Oneida County appoints new county attorney and commissioner of personnel

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UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. has announced the appointment of Amanda Cortese-Kolasz as county attorney and Chuck Klein as commissioner of personnel. Both began in their new roles on Jan. 17. Cortese-Kolasz joined the county in 2011, serving as deputy county attorney-administration, assistant county attorney, and most recently as commissioner […]

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UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. has announced the appointment of Amanda Cortese-Kolasz as county attorney and Chuck Klein as commissioner of personnel.

Both began in their new roles on Jan. 17.

Cortese-Kolasz joined the county in 2011, serving as deputy county attorney-administration, assistant county attorney, and most recently as commissioner of personnel since September 2021, the county said in a news release. She has served as lead counsel for labor and employment issues for the county and Mohawk Valley Community College, as counsel for Griffiss International Airport, handled administrative and contractual matters for all departments of county government, and litigated several civil and family-law matters.

Before joining the Oneida County Law Department, she was in private practice, concentrating primarily in matrimonial and family law. Cortese-Kolasz began her career at the Hiscock Legal Aid society.

In her new role as Oneida County attorney, Cortese-Kolasz replaces Peter Rayhill, who served nine years as county attorney before being elected to state Supreme Court this past November.

Klein joined Oneida County as manager of network services in 2018, was promoted to deputy director in 2019, and became director of information technology.

Chuck Klein (Photo credit: Oneida County)

During his tenure in IT, Klein modernized infrastructure by upgrading and replacing obsolete hardware and software, streamlined the helpdesk operation, and created departmental service levels to enhance customer service. He also expanded shared-services initiatives by providing IT services to the city of Sherrill, towns of Verona and Marshall, and village of Verona.

Before joining Oneida County, Klein spent 24 years in the student-loan industry for Xerox, holding various leadership roles including director of information technology for education services. He holds an associate degree in computer information systems from Mohawk Valley Community College.

Oneida County Purchasing Director Alfred Barbato will oversee the IT department until the county finds a permanent replacement for Klein.

“Amanda Cortese-Kolasz and Chuck Klein have served integral roles in Oneida County government for years and have been essential to its successful operation,” Picente said in the release. “Amanda’s legal expertise, management, and negotiating skills have helped guide us through challenging times, and Chuck has been indispensable in increasing the efficiency of our workflow, improving our customer service, and securing our processes. I am certain they will excel in their new positions and continue to take this government to new heights.”

Le Moyne, Meier’s Creek Brewing introduce Le Moyne-themed craft beer for fundraiser

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Le Moyne College and Meier’s Creek Brewing Company (MCBC) on Tuesday announced Dolphy Day IPA, a Le Moyne-themed craft beer that will be onthe market by the beginning of March. The brew will be available at Meier’s Creek locations in Cazenovia and the Syracuse Inner Harbor and at retail stores throughout the

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Le Moyne College Dolphy Day IPA — Le Moyne College and Meier’s Creek Brewing Company on Tuesday announced that Dolphy Day IPA, a Le Moyne-themed craft beer, will be available by the beginning of March at Meier’s Creek locations in Cazenovia and the Syracuse Inner Harbor as well as retail locations around the region. (Image credit: Le Moyne College)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Le Moyne College and Meier’s Creek Brewing Company (MCBC) on Tuesday announced Dolphy Day IPA, a Le Moyne-themed craft beer that will be onthe market by the beginning of March.

The brew will be available at Meier’s Creek locations in Cazenovia and the Syracuse Inner Harbor and at retail stores throughout the region, according to the announcement.

Under the agreement with MCBC, Le Moyne will receive 20 percent of all sales, and the proceeds will benefit the Le Moyne College Fund and “specifically target” the college’s wellness initiatives and student scholarship to help offset the cost of attendance.

Those of legal drinking age can place pre-orders for the craft beer on the Meier’s Creek website starting Feb. 19, with pre-reservations open until Feb. 23 at 5 p.m.

The name Dolphy Day IPA is a “nod to one of Le Moyne’s most revered traditions,”the college said in its announcement. Dolphy Day is a Le Moyne tradition dating back to 1971 where students spend the first warm day of spring outside enjoying the weather, hanging out, and blowing off some steam before final exams start.

