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Nonprofits EFR, ARISE plan to merge
SALINA, N.Y. — The boards of directors of Exceptional Family Resources (EFR) and ARISE say they are planning to merge the nonprofit organizations to “better serve people with disabilities.” EFR operates at 1820 Lemoyne Ave. in the town of Salina. ARISE’s main office is located at 635 James St. in Syracuse. Both EFR and ARISE […]
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SALINA, N.Y. — The boards of directors of Exceptional Family Resources (EFR) and ARISE say they are planning to merge the nonprofit organizations to “better serve people with disabilities.”
EFR operates at 1820 Lemoyne Ave. in the town of Salina. ARISE’s main office is located at 635 James St. in Syracuse.
Both EFR and ARISE say they’re “committed to delivering person-centered services to ensure that people with disabilities are fully included in our community at work, school and home,” per the joint announcement.
Upon securing legal approvals, EFR will be the surviving corporation governed by a board combining the contributions of each organization’s current board of directors.
“This collaboration will not only maintain but also surpass the highest standards of care for the individuals and families we assist, while also fostering a more robust and secure work environment for our team members,” Bruce Drake, CEO of EFR, said in the announcement.
“ARISE and EFR are incredibly well-matched,” Tania Anderson, CEO of ARISE, added. “We both believe in the power of people with disabilities. Together, we will be stronger and better able to serve our community.”
In a phone interview with CNYBJ, Anderson says both organizations are targeting mid-2025 to finalize the merger, but it will depend on regulatory approvals.
ARISE has about 600 employees, and EFR has about 900 employees, and both employee counts include variable hour staff members, Anderson noted.
“We anticipate that with natural attrition that we’ll be able to maintain positions,” she added.
Anderson, who is a lawyer, will stay with the organization in a senior leadership role as corporation counsel, she tells CNYBJ.
About the organizations
Founded in 1974, EFR provides community-based services and supports to people with developmental disabilities. Its programs include the Self-Directed program, in which people with developmental disabilities manage their staff and services.
EFR went on to say that its “desire to be an employer of choice is driven by the philosophy that the individuals we support and their families receive timely supports and services in the way that best meets their needs.”
Founded in 1979, ARISE is the designated independent living center for Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, and Cayuga counties.
It provides more than 50 different programs for people of all ages with all kinds of disabilities, including a mental-health diagnosis.
ARISE says it is founded on the “Independent Living Philosophy, which recognizes the power of people with disabilities to direct their services and set their goals and requires full inclusion and access.” ARISE’s affiliate corporation, ARISE at the Farm in Madison County, offers inclusive recreation programs.
Generations Bank secures $50K in grant funding for seven Seneca County nonprofits
SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — Generations Bank on Tuesday said it’s awarded grants to seven nonprofit organizations in Seneca County, after applying for and securing $50,000
The Residences at LeMoyne Manor apartment complex breathes new life back into well-known property
SALINA — The LeMoyne Manor was once one of the region’s go-to event spaces for special celebrations and now the property is home to a new luxury apartment complex overlooking Onondaga Lake. Hosting events ranging from weddings to anniversaries and everything in between, the picturesque mansion at 629 Old Liverpool Road in the town of
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SALINA — The LeMoyne Manor was once one of the region’s go-to event spaces for special celebrations and now the property is home to a new luxury apartment complex overlooking Onondaga Lake.
Hosting events ranging from weddings to anniversaries and everything in between, the picturesque mansion at 629 Old Liverpool Road in the town of Salina served as a banquet facility before its reuse as a residential space and ultimate vacancy in 2015.
Recognizing the potential of this long-vacant banquet and restaurant facility, an entity called 629 Lemoyne Manor, LLC purchased the property in 2016 with the intent to develop it into a mixed-use apartment complex under the leadership of David C. Muraco, Louis D. Muraco, and Alexis L. Muraco, according to a news release from NBT Bank.
The purchase price was $200,000, according to Onondaga County’s online property records.
The Muraco family also runs Empire Management Company, a real-estate development, leasing, and management company based in the town of Manlius.
“We wanted to bring this property back to life,” Louis D. Muraco, president of Empire Management, said in the release. “So many Central New York families have happy and special memories at LeMoyne Manor, including weddings, concerts and lively parties.”
The Muracos worked with NBT Bank to finance The Residences at LeMoyne Manor, a 66-unit apartment complex that boasts balcony views of Onondaga Lake. The
$18 million project includes four buildings with apartments ranging from 1,100 to 1,250 square feet each, and two 2,500-square-foot commercial spaces.
“We’re honored to help play a role in redeveloping this iconic regional asset,” NBT Bank Senior VP Richard Driscoll said. “The LeMoyne Manor property sat vacant for many years on a very busy throughfare and became quite dilapidated as time went on. Now, it will help to boost the local economy and create new memories for individuals and families in the region.”
