Archive: Business & Technology

H&R Block opened within The Shops at Ithaca Mall next to Kay Jewelers on January 7, 2013.

"For more than 55 years, H&R Block has been delivering trusted tax advice in neighborhoods across the country," said Tom McGough, district manager for H&R Block. "We're excited to reopen this office and greet and serve our new and returning neighbors."

The office will be open regular Mall hours through April 15.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union proudly enters its eleventh year offering free tax preparation to low- and middle-income community members. Tax preparation will run from January 16 – April 13, 2013. Tuesday's hours are 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 3:00 – 8:00, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 – 8:00 PM, and Saturdays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Additional hours and sites will also be available in Brooktondale, Groton, and Dryden. 2012 income requirements for this free tax preparation service are $30,000 for singles with no dependents and $51,000 for families.

Gimme! Coffee recently released an organic, limited edition 'Fracktivist Blend' coffee which supports the fight against fracking in New York State. Two dollars from each bag sold is being donated to Toxics Targeting, watchdog group known for its long-standing efforts to protect the environment in the Finger Lakes and across New York state.

Hydraulic fracturing (also known as 'fracking') is a controversial drilling method that has come under fire from New York state environmentalists and community groups because of the risks it poses to the water supply. Gas companies' recent efforts to expand fracking from nearby Pennsylvania, where it is already taking place, to New York's Marcellus Shale, have intensified the fight.

Time Warner Cable differed from competitors like Comcast in that they provided a free cable modem to Internet customers.  At least they did until yesterday.  Some Internet customers were upset when they received a postcard last week saying that beginning November 1 there would be a monthly rental fee of $3.95 for cable modems.

"You do have a choice when it comes to your cable modem and the monthly lease fee," the card explained.  "You can opt to waive the fee and purchase your own modem."  Many customers did just that.

It has been reported that Time Warner stands to make between $300 million and $500 million per year from cable modem lease fees.  Some reports claim this is why the company has made it so difficult to enable modems you purchase.  Across the country, customers waited hours on hold trying to enable their new equipment, or in line trying to return it.  If it wasn't a conscious business decision, the company clearly was not ready to handle the volume of customer service calls the treat of an additional fee scheduled to begin just over a week after the notification was received would generate.

Eric LindstromGimme! Coffee, has named Eric C. Lindstrom Director of Marketing and Communications.

Lindstrom, will be in charge of marketing design and implementation, corporate communications, PR and advertising, and management of the Gimme brand and website. Additionally, increasing wholesale accounts and online coffee sales are two areas of concentration for the coming year. Lindstrom will leverage the outstanding Gimme! Coffee product line and brand against a comprehensive marketing plan to grow the business -- while remaining dedicated to the Gimme mission.

Radio station 98.7 FM “The Vine” recently launched a new business initiative titled “Ithaca Shops Local” that kicks off officially this week.

“This is a comprehensive campaign that encourages a complete ‘purchase cycle’-from listener to consumer to local retailer/owner and back to consumer” said Cayuga Radio Group (parent company of 98.7 The Vine) VP/GM Chet Osadchey.  “Spending money with local businesses results in a greater percentage of money back to our community, which in turn re-circulates at a greater level, thereby keeping our economy healthy and humming.”

Ben CohenAT&T announced Monday the appointment of a new store manager at its location at 748 South Meadow Street in Ithaca.  With more than five years  of wireless sales experience, Ben Cohen will lead a team of professional retail consultants who can demonstrate a wide range of products and services, and assist both consumers and businesses with purchasing decisions, customer service and technical support.

“AT&T has an amazing lineup of smartphones, tablets and cutting edge products and services to help our customers stay connected, entertained, and informed, and I enjoy working with customers to meet their personal and professional wireless needs,” said Ben Cohen, store manager, AT&T.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli urged New Yorkers to pay special attention to fees and expiration dates when purchasing gift cards as holiday gifts.

“If you plan on giving gift cards this holiday season, my advice is pay attention," DiNapoli said. "Some gift cards have upfront fees or rules and restrictions that may diminish their value over time.  If you find an old gift card, it may still have value, so try to spend it or see if the funds were turned over to my office as unclaimed funds. Be smart this holiday season and maximize your money.”

Lansing-based Obatron Productions has been gearing up to launch its first product at the end of this month.  The company focuses  on the fantasy role playing game market.  Currently it is running a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to pay for a sample product they hope to give away to 600 retailers, in the hope of enticing them to sell Obatron products.

'Tunse'al' is a game setting, the brainchild of Vickey and Robert Beaver.  The product takes the form of a PDF file anticipated to retail at about $20 or as a soft-covered book for about $25.  Vickey Beaver estimates it will be about 100 pages, including text and art from five different artists.  It is being edited now.

New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio recently met with Steff McGonagle and John Miller, CEO and Executive Vice President respectively, of the Ithaca based company Envisage Information Systems.  Envisage was recently listed on Inc.com’s list of America’s 500 fastest growing companies.  The company recenltly purchased a Lansing facility on Dutch Mill Road and currently employs 160 people.  The company continues to expand, and is currently hiring.

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New luxury apartments and Class A offices are coming to downtown Ithaca, as the ground breaking ceremony today signals the start of construction at 140 Seneca Way. Mayor Svante Myrick will join the developer, bankers and other public officials as redevelopment of this prominent City site gets underway.

“This project will continue the revitalization of the City by keeping residents and quality businesses downtown,” said Bryan Warren, owner of Warren Real Estate and a partner in the project. The project will include 38 apartments plus offices on the first floor, which have been preleased to two prominent organizations in Ithaca, Warren Real Estate and the Park Foundation.

“We hope Seneca Way will be the place to live in downtown Ithaca,” said Warren.

The Tompkins County Workers’ Center announced that the City of Ithaca Common Council approved Mayor Svante Myrick’s 2013 Budget Wednesday. The Budget allocates the necessary funds, approximately $45,000 for the second half of the coming Fiscal Year, for the City to become a Certified Living Wage Employer in July of 2013.

"This was an extremely difficult budget year that was full of difficult decisions. But even while cutting back on our spending, I felt it was necessary to invest in our lowest paid employees," says Myrick.  "I know what it's like for a family to struggle to make ends meet while working 40 or more hours per week.  To me, paying a Living Wage is a moral imperative”.