The announcement of the new craft beer is the culmination of a months-long process between MCBC and Le Moyne, the college said. Le Moyne’s student marketing firm Heights Global Marketing (HGM) “took the lead in several areas” related to developing the Le Moyne-themed beer.

Its efforts included conducting market research, creating and executing a survey sent to Le Moyne alumni, and leading focus groups.

HGM sought to gather data from alumni about the preferred type and name of the beer.Once those were selected, HGM students worked on the design of the label, the school said. Those involved have also designed a number of swag items to help with the promotion of the beer, Le Moyne noted.

The development of Dolphy Day IPA is in line with a recent trend of universities launching themed beer. Some examples include Indiana University’s Hoosier Gameday Lager, East Carolina University’s Pirates Brew, Florida State University’s Legacy Lager,and Marquette University’s ‘77 Golden Ale.

People news: Bousquet Holstein names new chief of operations

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Bousquet Holstein PLLC has appointed Alicia Madden as its new chief of operations, the Syracuse–based law firm announced recently. Madden, on Jan. 22, assumed administrative leadership of the 52-attorney firm and will oversee all operating departments. She succeeds John Walsh, who retired this year after serving as Bousquet Holstein’s business manager since

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Greater Binghamton Chamber gives Building BC Awards and economic outlook at annual event

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce held its annual economic forecast and Building BC Awards event on Tuesday morning, Feb. 13 at the Holiday Inn Binghamton. Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance, revealed the results of a December 2023 survey of local business leaders. According to the survey, the top five

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Stacey Duncan

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce held its annual economic forecast and Building BC Awards event on Tuesday morning, Feb. 13 at the Holiday Inn Binghamton.

Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance, revealed the results of a December 2023 survey of local business leaders.

According to the survey, the top five state and local business challenges are state business taxes, state business regulations, attracting/retaining employees, the regional economic climate, and unemployment insurance.

National factors influencing business leaders’ outlook include inflation/deflation, interest rates, health-care costs, federal regulations, and energy policy.

Regarding the 2024 economy, 73 percent of respondents expect the economy to expand, while 27 percent expect it to remain unchanged. About 32 percent feel more optimistic about this year compared to last year, while 36 percent feel less optimistic.

Almost 80 percent of businesses expect their revenue to increase this year, and nearly 60 percent anticipate adding to their workforce.

The chamber event also celebrated this year’s winners of the Building BC Awards.

Paulus Development won the Building BC Restorative Award, which recognizes a project that brings new life into an aging building. The Syracuse–based company was honored for its project transforming the former Endicott Johnson Shoe Factory into a mixed-use commercial building with 156 luxury market-rate apartments and 7,500 square feet of commercial space. Company President Matthew Paulus accepted the award.

The Building BC Transformative Award went to UHS with President/CEO John Carrigg accepting. The award recognizes a project that impacts an entire community and fosters growth. Scheduled for spring 2024 completion, the UHS Wilson project not only transforms Wilson Hospital but also Main Street in Johnson City with a $300 million, six-story clinical tower on the hospital campus. The tower includes 120 new private patient rooms, a new trauma center and emergency room, an MRI suite, a post-anesthesia care unit, surgical support area, and a rooftop helipad.

Three companies were honored with the Building BC Legacy Recognition, which honors businesses founded in the Greater Binghamton area that have continued to make significant contributions to the county’s business and economic climate.

Universal Instruments, founded in 1919 as a tool and die manufacturer, expanded to the electronics assembly and surface-mount assembly sectors. Today, the company designs and manufactures precision automation solutions for the semiconductor and electronics-manufacturing industry.

Gagne, Inc., founded in the 1950s by Tony Gagne, has its origins in engineered-product manufacturing, creating products including light boxes and light tables. Jim Cady was the second owner of the company until 1989 when Thom Holland and Jeff Sampson bought the business. In its third generation as a small, family-owned business, Gagne’s primary products are covers (or bellows) used in a wide variety of industries including medical, military, and OEM machinery. The company’s Porta-Trace light boxes continue to be a staple for artists, engineers, and photographers.