Rents for apartments at the Residences at LeMoyne Manor range from about $2,400 to $2,650, according to a recent listing on Apartments.com.
Dannible & McKee names two new partners
SYRACUSE — Dannible & McKee, LLP, a certified public accounting and consulting firm based in Syracuse, recently promoted a pair of professionals to partner. Samuel M. Lyon, CPA, was elevated to tax partner in the Syracuse office, and Robert C. Reeves, CPA, CFE, was named audit partner in the firm’s Schenectady office. Lyon began his
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SYRACUSE — Dannible & McKee, LLP, a certified public accounting and consulting firm based in Syracuse, recently promoted a pair of professionals to partner.
Samuel M. Lyon, CPA, was elevated to tax partner in the Syracuse office, and Robert C. Reeves, CPA, CFE, was named audit partner in the firm’s Schenectady office.
Lyon began his career with the firm as an intern in 2013. He is the first partner to start in the Dannible & McKee internship program and work his way up into the partnership, the firm said in a news release. Lyon has extensive experience in all areas of taxation, with a strong emphasis on individual and corporate-tax planning, business valuations, ownership transition, and employee benefits. He is responsible for overseeing tax engagements for a variety of the firm’s clients, focusing on architecture and engineering, professional services, and multi-state corporations. Lyon graduated from Le Moyne College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2014, and his MBA in 2015.
Reeves joined Dannible & McKee in 2017 after working in accounting and finance for a private company. He has more than eight years of experience providing audit, review, compilation and consulting services to a variety of clients with a focus in the manufacturing, construction, and architectural and engineering industries, the firm said. Additionally, he offers auditing services for a variety of employee-benefit plans and specializes in providing forensic accounting and fraud detection and prevention consulting services to clients. Reeves earned his bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Niagara University in 2014, and his MBA degree from SUNY Oswego in 2016.
With offices in Syracuse, Auburn, Binghamton, and Schenectady, as well as Tampa, Florida, Dannible & McKee says it employs more than 120 professional and support staff, including 23 partners.
Utica University receives accreditation for Master of Social Work program
UTICA — Utica University’s Master of Social Work program recently earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a national association representing social-work education, the university announced. After a June review of the program, the CSWE granted Utica University an eight-year accreditation ending in June 2032. Accreditation ensures that graduates have met the
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UTICA — Utica University’s Master of Social Work program recently earned accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), a national association representing social-work education, the university announced.
After a June review of the program, the CSWE granted Utica University an eight-year accreditation ending in June 2032.
Accreditation ensures that graduates have met the educational requirements to practice as a licensed clinical social worker and provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program. It also allows all students in the program to date to be recognized as graduating from an accredited program.
The program focuses on clinical social work and recovery values and prepares students for social-work careers that drive mental health for diverse populations. Upon graduation, students are ready to apply to take a state’s licensure and/or certification exams.
“This [accreditation] is a major milestone that strengthens our ability to attract and enroll students who have a desire to earn their master’s degree to practice social work with our recovery-orientation framework, which is unique to our Utica University MSW program,” Joseph Hunter, program director and director of field education, said in a statement. “We are particularly proud of the flexibility of our online program that enables students to attend from anywhere in New York state from a distance and at a part-time pace, which is particularly helpful to students who may be working full- or part-time jobs and/or raising children.”
Utica University’s program offers all synchronous and asynchronous education is complete remote except for field placements, small student-to-faculty ratio, flexible curriculum, field placements that allow for flexible schedules, a focus on preparing for succeeding on the licensure exam, and a strong commitment to racial equity and social justice.
The program also offers an advanced standing degree option. If applicable, students can use their bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) to move through the program more quickly. This option reduces the program length to 12-16 months.
Founded in 1946, Utica University offers degrees in more than 40 majors and 40 minors to a student body of about 2,900 undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students.
New York corn production projected to rise slightly this year
New York farms are forecast to produce 95.76 million bushels of corn for grain in 2024, up 0.4 percent from 95.4 million bushels last year. That’s according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop-production forecast based on Sept. 1 field conditions. The total yield per acre in the Empire State is estimated to
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New York farms are forecast to produce 95.76 million bushels of corn for grain in 2024, up 0.4 percent from
95.4 million bushels last year. That’s according to a USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop-production forecast based on Sept. 1 field conditions.
The total yield per acre in the Empire State is estimated to average 168 bushels this year, up 9 bushels per acre, or nearly 6 percent, from 159 bushels in 2023, the USDA NASS said. Area harvested for grain corn is projected at 570,000 acres in 2024, down 5 percent from 600,000 acres a year prior.
U.S. corn production is estimated to decline just over 1 percent to nearly 15.19 billion bushels this year from 15.34 billion bushels in 2023, the USDA reported.
