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Onondaga County awards more than a dozen agritourism grants
SKANEATELES, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Monday announced 13 recipients in the second round of the county’s agritourism-grant program. The county executive announced the grants at Last Shot Distillery at 4022 Mill Road in Skaneateles. Applicants are eligible for awards up to $15,000 Agritourism “helps promote farm viability while also benefiting the […]
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SKANEATELES, N.Y. — Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Monday announced 13 recipients in the second round of the county’s agritourism-grant program.
The county executive announced the grants at Last Shot Distillery at 4022 Mill Road in Skaneateles. Applicants are eligible for awards up to $15,000
Agritourism “helps promote farm viability while also benefiting the local economy and food system,” the county contended in a release.
“The investments being made into our agricultural community, specifically through our agritourism grant program, are crucial to helping our local farms and small businesses while also maintaining the quality of life we enjoy in Onondaga County,” McMahon said.
The county is accepting applications on a rolling basis, and those interested can find the application at agriculture.ongov.net/blog.
Proposed projects should fall in one or more of the following categories: Improve, Expand, Initiate, and Market.
The grant recipients are listed below:
AmeriCU formally opens remodeled Herkimer location
HERKIMER, N.Y. — AmeriCU Credit Union on Monday (June 10) unveiled its recently remodeled Herkimer Financial Center, which features new technology to better serve its members. Changes include the installation of interactive teller machines (ITMs) that offer members enhanced services through a teller-assist functionality that provides personal assistance by a live representative, the credit union
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HERKIMER, N.Y. — AmeriCU Credit Union on Monday (June 10) unveiled its recently remodeled Herkimer Financial Center, which features new technology to better serve its members.
Changes include the installation of interactive teller machines (ITMs) that offer members enhanced services through a teller-assist functionality that provides personal assistance by a live representative, the credit union said. The new waiting area allows for a new flow for credit-union representatives on the floor, making them more approachable and available.
“We value the importance of investing in the future of our community,” AmeriCU President/CEO Ron Belle said in a statement. “As we look ahead, the renovation of this financial center signifies our commitment to fostering growth, development, and a place where individuals and businesses can achieve their financial goals. The connections we develop between our members, our team, and the community we serve allows us to grow as an organization and expand the financial services we offer to meet our member’s needs.”
The Herkimer location is the fourth branch AmeriCU has renovated over the past 19 months as it works to enhance its physical delivery network with technology and design that reflects the modernization of the financial industry while still fostering personalized relationships, credit union officials noted.
AmeriCU, which serves 24 counties, operates 20 branch offices. The credit union has $2.7 billion in assets and more than 164,000 members.
AAA survey finds consumer interest in EVs is declining, hybrids preferred
Consumers’ interest in buying a fully electric car is declining according to a new survey report. Only about one in five adults surveyed (18 percent) say they’d be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a new or used electric vehicle (EV) (not a hybrid), down from 23 percent last year, according to the most recent
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Consumers’ interest in buying a fully electric car is declining according to a new survey report.
Only about one in five adults surveyed (18 percent) say they’d be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a new or used electric vehicle (EV) (not a hybrid), down from 23 percent last year, according to the most recent annual consumer survey on EVs by AAA, which the organization released on June 6.
“Even more revealing,” 63 percent of responded said they were “unlikely or very unlikely” to purchase an EV for their next car purchase.
“Early adopters who wanted an EV already have one,” Greg Brannon, director of automotive research at AAA, said in a news release. “The remaining group of people who have yet to adopt EVs consider the practicality, cost, convenience, and ownership experience, and for some, those are big enough hurdles to keep them from making the jump to fully electric.”
AAA found the main hesitations in purchasing an EV continue to be cost, lack of convenient charging options, and anxiety about range (the number of miles they can drive before needing a charge). Three in 10 also cited the inability to install a charging station where they live.
However, hybrid options could “bridge these gaps, broadening consumer interest in owning an EV,” AAA contended.
AAA’s survey also found that nearly one in three U.S. adults (31 percent) say they would be “very likely” or “likely” to buy a hybrid. Access to a hybrid vehicle “lessens the anxiety” for consumers because it allows people to enjoy the benefits of electrification without feeling like they are disrupting their current lifestyle or travel plans (longer distance driving, less charging options, etc.), the association noted.
“Deciding to make the leap to [fully] electric may feel overwhelming for many consumers, and a hybrid option may be the way to bridge this gap,” Brannon said. “Consumer demand will ultimately dictate the future, and my prediction is that we will have a mix of EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion vehicles in dealerships and on the roads in the US for many decades ahead.”
