STEAM Leadership Conference and speaker series set for early August

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ROME, N.Y. — The Project Fibonacci Foundation’s 6th annual STEAM Leadership Conference and its associated ESTEAMed Speakers Series are set for Aug. 4-10 at multiple locations around Griffiss Business & Technology Park at the Steve J. DiMeo Campus in Rome. This year’s conference theme is “Artificial Intelligence, the Smart Machine, and the Human Factor.” The […]

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This year’s conference theme is “Artificial Intelligence, the Smart Machine, and the Human Factor.” The event features a mix of local and internationally renowned experts in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research, technology, education, policy, and other disciplines.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) will present opening-day remarks highlighting federal AI policy initiatives. Speakers include Dr. Michael J. Hayduk, deputy director of the Air Force Research Laboratory; Dr. Bill Dagget, founder of the Successful Practices Network and the International Center for Leadership in Education; Kay Firth-Butterfield, CEO of Good Tech Advisory; and Dr. Steven Novella, academic clinical neurologist at the Yale University School of Medicine.

Other presenters include Peter Boie of Engineering Wonders fame, Walker Smith of Stanford University, and Jordan Wirfs-Brock of Whitman College.

For more information on speakers, visit: https://projectfibonacci.org/wp/2024-steam-leadership-conference-2/.

Due to seating limitations, the ESTEAMed Speakers Series is an invitation-only event. To learn how to become an invited guest or to request a VIP pass, contact Courtney Newvine at cnewvine@projectfibonacci.org or call (315) 334-1163.

Conference theme

During the event, student cohorts will put artificial intelligence (AI) “on trial” across multiple-use cases with prosecution and defense teams presenting pros and cons as well as addressing guardrails for AI’s safe use. Also on tap are workshops and activities that highlight local and regional experts presenting about STEM and AI-related topics.

STEAM scholars will have the opportunity visit Masonic Medical Research Institute, Munson, and the Mohawk Valley Community College Game Art Lab, as well as explore internship and apprenticeship opportunities. The conference also includes the Fuel Your Future College/Career Fair, showcasing about 25 organizations, mid-week.

The conference wraps up on Aug. 10 with a STEAM Fair followed by project presentations and a graduation ceremony.

State awards fourth contract in the I-81 project, focused on community grid, I-690

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The fourth construction contract for the Interstate 81 (I-81) viaduct-replacement project will focus on the community grid, Interstate 690 (I-690), and South Crouse Ave. in Syracuse. The state awarded the $313.5 million contract to CNY Alliance, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday afternoon. CNY Alliance will begin construction on the

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The state awarded the $313.5 million contract to CNY Alliance, the office of Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday afternoon.

CNY Alliance will begin construction on the community grid along streets on Syracuse’s east side in the former 15th Ward neighborhood, per Hochul’s announcement. The community grid will replace the elevated highway in downtown Syracuse.

As part of contract four, crews will construct a new interchange along I-690 westbound at South Crouse Ave., creating an additional access point for commuters driving to Upstate Medical University and Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse University, and the JMA Wireless Dome.

To accommodate the increase in traffic, South Crouse Ave. will be expanded from two to three lanes, with two lanes headed northbound and one lane going southbound.

Additionally, CNY Alliance will reconstruct Irving Ave. to accommodate traffic headed to University Hill. Currently, Irving Ave. ends at East Fayette Street, but as part of contract four, the street will be extended to Erie Boulevard East.

The street will also be expanded from two to three lanes — two lanes headed southbound, and one lane pointed northbound.

Crews will also build a new interchange along I-690 eastbound to the extended Irving Ave. at Erie Boulevard East in future contract six, providing a second access point for suburban commuters headed up the hill.

The new interchanges at South Crouse and Irving Avenues will relieve traffic congestion currently causing backups along I-81 northbound and southbound at the Harrison/Adams interchanges, Hochul’s office contends. Additionally, the new access points will “eliminate the bottleneck along” Almond Street (future Business Loop 81) caused by an influx of commuters headed to University Hill.

Work within the fourth contract also includes the start of major upgrades to Syracuse’s and Onondaga County’s drainage system, separating storm water and sanitary sewer flow. Crews will install about 2,200 linear feet, nearly half a mile, of drainage trunk line on Erie Boulevard East, between Almond Street and University Avenue, separating the city’s rainwater runoff and sewage flow.

The stormwater will run to Onondaga Creek and the sewage will head to Onondaga County’s wastewater-treatment facility for chemical treatment, Hochul’s office said.