Maurice Sall and Albert Stearns opened their Sall-Stearns menswear and tailoring services store in 1929 on Washington Street. The store moved to 41 Court St. in 1958 and 52 Court St. in 1996, where it continues to operate today under the ownership of Nate Sall and his son, Ron, who purchased the store in 1973.

Onondaga County to use nearly $4M federal grant for project targeting youth mental health

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County will use a federal grant of nearly $4 million over five years to address youth mental health in the county. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the $3.7 million grant, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced Monday. SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County will use a federal grant of nearly $4 million over five years to address youth mental health in the county.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded the $3.7 million grant, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced Monday.

SAMHSA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public–health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation, per the SAMHSA website.

The mental-health division of the county’s Department of Children and FamilyServices will use the funding to support the health-transitions project.

The project focuses on transition–age youth (those aged 16 to 25) who are identified ashaving — or being at risk for — serious emotional distress or mental illness. The goal of the health-transitions project is to support young people who are at risk of developing mental–health challenges as they enter adulthood.

The project focuses on four main components: 1) increasing the use of peers, crediblemessengers, and natural supports to engage the youth in behavioral health and other community-based services; 2) expanding direct–case management services to all youth with any systems involvement to “ensure successful transition” to adulthood; 3) enhancing best practices to meet young people’s needs; and 4) developing infrastructure within outpatient behavioral–health provider networks to support youth moving from the children’s system to the adult system.

Onondaga County would like to serve 300 transition–age youth over the course of the grant, per the announcement.

“Investing in the mental health and wellbeing of our young people has been a top priority of my administration. We have made significant investments in our schools, butwe know that the approach must be more holistic. Our team works daily with experts and community partners and this grant will provide significant support in that effort,” McMahon said in the release. “The demographic supported by the Health Transitions Project is often overlooked and underserved, but thanks to this grant Onondaga County will continue its efforts to reach this population and help them during this important time in their life.”

People news: LeChase hires Kerr as assistant project manager

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — LeChase Construction Services, LLC announced it has addedTaylor Kerr as an assistant project manager in the Central New York area. In this role, Kerr will help manage, develop, maintain, and oversee all functions of assigned projects at the preconstruction, construction and post-construction phases. That includes safety, construction planning, and cost-control procedures, the

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Herkimer, Boonville, and Richfield win downtown transformation funding from state

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HERKIMER, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped at Herkimer Community College on Monday to announce the villages of Herkimer and Boonville and the town of Richfield as recipients of state funding for downtown revitalization projects. Herkimer will receive $10 million as the Mohawk Valley-region winner in the seventh round of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative

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Herkimer will receive $10 million as the Mohawk Valley-region winner in the seventh round of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI). Boonville and Richfield will get $4.5 million each as this year’s Mohawk Valley-region NY Forward winners.

“This whole region was once a diamond in the rough,” Hochul said of the Mohawk Valley region. After losing a little of its luster amid challenging times, the area is shining once again, she said.

Calling itself “a jewel with multiple facets,” Herkimer worked to improve its odds of DRI funding by completing a strategic master plan, revising zoning code, refining its proposed projects, securing commitments for private-sector investments, and more.

With the $10 million, Herkimer will use up to $300,000 to develop a strategic-investment plan. A local planning committee comprised of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders, with support from private-sector experts and state planners, will develop the plan, which will examine local assets and opportunities to identify economic developments, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with the village’s vision for downtown revitalization.

“The DRI stands as a transformational investment that will benefit many generations to come,” Herkimer Mayor Dana Sherry said. “We look forward to additional guidance from the governor’s office and Empire State Development as we ignite the rebirth of the village of Herkimer.”

Boonville seeks to transform its downtown into a destination for tourists and residents,alike. The village has used prior public-sector grants to renovate mixed-use properties, enhance parks, improve water quality, update the village/town comprehensive plan with smart-growth principles, and achieve the Clean Energy Community designation. With the NY Forward award, the village hopes to create an improved, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, expand small business opportunities, and enhance public spaces with cultural activities.

