Archive: Business & Technology

NYSERDA Launches $1 Million Home Energy Ratings Pilot

: By NYSERDA; Business & Technology; | Feb 22, 2019 |

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced Wednesday that a total of $1 million is available to qualified home energy contractors and home inspectors in communities including Tompkins County through a four-phase, multi-year Home Energy Rating Pilot (Pilot). The Pilot, which is targeted to one- to -four-family homes, will help homeowners who are ready to invest in their homes and are looking for independent, trustworthy energy performance information. Once approved through a competitive selection process, qualified contractors and home inspectors will provide those homeowners with home energy performance ratings including opportunities for improving their energy performance and therefore the durability, comfort and safety their home. Wednesday's announcement advances the state's efforts to meet Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's 2025 energy efficiency target of 185 trillion BTUs in energy savings and supports the Governor's Green New Deal, a nation-leading clean energy and jobs agenda that puts New York on a path to a carbon-free economy.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, "Reducing energy use in homes is a key component to achieving Governor Cuomo's ambitious energy efficiency target and lays the foundation for greater energy savings across the state. By piloting these home energy ratings, New Yorkers will have access to a beneficial tool to identify potential high-performing energy features for their homes and prioritize areas that can be upgraded to make it more energy efficient, comfortable and lower costs."

$45.9 Million Innovate NY Venture Capital Fund Fully Invested

: By New York State Governor's Office; Business & Technology; | Feb 15, 2019 |

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Tuesday that the $45.9 million Innovate NY venture capital fund has been fully invested. Since the fund's launch in 2012, 81 companies have received more than $370 million in investment capital, leading to the creation or retention of 2,250 jobs. A majority of investments were made in companies located upstate. The Innovate NY fund is managed by New York Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of Empire State Development, and supports the state's entrepreneurial culture of new and innovative startups.

"New York's strategic investments in the next generation of innovative startup companies have fostered growth in our thriving tech industry while supporting thousands of jobs across the state," Cuomo said. "This administration has already made great strides to support these seed-stage businesses, and we look forward to seeing these companies continue to make significant contributions to our economy and help build a brighter future for New York."

New York Legislators Invite AMAZON.COM, INC Upstate

: By Office of NYS Senator Pam Helming; Business & Technology; | Feb 15, 2019 |

In recent weeks, it has become increasingly clear to legislators in Albany that the Amazon.com project in New York City could be in jeopardy. Legislators say it is time to talk about relocating the proposed second Amazon Headquarters perfectly between Rochester and Syracuse, NY. Both cities have world-class colleges and universities, providing a rich pool of potential employees to support the Amazon campus.

"There is huge potential in Upstate for Amazon! NYC's loss could be Upstates gain and a real win for Amazon," said Senator Pam Helming (R-C-I, Canandaigua). "Our region has an abundance of affordable, shovel ready sites. We have highly skilled local workers who could fill the 25,000 plus positions and a regional workforce development program to support Amazon. The Finger Lakes region offers easy, convenient access to major transportation routes and international airports. Our area includes world-class medical institutions, superior public education, and affordable housing opportunities. The sorts of incentives NYC offered Amazon would not even be needed because upstate is significantly more affordable than New York City. Our unmatched quality of life and beautiful environment draw visitors from across the world and would certainly help Amazon in their efforts to attract top talent."

Cornell Trustees Approve 2019-20 Budget Plan

: By Cornell University; Business & Technology; | Feb 15, 2019 |

The Cornell University Board of Trustees approved the university’s long-term financial planning and 2019-20 budget parameters this weekend. The plans include investments in key academic priorities; student socio-economic diversity; faculty and staff salary programs and graduate student stipends; and financial aid.

The board will formally approve the anticipated $2 billion operating budget for the Ithaca campus for fiscal year 2019-20 at its May meeting.
The financial parameters draw upon Cornell’s 10-year plan, begun last year, to continually strengthen the university’s financial standing over the long term. The plan includes investments in financial aid and the university’s buildings and facilities, controlling tuition rate increases, and a gradual reduction in the university’s draw from its endowment.

Maguire Adding Nissan Dealership In Village

: By Dan Veaner; Business & Technology; | Feb 15, 2019 |

The Village of Lansing planning Board continued a public hearing Monday to consider a proposed Nissan Dealership on uptown Road in the Village of Lansing. The Nissan Dealership will be next to the existing Chevrolet dealership that is just east of the Triphammer Marketplace. Maguire representatives and Planning Board members alike said that they want the project to be sensitive to residents of neighboring apartment complexes, especially from new lighting at the dealership, including the headlights on cars.

"It's all about Gaslight Village being protected," said Planning Board Chair Lisa Schleelein.

$15 Million For Luminate NY Accelerator Competition

: By New York State Governor's Office; Business & Technology; | Feb 8, 2019 |

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that $15 million in additional funding is being made available to support three more rounds of the Luminate NY business accelerator competition in the City of Rochester. The innovative competition focuses on the optics, photonics and imaging industry and is administered by NextCorps, located at Sibley Square in Rochester's Downtown Innovation Zone. Luminate NY supports selected innovators as they grow their ideas in Rochester with help from industry experts, businesses and local universities. The program aims to assist entrepreneurs who are interested in solving challenging industry problems, including, but not limited to: machine vision, inspection, biophotonics, security, surveillance, augmented and virtual reality, and autonomous vehicles. Funding for the Luminate NY program is being provided through the transformative Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

"The Luminate NY accelerator is further cementing the region's reputation as an imaging and optics epicenter for the entire country," Cuomo said. "Strategic investments in this emerging industry will foster new business growth and create top-notch job opportunities for the region's highly skilled workforce as we continue to move the Finger Lakes forward."

