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State program helps small businesses comply with environmental regulations
The New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) says it offers the state’s small businesses a program that can help them in complying with state and federal air regulations. The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides confidential technical assistance to New York’s small-business owners at no cost, the agency says. The EFC’s […]
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The New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC) says it offers the state’s small businesses a program that can help them in complying with state and federal air regulations.
The Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) provides confidential technical assistance to New York’s small-business owners at no cost, the agency says.
The EFC’s is primarily focused on the financing of infrastructure projects for wastewater and drinking-water systems. Former Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll is currently serving as president and CEO of the EFC.
EFC launched the SBEAP program in 1995, following the 1990 amendments to federal Clean Air Act, says Harry Ching, manager of the program since its inception.
The amendments included a national permits program to make the law more “workable,” and an improved enforcement program to help ensure better compliance with the law, according to the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“States need to have a program to help small businesses comply with the complex air regulations,” Ching says, paraphrasing the law’s explanation for the SBEAP program.
Ching, a chemical engineer, joined the EFC in 1988, he says.
The program is available to assist more than 50,000 New York small businesses that might be subject to federal and/or state air-emission requirements.
“We try to explain to a business in plain language, step by step, after we review the business to identify what regulations they have to comply with,” Ching says.
If the company needs any permits or registrations, the program helps them complete the application and attaching the necessary air-emissions calculations that are associated with the application package, he adds.
SBEAP operates a toll-free technical-assistance hotline (1-800-780-7227) to answer questions and help determine what regulations apply to a small business’s operations, Ching says.
It also helps small companies with completing the required authorizations and supporting documentation, including permit-application forms for state-facility permits or minor-facility registrations, emission inventories, air-dispersion modeling, and compliance plans, the EFC said.
When Ching works with a small business on completing an application, he performs an emissions inventory for the business.
“With that information, I have to fit them into the regulatory framework that establishes what regulations they must comply with,” Ching says.
At that point, Ching will continue discussions with the company to determine what level of permit for which the firm should apply, he says.
SBEAP also provides pollution-prevention suggestions in the areas of material substitution and process modification that may alleviate regulatory requirements.
As needed, EFC conducts on-site technical-assistance visits to evaluate the site-specific compliance issues at a given business.
In addition, SBEAP also prepares technical publications (fact sheets and brochures) to provide both general-compliance information and information for specific industry sectors.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
Greater Utica Chamber honors four with “Business of the Year” awards
UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce recently honored two companies and two nonprofit organizations with its Business of the Year award. The business winners included Northern Safety & Industrial of Utica in the “over 50 employees” category and Piggy Pat’s BBQ of Washington Mills in the “50 employees or fewer” category. Northern Safety
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UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce recently honored two companies and two nonprofit organizations with its Business of the Year award.
The business winners included Northern Safety & Industrial of Utica in the “over 50 employees” category and Piggy Pat’s BBQ of Washington Mills in the “50 employees or fewer” category.
Northern Safety specializes in industrial, janitorial, material handling, and safety maintenance supplies, according to its website.
The nonprofit winners included Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute of Utica in the “over 50 employees” category and the Boilermaker Road Race in the “fewer than 50 employees” category.
The chamber evaluated and selected the finalists based on their staying power, response to challenges, products, services, and innovation; commitment to the Mohawk Valley, including longevity and community involvement; and their participation in the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, the organization said.
The Greater Utica Chamber honored 11 area companies and organizations at its annual Business of the Year awards ceremony Dec. 12 at Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club in New York Mills.
Real-estate agent John Brown of Coldwell Banker Faith Properties served as the event’s keynote speaker.
Nearly 250 people attended the event, the chamber said.
SBA’s Rickman earns NASBITE global-business credential
SYRACUSE — Daniel (Dan) Rickman, international-trade officer at the Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), recently earned his credential as a NASBITE certified global business-professional. NASBITE is short for National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators, the SBA said in a news release. NASBITE International is headquartered at Cleveland State
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SYRACUSE — Daniel (Dan) Rickman, international-trade officer at the Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), recently earned his credential as a NASBITE certified global business-professional.
NASBITE is short for National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators, the SBA said in a news release.
NASBITE International is headquartered at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, according to its website.
