SBA Upstate New York seeks applicants for T.H.R.I.V.E. business-training program

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse-Upstate New York district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Wednesday announced the start of local recruitment for its T.H.R.I.V.E. program. T.H.R.I.V.E. — which is short for Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate — is a a free national training program for small-business leaders, formerly known as Emerging […]

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse-Upstate New York district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on Wednesday announced the start of local recruitment for its T.H.R.I.V.E. program.

T.H.R.I.V.E. — which is short for Train, Hope, Rise, Innovate, Venture, Elevate — is a

a free national training program for small–business leaders, formerly known as Emerging Leaders.

The SBA is currently recruiting small-business applicants who have been in business for at least three years, generate annual revenue of at least $250,000, have at least one employee other than the owner, and who can commit to participating in the six-month program from June 18 to Dec. 10, per the agency’s announcement.

“T.H.R.I.V.E. is a unique SBA program that can be instrumental for entrepreneurs aiming to grow or expand their small businesses. Throughout the course, participants will receive core business knowledge, work directly with a business coach, meet with peers and develop a three-year Strategic Growth Plan,” Daniel Rickman, director of the SBA Syracuse-Upstate New York district office, said in a news release. “We will select 20 participants for the Upstate New York cohort, and I strongly encourage small business owners who are ready for growth to consider applying for this opportunity by the April 28 deadline.”

Over six months, this intensive executive entrepreneurship–training series includes in-person coaching and virtual, self-paced instruction.

The hybrid program allows participants to work with a network of experienced subject–matter experts in core business topics such as accounting, business strategy, marketing, and human resources “customized for the unique needs of small–business owners,” the Syracuse-Upstate New York district office said.

Small–business owners can learn more regarding eligibility, how to apply, program format, and locations by visiting www.sbathrive.com.

Business owners interested in applying to participate in the Upstate NY T.H.R.I.V.E. 2024 cohort may contact the district office at (315) 471-9393.

They can also email: Syracuse.districtoffice@sba.gov for additional information.

Cathedral Corp. names new chief operating officer

Manufacturing & Engineering, Small Business, Subscriber Only

ROME — Cathedral Corporation recently announced it has appointed Fred Van Alstyne as the company’s new chief operating officer (COO). Van Alstyne is responsible for leadership and oversight of all aspects of production and technology for the company, which operates printing plants in four states. “Fred brings a wealth of experience in the document outsourcing

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ROME — Cathedral Corporation recently announced it has appointed Fred Van Alstyne as the company’s new chief operating officer (COO).

Van Alstyne is responsible for leadership and oversight of all aspects of production and technology for the company, which operates printing plants in four states.

“Fred brings a wealth of experience in the document outsourcing industry, along with strong leadership skills and a history of embracing innovation,” Cathedral CEO/Chair Marianne W. Gaige said in a news release. “I am confident he will guide Cathedral well as we continue our journey through our second century.”

Before joining Cathedral, Van Alstyne served as COO of Content Critical Solutions in New Jersey, where he served as a key architect of the company, which provides technology solutions, process outsourcing, and transactional document-production services. A certified public accountant, he also previously served as a turnaround consultant for Marotta Gund Budd & Dzera in New York City. His previous experience also includes roles in both mergers and acquisitions consulting and auditing for Arthur Andersen, Ernst & Young, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and Deloitte & Touche.

“I am excited to join a company with such a rich history,” Van Alstyne said. “I am confident that my experience will allow me to set Cathedral Corporation on a strategic path for another 100 years of delivering superior solutions to its customers.”

He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Van Alstyne is also a member of the board of trustees and immediate past president of Imaging Network Group.

Headquartered in Rome, Cathedral Corp. operates production facilities in Holbrook, N.Y.; Orlando, Florida; Lincoln, Rhode Island; and Kensington, Connecticut. Services include data management, direct mail, print production, digital solutions, and fulfillment services for a range of industries including financial services, health care, governments, utilities, and religious and nonprofit organizations.

