Applications for new licenses to operate farm meaderies are being accepted by New York state.
The new craft beverage manufacturing license is similar to those currently available for farm wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries. Mead, or “honey wine,” is an alcoholic beverage that is manufactured by fermenting honey with water, and can be infused with fruits, spices, herbs and flowers.
The creation of farm meaderies was proposed in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2019 executive budget proposal.
“By creating this new license, we are building on New York’s nation-leading craft beverage industry while capitalizing on our standing as the number one honey producer in the Northeast,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “New York’s craft beverages are second to none, and we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting our local craft beverage producers who are creating jobs, promoting tourism and contributing to the Empire State’s booming economy.”
Business Briefs: April 2019
Embassy Suites by Hilton recently recognized Embassy Suites by Hilton Saratoga Springs as the Connie Award winner for outstanding achievements during the past year. The local hotel was recognized at the brand awards in Las Vegas. The property, which is owned by Veeder Hospitality & Management, received this award distinction from among the brand’s...
Local Nurse From Stat Staff Professionals Receives Award For Her Extraordinary Work
Courtesy DAISY Foundation
Wendy Davis, a local nurse, was honored in March with the internationally recognized DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for her work as a caregiver.
She received the award from the DAISY Foundation through her employer, Stat Staff Professionals Inc., a nursing agency in Saratoga Springs.
“Wendy has worked with Stat Staff Professionals for 10 years,” said Victoria McCartney, a member of the selection committee. “She has consistently demonstrated compassion, knowledge, respect, support, and caring for her patients and her family.”
“In our present setting, we have travelers due to the influx of inexperienced staff,” wrote an ICU staff member from Claxton Hepburn Hospital about Davis. “She has not hesitated to jump in and help teach. She shares valuable experiences when they arise. She is a mentor though, as a traveler, it is not required of her. She’ll take on the extra patient, even offers to at times, to maintain ‘balance’ in the assignment for the newer staff.”
The DAISY Foundation is a nonprofit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. Davis was chosen by a committee at Stat Staff Professionals.
Saratoga Foundation’s Veterans Business Council Is Offering $10K In Scholarships
The Saratoga County Foundation’s Veterans Business Council is offering up to $10,000 in scholarships, to be awarded to Saratoga County Veterans for the academic year beginning in the fall of 2019.
The two $5,000 scholarships are a new initiative from the group of Veterans business leaders in the community, which seeks to help unemployed and underemployed Veterans advance their careers. Applications are being accepted to be considered as one of the two inaugural recipients and donations toward the effort are also being encouraged.
Eligibility includes, but is not limited to U.S. veterans, active duty, guard, and reserve members who live, or work, or attend college within Saratoga County.
Matt Sames Set To Open Another ‘Pet Lodge’ Location On Route 9, His Fourth In Region
Courtesy Pet Lodge
By Christine Graf
Pet Lodge owner Matt Sames is anticipating a May opening for his newest location at 3320 Route 9 in Saratoga.
The business will offer dog and cat boarding, doggie daycare, pet grooming and obedience training classes. The new 6,000-square-foot building was built on land Sames purchased more than three years ago.
Sames opened the first Pet Lodge 12 years ago in Clifton Park. His desire to start his own business developed while he was working as general sales manager at WRGB Channel 6. It was then that Plattsburgh veterinarian Dr. Tom Brown approached him about going into business together. The two men have been friends for over 40 years.
Mechanical Testing Inc. Moves Into Using Drones As Part Of Its HVAC Testing Services
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
by Susan E. Campbell
Eileen Venn and her husband Brian have passed the 10-year milestone since purchasing Mechanical Testing Inc., a company that tests and balances the air flow and air quality of HVAC systems.
According to Venn, not only has the company doubled its growth in terms of sales, but it has also recently engaged in a related side business in another technology growth industry: distributing UAVs, also known as drones.
“We started using drones with cameras and thermal imaging equipment to look for issues in HVAC systems, like detecting leaks,” said Venn. “I contacted a supplier about purchasing a drone and learned that they were looking for distribution partners.”
‘Spark Saratoga’ Has Helped Many An Entrepreneur Since Its Establishment In 2017
Provided by Saratoga Economic Development Corp.
Inspire. Mentor. Accelerate. These core values drive Spark Saratoga to boost startup and emerging growth businesses, just as it did when a group of creative, technology, business and academic leaders came together to form its launch two years ago.
In April 2017, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), launched Spark Saratoga to activate a community of collaborators as Saratoga County’s first and only startup incubator and business accelerator. Its purpose is to promote, retain and grow new businesses and innovators and to accelerate business to encourage future growth to ensure Saratoga County and the broader region remains a vibrant place to live and do business.
Prosperity Partnership, Cooperative Extension Band To Help Food Industry Entrepreneurs
The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County are partnering to provide expertise and guidance to support entrepreneurs seeking to pursue growing business opportunities in the nation’s $6 trillion food industry.
“Recipe for Success: A Workshop for Food Entrepreneurs” will be presented on Thursday, April 11, at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s offices at 50 West High St. in Ballston Spa. The daylong program will provide important information on licensing, processing, packaging, marketing, pricing, and selling food products.
The workshop also includes the basics of successful small business management.
Home Inspections Important For Buyers And Sellers To Avoid Problems Like Mold, Radon
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jill Nagy
Today’s home inspectors have access to an array of technological assistants: thermal imaging cameras, radon cans, gas detectors and computer software to help put their findings into an illustrated report.
However, “the two things I use most are a flashlight and a screwdriver,” said Mike Feeder of Assured Home Inspectors in Hudson Falls. Feeder does inspections in Saratoga County and the North Country. He works out of his home.
“I have a home in my office,” Jolene Lomnes of Informative Home Inspections in South Glens Falls. She meets clients at the inspection site and will travel anywhere within 100 miles or so of the home base.
Feeder said he recently did an inspection in Missouri.
Typically, home inspectors have a background in construction. They are licensed by the state following a training course and are required to take 12 hours of continuing education a year. They must renew their licenses every two years.
Owners Of VRED Like Designing Living Spaces In Saratoga That Are New And Different
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Carmelo Vines and Harold Baldwin hope to bring home design to a new level in Saratoga Springs.
At VRED, the pair is bringing years of real estate experience and combining with a passion for designing. Vines said what may begin as an affordable fixer-upper property can become a dream home with the right amount of planning. He said he always wanted to design and has always had an eye for what a property could be when it comes to owning a home and loving it.