Berkshire Bank names business banking team leader

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Berkshire Bank announced it has promoted Shane Rauh to senior VP, business banking team leader, where he will lead the bank’s sales team for business banking in New York, Vermont, and Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Rauh has more than 20 years of experience in the financial-services industry with special emphasis on business […]

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Onondaga County survey seeks input on the future of the CNY Regional Market

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Featured, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Nonprofits, Small Business

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Onondaga County government is using a new online survey to obtain public comment on the future of the Central New York Regional

Comptroller audit addresses issues in a town in Otsego County

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

PITTSFIELD — A recent audit by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office found the town supervisor in the town of Pittsfield in Otsego County did not maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date accounting records and reports for the town’s finances. The initial audit spanned from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023, but was extended forward

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The initial audit spanned from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2023, but was extended forward to June 20, 2024, to determine whether annual audits were performed and other required financial documents were prepared, according to a report issued by DiNapoli’s office.

The report noted the town supervisor did not properly record revenues in the accounting system, prepare bank reconciliations, or provide detailed monthly fund balances to the board. The supervisor also failed to file the town’s 2021 or 2023 annual financial reports (AFRs), as required by state law, and the 2022 AFR was inaccurate.

Finally, the supervisor didn’t provide the board with records for the annual audit, also required by state law.

According to DiNapoli’s report, the failure to do these things hindered the town board’s and town officials’ ability to monitor financial affairs, make sound financial decisions, and identify and correct errors.

Pittsfield is governed by a five-member board, which includes the supervisor and four board members. The supervisor serves as the town’s CEO, fiscal officer, and budget officer.

The former supervisor hired a bookkeeper to post transactions, reconcile the bank accounts, prepare monthly reports, and file the AFRs. In February 2022, a new supervisor assumed these duties and ended the bookkeeper’s employment with the town of Pittsfield.

DiNapoli’s report included nine recommendations to improve the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the town’s accounting records and reports. The recommendations include that the supervisor maintain complete, accurate and timely records and reports; provide the board with accurate and detailed monthly financial reports; ensure financial transactions are recorded correctly in accounting records; attend training sessions to better understand and perform financial duties; ensure the financial information presented in the AFR is complete, accurate, and filed in a timely manner; and provide an annual accounting of records to the board.

Recommendations to the board include ensuring the supervisor provides monthly financial reports, review bank statements and reconciliations to identify and resolve any errors, and perform or obtain an annual audit of the supervisor’s records.

In a Sept. 16 letter responding to DiNapoli’s office, Pittsfield Supervisor Shelby Wing wrote, “I was not surprised at the findings that the auditor reported. These were areas that I struggled with as I am not a CPA. He was able to teach me things that I was not aware and point me in the right direction of literature or people that could help me.”

“The board and I take the nine recommendations seriously and have already gotten to work on improvements,” the letter concluded.

Crouse Health names Raymour & Flanigan CEO to board of directors

Health Care, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Crouse Health Board of Directors Chair Patrick Mannion recently announced the appointment of Neil Goldberg to the health system’s board. Goldberg currently serves as chairman and CEO of Raymour & Flanigan Furniture & Holdings, which is headquartered in Clay and is the largest furniture retailer in the Northeast with 6,500 employees and 140

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Onondaga County hotel occupancy flat in August, other benchmarks improve

Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Onondaga County hotels saw little change in overnight guests in August, but two other key indicators of business performance improved during the month. The hotel-occupancy rate (rooms sold as a percentage of rooms available) in Central New York’s largest county slipped 0.1 percent to 76.8 percent in the eighth month of 2024, compared

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Genius NY winner blueflite, Think Variant team up on drone manufacturing

Small Business, Subscriber Only

SCHROEPPEL — The company that won the top prize in the 2023 Genius NY accelerator at the Syracuse Tech Garden is now working with an Oswego County manufacturer to scale up production of its drones. Blueflite, a provider of advanced drone-logistics products, has announced a strategic partnership with Think Variant, a firm described as a

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SCHROEPPEL — The company that won the top prize in the 2023 Genius NY accelerator at the Syracuse Tech Garden is now working with an Oswego County manufacturer to scale up production of its drones.

Blueflite, a provider of advanced drone-logistics products, has announced a strategic partnership with Think Variant, a firm described as a “high-precision manufacturing specialist.” Think Variant is based in southern Oswego County.

The collaboration leverages Think Variant’s additive manufacturing techniques to “meet the growing demand” for high-performance drones in both the commercial and defense sectors, according to a CenterState CEO announcement. Production will begin soon at Think Variant’s facility in the town of Schroeppel.

