Upstate Medical University announces Upstate Say Yes scholarship, first recipient

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University in Syracuse has created its first-ever Upstate Say Yes scholarship that will provide financial support for pursuit of a

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Upstate Medical University’s College of Health Professions completes interior renovations

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University announced that Silverman Hall, which is home to the College of Health Professions, has undergone a complete interior renovation. It now includes “state-of-the-art” teaching spaces for many of the college’s programs, Upstate said in an email. The medical school held a July 15 reception to acknowledge the renovation project.

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SU announces additional $3 million in state funding for JMA Wireless Dome renovations

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) will use an additional $3 million for the renovation project at the JMA Wireless Dome. New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) announced the funding during an event inside the JMA Dome on Tuesday morning. J Michael Haynie, SU’s vice chancellor

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) will use an additional $3 million for the renovation project at the JMA Wireless Dome.

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and New York State Assemblyman William Magnarelli (D–Syracuse) announced the funding during an event inside the JMA Dome on Tuesday morning.

J Michael Haynie, SU’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, and Herm Frazier, SU’s senior deputy athletic director, also spoke to a gathering that included some SU coaches.

When asked about the need for the additional funding, Magnarelli told reporters, “because of the increase in costs.”

“We’re happy to help,” he added.

Heastie also noted the same reason. “This is the people’s money,” he said in answering a reporter’s question. “And the importance of what this building means to Central New York, I think, was well worth the investment.”

The new funding will help pay for the renovation work that’s currently underway, including the replacement of all existing aluminum bench seats with a “complete seating system featuring high-impact polymer seats with backs,” per SU’s Tuesday news release on the additional funding.

The work continues, but crews have, so far, installed thousands of new blue-colored seats with backs.

“Syracuse University is not just renovating a building, but reshaping an entire experience,” John Wildhack, director of athletics at Syracuse University, contended in the school’s announcement. “With a commitment to excellence, we’re shaping a future where student-athletes, fans and our community can enjoy an unparalleled experience every time they play in, attend an event or visit the Dome. With the new football season just around the corner, I am confident the environment will be more electric than ever. Thanks to terrific community and government support and partnerships, the Dome continues to be one of the most exciting venues to visit.”

“Recently, the University completed the initial work associated with its $120 million transformation that improved the visitor experience and further positioned the venue and region to compete nationally for large concerts, events and NCAA competitions. Renovations included the installation of a new fixed roof, air conditioning and a state-of-the-art 5G network, as well as significant improvements to accessibility, technology, lighting and sound, and the concession experience,” SU said in its announcement.

The SU announcement also noted that, as part of the work currently underway, Syracuse is also in the process of constructing Miron Victory Court, an enclosed pedestrian concourse that will physically connect the Dome and Barnes Center at The Arch, “among other enhancements.” SU expects crews to complete work on the new space later this fall.

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

Mohawk Valley, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Manufacturing & Engineering, New York News, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only, Technology

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.

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