By Christine Graf
Since opening its U.S. headquarters in downtown Saratoga Springs in 2009, Natural Power has been providing renewable energy consulting services to customers throughout the country.
The Scotland-based company has worked on projects in 42 countries.
According to Jim Adams, president of North America operations, Natural Power works on large-scale utility generating systems and focuses primarily on wind and solar projects. They have engineers, atmospheric scientists, ecologists, and biologists on staff.
The company specializes in risk assessment of renewable energy projects. Their client base includes large banks and private equity firms. For these clients, Natural Power functions as what Adams describes as independent engineers.
Veteran Homebuilder, Noted Horse Owner, Building Homes In Oak Ridge Development
By Susan Elise Campbell
The second phase of Oak Ridge, a luxury housing development nestled between Saratoga Lake and Saratoga Race Course, will be constructed by Beechwood Homes under the leadership of founder Mike Dubb and his son and partner, Steven Dubb.
The project will add 53 homes with prices ranging from $850,000 to $2 million-plus. After 35 years building thousands of single-family homes downstate, this is Beechwood’s first project in the Saratoga area.
The subdivision’s original developer was J. Snyder Builders, who approached Dubb about continuing the project Jeff Snyder had started with 40 homes.
County To Sell Downtown Saratoga Property, Offering It To City First Before Developers
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Christine Graf
Saratoga County will vacate its offices at 31 Woodlawn Ave. in Saratoga Springs by mid-August and put a well-placed piece of downtown real estate up for sale and potential development.
The county has occupied the two-story brick building since the 1970s. It was most recently home to public safety, public health, emergency service and probation offices.
Those offices have relocated to the Public Safety Building in Milton, a 63,000-square-foot structure that was constructed to house the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department and the Saratoga County 911 Communications Center.
According to Saratoga County Supervisor Matthew Veitch, the county’s Building and Grounds committee met on July 14 to discuss the Woodlawn Avenue property. The building sits on 0.5 acres of prime real estate in downtown Saratoga Springs.
Business Report: Downsizing Your Home For Retirement
By Jenna Burger
You and your spouse got married, bought a home, and raised three beautiful children. You’ve lived and loved your home for 30 years, but the kids have moved out and started their own families.
Now you’re living in the 2,500 square foot home, half of which you don’t use other than the five times a year when “the kids” come to visit. The question arises, why do we have all this space when most of it rarely gets used? Does it make sense to downsize? What opportunities can come about if we let this large home go? What are the pros and cons of downsizing as we are planning on retirement?
There is a lot to consider with downsizing. Whether a house, townhome, or apartment, moving to a smaller space can have its challenges, but if planned well, the next chapter of your life can bring less maintenance and more fun. When relocating to a space that is a fraction of the size, there is a great likelihood that you’ll need to reduce the amount of furniture and decor that has been collected over the years.
‘Smooth Transitions’ Helps Seniors Downsize Homes On The Way To New Living Situations
By Susan Elise Campbell
When time comes for a senior citizen to downsize or enter assisted living, the physical and emotional aspects are more taxing than for someone who had fewer memories connected to their home.
Regardless of age or time spent at their address, many people desire a smooth transition between their current residence and the next place they’ll call home. That is what Barbara Morris set out to provide when she started Smooth Transitions locally in 1998, now a national company with 44 offices.
Keith Reed is president of one—the New York licensee of the company Morris originally incorporated as Moving for Seniors. He said the name was changed to reflect both the broader demographic served and the types of assistance the company has evolved to provide.
Like the company’s founder, Reed said, “My philosophy, too, is to help folks out. With five counties in the Capital District, there are enough people to help around the area.”
His area includes Saratoga and Warren counties and he can also provide service in Washington County if situations arise.
Officials Say Senior Population Is Becoming Vibrant Part Of The Business Community
By Susan Elise Campbell
As the 50-plus population continues to rise, communities are experiencing seniors as a vibrant demographic.
This is not a generation for rocking chairs and knitting needles. Today’s retirees are contributing to the economy in unexpected ways, not only rejoining the work force but also traveling extensively and giving generously to charity, officials say. a
In Saratoga County the senior population is one of the fastest growing in the state, according to Lois Celeste, executive director of the Saratoga Senior Center. There are more than 55,000 in this age group who are primarily mortgage-free homeowners with access to assets and credit.
