Month: February 2017

Bipartisan Effort Of State Officials Brings In $170M For Improving Broadband For Upstate

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More than $170 million in federal funds that could have been sent to other states will be returned to Upstate New York to expand broadband and high speed internet service, state officials announced on Jan. 27.

The bipartisan effort was announced by  Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, and Rep. Chris Collins.

“This is huge news for rural communities all across Upstate New York. From the very beginning, I was very clear with the FCC that this $170 million belongs strictly to New York and should be kept here,” said Schumer.  “The federal government’s job should be to invest not divest in Upstate New York’s internet access.”

He said other broadband companies in Upstate New York “will now have the opportunity to work with the state in order to bid on this funding to improve Upstate’s broadband access.  As long as I’m Senator, I will never let New Yorkers access to broadband suffer just because one carrier chose not to invest in New York.”

“Access to rural broadband is crucial for Western New Yorkers,” said Collins. “We have tirelessly fought to keep this money in New York State and I am excited for Western New Yorkers that the FCC listened. This money is a critical investment in New York’s future.”

Officials said several telecommunications companies are using federal investment from the Connect America Fund to expand broadband Upstate, but one national carrier did not accept the money it was allocated. The Federal Communications Commission wanted to take this unused money from New York and bid it out nationally.

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Business Briefs: February 2017

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The Saratoga Builders Association Inc. will be awarding a $1,000 student scholarship in 2017. The organization makes the scholarship available annually to high school seniors who are planning to pursue a construction industry education.

The scholarship award is open to any high school senior in Saratoga County who is planning to pursue construction education at a two- or four-year accredited college or university or to students who would like to purchase tools for employment in construction.

Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must demonstrate current or past involvement in the construction field, including classes taken in high school, to be eligible for this award. Each applicant must also submit a high school transcript or list of construction classes taken plus a short essay describing why they are interested in a construction industry career and what events led to this decision.

Applications for the scholarship must be postmarked on or before April 1. Only the first 25 completed applications will be accepted. The winner and their school will be notified by June 1.

To receive a scholarship application, contact Barry Potoker, executive director, at 366-0946 or bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.

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The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership will host a small business workshop series  designed for people who are thinking about starting their own business or are ready to move their startup business to the next level.

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Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership Slates Workshop Series For Small Businesses In Area

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The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership will host a small business workshop series  designed for people who are thinking about starting their own business or are ready to move their startup business to the next level.

Attendees will hear from experts on the things they should know, including how to build a business plan, financing options, and workforce development resources. The workshop will end with one-on-one sessions between the attendees and experts.

Workshop dates and locations include:

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Business Report: Keeping An All-Star Team Motivated

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Patrice Mastrianni is owner of Serendipity Art and Cooking Studio in Saratoga Springs. Courtesy Serendipity Art and Cooking Studio
Patrice Mastrianni is owner of Serendipity Art and Cooking Studio in Saratoga Springs.
Courtesy Serendipity Art and Cooking Studio

By Patrice Mastrianni

When we “make the draft” to join a new business team we are pumped up right out of the gate. The rush of mastering new job skills, learning the needs and wants of your teammates, and throwing your ideas in the ring are very energizing …  at least in the first quarter.

As time goes on, we settle into a routine and operate at a steady pace or, in the worst-case scenario, play a critic from the sidelines. Normal game changers, like having to perform tasks not on your job description, tolerating an irritating coworker or dealing with economic ups and downs, deflates our drive in no time.

It’s in every employer’s best interest to make sure their team stays on track and each member is in a position that best fits their skills. It’s the captain’s job to make sure no one sits on the bench and everyone focuses on the same game plan.

Keeping your group driven requires ingenuity and diligence. However, budget restraints and day-to-day business demands can often get in the way of a consistent team-building program. Team exercises can be as ambitious as a full-day golf outing or as small as interoffice games that engage departments or individuals in problem solving, communication and collaboration.

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Saratoga County Chamber Of Commerce Touts ‘Job Zone’ With New Digital Campaign

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The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce launched on Jan. 30 a first-ever digital ad campaign to promote the Job Zone portion of its website.

The Job Zone is a local site with full-, part-time and seasonal jobs posted by the Chamber’s 2,000-plus members.

This site currently has about 20,000 unique views per month largely from local people looking for new opportunities and people considering relocating to Saratoga County, according to Chamber officials.

The site is free for Chamber members to post as many jobs as they have open. It is also free for job seekers to look at the job openings online at any time.

Besides jobs, nonprofit organizations that are members can also post volunteer opportunities.

