CEG Economic Development Week in Review – February 25 – March 1, 2019

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CEG IN THE NEWS

Saratogian: Event connects vets with helpful services, agencies

The Record: Event connects vets with helpful services, agencies  

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Mill Artisan District project on track for late-spring completion

“A pinkish-toned cherry wheat beer caught Congressman Paul Tonko’s attention while he sipped different samples of brew Friday afternoon in Frog Alley Brewing’s Schenectady taproom.

Tonko — who favored the wheat beer over other hop-heavy IPA samples — toured the six-story, multi-use facility still under construction at 108 State Street in downtown Schenectady alongside brewery owner and local businessman JT Pollard.”

Fab 8 deal still tops in NY after Amazon collapse

“In many ways, the incentive deal that New York state offered to Amazon to build a headquarters in Long Island City was nearly identical to the package of cash and tax breaks offered to Advanced Micro Devices 12 years ago to build a computer chip factory in Saratoga County.

In fact, with Amazon expected to hire 25,000 people in Queens with an average salary of $150,000, the $1.7 billion in grants and tax breaks offered by the state was a relative steal.”

Espey added 60 employees last year. CEO says hiring spree will continue

“Espey Manufacturing & Electronics Corp. is hunting for project managers, accounting staff, supply chain personnel and production help as the company’s work backlog approaches record levels.

Chief executive Patrick Enright has grown Espey’s workforce by nearly 60 people over the past 12 to 14 months to nearly 180. And he needs to fill another 10 positions this year.”

Just Water investing millions in Glens Falls to add bottling line

“A water company, whose investors include father-and-son actors Will Smith and Jaden Smith, is searching for property to add a second bottling line in upstate New York.

Just Goods Inc., operator of the Just Water brand, wants to lease up to 52,000 square feet at 276 Dix Ave. in Queensbury, according to documents filed with the town planning department.”

Game development program to be based at Center City

“SUNY Schenectady’s Programming for Game Development associate’s degree program will be based at Center City, 433 State St., in downtown Schenectady, the college announced Tuesday.

The program will be offered beginning in the autumn, with courses including website design and coding, programming languages, and developing electronic portfolios of game design elements. Students will be able to transfer into the bachelor of science degree program in Interactive Media and Game Design at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. More information: sunysccc.edu”

Drones take flight in a basement gymnasium in Albany

“n an old gymnasium at the University at Albany where the late Gov. Mario Cuomo once used to play basketball, Ian Jaffe put a small aerial drone through its paces, zipping through a series of illuminated gates.

Jaffe, a senior at the university, was among the inaugural pilots Wednesday using the school’s new drone flight training center, where students and others can learn how to operate and control the tiny unmanned aircraft.”

Veteran GE researcher leads commercialization effort in Niskayuna

“A veteran researcher at GE Global Research is leading one of the newest initiatives at the River Road campus.

Chief scientist Amy Linsebigler, a General Electric researcher since 1995 and more recently a leader of other scientists, was handed the newly created role of commercial director last spring, when Global Research began taking on contract research for other companies.”

This will be ‘year of change’ for GE Power, CEO says

“This “will be a year of change” for GE Power, General Electric Co. Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. wrote in his first letter to the company’s shareholders.

He said GE has “eliminated some headquarters layers” in its Power unit, which is based in Schenectady. But he added that “we also need to run Power better, improving how we manage our inventory and material management, product development and delivery, and billings and collections.”

Glenville’s BioSoil Farm transforms trash into treasure

“When you eat a banana, do you ever wonder what happens to the peel after you toss it in the garbage? It won’t end up producing methane gas in a landfill if Chad Currin, founder and CEO of BioSoil Farm has anything to say about it.

Currin looks at waste bound for a landfill not as something that’s at the end of its life cycle. Instead, he sees it as material waiting to be converted into energy. And the more he explores, the more possibilities arise.”

Rolling Grocer 19 gets Hudson storefront

“— The city’s first income-based, traveling grocery store is set to open a permanent storefront next week.

Rolling Grocer 19 is slated to open a brick-and-mortar shop March 5 at 6 S. Second St. — the former site of Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood.”