“By leveraging Think Variant’s expertise in additive manufacturing and mass production, blueflite will meet the industry’s growing need for efficient, high-quality drone manufacturing that satisfies strict aerospace standards,” Frank Noppel, CEO of blueflite, contended in the CenterState CEO announcement. “Our collaboration aims to bring cutting-edge technology to the growing drone space that showcases the talent and capability found in New York state.”

Blueflite is known for its drone platform designed specifically for logistics and delivery. Its drones include a patented design capable of vertical take-off and landing, long-range flights, and carrying payloads “ideal” for industries ranging from medical-supply deliveries to e-commerce and defense applications, per the CenterState CEO announcement.

“Central New York is fast becoming a major hub for drone technology and advanced manufacturing,” Kara Jones, director of Genius NY, said. “The collaboration between blueflite and Think Variant demonstrates the synergy between local innovation and global potential, and this is exactly the kind of partnership our program aims to foster.”

“This partnership allows us to apply our expertise in high-precision manufacturing to an exciting and rapidly growing industry,” Scott Antonacci, CEO of Think Variant, added. “The demand for scalable, high-performance drones is skyrocketing, and Central New York is at the forefront of meeting that challenge.”

NYS Canal Corp. to support tourism, events with grants

Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

Accepting applications through mid-November. WATERFORD — Counties, municipalities, local-government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes located within the Erie Canalway corridor can submit applications for grant funding through Nov. 15. The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism, recreation,

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Accepting applications through mid-November.

WATERFORD — Counties, municipalities, local-government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes located within the Erie Canalway corridor can submit applications for grant funding through Nov. 15.

The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism, recreation, and events along the New York State Canal System including canal waterways and Canalway Trail.

Applications for infrastructure projects located on land owned by the New York State Canal Corporation are open only to federal/state/local governments, unless a nonprofit applicant is currently named as a permittee on an existing Canal Corporation use and occupancy permit.

The grant program includes two funding categories: event support, with an award range of $500 to $3,000; and tourism infrastructure and amenity support, with an award range of $5,000 to $24,000. Applicants may apply for one or both categories.

Interested applicants are invited to attend a virtual information session on Oct. 16 at 10 a.m., per the announcement.

As New York State commemorates the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025, the grants program will emphasize infrastructure and amenity improvements that boost tourism, and events that commemorate the canal’s 200th anniversary or expand the audience of canal users, the organizations said.

“As we approach the Erie Canal’s 200th birthday, the Tourism Infrastructure and Events Program is a fantastic way for communities and organizations to join in the commemoration of this milestone,” Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said in the announcement. “The Canal Corporation is proud to be working on this impactful program with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor for another year as we help the municipalities and stakeholders that line the Canal’s banks bring their ideas to life. I can’t wait to see what this year brings.”

“We look forward to supporting community investments in infrastructure and amenities that prepare the canal corridor for its next century of service,” Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said. “Equally important, event support is critical for commemorating the Erie Canal’s 200th year and contributing to a thriving and vibrant waterway.”

This year, 43 nonprofit organizations and municipalities received NYS Canal System tourism infrastructure and event grants totaling $196,349. The grants supported eight tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 36 events.

For details, information-session registration, and an online application, those interested can visit: www.eriecanalway.org/resources/grants/.

Local students see manufacturing jobs up close in MFG Day tours

Education & Training, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Manufacturing & Engineering, Subscriber Only

DeWITT — On Oct. 3, Worthington Steel in Rome hosted secondary-school students who saw the entire process of making steel coils from raw material to packing. At the same time, Byrne Dairy welcomed students who learned about automation on the plant floor and about various processes from batching and pasteurization to titration and dye testing.

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DeWITT — On Oct. 3, Worthington Steel in Rome hosted secondary-school students who saw the entire process of making steel coils from raw material to packing.

At the same time, Byrne Dairy welcomed students who learned about automation on the plant floor and about various processes from batching and pasteurization to titration and dye testing.

The following day, students were told about the brewing process from “sip to seed” at Anheuser-Busch and joined the manufacturing floor at Morse Manufacturing to see the engineering of drum-handling equipment.

The visits and tours were part of a two-day observance of National Manufacturing Day (MFG Day), which is marked on the first Friday in October.

DeWitt–based MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, and its affiliate, Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB), organized the two-day MFG Day tours. October is New York State’s official observance of Manufacturing Month, MACNY noted.