PAR Technology completes TASK acquisition

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NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR) has completed its acquisition of TASK Group Holdings Ltd. (TAST), an Australian global foodservice-transaction platform, PAR announced. The addition of TASK allows PAR, a New Hartford–based foodservice-technology company, to serve top enterprise foodservice brands around the world with a unified commerce approach that spans from front

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NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR) has completed its acquisition of TASK Group Holdings Ltd. (TAST), an Australian global foodservice-transaction platform, PAR announced.

The addition of TASK allows PAR, a New Hartford–based foodservice-technology company, to serve top enterprise foodservice brands around the world with a unified commerce approach that spans from front to back of house.

PAR first announced the deal, which included cash of $131.5 million and the issuance of more than 2.16 million shares of PAR common stock, in March.

At that time, PAR CEO Savneet Singh said, “Our goal at PAR has been to be the largest foodservice-technology company in the world. Adding TASK will provide us with a global platform to build upon this vision. TASK not only broadens our reach beyond the United States and has a strong cash flow profile but also has the potential to bring premier global brands into the PAR fold and accelerate our future growth.”

TASK provides international, unified commerce solutions including interactive customer engagement and seamless integration. TASK’s transaction-management customers include Starbucks and Guzman Y Gomez, while McDonald’s is a major customer of TASK’s loyalty customer-engagement platform, using it in 65 markets.

The combination of PAR and TASK can now provide foodservice companies with a unified commerce platform, meaning all the products they need are available on that platform, which provides seamless operations across the globe, company officials said.

PAR recently announced it would be selling off two of its subsidiaries as it moves to streamline itself in the foodservice sector. Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (NYSE: BAH) purchased PAR Government Systems Corp. on June 7. PAR also inked a deal for NexTech Solutions Holdings, LLC to acquire its Rome Research Corporation subsidiary. The deals are worth a combined $102 million.

PAR provides restaurant software and hardware, loyalty, drive-thru, and back-office solutions. The company employs 1,400 across its locations in New Hartford; Houston, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.; and Toronto, Canada. PAR also has a technology hub in India.

Area food organizations receive state funding to increase access to local foods

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New York State has awarded $7.6 million to 12 food-service organizations across the state, including two Central New York organizations, through the second round of the New York Food for New York Families Program, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The program, funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant, provides a boost to New York

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The program, funded through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant, provides a boost to New York famers, increases communities’ access to local foods, and helps strengthen the state’s food system, the governor’s office said in a release.

In this round of funding, projects received between $250,000 and $1 million.

Broome County Council of Churches in the Southern Tier was provided $500,000 and Compassion Coalition in the Mohawk Valley was allocated $725,000.

“Due to economic hardship or where in the county they live, many in our area do not have adequate food access,” Broome County Council of Churches Executive Director Joe Sellepack said. “This project will enable us to purchase food from New York producers, including underrepresented women and minority-owned businesses, and make these foods available to folks in these hard-to-reach areas. We are excited partners and look forward to creating a healthier and more food equitable Broome County.”

In 2022, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets received $49.6 million through the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program to implement the New York Food for New York Families Program with the goals of boosting traditionally disadvantaged farmers, helping producers access new markets, filling gaps in the supply and distribution chain, and increasing access in underserved communities to local food.

In the first distribution round, the department awarded $40.8 million to 102 food organizations across the state including food banks and pantries, schools and universities, farm collectives, medical centers, and nonprofit organizations for projects that purchase New York–grown food products and distribute them to underserved communities.

Patrick S. McDonald

People on the Move

FustCharles, a certified public accounting firm based in Syracuse, has hired Patrick S. McDonald as an audit associate. He will help service the firm’s manufacturing,

Hochul releases guidelines for $500 million investment fund that’s part of Micron’s deal with the state

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday released guidelines for pursuing funding in the $500 million Green CHIPS Community Investment Fund. The state created the fund as part of the Green CHIPS incentive agreement between Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) and Empire State Development, New York’s economic-development agency, Hochul’s office said in its announcement. Boise, Idaho–based

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FuzeHub to use $1 million NSF award for program focused on advanced materials

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ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub says it will use a $1 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead Upstate Makes. Upstate Makes is a collaborative initiative to build New York’s advanced materials ecosystem and “foster innovation-fueled economic growth,” FuzeHub said in its announcement. FuzeHub is an Albany–based nonprofit that works to help New

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ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub says it will use a $1 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead Upstate Makes.