United Way’s Thrive at Work gets $250K from KeyBank Foundation
SYRACUSE — The United Way of Central New York’s Thrive at Work program is getting a boost from the KeyBank Foundation, which is providing it $250,000. The new initiative is meant to help people who are employed but face challenges meeting basic financial needs “due to limited access to financial resources and support,” per the
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SYRACUSE — The United Way of Central New York’s Thrive at Work program is getting a boost from the KeyBank Foundation, which is providing it $250,000.
The new initiative is meant to help people who are employed but face challenges meeting basic financial needs “due to limited access to financial resources and support,” per the KeyBank announcement.
“KeyBank Foundation’s investment makes it possible for us to launch this critical program to assist hardworking families who are striving yet struggling to get by,” Nancy Kern Eaton, president of the United Way of Central New York, said in a KeyBank news release. “Far too many people in our community are one financial emergency away from a downward spiral. Helping people manage financial and other crises will keep people focused on work while they continue to move forward in efforts to achieve their dreams and build a more stable future.”
Thrive at Work will focus on employees in entry-level or lower-income positions at small- to mid-sized companies in Central New York. Following a six-to-nine month build phase, the program will offer financial education, low-interest loans, one-on-one financial coaching, and free tax-preparation services, “empowering employees to better manage their finances.”
“We applaud the United Way of Central New York for their innovative approach to helping working people in our community overcome challenges and access resources and support that can help them grow financially,” Stephen Fournier, KeyBank’s Central New York market president, said in the announcement. “KeyBank’s purpose is to help the communities we serve thrive. Thrive at Work is a program we are proud to help build and support. We look forward to seeing the ways this will help people and communities in Central New York grow.”
Specifically, Thrive at Work will provide “financial stability and resilience” for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) individuals in Onondaga County, who represent 25 percent of the county’s households.
The United Way of Central New York anticipates participants will show “significant improvements” in financial literacy, credit scores, debt reduction, and savings. Additionally, it expects enhanced workplace engagement, reduced absenteeism due to financial stress, and increased job satisfaction.
“We are excited about the resources and education Thrive at Work will bring to our community,” Tamika Otis, KeyBank corporate responsibility officer in Central New York, said in the announcement. “This initiative will help working people in our region access the tools they need to help them reduce debt, save money and build wealth.”
Since 2017, Cleveland, Ohio–based KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) says it has made more than $700 million in investments in Syracuse and Central New York, supporting affordable housing and community-development projects; small business; home lending to low-to-moderate income individuals and communities; and “transformative” philanthropy.
Naturally Lewis names three new board members
LOWVILLE — Naturally Lewis, Inc. recently appointed three new members to its board of directors: Jessica Dunn, Michael Jackson, and Harley Snyder. Dunn, a senior budget analyst for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has chosen to call Lewis County home after her retirement from service with the U.S. Army. While in the Army, she
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LOWVILLE — Naturally Lewis, Inc. recently appointed three new members to its board of directors: Jessica Dunn, Michael Jackson, and Harley Snyder.
Dunn, a senior budget analyst for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has chosen to call Lewis County home after her retirement from service with the U.S. Army. While in the Army, she served as a finance officer, making her way to the highest level at the U.S. Department of Defense. “Jessica has remarkable experience working with taxpayer funds, and strategic insight to effectively contribute to the board’s decision-making processes,” Naturally Lewis, a nonprofit economic-development organization, said in a news release.
Jackson has worked as the general manager of Viking Cives in Harrisville for the last 10 years, equipping him with a unique perspective on the manufacturing industry in the community. Additionally, he is a Lewis County Leadership Academy alumnus, an experience that enhanced his substantial leadership skills and provided an immersive experience into the diverse landscape of Lewis County, Naturally Lewis said.
Snyder currently works as the UP! Coalition coordinator and operates a small hobby farm in Copenhagen. She has a strong passion for local agriculture and community involvement; Snyder also serves on the Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension board of directors and sits on its 4-H Program Committee.
After a competitive application and interviewing process, these candidates showed a strong commitment to the mission of Naturally Lewis, which involves championing the growth of a community where people want to live, work, build business, and play, the economic-development organization said.
“Naturally Lewis, Inc. is focused on creating a board of strong community leaders with diverse backgrounds and skills. We also make a conscious effort to ensure our board members live and work in different areas throughout Lewis County. It is exciting to see the interest expressed by our community members to participate in our work and join our board,” Eric Virkler, chairperson of the Naturally Lewis board of directors, said.
Drakos Urgent Care plans expansion to Camillus
CAMILLUS — Not quite two years after opening its first location, Drakos Urgent Care will open its third urgent-care center later this year in Camillus. Parent company Drakos Clinical Dynamics first opened its pediatric urgent care in the town of Clay in May 2023, followed by a general urgent-care center in Cicero earlier this year.