The credential focuses on global business management, global marketing, supply chain management, and trade finance, the SBA said.
Small businesses looking to increase sales and profit, reduce dependence on the domestic market, and stabilize seasonal fluctuations are encouraged to consider exporting, the SBA says.
Nearly 96 percent of consumers live outside the U.S. and two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is in foreign countries, according to the SBA.
Small businesses interested in exporting their products and services can contact Rickman for assistance at (315) 471-9393 ext. 250.
Social media as a marketing tool for small business
If you spent any time on Facebook during the holidays, you probably saw a few dozen photos of the infamous Elf on the Shelf. Whether the elf and its mischievous adventures inspired you to get your own elf or made you groan, there’s no denying the elf is an example of how social media can
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If you spent any time on Facebook during the holidays, you probably saw a few dozen photos of the infamous Elf on the Shelf. Whether the elf and its mischievous adventures inspired you to get your own elf or made you groan, there’s no denying the elf is an example of how social media can benefit a small business.
The elf, the brainchild of Creatively Classic Activities and Books, LLC of Atlanta, Ga., truly has taken on a life of its own on social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter. That spark of conversation and shared photos is exactly the kind of hype all small businesses should be hoping to generate through their own social-media efforts, says Jay Sumner, Internet-marketing specialist at JS Design in New York Mills.
All through December, people were posting photos of their elves, creating more brand awareness for the company and certainly helping to boost sales, he says. “It’s smart and it’s a great campaign,” he adds.
In a nutshell, that kind of connection should be the ultimate goal for businesses when using social media, Sumner says.
“Everyone’s business is like a snowflake,” he says, and the key to successful social-media interaction is to hone in on what makes your business and your customers unique. Then it comes down to delivering engaging messages on a regular basis.
Through JS Design, which has nearly 17,000 of its own followers, Sumner oversees the Go Camping Facebook page, which has more than 730,000 followers. Go Camping (igocamping.org) is a website devoted to camping and nature enthusiasts.
Social-media sites are a great way to get free advertising, Sumner says, but a company shouldn’t use the sites just to convey facts and information about its business. Companies need to loosen up a little bit and post things that “allow people to like you,” Sumner says.
Farah Jadran, editor of Syracuse Woman Magazine, agrees and says she uses the magazine’s Twitter and Facebook pages to support the community as well as promote the magazine. One post might be a teaser for an article in the upcoming edition, while the next might include a photo of a delicious lunch she had at a local restaurant.
“Social media is just another way of having a conversation,” Jadran says.
Social media is also a valuable tool for a business to gather information, she notes. Readers who follow on social-media sites — the magazine has nearly 2,100 followers each on Facebook and Twitter — often share information on upcoming events or even share ideas for stories on the magazine’s pages, Jadran says.
It all works together, Jadran says, to help push readership of the monthly magazine. Currently, the magazine distributes more than 15,000 copies each month.
That type of proactive approach is key to social-media marketing, Sumner says. Small businesses need to do more than just have a Facebook or Twitter page, he says. They need to outline a strategy for how they will use that page and make sure the administrator of those pages is aware what is okay and not okay to post, he adds.
Companies should also have a plan in place outlining how to handle negative posts from followers, Sumner says.
Contact The Business Journal at news@cnybj.com
Establish Credit–Worthiness Before You Grow Your Small Business
When evaluating loan prospects, the banks will take a look at the “five C’s (character, capacity, capital, conditions, and collateral), but they also pay a lot of attention to your credit scores. The importance of a good credit history has grown over the past decade with the increased use of credit scoring by lenders. Credit
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When evaluating loan prospects, the banks will take a look at the “five C’s (character, capacity, capital, conditions, and collateral), but they also pay a lot of attention to your credit scores. The importance of a good credit history has grown over the past decade with the increased use of credit scoring by lenders. Credit scoring is a computerized loan-evaluation method that lenders use to statistically predict how risky it is to lend money to someone.
The scores are based solely on information in consumer credit reports maintained at the credit-reporting agencies. Therefore, it is important to know what is in your credit report. Many times information is incorrect and can negatively affect your credit score. Everyone is now entitled to one free credit report per year. You can obtain a free credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. However, if you want your credit score, you’ll need to pay a fee.
