Archive: Business & Technology

Tompkins County is taking steps to enhance the County's Sustainable Energy Loan Program which, once approved by the County Legislature, would incorporate recent amendments to the New York State law and make financing more accessible for clean energy projects.

The Sustainable Energy Loan Program, adopted by the County Legislature in 2015, provides Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for local energy-related improvement projects by implementing the Energize NY Benefit Financing Program authorized by New York State. The financing program helps commercial and non-profit building owners reduce operating costs and increase the value of their properties through clean energy improvements.

At its June 19th meeting, the Tompkins County Legislature voted to support approximately one third of Tompkins County Area Development's (TCAD) budget for a five-year period beginning in 2019. The County Legislature previously supported one third of TCAD's budget for the period of 2014-2018.

According to TCAD President, Michael Stamm, "This investment by the County Legislature continues a relationship established in 1964 when TCAD was initially founded. As in the past, this also provides significant leverage as TCAD gathers investment commitments from local employers for another one third of our budget for the same five-year period."

The New York State Authorities Budget Office (ABO) has released an operational review of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA). The review was conducted between November 2017 and March 2018. The purpose of the review was to assess the transparency and accountability of the TCIDA's operations.

The review found that the TCIDA is generally transparent in its operations. The TCIDA appropriately provides public notices, provides access to information presented at meetings, and posts project information on its web site. Project agreements and other approving documents were found to be in order. The TCIDA also responded appropriately to freedom of information requests.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday that the world's largest business accelerator for startup firms in the optics, photonics and imaging industries, Luminate NY, is now accepting applications for Round II of the innovative competition. The Luminate NY accelerator, located in Rochester, helps promising optics and photonics companies advance their technologies and businesses through a community of resources, including financial support. Funding for the $10 million Luminate NY program is being provided through the transformative Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization InitiativeForward Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

"The Luminate NY accelerator extends the region's reputation as an imaging and optics epicenter and complements New York's strategic investments in photonics and advanced manufacturing to support commercialization capabilities," Governor Cuomo said. "These investments are fostering new business growth, enhancing the region's talent, job opportunities and economy as we continue to move the Finger Lakes forward."

Geneva, NY-based food technology company RealEats announced its national debut on QVC this Monday from 3pm to 6pm. RealEats is the first company to offer sustainably sourced, sophisticated meals that are ready to eat in six minutes or less. While previously available in 21 states, RealEats' QVC debut marks the first time the Geneva, NY-based company will be able to ship its meals nationally.

While Geneva, NY may not be first to mind as a hub for food technology, basing its operations in the town has been central to RealEats' success. The town is the heart of the Finger Lakes Agricultural Region, one of the richest food sheds in the northeast, and where RealEats sources all of the ingredients for its meals. RealEats also houses their commissary kitchen adjacent to the renowned Cornell Agritech Center, the most important food innovation and safety hub in the northeast.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), today called on Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet to publicly report what they are doing to enforce the terms of service by which all of their platform users must abide. The Fund has co-filed a shareholder proposal with Arjuna Capital at each company asking their boards to provide information on what steps they have taken to enforce service agreements.

The proposal will be voted on by fellow shareholders at Twitter on May 30, at Facebook on May 31, and at Alphabet Inc. on June 6.

Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) President Michael Stamm, was presented with the Brian T. McMahon Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) at NYSEDC's 2018 Annual Conference in Cooperstown, NY on May 23rd.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Michael's contributions to economic development in Tompkins County, the Southern Tier, and at the State level.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thursday that his administration has reached a six-year contract agreement with the United University Professions, the nation's largest higher education union serving more than 35,000 SUNY employees. The contract agreement includes 2 percent wage increases each year through 2021-2022 with access to new Paid Family Leave benefits, and establishes an adjunct minimum compensation. This is the first labor union agreement with the state that includes Paid Family Leave benefits since the policy took effect on January 1, 2018.

"The contract agreement reached with UUP fairly compensates SUNY university employees as they work to support students in higher education throughout the state," Cuomo said. "This agreement is a significant step forward for all of New York's public universities and ensures the highest quality of education for the next generation of leaders. I am grateful for the collaboration that helped make this agreement possible and look forward to UUP's growth and success for years to come."

St. Louis, MO - Dr. Ted Bryant, owner of Clarity Eye Care in Ithaca, NY, received recognition for his continued commitment to professional development at a recent meeting of Cleinman Performance Network.

Bryant, celebrating five years in the Network, demonstrates a dedication to creating a healthy and beneficial work environment, as well as to maintaining a high level of patient care and satisfaction. As a member of Cleinman Performance Network, a wisdom-sharing group of peer optometrists from across North America, Bryant provides valuable knowledge that highlights and contributes to the best practices in vision care and eye health.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thursday that, at his direction, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released proposed regulations to require all power plants in New York to meet new emissions limits for carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. The regulations, a first in the nation approach to regulating carbon emissions, will achieve the Governor's goal to end the use of coal in New York State power plants by 2020.

"While Washington continues an open assault on our environment, New York is leading the charge with bold climate action to protect our future," Cuomo said. "Coal is a relic of the past, and it's time to step up, take action, and put an end to our need for fossil fuels and focus on cleaner, more green energy solutions for the survival of our planet and future generations."

Joan Morabito of Geneva, NY, was presented last week with a prize of a lifetime -- $5,000 in free food for a year from Tops Friendly Markets. Morabito was a winner in the 2018 Tops Monopoly Collect and Win game. Morabito, a loyal Tops shopper discovered her winning ticket after doing some holiday shopping over Easter weekend.

"I've never won anything before, not even bingo and couldn't believe my eyes," she said. "I was so excited."

The $168.3 billion State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2018-19 Enacted Budget increases funding for education, health care and other programs, but allows more borrowing and limits transparency of state spending, according to a reportreleased today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"On the positive, this year's enacted state budget tackles the tax changes from Washington and gives private-sector workers more options for saving for retirement," DiNapoli said. "But I am concerned that the budget expands public authority backdoor borrowing and fails to build up rainy day reserves. While revenues are currently strong, it's important to monitor trends moving forward including the ongoing impact of federal tax and budget actions."