MACNY and PEB coordinated with 14 local manufacturers to showcase their manufacturing processes for more than 600 students and educators from 11 school districts across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley.

Companies providing tours included Anheuser-Busch in Lysander; Anoplate in Syracuse; Bartell Machinery Systems, LLC in Rome; Bluefors Cryocooler Technologies in DeWitt; Byrne Dairy; Cayuga Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute; Golden Artist Colors in New Berlin; Indium Corporation in Clinton; Morse Manufacturing in Salina; OCWA; TTM Technologies, Inc. in DeWitt; United Radio in DeWitt; Waygate Technologies in Skaneateles; and Worthington Steel in Rome.

“Manufacturing Month shines a spotlight on the manufacturing industry and provides us with an opportunity to positively influence the perception of manufacturing, inspire the workforce of tomorrow, and engage with our community — students, educators, business leaders, elected officials, and beyond,” Randy Wolken, president and CEO of MACNY, said in the organization’s announcement.

In its announcement, MACNY said, “The mission of Manufacturing Month is to showcase real-life examples of modern manufacturing jobs to inspire the next generation of creators to pursue careers in manufacturing. This month provides an opportunity for manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges to help their communities and future generations thrive.”

“With the number of manufacturing jobs coming to our region, our team’s work engaging students with local industry partners is more vital than ever,” Taylor Hodge, director of Partners for Education & Business, Inc., said. “Through career-connected learning experiences, we can ensure the youth of our community are informed and equipped to access these opportunities.”

Community Bank opens Hanover Square branch in Syracuse

Banks & Credit Unions, Construction, Design & Real Estate, Subscriber Only

SYRACUSE — Community Bank, N.A. on Oct. 16 formally opened the first of four planned Syracuse–area branches, marking the bank’s focus on serving more urban communities. “It’s also a new model for the bank,” says Lekia Hill, Community Bank’s branch and community development manager for the Hanover Square branch, located at 109 South Warren St.

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SYRACUSE — Community Bank, N.A. on Oct. 16 formally opened the first of four planned Syracuse–area branches, marking the bank’s focus on serving more urban communities.

“It’s also a new model for the bank,” says Lekia Hill, Community Bank’s branch and community development manager for the Hanover Square branch, located at 109 South Warren St. in downtown Syracuse.

Staffed with four employees, including Hill and Branch Supervisor Quanira Irby, the branch features relationship-banking representatives, a new role at Community Bank that can do traditional teller transactions as well as other tasks such as opening new accounts.

“We call it our community connection hub,” Hill says of the branch. It’s all about delivering the complete experience for clients. With the Hanover Square office, Community Bank now has four branches in Onondaga County — the other locations are in DeWitt, Cicero, and Skaneateles — with plans to open three more branches in the greater Syracuse area next year.

Community Bank’s strategic plan to expand its branch presence in select markets is designed to both better serve clients and aid in local economic development.

“Downtown Syracuse is a thriving community experiencing dynamic growth, and we’re proud to serve as a partner in its revitalization,” Dimitar Karaivanov, president and CEO of Community Bank and its parent company Community Financial System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU), said in a statement. “This branch not only represents our commitment to the prosperity of the Syracuse community, but also underscores our pledge to make personalized banking products, services, and financial solutions more accessible to underserved communities, supporting the financial goals and well-being of the area’s many residents and businesses.”

Hill plans to be actively out and about in the community, working to connect with potential customers, area businesses, nonprofit organizations, and more.

“We’ll be doing financial-literacy workshops here,” she adds. “Our whole goal is to be well rounded in service to the community.”

As a subsidiary of Community Financial System, the branch also serves as a hub for the company’s benefits-administration company Benefit Plans Administrative Services Inc., insurance agency OneGroup NY Inc., and wealth-management division. That means the company can provide all those services to customers from one convenient location, Hill notes.

The new branch is 1,882 square feet, designed to mesh with the historic State Tower Building in which it is located. The office features a collaborative and consultative environment, modern teller line, and technology-equipped conference room.

Branch hours are Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The branch also features 24-hour ATM access.

In conjunction with the grand opening, Community Bank announced it will donate $25 for every new account or loan opened through the end of the year, with a minimum donation of $2,500, to In My Father’s Kitchen, a local nonprofit that aids unhoused individuals.

Community Bank also donated $10,000 to the Downtown Syracuse Foundation to support holiday events and neighborhood activities that highlight Hanover Square through 2025.

Carpenters union settles into expanded Salina training center

News

SALINA — The North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (NASRCC) says its training facility in the town of Salina has tripled in size to

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