People news: AmeriCU Credit Union appoints member-partner advisor

Banks & Credit Unions, People on the Move

UTICA, N.Y. — Alicia Smith has joined AmeriCU Credit Union as a member–partner advisor for the Rome, Utica, Oneida, and Herkimer areas, the credit union

Symphoria is now performing as The Syracuse Orchestra

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After performing for 11 years as Symphoria, the organization says it’s now going by the name The Syracuse Orchestra. It made the announcement Saturday night prior to its concert performing Gustav Holst’s 1914 masterpiece, “The Planets,” per a Monday news release about the name change and 2024-25 concert season. Pam Murchinson, executive

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City of Syracuse to host open houses for community-grid vision plan

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says the City of Syracuse will host two open houses to introduce the vision plan for the upcoming community grid. The plan is a multi-decade look ahead at how Syracuse can “maximize the positive impact” of the Interstate 81 (I-81) viaduct-replacement project on neighborhoods and mobility. The city

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Firms have until May 15 to apply for 8th round of Genius NY

Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE — Tech startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation, artificial intelligence (A.I.), and advanced air mobility (AAM) have until the middle of May to apply for this year’s Genius NY competition. Genius NY — which the state describes as the world’s largest business-accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems — is now accepting applications for

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Genius NY — which the state describes as the world’s largest business-accelerator focused on uncrewed aerial systems — is now accepting applications for the 8th round of the year-long program.

The in-residence accelerator is operated by CenterState CEO at the Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse. It will invest more than $3 million in five finalist companies, including a $1 million grand prize, Empire State Development (ESD) said in a Feb. 8 news release.

Genius NY stands for Growing ENtrepreneurs & Innovators in UpState New York.

The program will accept applications through May 15 at www.geniusny.com.

Subsets may include precision and remote sensing, smart-city applications, data collection and analytics, guidance or communication systems, and sensors, among other technological categories.

The program also offers business resources, programming, mentorship and networking opportunities to assist innovative startups with the tools they need to take advantage of emerging opportunities, ESD said.

Genius NY participants are required to operate their business in Central New York for at least one year.

The program is funded through the CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI), the region’s strategic plan to generate economic growth and community development.

“We’re looking for startups interested in pushing the bounds of current UAS technologies in Central New York.” Kara Jones, director of Genius NY, said in the ESD release. “The region’s growing innovation ecosystem offers early-stage companies a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with industry leaders while advancing their own technologies. The targeted resources awarded to Genius NY companies enable them to scale faster, generate revenue sooner, and create jobs for the local economy.”

A panel of judges will evaluate the applications, and the program will select semifinalists to present demos and pitches this summer, ESD said.

Five companies will advance to participate in the program, which is structured as a “unique programmed incubator and accelerator experience,” the release stated.

The selected teams will enter the in-person accelerator at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden later this summer, where they will be immersed in the incubator’s events, resource pool, and mentoring. Applicants should be prepared to relocate to Central New York to participate in the program starting in August.

“The GENIUS NY accelerator is fueling New York State’s thriving uncrewed aerial systems industry,” Hope Knight, president, CEO, & commissioner of Empire State Development, said. “This renowned program is attracting forward-thinking innovators from around the world to Central New York and ensuring that their pioneering ideas take flight thanks to the area’s unmatched UAS assets and infrastructure.”

To date, the program has attracted more than 37 startups to Central New York since its inception in 2017. To date, the accelerator has invested nearly
$21 million in the innovative teams, which have gone on to raise more than $100 million in venture capital.

New Upstate Family Health Center CEO outlines goals

Health Care, Subscriber Only

ROME — Upstate Family Health Center, Inc.’s new CEO brings more than just years of experience in the health-care industry to the role. She also carries a desire to help those in need and hopes to grow the organization to help even more people. Andreea Mera on Nov. 6 started in her new leadership role

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Andreea Mera on Nov. 6 started in her new leadership role at Upstate Family Health Center, a licensed health-care center offering family health-care services to individuals of all ages at locations in the Mohawk Valley.

“It’s been quite an experience,” Mera says of the job, which has been full of both the expected and the unexpected.

There are two things that have really struck Mera about upstate. First is the diversity of the population the health-care organization serves, which includes about 80 percent of the refugee population in the greater Utica area.

The other standout is the staff.

“I think the one thing that makes us stand out is … most of the people who work here work here because they want to,” she says. Many of the employees have had their own experiences that, in turn, make them very empathetic when interacting with the people Upstate serves.