Another credit issue is whether you started out undercapitalized, used credit cards, and/or had too much debt. Undercapitalization means not having enough cash available if needed. Lenders suggest having three to six months of working capital on hand at all times to prepare for bumps in the road. Perhaps sales are slow for a couple of months or your business faces an unexpected expense. Have you weathered any of this? How did you handle it?
When evaluating credit histories, lenders look at whether debts have been repaid on time, the amount of credit extended, the relationship between total credit available and current credit balances, and the number of recent applications for credit. Credit balances approaching the credit limit may indicate that a borrower’s ability to take on more debt is limited, even if there are few or no late payments in the credit history.
A business cannot grow without good credit. It is always costly to grow a business or “take it to the next level.” Without proper funding, it can be nearly impossible. It may be as simple as securing terms with your supplier until you are paid by a customer. It could be a loan to purchase a larger building. Whatever the case, credit is important.
Strategies to improve credit
1. Correct any mistakes on your credit report — this must be done in writing
2. Pay your bills on time
3. Reduce the amount of your debt
4. Don’t open new accounts
5. Pay off higher interest rate credit cards first
Help available
If you are looking to start a business or have a business that needs some assistance, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Onondaga Community College (OCC) can help. Professional business advisers are on staff to offer free and confidential one-to-one help in preparing a business plan or a marketing plan, making financial projections, or finding funding sources, government procurement, and research assistance. Please visit our website at www.onondagasbdc.org.
Nancy Ansteth is a New York State certified business advisor with the SBDC at OCC. Contact her at anstethn@sunyocc.edu or (315) 498-6072.
As an elected official and legislative leader I have always pushed for measures that create jobs, promote growth, and enhance our quality of life. New York state is home to one of the worst tax climates in the nation, and our families and business have paid too much for too long. The Assembly Minority Conference
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As an elected official and legislative leader I have always pushed for measures that create jobs, promote growth, and enhance our quality of life. New York state is home to one of the worst tax climates in the nation, and our families and business have paid too much for too long. The Assembly Minority Conference has a longstanding commitment to advance proposals that put more money into the pockets of New Yorkers, and finally, other state officials appear to be getting on board.
Commission report doesn’t go far enough
The governor formed the New York State Tax Relief Commission to develop recommendations to fix the state’s oppressive, high-tax environment. The commission released its report recently, and offered some common-sense ideas including freezing property taxes, and accelerating the elimination of the state’s “Energy Tax.” But the commission could have done much more. I recently offered a list of tax-cutting measures that were developed in the Assembly Minority Conference and hold the key to a more prosperous, economically viable New York. My recommendations to the commission include legislation to:
Albany’s spending and mandates need to be addressed
The measures proposed in the Tax Relief Commission report are only a step in the right direction. Recommendations are nice, but results are better. We need additional tax-cutting measures and we need to address the root problems that weren’t mentioned by the Tax Relief Commission: out-of-control government spending and costly unfunded mandates.
Any discussion about reducing property taxes needs to incorporate mandate relief. When Albany forces municipalities to implement a new policy or enforce a new regulation, it comes at a cost and places a financial burden on the local government. And as the cost of running local governments increase, so do property taxes.
In other words, when Albany sends a bill to localities in the form of a mandate, property owners end up paying the check. The more mandates local governments face, the more money homeowners will be asked to pay in taxes. I have proposed an end to Albany’s unfunded mandates, and hope that combined with sweeping tax-relief measures our hardworking families and businesses will have a foundation for future prosperity. My mandate-relief proposals include the following.
· Taxpayer Protection and Mandate Relief Act: caps state spending and freezes the local share of Medicaid costs;
· New York State Mandate Relief for School Districts Act: provides comprehensive mandate relief for school districts, ensures the retention of quality teachers, and the best utilization of resources; and
· Unfunded Mandate Moratorium: enacts a permanent moratorium on unfunded state mandates imposed on local governments and school districts costing more than $10,000 annually or $1 million statewide.
Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C–Canandaigua) is the New York Assembly Minority Leader and represents the 131st Assembly District, which encompasses all of Ontario County and parts of Seneca County. Contact him at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us
Latest Property-Tax Relief Suggestions Pass on Mandate Relief, Spending Cuts for Localities
The Tax Relief Commission issued its final report in December. The commission was established by Governor Cuomo and was charged with providing recommendations to cut $2 billion in state taxes over three years. Included in its final report were property-tax relief recommendations that the governor will consider. Three property-tax relief recommendations were outlined. They include
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The Tax Relief Commission issued its final report in December. The commission was established by Governor Cuomo and was charged with providing recommendations to cut $2 billion in state taxes over three years. Included in its final report were property-tax relief recommendations that the governor will consider.
Three property-tax relief recommendations were outlined. They include a property-tax freeze, a circuit breaker, and a tax credit for manufacturers. The commission recommends freezing residential property taxes for two years, but only for jurisdictions that are within the property-tax cap; property-tax relief will only continue into a second year if the local government adopts reforms that reduce costs — such as sharing services or consolidating.
The circuit breaker would establish a personal income-tax credit for taxpayers whose real property taxes exceeds a certain percentage of their household gross income. Manufacturers would receive a tax credit and specifically, upstate manufacturers would benefit.
While I’m pleased to see this conversation taking place, I’m disappointed by the lack of recommended budget cuts or long-term cost-savings measures included for localities or school districts. The reason we have such high taxes is New York has a spending problem. For example, last year we spent 42 percent of our total budget on Medicaid, yet we continue to offer several coverage options within the framework of Medicaid that other states do not offer, such as dental care. Medicaid costs are only expected to grow because last year, the state predicted 400,000 additional people would qualify for Medicaid due to changes caused by Obamacare — the giant federal mandate that requires people purchase health insurance. In fact, according to news articles published recently, the vast majority of those enrolling in Obamacare policies nationally actually signed up for Medicaid.
The latest Tax Relief Commission report contains only temporary fixes and does not fully consider that the state needs to cut spending. Tax freezes, tax credits, and tax rebates are temporarily helpful but we need more permanent fixes — ones that will reduce the property-tax load for New Yorkers for years to come. We also need to stop passing state mandates onto localities. I sponsor legislation that would prohibit new unfunded mandates from passing the state legislature (A.1570).
Also, the report encourages consolidation, but we’ve budgeted for consolidation and shared services in the past. This year’s state budget provided $79 million in grants for local governments to fully explore and utilize shared services and consolidations. Those resources have been largely underused and many times, the voting public rejects consolidations. We need to provide more direct tax relief to small businesses, but this latest list does not make recommendations for small-business tax relief either.
William (Will) A. Barclay is the Republican representative of the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact him at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us, or (315) 598-5185.
Polaris Library Systems adds 20 employees to handle customer growth
SALINA — Polaris Library Systems, a Salina–based provider of automation software for public libraries, today announced it added 20 employees in 2013 to support a “significant” increase in customers. The firm added the new staff members in all departments, including customer support, product management, marketing, quality assurance, research and development, and administration, Polaris said. In
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SALINA — Polaris Library Systems, a Salina–based provider of automation software for public libraries, today announced it added 20 employees in 2013 to support a “significant” increase in customers.
The firm added the new staff members in all departments, including customer support, product management, marketing, quality assurance, research and development, and administration, Polaris said.
In 2013, 44 libraries selected the Polaris Integrated Library System, representing over 130 new locations adopting Polaris library software throughout the U.S. and Paris, France, the company said in a news release.
The firm has started noticing a “common theme” among its customers, Bill Schickling, president and CEO of Polaris Library Systems, said in the release.
“This year more than ever, librarians are looking for solutions that will help them transform their library into what they’ve always envisioned. As libraries look to reinvent themselves, we hope to attract more customers who are looking for a fully integrated solution beyond what our competitors can provide,” Schickling said.
Founded in 2003, Polaris Library Systems provides software for academic, private, and public libraries.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
Community Bank takes $6.9 million loss on securities sale
DeWITT — Community Bank System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU) announced it has taken a pre-tax loss of about $6.9 million after selling assets to comply with
SBA seeks nominations for Veteran-Owned Business Achievement award
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it is seeking nominations for the Veteran-Owned Business Achievement (VOBA) award
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