Albany Updates On State Revenues And SALT Impact

: By New York State Governor's Office; Business & Technology; | Feb 8, 2019 |

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli delivered an update on State revenues Monday, after the Division of the Budget observed a decline in Personal Income Tax receipts in December and January. The Governor and Comptroller attributed the decline to the federal tax legislation's elimination of full state and local tax deductibility, which disproportionately impacted New York and other predominantly Democratic states. Similar revenue declines have also been observed in other states. Amendments to the 2020 Executive Budget will include revisions to reflect updated impacts to the State financial plan.

"The federal administration's SALT policy is an economic civil war that helps red states at the expense of blue states, and we are now seeing the potentially devastating effect of it in the form of significantly lower tax receipts," Cuomo said. "These changes hurt our economy and make New York less competitive, and we will not stop ringing the alarm bell about this punitive policy until Congress reverses it."

Local Sales Tax Collections Jump For Third Year

: By New York State Comptroller's Office; Business & Technology; | Feb 1, 2019 |

Local sales tax collections continued to climb in 2018, growing for the third year in a row, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Collections across the state of $17.5 billion grew by $872 million, or 5.3 percent.

"Local sales tax collections grew at a faster pace in 2018 than in recent years, boosting local revenues," DiNapoli said. "Despite the good news, a slowdown in collection growth in the fourth quarter shows that sales tax revenue can be unpredictable. Local officials should keep a watchful eye on consumer spending and this revenue source and be prepared to react accordingly."

WCNY Names Mitch Gelman President, Chief Executive Officer

: By WCNY; Business & Technology; | Feb 1, 2019 |

Syracuse, NY - The WCNY Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Mitch Gelman, WCNY president and chief executive officer, effective Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Gelman succeeds Robert J. Daino who served as WCNY's president and chief executive officer for more than 13 years. Gelman brings more than 30 years of experience to WCNY. A media executive and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, he has led innovation and catalyzed growth in news, education, entertainment, and digital technology across public and private sector organizations.

"Mitch has a wealth of experience in the traditional and digital broadcast industries that will help WCNY undergo a digital transformation, while continuing to provide the high-quality programs and services our members, listeners, viewers, and the community count on," said Jeffrey B. Scheer, WCNY Chairman of the Board. "Mitch embodies strong leadership qualities which the WCNY Board of Trustees believes will help WCNY continue to build its innovative portfolio of programs and services on the local and national levels." Prior to joining WCNY, Gelman served as chief technology officer at the Newseum, where he helped the Washington D.C.-based group expand its commitment to using emerging technology to promote, explain, and defend the freedoms of the First Amendment.

Nguyen To Lead 2019 TCAT Board of Directors

: By Patty Poist; Business & Technology; | Feb 1, 2019 |

Community leader Ducson Nguyen took over as chairperson of the TCAT Board of Directors at its first meeting of the year Thurs., Jan. 24 with a promise of “significant, but exciting challenges” ahead as the transit agency ramps ups to expand, improve and meet the demands of the future.

Nguyen, a software engineer and Ithaca Common Council Alderperson – 2nd Ward, has served on the TCAT Board of Directors for the past three years at the recommendation of the City of Ithaca. He replaces Frank P. Proto, long-time TCAT board member, who served as chairperson in 2018. Proto will continue to serve on the board at the recommendation of Tompkins County.

Chuck Schwerin New TCAD Managing Director of Business Services

: By TCAD; Business & Technology; | Feb 1, 2019 |

Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) announced Tuesday that Chuck Schwerin is the new Managing Director of Business Services. Schwerin will be responsible for business retention, expansion, and attraction programming, delivering direct incentives, and developing relationships with business leaders, entrepreneurs and a variety of stakeholders. He will provide direct assistance to retain, grow and attract new business and industry in Tompkins County. TCAD is a private not for profit organization and has acted as Tompkins County's economic development organization since its founding in 1964. Its mission is to build a thriving and sustainable economy that improves the quality of life in Tompkins County by fostering the growth of business and employment.

Heather McDaniel, President of TCAD, said, "I am excited for Chuck to join the TCAD team. Chuck's experience starting his own tech companies, as well as advising startups for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), provide him with the expertise and background to really understand the needs of businesses in the community and the knowledge of what services will benefit them most so they can start, stay, and grow here in Tompkins County."

Prior to his appointment at TCAD, Schwerin was a Certified Business Advisor for the SBDC at Binghamton University for three years, where he

Comptroller Calls On Major Corporations To Report On Disability Inclusion

: By New York State Comptroller's Office; Business & Technology; | Jan 18, 2019 |

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Wednesday that he has called on 49 of the largest U.S. companies, including Apple, McDonald's, Nike and Twentieth Century Fox, to report on their inclusion of people with disabilities across the enterprise.

"We want the companies our pension fund invests in to be desirable places to work for everyone," DiNapoli said. "Studies have shown that businesses that commit to disability inclusion outperform their peers. Companies should seize the opportunity to join the growing number of corporations that recognize the benefits of disability inclusion and are reporting their efforts."

More Than $35 Million In Stolen Wages Returned To Workers

: By New York State Governor's Office; Business & Technology; | Jan 11, 2019 |

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Wednesday announced more than $35 million was returned to over 35,000 victims of wage theft in 2018 - continuing the state Department of Labor's efforts to stand up for workers being denied wages. Since the Governor took office, the State has recovered and returned over $285 million to more than 250,000 workers - the highest total in the nation.

"New York State will not tolerate theft of wages in any form, and any employer that attempts to unlawfully withhold wages from their hardworking employees will be held responsible," Governor Cuomo said. "We are proud to have recovered and returned the highest amount of denied wages in the country, and we will continue to protect the hard earned wages of men and women throughout the state."

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