, positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions,” said Mike Vail, President of Hannaford Supermarkets, in a statement. “This is an important leap forward in our sustainability journey—and one that we hope sparks others to join. Prioritizing the health of our communities and the planet is a win for us all.”

Supermarkets are energy intensive due to simultaneous needs of heating and cooling. To reduce energy consumption and make the best use of the energy being used, Hannaford has implemented energy efficiency projects like LED lights, night shades, doors on cases and state-of-theart refrigeration systems—and has rooftop solar on 10 of its stores.

Currently, Hannaford operates at 30% renewable energy by partnering with over 30 community solar projects across Maine, Massachusetts, and New York. For more information about Hannaford’s sustainability efforts, go to: Hannaford.com/sustainability.

The Spa City’s Bow Tie Cinema to Become AMC Theater April 29

Bow Tie Cinema on Railroad Place, in January 2014 shortly after its opening, as it screened the movie “12 Years A Slave,” which has local ties and is based on the book “Twelve Years A Slave” by Solomon Northup. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

by Thomas Dimopoulos Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — AMC, which calls itself the largest theatrical exhibitor in the world – announced this week it finalized the deal with Bow Tie to purchase and operate the Saratoga Springs movie house on Railroad Place and six other Bow Tie locations in Connecticut and Maryland.

The theater will be re-branded starting Friday, April 29 to be part of the AMC family of theatres to include new signage. Theater goers will be redirected to the company website (AMCTheatres.com) and mobile app to find showtimes, buy tickets, and sign up for our AMC Stubs loyalty program.

In a company statement, AMC said it intends to retain all current workers at the newly acquired theatres.

Once converted to an AMC Theatre, the company will no longer be able to honor Bow Tie Cinemas Criterion Club rewards, but says those who sign up for AMC Stubs will be round up to the next award they would have received in the Criterion Club rewards program.

AMC operates approximately 950 theatres and 10,500 screens across the globe. Bow Tie Cinemas will continue to operate its theater in Schenectady.

Bow Tie Cinemas opened in Wilton and in Saratoga Springs in 2013. The Wilton location closed in 2020.

Marissa Broadley Named Director of Infection Prevention at Saratoga Hospital

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has promoted Marissa Broadley to director of infection prevention, responsible for infection prevention and control at the hospital’s more than 20 locations. The Ballston Lake resident has 13 years of experience in infection prevention. Most recently, she was manager of infection prevention at Saratoga Hospital, a member of the Albany Med Health System.

With her System colleagues at Albany Medical Center Hospital, Columbia Memorial Health and Glens Falls Hospital, as well as partners at other Northeastern New York hospitals, Broadley has played an integral role in the region’s response to infection prevention challenges throughout the pandemic.

Broadley is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and serves on its National Conference Committee. She is the treasurer of the Northeastern New York chapter of APIC.

For more information: www. SaratogaHospital.org or www. facebook.com/SaratogaHospital.

Marissa Broadley. Photo provided.

Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC to Acquire Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Casino Holdings LLC. (SCH), owner of both Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Casino Black Hawk in Black Hawk, CO., announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement with Casino Holding Investment Partners, LLC (CHIP) to acquire Magnolia Bluffs Casino & Hotel in Natchez, MS. subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Located on the Mississippi River, Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel opened in 2012 and features over 450 slot machines, 14 table games, restaurant and bar, sportsbook and a 141-room hotel located off-site in the heart of the city.

“While this was an extremely tough decision for our partnership, it will truly leave our team and valued customers in the best hands possible. Due to the long history we have here in Natchez, it was important for us to ensure we found the right company that has the same values and passion we do for the community and our team members here at Magnolia Bluffs Casino & Hotel. We are confident the team at Saratoga will care just as much as we have for the community we’ve operated in for the last 11 years as well as our team members and local businesses that have made such a tremendous impact on our operation through the years,” said Kevin Preston, Partner and President of Magnolia Bluffs Casino & Hotel.

SCH owns and operates Saratoga Casino Hotel, featuring over 1,200 slots, electronic table games, a live entertainment venue, a variety of dining options and bars, live harness racing, and simulcast wagering.

Business Celebrates 20 Years with $20K Donations to Regional Charities

ALBANY — Vibrant Brands, a branding and marketing agency in the Capital Region, is celebrating 20 years in business by giving back to the community it calls home. The company announced it will be donating a portion of $20,000 to different organizations throughout the year.

“We started our business in 2002 and then moved to Latham from Oneonta in 2019,” said Christopher Quereau, president and creative director of Vibrant Brands. “We learned firsthand the impact that local nonprofits have within this area and that is why investing in our community is important.”

Vibrant Brands is kickstarting the giving campaign by donating $1,000 to an organization needing extensive support due to the current events in Ukraine. The World Central Kitchen currently serves millions of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing their homes or staying in place as Russia invades the country.