Her hope is that level of empathetic care will help attract new patients to Upstate Family Health, which operates clinics in Rome, Utica, and in six school-based clinics.

To help drive that increase, Mera says she’s focused on finding creative ways to provide people the care they need when they need it.

“I want to be the place where patients come to because they want to, not because they have to,” she says.

The majority of Upstate Family Health Center’s patient population is on Medicaid. It provides a sliding fee for co-payments to ensure that people can receive care, which includes primary care, occupational therapy, mental/behavioral health services, and substance-abuse care. The health-care provider also operates a mobile integrated health vehicle to visit patients in their homes and a Hepatitis C program that delivered a cure to 50 patients last year.

Mera doesn’t originally come from a health-care background. She came to the United States from Romania 25 years ago and remembers well the uncertainty that came with having no health-insurance coverage and no money to pay for it.

While Mera originally went to school for criminal justice with thoughts of becoming a lawyer, she started working in the New York City public hospital system in 2012. While pursuing her MBA in health-care administration, she held various leadership roles within the organization. Mera also pursued a master’s degree in pharmacy policy and regulation — all with the goal of obtaining a comprehensive understanding of all the major players in the health-care system and leveraging that knowledge to help patients further.

She had a desire to work in a hospital setting so she could take all that she learned on the administrative side and put her “boots on the ground” where she could make a real difference.

Mera became familiar with the Utica–Rome area through her love of fly fishing and ended up buying a house near Syracuse before landing with Upstate Family Health Center.

The organization appealed to her because, “the mission is the [one] I’ve worked for and I’ve worked toward for my entire career,” Mera explains. The mission is simply to build a healthy community through empowering and partnering with patients.

“This organization has tremendous potential,” she says of Upstate Family Health Center. “We are looking to transform and provide the best care we can, and that’s where we’re going.”

Black River Systems wins $12M U.S. Air Force contract modification

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, Manufacturing & Engineering, Regional News, Subscriber Only

UTICA — Black River Systems Company Inc. was recently awarded a nearly $12 million cost-plus-fixed-fee completion engineering change proposal modification to a previously awarded U.S. Air Force contract for Cognitive Algorithms for Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Contested and Degraded Environments software and hardware. The contract adjustment is to expand signal-processing libraries to include updated signal of

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Syracuse aiport posts record passenger numbers

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Also plans two new eateries SYRACUSE — Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) had the “busiest year in the airport’s history” in 2023 with nearly 3 million air travelers passing through the facility. The 2.86 million passenger figure at SYR surpasses 2019 traffic levels, which produced a 30-year record for the airport, by 11 percent. The

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Also plans two new eateries

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) had the “busiest year in the airport’s history” in 2023 with nearly 3 million air travelers passing through the facility.

The 2.86 million passenger figure at SYR surpasses 2019 traffic levels, which produced a 30-year record for the airport, by 11 percent.

The Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) on Feb. 2 announced the data in its annual report, which it discussed during its State of the Airport event.

That same day, SRAA and Gideon Toal Management Services (GTMS) also announced plans for two new eateries at the airport.

“Busiest year”

The number of people flying is “surging” at airports across the U.S., but data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) indicates SYR is one of the “fastest growing” airports in the nation, SRAA said.

“Multiple” factors have contributed to this 11 percent growth at SYR, which is more than double the national average for commercial airports. Hub routes previously served by smaller, regional aircraft (50 to 70 seats) are now served by larger, mainline aircraft (about 109 to 240 seats).

Additionally, the airport continues announcing new routes and “increased frequencies” on existing flights. Another significant growth factor is the changing makeup of the airport’s catchment area, which is described as the geographic area from which SYR draws passengers.

Emerging from the pandemic, airlines began to question the economic viability of running smaller, regional aircraft to surrounding, smaller regional airports such as Watertown, Ithaca, Elmira, and Binghamton, the SRAA said. The Syracuse airport’s airline partners are instead choosing to funnel this demand from surrounding communities through SYR by running more frequent, larger mainline aircraft, the authority explained. The reduction in traffic observed at the nearby, smaller regional airports is a “direct correlation” with the “dramatic uptick” in passengers at SYR.