“This generous award from NY Forward will enable us to embark on transformative projects that will positively impact the lives of our citizens and strengthen the fabric of the Boonville community,” Boonville Mayor Judith Dellerba said. “This new partnership between the village of Boonville and Gov. Hochul’s office exemplifies a shared vision for a brighter future, and together we will work tirelessly to maximize the impact of this funding, ensuring it reaches every bit of our village and leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

Richfield will also build on previous investments that set the revitalization process in motion. Projects and goals include enhancing public spaces with streetscape improvements, adaptive re-use of existing buildings, increasing walking and biking options, increasing sustainability and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting small-business growth, and increasing awareness and appreciation of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Both communities will begin developing strategic-investment plans to identify projects.

“For the past decade, the village and town of Richfield Springs have collaborated on several joint initiatives to strengthen our community and bring prosperity to our residents,” Village of Richfield Springs Mayor Richard Spencer said.

“This grant will enable our small community to enact a number of projects that will benefit our community in the areas of housing, economic development, and recreation,”Richfield Town Supervisor Larry Frigault said. “Each of these projects will help improve the quality of life in Richfield.”

The Downtown Revitalization Initiative, created in 2016, helps accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. The state’s 10 regional economic-development councils nominate communities based on the downtown’s potential for transformation. Each community is awarded $10 million to develop a plan and implement key catalytic projects.

NY Forward works alongside DRI but focuses on smaller and rural downtowns with projects appropriate scaled to the size of each community.

Binghamton University accepting applications for University and Community Projects Fund

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VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University is now accepting applications for the 2024 grant cycle of the Stephen David Ross University and Community Projects Fund. Ross, a distinguished research professor emeritus, established the fund to advance working partnerships between the university and the community, the school said in its Monday announcement. Binghamton University awards Ross Fund

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People news: MACNY promotes Frame to No. 2 position

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DeWITT, N.Y. — MACNY, The Manufacturers Association of Central New York recently announced that it has promoted Michael Frame to executive vice president (EVP). Reporting directly to the president and CEO of the association, the EVP serves as second-in-command and a key member of MACNY’s executive leadership team, according to an organizational news release. He

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DeWITT, N.Y. — MACNY, The Manufacturers Association of Central New York recently announced that it has promoted Michael Frame to executive vice president (EVP).

Reporting directly to the president and CEO of the association, the EVP serves as second-in-command and a key member of MACNY’s executive leadership team, according to an organizational news release. He is responsible for all policy and strategic decision-making including operations, budget, programmatic offerings, talent development, and partnerships. Frame started in this new role on Jan. 4.

The EVP is a builder: developing, implementing, and leading all MACNY talent–development initiatives, per the release. This includes workforce–development programs, like the NYS Manufacturers Alliance Intermediary Apprenticeship Program, Partners for Education and Business, Inc. (PEB), and Real Life Rosies — New York’s first direct entry pre-apprenticeship program in advanced manufacturing.

The EVP also provides oversight to MACNY’s corporate and member services, including energy, grant writing, training and development, and the Career & Talent Platform. Leading the development of strategic partnerships and initiatives, the EVP engages in regional, statewide, and national collaborations in alignment with MACNY’s organizational strengths and competencies.

Frame first joined MACNY in 2022 as senior VP of workforce development and chief operations officer, the organization said.

Prior to joining MACNY, Frame had extensive experience working for several universities, including SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Florida State University, the State University of New York, and Binghamton University.

Frame has degrees from Syracuse University, Cornell University, and Cayuga Community College. He is a member of several professional and civic organizations and currently serves as vice chair of Mohawk Valley EDGE, vice chair of the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, and as a board member of the Cayuga Community College Foundation.

CNY regions showed mixed job growth in December N.Y. report

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The sub-regions of Central New York painted a mixed picture of job growth in December compared to the year-ago month. The Syracuse and Watertown–Fort Drum areas gained jobs between December 2022 and this past December. Meanwhile, the Binghamton and Ithaca regions lost jobs and the Utica–Rome and Elmira areas posted no job growth or losses

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