Methodology
The survey was conducted from April 4-8 of this year, using a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population overall. The panel provides sample coverage of about 97 percent of the U.S. household population. Most surveys were completed online, but consumers without web access were surveyed over the phone.
A total of 1,152 interviews were completed among U.S. adults, 18 years of age or older. The margin of error for the study overall is plus or minus 4 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. Smaller subgroups have larger error margins, AAA said.
PAR focuses on core business with sale of two subsidiaries
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR) is making moves to focus its business on the restaurant industry, announcing it will sell both subsidiaries that comprise its government operating segment for a combined $102 million. PAR sold PAR Government Systems Corp. (PGSC) to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., (NYSE: BAH) in a deal that
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NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corp. (NYSE: PAR) is making moves to focus its business on the restaurant industry, announcing it will sell both subsidiaries that comprise its government operating segment for a combined $102 million.
PAR sold PAR Government Systems Corp. (PGSC) to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., (NYSE: BAH) in a deal that closed on June 7.
The company will also sell Rome Research Corporation (RRC) to NexTech Solutions Holdings, LLC (NTS) in a transaction expected to close by the end of the second quarter.
“Today’s announcement represents a milestone in advancing PAR’s goal to become the world’s largest technology provider to enterprise foodservice,” PAR CEO Savneet Singh said in a release. “The sale of our government operating segment to notable strategic buyers Booz Allen Hamilton and NexTech Solutions provides a clear fit for these businesses, allows for a seamless transition, and sets up both PGSC and RRC for continued success.”
The sales are part of PAR’s efforts to divest what it considers non-core assets and reinvest capital in areas where it will receive better returns, Singh added.
The company’s release did not break down the sale price for each subsidiary and did not address the transition of employees at either PGSC or RRC after the sale.
Baird and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP advised PAR, while Jefferies LLC and King & Spalding LLP advised Booz Allen Hamilton.
PAR provides hardware, software, loyalty, drive-thru, and back-office products and solutions to the restaurant industry, with installations in more than 95,000 restaurants in over 110 countries.
Downtown Farmers Market begins its 52nd season on Tuesday in Syracuse’s Clinton Square
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Downtown Farmers Market is set for its 52nd season, beginning Tuesday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse.
Small business information series plans summer workshops
New York’s new Small Business Summer Series informational events and workshops will tour the state this summer, including several stops around Central New York. The series aims to connect entrepreneurs to free resources, support, and services, according to a release from Gov. Kathy Hochul. It includes the second Interagency Small Business Tour as well as
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New York’s new Small Business Summer Series informational events and workshops will tour the state this summer, including several stops around Central New York.
The series aims to connect entrepreneurs to free resources, support, and services, according to a release from Gov. Kathy Hochul. It includes the second Interagency Small Business Tour as well as the 2024 Regional Minority- and Women-Owned Business (MWBE) Expo series.
Representatives from the state Department of Labor, Empire State Development, the Department of State, Department of Financial Services, Department of Taxation and Finance, the State Liquor Authority, the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Workers’ Compensation Board, and the New York State Insurance Fund will be on hand to provide information about licensing, regulations, taxes, grants, training, and more.
The MWBE expo is a free, in-person event designed to equip minority and women business owners with information and resources to secure state contracts through panel discussions, networking opportunities, and interactive workshops.
Local stops for the event include:
To register for any of the Interagency Small Business Tour stops, visit https://dol.ny.gov/SBT.
Arbor Day Foundation recognizes SUNY Oswego for its tree-planting effort
OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized SUNY Oswego under its Tree Campus Higher Education program for the school’s “commitment to effective urban forest management.” The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program began in 2008 to encourage colleges and
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OSWEGO, N.Y. — The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized SUNY Oswego under its Tree Campus Higher Education program for the school’s “commitment to effective urban forest management.”
The Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. Its Tree Campus Higher Education program began in 2008 to encourage colleges and universities to plant trees on their campuses, per SUNY Oswego’s announcement.
Trees on campus and in urban spaces can lower energy costs by providing shade cover, cleaner air and water, and green spaces for students and faculty, the Arbor Day Foundation said in a news release announcing the distinction (cited in the SUNY Oswego announcement).
In addition, trees improve students’ mental and cognitive health, provide an appealing aesthetic for campuses, and create shaded areas for studying and gathering.
For Earth Month 2024 in April, SUNY Oswego participated in related special events and activities that including Arbor Day plantings, programs, and tree giveaways, along with a maple breakfast using sap harvested on campus, the school said.
Kate Spector, SUNY Oswego’s sustainability director, noted that the connection goes all the way back to the institution’s beginnings, as founder Edward Austin Sheldon was a botanist and known for his love of trees.