“We are uniquely aware of and sensitive to the changing traffic patterns within our catchment area,” Jason Terreri, SRAA executive director, said in a release. “Planning for the future is now done through the lens of regional responsibility, ensuring our team and facilities can meet the demand of the entire population residing within the Central New York service area.”

Two new eateries

Gideon Toal Management Services (GTMS) is a U.S. Department of Transportation-certified Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) that currently operates the Escape Lounge at SYR.

The SRAA and GTMS have finalized an agreement for GTMS to open and operate a Qdoba Mexican Eats and Einstein Bros Bagels at SYR.

Qdoba will operate in the post-security checkpoint hallway leading to concourse A gates, near the Escape Lounge. Additionally, Einstein Bros. Bagels will occupy a newly planned extension at the end of concourse B.

The project was secured through a successful bid last fall, SRAA said. The addition to the airport’s concessions is made possible, in part, by the $20 million grant awarded to SYR in September through the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, it added.

Both restaurants are anticipated to begin operations at different points throughout 2024.

The quick-serve nature of each will help the airport “meet the demand” for more grab-and-go options, especially during peak travel hours, SRAA said.

The Syracuse airport draws most of its traffic in three distinct “banks” — or clusters of outgoing flights — most days from 4-6 a.m.; 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; and 4-6 p.m., per the authority.

CenterState CEO, KeyBank seek to boost BIPOC, women, and veteran-owned businesses

Banks & Credit Unions, Subscriber Only

The goal is to produce generational wealth SYRACUSE — CenterState CEO says it plans to expand business coaching and technical-assistance programs for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC), women, and veteran-owned firms in Central New York. The organization will use a $500,000 donation from KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) to do so. The grant is

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The goal is to produce generational wealth

SYRACUSE — CenterState CEO says it plans to expand business coaching and technical-assistance programs for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC), women, and veteran-owned firms in Central New York.

The organization will use a $500,000 donation from KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) to do so.

The grant is part of KeyBank’s commitment to invest $40 billion in the communities it serves and support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, CenterState CEO said in its Feb. 6 announcement.

KeyBank made its donation to the CenterState CEO Foundation, which works to “attract philanthropic support for CenterState CEO programs that remove barriers to economic prosperity for people and places,” per the announcement.

“This unique approach to equitable growth by CenterState CEO will help entrepreneurs from all backgrounds have access to assistance and financing they need that will help our region grow,” Stephen Fournier, KeyBank’s Central New York market president, said in a news release. “We are proud to invest in their efforts that will make it possible for marginalized entrepreneurs to build successful futures and generational wealth.”

This funding will also play a key role in helping CenterState CEO scale efforts to expand access to business financing for “under-capitalized founders,” for whom traditional business loans and investments are “often challenging,” the organization contends.

It will support the launch and growth of underrepresented and BIPOC firms through training, coaching, and technical assistance under CenterState CEO’s Up Start program and other small-business development programming. That programming includes a real-estate developer-in-residence pilot.

The funding will also provide direct lending to — and investment in — undercapitalized firms via CenterState CEO’s Growth + Equity Fund.

“Systemic barriers have often left the talent of many entrepreneurs in our community untapped and their potential under supported,” Dominic Robinson, senior VP of inclusive growth at CenterState CEO, said in the release. “This investment from KeyBank will support important tools like the Growth + Equity Fund and Up Start that address these equity gaps and scale their economic impact on entrepreneurs from historically disinvested populations and neighborhoods.”

The CenterState CEO announcement went on to say, “Ultimately, as participants in these programs build successful businesses, they will achieve financial sustainability and begin to build generational wealth. As drivers of the local economy, they will gain stronger voices in local leadership, participate in the regeneration of the built environment, and drive economic growth and revitalization in these neighborhoods.”

“Building generational wealth is key to building strong neighborhoods and strong economies,” Tamika Otis, corporate responsibility officer for KeyBank in Central New York, said in the release. “This investment by Key will kelp CenterState CEO continue the important work they are doing to level the playing field and make our community more accessible, equitable and successful.”

Since 2017, KeyBank has followed through on community commitments totaling more than $599 million in Central New York, supporting affordable housing and community development projects; small business and home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities; and transformative philanthropy, per the release.

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Also plans two new eateries

“Busiest year”

Two new eateries

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The goal is to produce generational wealth

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