Charities receiving funds include: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Capital Region New York, Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, SPCA of Upstate NY, In Our Own Voices, Pride Center of the Capital Region, Mission Accomplished Transition Services, RISSE (Refugee & Immigrant Support Services of Emmanus, Inc.), Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Upstate NY/Vermont Chapter, YWCA NENY, To Life, Sidewalk Warriors, Alzheimer’s Disease Association, Things of My Very Own, Autism Society of the Capital Region, Habitat For Humanity Capital District, Albany Damien Center, African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region, NAACP New York State, Girls Incorporated of the Greater Capital Region, The Women’s Fund of the Capital Region.

Vibrant Brands delivers digital marketing, design, website development, video and branding services to nonprofits, businesses and government agencies across the Northeast and beyond.

Scott Hollins Named AVP, Commercial Portfolio Manager at Ballston Spa National Bank

BALLSTON SPA — Scott D. Hollins has been named assistant vice president, commercial portfolio manager at Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) according to Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO.

Hollins will act as a liaison between the commercial banking and credit administration departments, manage a portion of the bank’s commercial loan portfolio and be a new resource for current commercial banking customers. In addition, he will be responsible for developing new commercial banking relationships. Hollins started his career at BSNB in 2016 as a member of the retail banking team. Most recently, he was a credit analyst responsible for supporting the analysis of commercial credit requests and performing functions associated with managing the bank’s commercial loan portfolio. Mr. Hollins earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with concentrations in industrial and interactive design from Syracuse University.

Scott D. Hollins. Photo provided.

EXAMINATION APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE MAY 2

Correction Officer Trainee

• $45,712 hiring rate • $48,081 after 6 months • $55,057 after 1 year • PAID time off • GREAT benefits • Retire after 25 years

AT ANY AGE

Apply on-line today or download exam information at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/

Additional information about the position of correction officer is available on our website at https://doccs.ny.gov/

NOTES Chamber of Commerce from

by Todd Shimkus • for Saratoga TODAY

Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce

Labor Shortage Remains Biggest Challenge to Local Economy

In the first two months of 2022, Saratoga County and Saratoga Springs collected a combined $25 million in sales tax revenues, up 22 percent versus the same time in 2021. While its likely that rising prices due to inflation is a key driver, the reality is that since our economy was reopened in June of 2021 that we’ve seen a willingness of residents, businesses, and visitors to spend money in our local economy.

Besides sales tax collections, the willingness to spend is confirmed by residential real estate sales in Saratoga County. In January and February, we saw a 9.4% increase in the median sales price of a home in Saratoga County, and a 20.2% increase in the same in Saratoga Springs.

Talking to local bank executives, I am told that deposit balances remain historically high too. This indicates that people still have money to spend. Lastly, area hoteliers continue to say that visitors looking to return to the Saratoga Race Course, SPAC, Live Nation, and our many other attractions, are willing to pay higher rates to gather here this spring and summer.

That’s the good news. The challenge is that our county’s labor force has shrunk by 3,600 people versus 2020, and our unemployment rate remains very low. When I recently spoke with officials with Live Nation, they asked me to remind everyone that they had 200 jobs to fill. Pretty soon, I suspect NYRA will host their annual job fair as they seek to prepare for the summer. The competition is steep as every sector of our local economy is looking for talent and the pool of applicants is shrinking.

In an effort to help local employers and collectively our local economy, the Chamber just completed a complete overhaul of our Saratoga County Job Zone. This online job board can be accessed at www.saratoga.org, and it includes only local jobs. The updates we made should make it easier for local employers to post jobs and for local job seekers to find them.

We’re working with area disability services organizations, like AIM Services and Saratoga Bridges, to organize a reverse job fair, on May 3, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel. At this event, local companies send representatives who meeting with these and other agencies who support and represent local people who have incredible talents and a willingness to work. Prior to the pandemic, the Chamber hosted two of these type of events with great success for the individuals and participating companies.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the Chamber’s Veterans Business Council hosted a job fair for active duty military service people, Veterans, and their spouses at the US Navy’s Field House in Saratoga Springs. More than forty companies participated and met with hundreds of prospects. My fear that no job seekers would show up was completely unfounded thankfully.

Recently, the Chamber hosted a focus group with area human resource professionals from a number of firms represented on our Board of Directors. The goal of that forum was to figure out what types of marketing materials the Chamber could create to help local companies attract talent to relocate and take jobs here in Saratoga County. These professionals told us how they go about convincing people to come to work for their organizations and what information we could provide to help them sell Saratoga County as a great place to live.

Helping local organizations across Saratoga County to find the talent they need to fill local job openings so that they can succeed, grow and thrive is a top priority of the Saratoga County Chamber. Visit our website at www.saratoga.org to learn more or give us a call at 518-584-3255.