The campus in 1961 established the Centennial Arboretum, which was part of acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the institution’s founding. Seventy-four organizations were the original supporters of the Centennial Arboretum, which is located outside Moreland Hall on Washington Boulevard, SUNY Oswego said.
On Arbor Day 2022, SUNY Oswego rededicated the arboretum in a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability, Rice Creek Field Station and Oswego Tree Stewards — and continues to add and maintain trees in this space, per the announcement.
The Rice Creek Field Station, located about a mile south of the main campus, is a unit of SUNY Oswego that is “dedicated to the support of academic instruction, research, and public service in all aspects of natural history, especially the natural sciences and environmental education,” per its website.
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Moody’s Ratings gives City of Syracuse A1 credit rating
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Moody’s Ratings has given the City of Syracuse an A1 credit rating, which Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says “solidifies Syracuse’s progress toward fiscal sustainability.” Moody’s Ratings — which was formerly called Moody’s Investors Service and is the bond credit-rating business of Moody’s Corporation — gave the City an A1 rating and a
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Moody’s Ratings has given the City of Syracuse an A1 credit rating, which Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says “solidifies Syracuse’s progress toward fiscal sustainability.”
Moody’s Ratings — which was formerly called Moody’s Investors Service and is the bond credit-rating business of Moody’s Corporation — gave the City an A1 rating and a stable outlook for the fourth year in a row.
“With support from our local, state and federal partners, the City of Syracuse has maneuvered a wide range of financial conditions while maintaining our fiscal stability,” Walsh said in the announcement. “The Moody’s Rating is more than a good report card. Taxpayers benefit from a better credit rating, because it lowers the cost of borrowing money. That results in financial savings to the city.”
Walsh’s office cites the Moody’s report as indicating Syracuse “benefits from a materially improved financial position over the last several fiscal years and considerable growth prospects, including the Micron semiconductor plant that will be located just north of the city in Clay. These positive factors, coupled with proactive fiscal management, help offset some notable credit challenges. The city remains the economic hub for a substantial portion of Upstate New York.”
Moody’s said its stable outlook, “reflects our expectations that despite some budgetary pressure, the city’s reserve position will remain satisfactory for the near to medium term. The outlook also incorporates our expectation of continued economic development,” per the Friday announcement from Walsh’s office.
SUNY Oswego, three area community colleges partner on Central New York Transfer Collaboration
OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego and three regional community colleges are partnering on the Central New York Transfer Collaboration (CNYTC). The effort seeks to work on “improving the transfer experience,” SUNY Oswego said in its Thursday announcement. CNYTC also includes Onondaga Community College (OCC), Jefferson Community College (JCC), and Cayuga Community College (CCC). SUNY is
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OSWEGO, N.Y. — SUNY Oswego and three regional community colleges are partnering on the Central New York Transfer Collaboration (CNYTC).
The effort seeks to work on “improving the transfer experience,” SUNY Oswego said in its Thursday announcement.
CNYTC also includes Onondaga Community College (OCC), Jefferson Community College (JCC), and Cayuga Community College (CCC).
SUNY is supporting the effort with $85,000 for “yield activities to further strengthen relationships and the transfer pipeline” between the schools. An additional $12,000 in SUNY Transformational Funds over the next two years “will go beyond just these transfer activities to develop a more enduring partnership” among the institutions, the announcement contended.
More than one-third of Oswego’s new baccalaureate students transfer to the university each year after completing coursework or associate degrees at other institutions, SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu said in announcing the collaboration.
“We have the capacity to increase that number, and we are in the process of building a robust infrastructure to make that increase a reality,” Nwosu said. “We have always worked with our community college transfers to make the student experience as straightforward as possible, making us a leader for transfer students; these new efforts will help us continue improving in this space.”
Nwosu went on to say that the SUNY dollars will help the schools involved to partner “to enhance seamless transfer pathways to Oswego for community college students.”
Cory Bezek, SUNY Oswego’s VP for enrollment management, noted that the reality is that the relationship between Oswego and the community colleges involved continues to be more “collaboration than competition.”
“When they do better, we do a lot better, so if we can find ways to support each school and their mission, it’s going to make us stronger,” Bezek said.
Every year, between one-quarter and one-third of incoming SUNY Oswego students are transfers, with many coming from CCC, JCC and OCC, so making the process smoother and more effective helps a significant group, Bezek added.
“The ultimate goals of this coalition are to create an environment where transfer students receive credit for all the classes they’ve taken and to ensure that all their credits count towards the degree they seek,” Nwosu added.
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