“I am amazed at the number of companies knocking on our door to approach the center and our seniors,” said Celeste. “Businesses are popping up everywhere to serve the senior market. They come from diverse industries like health care, transportation, tourism, financial services, automotive, housing, law, and many others that the older population touches.”
Business Report: 2020 Will Not Be Forgotten
By david kopyc
In January of this year, I wrote an article about what I anticipated for the stock market in the year 2020. In that article, I mentioned a Black Swan Event and little did I know that it would come to fruition.
The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on investors, employers, employees, deficit spending and the possibility our lives may have changed forever. Words such as social distancing, masks, freedom, travel, congregations, concerts, etc., have all taken on a new meaning to all of us. We will all look back at this event in our lives with different thoughts, opinions, and memories, whether they be good or bad.
As I write this article, the NASDAQ has just hit an all time high, and the Dow and S&P 500 are a few points shy of reaching their all time high. I bring this up because so many individuals went to cash when the pandemic came roaring into our lives and the doom and gloom that was predicted has not come to Wall Street that so many of the Monday Morning Quarterbacks said would happen.
Geico Office Allows Safe Space For Dealing With Customers During Virus Pandemic
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Geico’s new Central Avenue location in Albany came at the perfect time for insurance agent Rick Schrade.
The relocation may not seem like a major change, but Schrade said the new space has allowed him to open up in a safe way that is pandemic ready. The office reopened in late June.
“The new space has really given us the capability to create something that is safe for our employees and for our customers,” he said.
The agency moved in late spring. When the coronavirus pandemic hit they immediately got to work, making sure to meet health and safety precautions that were being asked of them, according to Schrade.
“We’re now fully open and ready for people to come in and shop for a policy that works for them,” he said.
In response to the coronavirus, Schrade said some of the safety precautions include contactless photo inspections, daily temperature checks for employees, frequent hand washing and disinfecting surfaces on a regular basis. The new lobby includes ceiling-to-floor plexiglass.
“We really invested into ensuring that the health and safety of our office was our top priority. The new 5,000 square foot location has really been a bright spot for us. The space allows us to be socially distant, have cubicles for our employees, and really be spaced out in a safe way,” said Schrade.
He said the pandemic has had a financial impact on not only his office, but insurance nationwide. While people are looking to find ways to save money within personal and family budgets, saving on insurance is something many people seem to overlook.
Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill Plans Expansion, Buys More Property Adjacent To Premises
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By Susan Elise Campbell
The Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill at 9 Gridley St. in Saratoga Springs, near Saratoga Race Course, has long been a favorite place to be after track for drinks, meals, and entertainment outside.
Owner Daniel Drellos said recent changes, along with some plans in the works, will make the outdoor service larger and easier to get around—critical in the era of social distancing.
“We have always had a good following,” said Drellos, whose two business partners, Brandon Drellos and Charlie Hoertkorn, also co-own Caroline Street Pub with him. Even with the racetrack closed to spectators, “it can get congested at happy hour in the summer.”
The team has secured approval for plans to expand the entire bar area and to increase the size of the bar itself to 70 or 80 feet long “so that people can get around it and to it,” he said. “We will put in a new tent and new outdoor coolers and change the look of the bar.”
Sen. Schumer Urges Passage Of Bill To Help Tech Companies Like GlobalFoundries
Following his unveiling of the bipartisan American Foundries Act and his push to include major federal support for the U.S. microelectronics industry, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer stood with GlobalFoundries CEO Tom Caulfield in Malta, to call for swift passage of an act that would help tech companies.
The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes the provisions from the Senator’s bill to continue U.S. leadership and revitalize innovation in the global microelectronics sector.
Schumer said the bipartisan legislation, among other things, will launch federal initiative into semiconductor manufacturing, including companies like GlobalFoundries, by providing new federal incentives to conduct advanced research and development of semiconductor technology, secure the supply chain, and ensure national and economic security by reducing reliance on foreign semiconductor manufacturing.
The amendment passed in the Senate 96-4 as part of the Senate-passed NDAA which now awaits final consideration and passage.
Schumer called it a major step forward in providing unprecedented support for the U.S. semiconductor industry and creating opportunities to bring hundreds of jobs to Saratoga County and Upstate New York.