Upstate Makes is a collaborative initiative to build New York’s advanced materials ecosystem and “foster innovation-fueled economic growth,” FuzeHub said in its announcement.

FuzeHub is an Albany–based nonprofit that works to help New York state-based manufacturers and technology companies. NSF awarded the funding through its Regional Innovation Engines Development Awards.

“Upstate Makes will have the opportunity to demonstrate our region’s emergence as an internationally renowned advanced materials ecosystem. With a special focus on driving materials innovation in semiconductor manufacturing, it will add to the unique strength of Upstate New York’s vibrant and growing microelectronics sector,” Elena Garuc, executive director of FuzeHub, said. “FuzeHub is grateful to [U.S.] Senate Majority Leader [Charles] Schumer for his vision for American innovation and for relentlessly advocating for Upstate Makes. We also extend our gratitude to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for their commitment to advanced manufacturing and their partnership in building New York’s innovation ecosystem.”

The Upstate Makes initiative led to the creation of the New York Advanced Materials Alliance, FuzeHub said. The Alliance brings together several industry, research, workforce development, commercialization, and community partners to serve as the driving force behind FuzeHub’s ecosystem-building efforts.

Working together, the partners involved will focus on fostering materials innovation for semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing, “which has become a massive regional strength” for upstate New York, per the announcement. The region is home to multiple fabs, industry employment, patent activity, and shared research and development (R&D) facilities.

FuzeHub also says it will use a $200,000 grant from Empire State Development (ESD) to “deepen the impact” of NSF’s $1 million for Upstate Makes. The strategic grant funding “builds on the momentum” generated through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Green CHIPS program, which has sparked economic development and attracted global enterprises to invest and build in New York State, the organization said.

FuzeHub is supported by ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), which oversees and funds New York’s innovation infrastructure, a network of statewide resources.

Tompkins County seeks developer for emergency shelter

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ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County is looking for help designing and building an emergency shelter to serve homeless people in the county. The county released a July 18 request for qualifications (RFQ) from development partners to design and develop an accessible, safe, and inclusive shelter to house about 100 adults. The RFQ is available on

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ITHACA, N.Y. — Tompkins County is looking for help designing and building an emergency shelter to serve homeless people in the county.

The county released a July 18 request for qualifications (RFQ) from development partners to design and develop an accessible, safe, and inclusive shelter to house about 100 adults. The RFQ is available on bidnetdirect.com and interested vendors are encouraged to visit that site for more information.

“Tompkins County is ready to invest in a bigger, better shelter with more beds and increased access to government and not-for-profit services for the people we serve,” Tompkins County Legislature Chair Dan Klein said in a release announcing the project. “The development of emergency shelter beds is one critical step toward addressing homelessness. I continue to believe that it will take an ongoing coordinated effort on the part of our entire community to help house people in need.”

The successful developer identified through the RFQ process will work closely with the county to ensure the shelter is designed and built to meet the needs of the community. The county expects the developer will pursue funding for the project from outside sources and agencies including state programs.

The shelter will be a New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) certified facility open 365 days a year. It will serve as a centralized hub for area service providers, giving access to direct services without the need for transportation to other facilities. It will also incorporate features to enhance security and provide safety for residents, staff, and the surrounding community.

The local homelessness response system, supported by Tompkins County, provided shelter to an average of 132 people per day between October 2022 and September 2023, according to the most recent data available.

“One of the first objectives identified in the county’s strategic operation plan was to implement more emergency shelter beds and other programs in a housing system that meets our community’s needs,” Tompkins County Administrator Lisa Holmes said. “We’re measuring progress on the percentage of individuals who find permanent housing after using emergency shelter. It will be crucial that the shelter we ultimately develop offers direct services and resources to people with as few barriers as possible.”

Seneca Foods’ net sales slip 7 percent in latest quarter

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FAIRPORT — Seneca Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: SENEA, SENEB) recently reported that its net sales for the quarter ending March 31 declined 7 percent to $308 million from $331.1 million in the same quarter a year prior. The company — a Finger Lakes–based provider of packaged fruits and vegetables, with facilities across the U.S., including Geneva

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Mower CEO Crockett named Chair of 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

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SYRACUSE — The Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association recently named Stephanie Crockett as chair of the 2024 Syracuse Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Crockett is president and CEO of Mower, a full-service marketing, advertising, and public relations agency headquartered in Syracuse. The Syracuse Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Sunday, Sept.

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