The Upstate Economy

Hancock International Airport's midnight shifts will not be cut

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:53:11 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced the midnight control tower shifts at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport will not be cut as part of federal sequestration.

SUNY program aims to boost entrepreneurship in region

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:33:58 +0000

The SUNY Research Foundation will give funds to several of its institutions to help foster entrepreneurship, including the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and Upstate Medical University.

National Grid power upgrade grant helps Jefferson County dairy farm expand

Joanna Richards — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:11:36 +0000

A Tylerville dairy farm, in Jefferson County, is growing, in part thanks to help from National Grid. The company awarded the farm a grant of $50,000 to increase its access to electricity.

20 year high expected for commercial traffic on canals

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:13:22 +0000

While often seen as an economic lifeline of another era, New York's canals are poised to have a big year for moving freight; almost two centuries after goods were first transported on the upstate New York waterway.

Fewer jobs downtown in U.S. cities, upstate New York

Kate O'Connell — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:21:00 +0000

The first decade of this century has seen a steady flow of jobs moving away from city downtowns around the U.S according to a new report from the Brookings Institution. But cities in upstate New York have fared better than some.

Kodak could exit bankruptcy as early as July

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:07:00 +0000

Kodak expects to emerge from bankruptcy as early as July, according to the company’s reorganization plan filed late Tuesday.

Proposed border crossing fee faces bipartisan opposition

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:15:51 +0000

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s is proposing a border crossing fee for those traveling into the country from Canada. So far the idea is drawing opposition from representatives across New York state.

Proposed border crossing fee faces bipartisan opposition

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:02:53 +0000

Kodak reaches potential deal to sell document imaging business

Kate O'Connell — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:02:33 +0000

Kodak is hoping to sell its document imaging business for $210 million. The company has reached a tentative deal with Brother Industries that would see them take over operation of the portfolio of scanners, capture software and services.

North Country economic council gets crash course on Fort Drum's impact

Joanna Richards — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:40:27 +0000

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council, or REDC, held its most recent meeting at Fort Drum last week. The idea was to give members from the region's seven counties greater insight into how the Army post interacts with the local economy. The council also took steps to implement a new program for water and sewer project infrastructure.

Canada woos entrepreneurs with visa program; should U.S. follow?

Kate O'Connell — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:35:00 +0000

Canada is aiming to woo bright young entrepreneurs with a startup visa program. The plan offers immediate permanent residence to foreign nationals who are able to secure business funding from Canadian investors. But, there are mixed feelings in the U.S. about the benefits of following suit.

Upstate economic group calls for constant reinvention

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:23:07 +0000

Upstate New York's economy will need to be in a near-constant state of reinvention if it wants to survive in the current environment, according to CenterState CEO, an economic booster organization based in Syracuse.

Salary prospects dim for the Class of 2013, more of the same ahead

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:19:58 +0000

High paying jobs will remain elusive for the class of 2013 as a slow economic recovery drags on, according to numbers tallied by an economic policy center.

Developers stress urgency in revival of Watertown Woolworth building

Joanna Richards — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:38:00 +0000

After founding his first stores elsewhere, Jefferson County’s Frank Winfield Woolworth bought the building in Watertown where he got his start in the dry goods business, intending to raze it and build one of his own stores. Woolworth died before he could see it, but his company realized his plan and the building’s a central part of the early history of the five-and-dime chain. After years of vacancy, two developers have plans to revive the landmark.

Training program aims to fill jobs in food processing sector

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:01:12 +0000

New food processing facilities are popping up across western New York, and they're generating demand for skilled workers to operate them.

Taste-NY program dropped from state budget

Kate O'Connell — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:28:00 +0000

Funding for a program to promote locally grown produce through a network of duty-free stores across New York has been axed from the final version of the state's budget.

"Virtual march" on Washington lobbies for immigration reform

Kate O'Connell — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:53:33 +0000

The technology industry is using social media to create a "virtual march" on Washington. The March for Innovation, launched by the Partnership for a new Economy, is lobbying for immigration reform, including putting pressure on Congress to provide more visas for high-skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

Money for MEADS work makes its way back into budget

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:48:12 +0000

Money for a defense contract that supports several hundred jobs at a plant in central New York has found its way back into a federal spending plan.

Advisory group looks to rejuvinate NY legacy cities

Ashley Hassett — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:30:00 +0000

An advisory group looking at strategies for rejuvenating New York state's "legacy cities" says collaboration and coordination with the governor's Regional Economic Development Councils are crucial for upstate cities dealing with declining populations and job opportunities.

Investment pledge is "glimmer of hope" for Remington workers

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:25:00 +0000

A pledge of new investment from its parent company and news of a newly secured military contract have workers at Remington Arms a little more optimistic their jobs will be staying in upstate New York.

Private-sector jobs up statewide, but it's not all good news

Kate O'Connell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:32:58 +0000

Job figures are on the rise across New York state, however private-sector jobs in some upstate areas have declined according to the state Department of Labor’s latest jobs report.

Loss of major movie in WNY may boost case for more film tax credits in NY

Ashley Hassett — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 11:02:00 +0000

Western New York has missed out on being the setting for a major motion picture, but Republican state Senator Patrick Gallivan hopes the loss of the movie “Draft Day,” starring Kevin Costner, will help push along a bill that would offer tax credits for films to be shot in New York state.

Rochester Land Bank to try to get more properties on the tax rolls

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:03:29 +0000

The City of Rochester has been given state approval to establish one of the state’s ten Land Banks. The city’s Land Bank will support the acquisition of vacant, tax-delinquent properties which will then be renovated and sold through the HOME Rochester program. The aim is to also get more properties back on the tax rolls.

Library funding is focus of Library Advocacy Day

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:59:27 +0000

The library lobby is heading to Albany today to ask lawmakers to restore funding that has been lost for five years now.

EPA provides advice on sustainable growth to WNY communites

Ashley Hassett — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:02:00 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency announced this month it will be providing technical assistance to three western New York communities. They were chosen out of 121 applicants and are three of 43 communities to be assisted across the country. The EPA will provide the aid by delivering workshops on developing sustainable growth strategies.

Carl Schramm writes in Forbes: Syracuse has "economic amnesia"

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 21:19:17 +0000

In an essay in Forbes Magazine, entrepreneurship expert and Syracuse native Carl Schramm knocks his hometown for forgetting its innovative roots and potentially dooming its future.

Federal sequester means deep cuts at Fort Drum, impact on regional economy

Joanna Richards — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 13:47:50 +0000

The federal government's across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester are set to kick in Friday, barring an agreement between Congress and the president. That means a big impact for defense spending, including for Fort Drum, an important regional economic driver.

Upstate New York bids to become federal drone testing site

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:50:06 +0000

A coalition of upstate New York universities and defense contractors has submitted a bid to become a federally designated testing and research site for the integration of unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, into domestic airspace.

Schumer wants federal funds to upgrade Port of Oswego

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:49:23 +0000

The Port of Oswego could be in line for some business-boosting help from the federal government. Sen. Charles Schumer is hoping to use his clout to get some help to keep the port growing.

Cuomo wants to shift some IDA powers to his regional councils

Ryan Delaney and Ashley Hassett — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:01:00 +0000

In Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed budget, the state’s Industrial Development Agencies, or IDAs, would no longer be able to grant state sales tax exemptions for economic development projects. Instead, that authority will go to Cuomo's Regional Economic Development Councils.