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Business Report: GOP, President Differ On Some Tax Ideas

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Kevin M. Hedley is a partner with Hedley & Co. PLLC. Courtesy Hedley & Co. PLLC
Kevin M. Hedley is a partner with Hedley & Co. PLLC.
Courtesy Hedley & Co. PLLC

By Kevin M. Hedley, MS, CPA, PFS

As is often quoted “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” (Benjamin Franklin, 1789)

With that said, this year is certainly no different. The uncertain part is of course how much if at all our taxes will change this year with a new administration.

President Trump has discussed some new personal tax rates. His suggested tax rates and breakpoints for married-joint filers would be: Less than $75,000, 12 percent; more than $75,000 but less than $225,000, 25 percent; and more than $225,000, 33 percent. Brackets for single filers would be half of these amounts. These three rate brackets would replace our current seven rate brackets which go as high as 39.6 percent.

In addition to the changes in rates he has also called for some other drastic changes including, but not limited to: the Affordable Care Act, 3.8 percent tax on investment income would be repealed; the alternative minimum tax (AMT) would be repealed; the standard deduction for joint filers would increase to $30,000 and the standard deduction for single filers would be $15,000; Personal exemptions would be eliminated; head-of-household filing status would be eliminated; itemized deductions would be capped at $200,000 for married-joint filers and $100,000 for a single filer; standard corporate tax rate would be reduced to 15 percent from the current 35 percent.

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Financial Investment Services Firm Opens A New, Independent Branch In Saratoga Springs

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Maureen Parker, a financial services professional with 19 years of experience in investment management, is the branch leader of the new Charles Schwab office in Saratoga Springs. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com
Maureen Parker, a financial services professional with 19 years of experience in investment management, is the branch leader of the new Charles Schwab office in Saratoga Springs.
©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com

Charles Schwab, a full-service investment services firm, recently opened a new independent branch in Saratoga Springs.

Company officials said it offers a range of investing and personal finance guidance, tools and products. The office is at 46 Marion Ave.

The branch will also serve the neighboring towns of Wilton, Ballston Spa and Glens Falls.

Charles Schwab ranked “highest in investor satisfaction with full-service brokerage firms” in the J.D. Power 2016 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study.

The Saratoga Springs branch is led by Schwab independent branch leader Maureen Parker, a financial services professional with 19 years of experience in investment management.

Prior to joining Schwab’s network, Parker was a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Previously, she served as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch.

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Munter: ‘Positive Energy Out There;’ Builders Have Optimism About Construction Field

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Town Plaza on Route 146 in Clifton Park was once all commercial office space, but the first floor is being changed over to retail space by DCG Development. Courtesy DCG Development
Town Plaza on Route 146 in Clifton Park was once all commercial office space, but the first floor is being changed over to retail space by DCG Development.
Courtesy DCG Development

By R.J. DeLuke

“It looks like a busy year,” said Mike Munter,  vice president of Munter Enterprises in Middle Grove.

The sentiment appears common in the construction industry as it rolls into 2017. Across the county there re many projects in process and many others that will come to light in ensuing months.

“Last year was busy. We had a lot of good work,” Munter noted. Regarding 2017, “we’re seeing that people are motivated  now to invest in their people and their business … There’s a lot of positive energy out there” that bodes for a good year for  the construction industry.

Munter Enterprises broke ground on a 3,000-square-foot expansion at Northway Emergency Animal Clinic off Northway Exit 17 in Moreau. The expansion will add more space for surgery, examination rooms and some administrative space.

The company has started to pour concrete Stone Bridge Iron & Steel Inc. 30,000-square-foot expansion of its production facility in Northumberland.

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Belmonte Builders To Start Infrastructure Work This Fall For Housing Development

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This rendering depicts one of the styles of homes planned for Sonoma Grove, a development in Wilton being planned by Belmonte Builders. Infrastructure work will be done this fall. Courtesy Belmonte Builders
This rendering depicts one of the styles of homes planned for Sonoma Grove, a development in Wilton being planned by Belmonte Builders. Infrastructure work will be done this fall.
Courtesy Belmonte Builders

By Maureen Werther

Belmonte Builders will begin the installation of roads, water and sewer lines at Sonoma Grove, its newest “affordable luxury” community near Floral Estates, in the fall.

Homes will range in size from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet and will include plans for ranches, two-story homes and two-story designs with master bedroom suites on the first floor, said Mickey Ricciardi, director of sales and marketing for Belmonte.

The project will be on the south side of Louden Road, east of the intersection with Ingersol Road in Wilton.

This Belmonte community has 66 lots, ranging in size from one-third acre up to one acre. In keeping with the company’s goal of making every client’s “dream home” a reality, the upscale homes will offer a full array of amenities and features, he said.

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