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CAMILLUS — Not quite two years after opening its first location, Drakos Urgent Care will open its third urgent-care center later this year in Camillus.
Parent company Drakos Clinical Dynamics first opened its pediatric urgent care in the town of Clay in May 2023, followed by a general urgent-care center in Cicero earlier this year.
The company’s explosive growth isn’t surprising, according to Drakos CEO Heather Drake Bianchi. “There’s a huge shortage in accessibility,” she says.
That includes a lack of enough primary care doctors and a shortage in hospital capacity. Urgent-care centers help bridge that gap.
Before founding Drakos, Drake Bianchi was part of CineMedics, a set medical support company serving the entertainment industry. During the pandemic, CineMedics provided on-set medical support on movie sets around the country and the world.
When the pandemic ended, after years of sleeping in hotel rooms, Drake Bianchi and others in the business were ready to head home to Central New York, she says.
They decided to put their skills as first responders and medical professionals to use, combined with what they had learned during their travels.
“We saw a lot of different ideas on how other cities and other states and other countries do things,” she says. They combined many of those ideas, with their foundation in mobile medical services, to open Drakos Pediatric Urgent Care. The facility sees patients up to age 21.
It wasn’t long before the parents of their young patients were asking for a location of their own, Drake Bianchi recalls. That led to Drakos opening the Cicero location, which sees patients of all ages.
“As far as Camillus goes, residents out there kept calling and asking,” she says. After doing their due diligence, Drakos decided to go ahead with a third location, selecting a 5,000-square-foot site at 5301 Genesee St., in the Camillus Commons Plaza. The space was once home to a Bon Ton department store.
“We were very deliberate about picking that spot,” Drake Bianchi says. A Camillus native, she says the location was appealing because it’s central to everything.
Granite Real Estate Group is handling the provision of design and construction services. Work on the site has begun, and Drake Bianchi is hopeful for a late 2024 opening.
Drakos is working with Tompkins Community Bank on financing.
To support the new location, Drakos is currently looking to hire about 40 people to fill positions including EMTs, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, X-ray technicians, and front-desk staff.
“We’re planning to bring the same good level of care to the Camillus area,” Drake Bianchi says.
Drakos prides itself on doing things a little bit differently, she adds. That starts with treating the whole patient — not just one illness or symptom.
The biggest difference may be accessibility. Understanding that illness and injuries don’t always happen at convenient times, the company’s urgent-care locations are open starting at 6:30 a.m. and stay open as late as 10 p.m. every day. That’s seven days a week, 365 days per year.
Services include anything from back-to-school vaccinations and physicals to acute care such as splinting or suturing. “We also have a complete lab on site as well as mobile X-ray,” Drake Bianchi says.
Once open and fully staffed, Drakos will employ about 120 people across the three offices. More locations could be on the horizon, once the dust settles from opening three urgent-care centers back-to-back, she says.
While the firm has focused initially on the greater Syracuse area, as that’s where the company’s founders are all from, it could also pursue other areas like the Utica–Rome region.
“Our goal is to bridge the gap where there is a lack of health care,” says Drake Bianchi..
MVHS adds new orthopedic surgeon
UTICA — Prashant Deshmane, M.D., recently joined the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Orthopedic Group as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and sports medicine. MVHS Orthopedic Group is located at 1903 Sunset Ave. in Utica. Dr. Deshmane offers nonsurgical and surgical care for hip, knee, and shoulder injuries, according to an MVHS news
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UTICA — Prashant Deshmane, M.D., recently joined the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Orthopedic Group as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult reconstruction and sports medicine.
MVHS Orthopedic Group is located at 1903 Sunset Ave. in Utica.
Dr. Deshmane offers nonsurgical and surgical care for hip, knee, and shoulder injuries, according to an MVHS news release. He also serves as clinical associate professor in orthopedic surgery at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.
Prior to joining MVHS, Deshmane was the orthopedic residency site director and attending orthopedic surgeon for the VA Medical Center in Syracuse. He previously worked as the adult reconstruction and sports-medicine surgeon at Carolina Pines Medical Center in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Deshmane received his medical degree from King Edward Memorial Hospital and completed his residency at Seth Gordhandas Sundardas Medical College, both in Mumbai, India. He completed a clinical-research fellowship tribology of articular surfaces in joint replacement at Dorr Arthritis Institute in Los Angeles, California, per the release.
Following that, Deshmane trained in hip and knee-joint replacement and revision joint replacement at Lenox Hill Hospital and at Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in New York City. He also completed additional training in orthopedic sports medicine with a fellowship at Northwestern University, near Chicago, where he worked as assistant team physician with the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs.
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