Cliff’s Local Market opens in Oswego

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

OSWEGO, N.Y. — Cliff’s Local Market announced it has opened its first Oswego location on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 260 NY 104. Along with CITGO-branded

NYSDOT says resiliency project at Port of Oswego’s Goble Marina is now complete

North Country, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Manufacturing & Engineering, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

OSWEGO, N.Y. — Crews have wrapped up construction on a project that will “enhance resiliency” at the Goble Marina located within the Port of Oswego. The state’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) awarded the project more than $1.75 million. Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT),

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Work is beginning on projects at airports serving Watertown, Saranac Lake

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Nonprofits, North Country, Subscriber Only

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Work is beginning on projects that will modernize the Watertown International Airport in the town of Hounsfield and the Adirondack Regional Airport near Saranac Lake. Additionally, work is progressing on the expansion of the main terminal and other enhancements at the Ogdensburg International Airport in the town of Oswegatchie in St. Lawrence

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Work is beginning on projects that will modernize the Watertown International Airport in the town of Hounsfield and the Adirondack Regional Airport near Saranac Lake.

Additionally, work is progressing on the expansion of the main terminal and other enhancements at the Ogdensburg International Airport in the town of Oswegatchie in St. Lawrence County.

The three projects were awarded money from the governor’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition. The projects represent a $54.5 million investment in the North Country’s transportation infrastructure, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul on announced Tuesday.

Hochul announced the projects during a visit to the Watertown International Airport.

Watertown project

The $32.5 million project at the Watertown airport includes $28 million from the Upstate Airport competition. It’ll involve construction of a new, 25,000-square-foot terminal that will house a new lobby, ticketing, and baggage claim areas; a jet bridge; expanded passenger waiting areas; and dedicated car-rental counterspace, “among other amenities,” per Hochul’s office.

The current terminal will continue operating until the new terminal, which is being built next to the original building, is finished in the summer of 2025. Upon completion, operations will be transferred to the new terminal and extensive renovations will begin on the old terminal building to add a new restaurant, offices and classroom/event spaces.

Saranac Lake project

The project at the Adirondack Regional Airport was awarded $8.5 million from the Upstate Airport competition. With an estimated total cost of $8.8 million, the project is expected to create more than 90 jobs and be completed by the winter of 2025.

The effort will expand the central receiving area, update the furniture and lighting, and relocate and enlarge the café. Additional improvements include air circulation enhancements such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, the installation of solar panels, and an upgraded water well.

“From the Thousand Islands to the Adirondack Mountains, the North Country is home to some of New York State’s most popular attractions, and the improvements we are making to the Watertown, Ogdensburg and Adirondack airports will create world-class travel experiences that will make the region an even more desirable place to live, work and visit,” Hochul said in Tuesday’s announcement. “The work now underway at these three airports will provide the North Country with state-of-the-art gateways that will keep visitors coming back again and again, boosting tourism and providing a high-energy charge to the region’s economy.”

Hamilton College names new VP for communications and marketing

Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Education & Training, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College has appointed Marisa Sanchez Benincasa as VP for communications and marketing. Benincasa will start in her new role after Labor Day, the college announced. She currently serves as executive director of institute affairs at the Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. She has worked at the

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Canadian bank to acquire 15 percent stake in KeyBank parent company

Banks & Credit Unions, Featured, Insurance & Financial Services, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News

KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY), the Cleveland, Ohio–based parent company of KeyBank, on Monday morning announced that the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) (TSX: BNS) (NYSE: BNS)

Leading EDGE Awards to honor Steve DiMeo

Nonprofits, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

VERONA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley EDGE’s 23rd annual Leading EDGE Awards, set for Sept. 12 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Turning Stone Resort and Casino, are dedicated in memory of former EDGE President Steve DiMeo for his lifelong service in supporting the region’s economy and his contributions to the community. DiMeo, who passed away on March

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

DiMeo, who passed away on March 6 of this year, will posthumously receive the Christopher Destito Award as testament to his lifetime of service in helping the region’s economy.

“Steve was a great friend to Chris and I,” EDGE Acting President Shawna Papale said in a press release announcing the event. “Chris would have selected Steve as his top choice for recognizing the tremendous work he did to help our community grow. He will be greatly missed.”

The Christopher Destito Award recognizes an individual who has had a lasting impact in the community within their chosen field, contributing to the region’s overall success.

RoAnn Destito and her son, Chris, wish to also offer the award in Steve’s memory, as his contributions transformed the region and will be felt for future generations to come.

“Steve and I had a close relationship for years, both personally and professionally,” RoAnn Destito said. “I witnessed his brilliance firsthand on countless occasions, always keeping the interests of our community as a top priority. When we first heard of his passing, I immediately made the decision to name Steve as this year’s Christopher Destito Award recipient. Steve always believed that the Mohawk Valley was poised for success when all parties in economic development and business work together. It is that foundation that our region has and continues to grow stronger.”

The Leading EDGE Awards will be held in the Oneida and Mohawk rooms at Turning Stone in Verona. The event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, and special remembrances of DiMeo by former colleagues and friends.

Tickets, as well as sponsorship packages, are available online at www.mvedge.org.

Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation awards TC3 grant money to support Tioga County students

Nonprofits, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, New York News, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

DRYDEN, N.Y. — Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) says it will use a $15,000 grant to support Tioga County residents studying at the school during the 2024-25 academic year. TC3 is located in Dryden in Tompkins County, not far from the Cortland County border. The Owego–based Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation awarded the grant money. It

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Miss Prissy’s to open location at Syracuse airport

Small Business, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Miss Prissy’s, a Syracuse eatery specializing in American soul food, will soon open a location at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). The restaurant, one of the original vendors at the Salt City Market, recently made headlines when Onondaga County awarded it a $100,000 grant for its renovation work at 431 S. Warren

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Five startups complete CenterState CEO’s Syracuse Surge Accelerator program

Nonprofits, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only, Technology

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The inaugural group of five startups involved in CenterState CEO’s Syracuse Surge Accelerator has completed the yearlong program. A recognition event held Wednesday at Le Moyne College included presentations by Surge Accelerator team founders, a keynote address, and the chance to network with the teams, CenterState CEO said. The startups included Clutch

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The inaugural group of five startups involved in CenterState CEO’s Syracuse Surge Accelerator has completed the yearlong program.

A recognition event held Wednesday at Le Moyne College included presentations by Surge Accelerator team founders, a keynote address, and the chance to network with the teams, CenterState CEO said.

The startups included Clutch Delivery; Certainty Analytical Labs; HippoH Apparel; Sign-Speak; and Talkadot.

“We are so lucky to be a part of these five incredible companies’ journeys. Over the course of the year, they have all been able to advance their businesses, bringing their innovative ideas to life,” Emad Rahim, Syracuse Surge Accelerator program manager, said in the announcement. “The perspectives and experiences shared by these five founders will continue to shape CenterState CEO programming as we seek to continually build a more inclusive economy.”

Syracuse Surge is described as an “inclusive community plan to ignite economic growth and neighborhood transformation in the city of Syracuse and the Central New York region. It builds on a massive investment in technology infrastructure to drive new strategic investment,” per the CenterState CEO announcement.

The program provides Black-Indigenous-Persons of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs who want to launch and accelerate tech-related and tech-adjacent startups with supports needed to grow a successful business.

The companies had access to free workspace at the Syracuse Tech Garden, extensive programming, executive advisors, and marketing and fundraising support. Each startup also received financial support — such as ignition grants and monthly stipends — totaling more than $50,000.

Funding for the Syracuse Surge Accelerator was provided, in part, by JPMorgan Chase Foundation and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT).

“This program was created in response to a critical gap in the innovation ecosystem. Fewer than 25% of tech startups in the United States have founders of color, which is fueled by structural and cultural barriers,” Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO. “The Syracuse Surge Accelerator gives BIPOC entrepreneurs direct access to resources and expertise, and with this support, each founder advanced their business and gained skills they’ll use to continue their success. I can’t wait to see all that they accomplish in the future.”

The Syracuse Surge Accelerator has not yet started accepting applications for the next cohort. Those interested in applying should complete the interest form and will be notified when the application period opens. The link to the interest form is: https://fs4.formsite.com/2yTmtI/SurgeAccel/index

McGrogan named executive director of Utica Children’s Museum

Mohawk Valley, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

UTICA, N.Y. — Meghan Fraser McGrogan is no longer the interim director of the Utica Children’s Museum as she takes on the role more permanently as its executive director, the museum’s board of directors announced. McGrogan first became involved with the museum when she joined the board in 2021, serving as board president for two

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

McGrogan first became involved with the museum when she joined the board in 2021, serving as board president for two years, board liaison for four months, and lastly as the museum’s interim director for the past six months.

As executive director, she will oversee the opening of the museum later this year as well as leading the onboarding and growth of the museum’s team and building operational systems. McGrogan also has an active role in donor relations, marketing, and public relations.

“We’re all ecstatic about Meghan stepping into the role of executive director,” Adam Pawlick, the museum’s board president, said in a news release. “It’s not every day you get to work with such a dynamic and seasoned professional, especially on a transformative project such as this. I am beyond excited about what lies ahead and believe we will achieve extraordinary things with her vision and direction.”

McGrogan began her career at the F.X. Matt Brewing Company in marketing and public relations before joining the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce in 2014 as its director of membership and events. She later became the chamber’s executive director. In 2020, she and her husband, Ryan, opened Commonworker, a shared office space for small businesses. She joined him at his McGrogan Design firm in 2021 and founded MFM Consulting in 2022.

As executive director of the Utica Children’s Museum, McGrogan’s focus is on fostering an environment of learning, curiosity, and fun for children and families. She also serves as the regional and national voice for the museum and its unique offerings. This past spring, she presented at the Association of Children’s Museums’ national conference on Universal Design. The Utica Children’s Museum is the first in the country to integrate Universal Design principles from concept through construction.

McGrogan holds a bachelor’s degree in English from SUNY Oswego. She volunteers with the Boilermaker Road Race as its media coordinator and has previously served on committees for many community organizations.

Get our email updates

Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.

Get our email updates

What's New

Upcoming Events

Tompkins Chamber Government & Community Affairs Roundtable

Dannible & McKee Annual Tax & Financial Planning Conference

CenterState CEO Speed Networking

CNYBJ Job Board

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get Instant Access to This Article

Get our email updates