Category Archives: Business News

New York state has launched a New York Green Business program to formally recognize New York businesses operating sustainably and celebrate businesses that are implementing projects that go above and beyond relevant state laws and regulations to preserve and enhance New York’s environment.

NYGB members will benefit from the ability to market themselves as environmental leaders, receiving formal state recognition for their achievements, priority access to technical assistance and experts at the Pollution Prevention Institute, and access to a vast network of sustainability leaders.

“New York leads the nation in furthering environmental protections and supporting renewable energy, and we know that businesses and communities benefit from working together to build a cleaner, greener New York,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “The New York Green Business Program will encourage other businesses to pursue sustainable practices, attract new customers and foster sustainable innovation that will benefit everyone.”

To become a member of the NYGB a business must:

• Have a good record of compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

• Make commitments to projects that will lower their environmental footprint.

• Communicate their commitment to sustainability to their customers and employees.

Sustainable business practices include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and water use, decreasing the use of toxic chemicals, procuring green products and local products, incorporating zero emissions vehicles into their fleets, installing EV chargers and renewables, and more.

The Town of Ballston has received a $200,000 Microenterprise Grant targeted to small business start-ups, agribusinesses and commercial enterprises with five or fewer employees.

The money comes from the state Community Development Block Grant program. Approved businesses may be eligible for a minimum $5,000 to maximum $35,000 award, according to Ballston Town Board member and program liaison Kelly Stewart.

Each microenterprise business must be either owned by a person of low to moderate income or the project must result in the creation of at least one full-time equivalent position to benefit a low-to-moderate income person. The grant can fund up to 90 percent of the total project cost.

“The micro-enterprise grant program is an excellent opportunity for small businesses in Ballston,” said Stewart. “We look forward to helping entrepreneurs start up or expand their businesses in our town.”

The LA Group in Saratoga Springs is assisting the town in the administration of the grant application process. The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County will provide the necessary entrepreneurial training for recipients of the award.

“The training component of the program that the Chamber will provide is mandatory and is a crucial component to the enduring success of the entrepreneurs who participate in the program,” said Jim Martin, senior planner and economic development specialist for the LA Group.

The Saratoga Economic Development Corp. (SEDC), along with the Saratoga-Warren-Washington Workforce Development Board and the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES, are collaborating with employers and school districts to launch the inaugural annual Career Jam.

The event, to be held at HVCC’s TEC-SMART, 345 Hermes Road, Ballston Spa, on Oct. 25 in Malta, aims to promote area job opportunities to raise awareness among eighth and ninth grade students, their families and educators of the direct skills and jobs needed in the region.

Organizers said highlighting these job options earlier can help influence student education and training choices and retain their talents to fill local jobs that can drive future growth.

“We are excited to partner with key stakeholders in business and education to deliver this first-of-its-kind event in our region,” said Dennis Brobston, president of SEDC. “This student-employer exchange is in direct response to the voiced concerns of business leaders and educators wanting to better align skills development with needed workplace job opportunities.

“The number one challenge for businesses of all sectors and sizes in recent years is finding workplace ready employees. By collaborating with area school districts, the regional BOCES, and the area Workforce Development Board, we identified from our friends in the North Country this fun, engaging method to bring young people and employers together.”

The Adirondack Trust Co. Community Fund announced launched its fifth Autumn of Giving Match Campaign on Oct. 1. The campaign brings together the ATC Community Fund, Adirondack Trust Co.  and community-minded individuals and businesses to raise donations to benefit the Fund’s annual, local, charitable Lend-A-Hand Grant Program.

The campaign’s goal is to raise a minimum of $50,000 in donations from the community, similar to the results of last year’s match campaign, officials said.

Contributions are derived from donations, fund raising initiatives sponsored by generous local business campaign partners, and sponsorship/ticket sales for the signature event, An Evening of Autumn of Giving, which will be held at Longfellow’s on Wednesday, Oct. 25.

Adirondack Trust will match all money raised during the month of October.

Speaking on behalf of the ATC Advisory Committee, volunteer chairwoman Caroline Putman said the campaign offers an opportunity for all contributors “to ‘double’ their money for their community with their donations for this campaign. We are extremely grateful to the Community Fund’s supporters that have been with us since the beginning, and those that have since joined. With community members participating in our business partners’ innovative October events, everyone can add even more.”