Archive: Business & Technology

"Shift the traditional business models and be flexible with your vision." This is the advice that Kaleb Hunkele, the owner of Standard Art Supply, would give to fellow young entrepreneurs thinking about setting up shop in downtown Ithaca. Hunkele founded the store two years ago at the age of 29; while the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) does not keep formal records of the number of under-30 business owners in the district, DIA Retail Director Kris Lewis says that it is a sizeable and upward-trending demographic.

"Especially with the nationwide decline in family businesses - shops passed down from father to son to grandson, and so on - we see a lot more enterprising young people striking out and starting their own businesses," he says.  "Downtown Ithaca has proven to be a fertile ground for many of these first-time business owners."

Finger Lakes ReUse (FLR) is offering a free entry-level training to individuals interested in gaining job skills in computer technology. ReSET Tech offers an entry-level, 13 week program, approximately 16 hours per week beginning early September.

The program teaches about computer components, their purposes and how they function, how to test, refurbish and troubleshoot computers and computer components, how to install software and operating systems, and an introduction to other related topics by local industry professionals.

Cayuga Medical Associates announced Thursday a regional neuromedicine initiative with the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC),  and the addition of James Metcalf, MD,  to Progressive Neurosurgery of CMA, joining the practice of Barry Pollack, MD.

Metcalf received his pre-medical degree from Presbyterian College, South Carolina. He went on to earn his medical doctorate from the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. Metcalf completed his internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and his residency at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee.

Thousands of competitors came together Saturday in Auburn, NY to compete in the 36th annual team triathlon known as 'The Great Race'. Envisage Information Systems, a software development company based in Ithaca, participated by running, biking, and canoeing their way to finish 1st in the corporate bracket and 26th out of 375 teams overall.

Tim Parsons, Software Developer started the race by completing a 5K run in Emerson Park, and then tagged Greg Mastin, Software Developer who completed a 10K bike ride. Aaron Gilbert, Marketing Analyst and Don Newell, QA Tester brought the team to the finish line with a 2 mile tandem canoe trip across Owasco Lake.

Watkins Glen, NY - At the New York Wine & Food Classic wine competition, New York winery owners and a group of New Yorkers called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to protect wine and tourism businesses by banning fracking. They made the argument that allowing fracking to move forward would undermine those industries.

“We are pleased that the governor has recognized the vital importance of tourism and especially agri-tourism to the regional and state economy,” said Art Hunt of Hunt Country Vineyards, a seventh generation family farm in Branchport, NY. “The thousands of jobs created are both economically and environmentally sustainable.  On the other hand, high volume horizontal hydraulic fracturing is neither. If it were to be allowed here, tourism would almost immediately cease. We urge him to reject this process and help us build the state economy by championing the 'buy locally' movement. It truly is the best solution to the state's economic woes.”

Starting Monday, August 12, 98.7 The Vine will become 96.7 The Vine.  The station will continue to be broadcast at 97.3 HD-3.

“We’re finally able to give the people what they’ve been asking for – a better sounding Vine,” said Aaron Terkel, Brand Manager for The Vine.

Rep. Tom Reed kicked off the August district work period at Cameron Manufacturing and Design in Horseheads Monday, touring the facility and meeting with employees.

“We’re particularly excited about spreading what I call the ‘make it here, sell it there’ mentality that is so important in promoting American manufacturing,” Reed said. “We need support for manufacturers, like Cameron Manufacturing, that rely on highly trained employees to make advanced manufactured products. I care greatly about revitalizing and reinvigorating American manufacturing and keeping the United States competitive on the world stage.”

Congressmen Tom Reed (R-NY) and Joe Kennedy (D-MA) today announced the introduction of the bipartisan Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (RAMI). The bill creates a network of regional institutes across the country designed to commercialize research and development into manufactured products, train an advanced manufacturing workforce, and support manufacturers of all sizes. A companion bill was also introduced in the Senate by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

“Our goal with this bill is to revitalize our American manufacturing, a major key to revitalizing our country’s economy,” Reed said. “As demand grows for highly-skilled workers, it’s increasingly important we bridge the workforce development gap to fill in-demand positions. As Co-Chair of the House Manufacturing Committee we hear from manufacturers of all sizes about the need to coordinate education and training efforts. Creating a network of regional institutions across the country will support the kind of education needed for high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs. With this infrastructure in place, we can grow domestic manufacturing and put Americans back to work.”

Do you remember smoke-filled bars and restaurants? On July 24, 2013, New Yorkers from around the state will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of New York State’s expanded Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA), the historic legislation that protects workers from second-hand smoke and helps reduce smoking rates.

The state law, which went into effect on July 24, 2003, banned smoking in almost all workplaces, bars, restaurants, bowling facilities, taverns and bingo halls. It protected millions of New Yorkers from daily exposure to harmful, secondhand smoke and the illnesses it causes. New York was the second state to pass a comprehensive clean indoor air law, after Delaware. There are now 35 states with similar laws.

New York State’s short-term fiscal outlook has improved, but long-term structural balance remains a challenge, according to a report on the state financial plan released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The Comptroller also released a report on the state’s first quarter fiscal results, finding tax revenue growth has been strong so far, but such gains are likely to moderate in coming months.  

“There’s no doubt New York is in a better budget position now than it was a short time ago,” DiNapoli said. “Still, without doing more to align recurring spending with recurring revenue, out-year gaps will likely continue. For years, the state has used one-shots and temporary fixes to pay the bills. This leaves the state more susceptible to disruptive spending cuts and tax increases when unexpected shortfalls arise. While the state is in a reasonably good cash position right now, some of that is a result of temporary measures.”

Closter, New Jersey – June 2013 – Carrington Farms announce the 2013 their 12-ounce pure, 100% organic, unrefined coconut oil will be sold in Wegmans and TOPS grocery stores throughout the Northeast region of the United States. The newly introduced size is now available to customers of Wegmans and TOPS in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Elmira, New York as well as Sunbury, Binghamton and Harrisburg Pennsylvania.

Doctors and researchers alike recognize coconut oil as “the healthiest oil on earth” as it contains no trans or hydrogenated fats, strengthens the immune system, and contributes to an overall healthy metabolism.

ASI Energy President and CEO Herbert Dwyer announced Monday that Ed Wilson has officially joined ASI Energy as the Senior Energy Consultant and will be a member of the company’s Board of Directors.  Wilson says he welcomes the opportunity to play a key role in advancing the opportunities for combined heat, cooling and power across ASI’s planned market segment.

Dwyer pointed out, “Given the current state of the utility markets and greater demand for better and more efficient power options, we have seen a large increase in business. Ed’s background, expertise, and leadership will enable us to better deliver results for our clients.”