Category Archives: Business News

Ferraro, Amodio, Zarecki CPAs Specializes In Fraud And Financial Investigation Services

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The staff at Ferraro, Amodio and Zarecki CPAs in Saratoga Springs focuses its tax expertise in the field of forensics accounting, including fraud and financial investigations.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Steve Ferraro said people who call his accounting firm during tax season will not find basic tax preparation services.

Instead, in calling Ferraro, Amodio and Zarecki CPAs, they will have contacted an office that has focused its tax expertise in a different direction–forensics accounting.

Ferraro said the specialized service his firm provides is not only greatly utilized, keeping him and his partners more than busy, but one that is exciting as well.

Ferraro and his partners, Charles Amodio and Paul Zarecki, are all certified public accountants that specialize in fraud and financial investigations. The firm opened an office at 18 Division St., Suite 413, in Saratoga Springs earlier this summer. Ferraro said the location was an obvious win for both he and his colleagues.

Windsor Development Group Has Plans For A Hotel, Apartments, Retail Space In Clifton Park

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

By Jill Nagy

Windsor Development in Clifton Park is planning a large development that will consist of a walkable town center clustered along Route 67 east of Northway Exit 12 in Malta.

Bob Miller Sr., the company’s CEO, has filed plans with the town for a hotel, 11 apartment buildings and at least four retail complexes, to be built on 46 acres the developer owns.

Windsor has owned the land for 10 years and plans to develop it gradually, Miller said.

NYSERDA Has $16M For Energy-Efficient Homes, Building Projects Across NY State

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has $16 million available to support the design and construction of new energy-efficient housing and to complete similar improvements in existing buildings across New York state.

State officials said homes and buildings that take advantage of this support are projected to see annual energy cost savings of more than $9 million and total lifetime savings of as much as $180 million, as well as improved household comfort and indoor air quality.

“Ensuring New York’s buildings are constructed to the highest standards of energy efficiency is crucial to both our long-term sustainability and prosperity of the state,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “Smart choices about efficiency can simultaneously save money and protect the environment. This investment promotes that principle in order to build healthy communities and save consumers hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Approximately $8 million will be offered to housing developers and builders of low-rise housing, including single-family homes and multi-unit buildings generally three stories or less, through NYSERDA’s Low-rise Residential New Construction program. The other $8 million will be offered to housing developers and builders of mid- and high-rise housing, generally multi-unit buildings of four stories or more, through NYSERDA’s Multifamily New Construction program.

Officials said approximately 75 percent of the entire $16 million in funding is designated for housing for low- to moderate-income residents, who are most vulnerable to high energy cost burdens and whose homes are often especially susceptible to the impacts of extreme weather.

Emily Wright Is Administrator At Malta Med Emergent Care, Joint Venture Of Two Hospitals

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Emily Wright oversees all Malta Med Emergent Care operations and staff.

Courtesy Malta Med Emergent Care

Emily Wright was appointed site administrator at Malta Med Emergent Care, a joint venture of Albany Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital.

The two hospitals opened Malta Med, at 6 Medical Park Drive in Malta in June 2013 to provide residents of southern Saratoga County with easy access to high-quality urgent and emergent care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In her new role, Wright is responsible for all Malta Med operations–emergent care, medical imaging, and laboratory services–and provides oversight over all staff, while working with emergency medicine physicians from Albany Medical Center, as well as healthcare providers from Saratoga Hospital.

“We are happy to appoint an experienced, clinical professional such as Emily as Malta Med’s site administrator to help ensure that we continue to provide high-quality care to Saratoga County residents,” said Dr. Steven Frisch, senior executive vice president for the integrated delivery system at Albany Medical Center and Chair of Healthcare Partners of Saratoga.

Saratoga County Gets $600,000-Plus To Get Better Access To Nutrition Services For Seniors

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Some $74.6 million in state and federal funding has been set aside for New York state’s 59 county-based agencies on aging, it was announced Aug. 30.

The money will be used to support programs that improve older individuals’ access to nutritional and disease prevention services.

State officials said these services currently help more than 238,000 older New Yorkers prevent or reduce the effect of chronic disease associated with diet and weight; strengthen the link between nutrition and physical activity for a healthy lifestyle; and improve access to nutritional information, education, counseling, and healthy foods.

This year’s commitment will generate an additional $98.3 million in funding from municipalities, plus an additional $11.5 million in direct voluntary contributions from program participants, officials said.

Of that amount, Saratoga County will receive $646,554.

“New Yorkers help their neighbors in their time of need and, with this funding, we will help ensure some of our most vulnerable citizens are not in danger of going hungry, maintain their health, and manage or reduce chronic diseases,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “I thank the members of New York’s Congressional delegation for their efforts to secure this funding.”

The nutritional needs of older adults become more critical with advancing age, officials said. Poor diet and physical inactivity are among the leading causes of disability among Americans, and cause one-third of premature deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Spa Garment Care Opens Its First Storefront In The Hamlet At The Fresh Market Plaza

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Spa Garment Care, a dry cleaning company in Saratoga County for eight years, recently opened this retail drop-off store in The Hamlet in Fresh Market Plaza.

By Maureen Werther

Spa Garment Care, a dry cleaning company that has been providing valet services throughout Saratoga County for eight years, recently opened a retail drop-off store in The Hamlet in Fresh Market Plaza.

For owner Tom Nigro, who has been in the dry cleaning business for 20 years, this is the company’s first retail location. Its main cleaning facility is located in Clifton Park.

Opening the store was the next step in the process for Nigro’s business and something that he has wanted to do for a long time.

“While our valet services are still doing extremely well, in order to grow a business, you have to have a storefront,” he said.

Wesley Community To Expand Its Activities Program With The Help Of A $6,000 Grant

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

In an initiative to enhance and expand its existing resident activities program, Wesley Health Care Center Inc., part of The Wesley Community, has been awarded a $6,000 grant from the Marjorie Rockwell Fund for the Disabled of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

The grant will fund new equipment and supplies for the program and expand the number of resident trips and activities for the next year.

The resident activities program at Wesley Health Care Center provides a year-round program of activities and outings for long-term care residents. Officials said the grant funding will help the program through the purchase of a portable sound system to improve sound quality of musical programs and lectures. In addition, equipment–such as a grill and gardening planters–will expand the outdoor opportunities for residents through the program.

Kitchen equipment is also to be augmented to offer residents expanded opportunities for baking with assistance from staff. Additionally, the grant will allow for expansion of both on-site performances and community-based outings and trips for one year.

'Grandeville At Malta' Development To Consist Of Apartments And Townhomes Near Exit 12

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

This is a rendering of one of the apartment buildings in the Grandeville at Malta development that will be located south of Northway Exit 12 on the west side of Route 9.

Courtesy Morgan Communities

By Maureen Werther

Two Rochester-based property management and development companies have partnered to build a new residential community in Malta.

Grandeville at Malta will consist of one-, two- and three-bedroom bedroom apartments and townhomes, with the first units available for occupancy by Nov. 1. The project began about a year ago and, when completed, will have a total of 18 buildings.

The leasing office, located at 1 Hemphill Place, is handling layout selection and pre-leasing.

According to Jonathan Katlan, regional manager for national property management company Morgan Communities, the pre-leasing phase is going well and they expect to have one building per month become available for occupancy between November and May of 2017.

107-Suite Hotel Opens In Malta, Adding Another Option For Visitors To Saratoga County

September 8, 2016November 8, 2017

This is a rendering of the Home2 Suites Hotel by Hilton that will be built at 103 Saratoga Village Boulevard in Malta. It will have 107 suites, plus amenities.

Courtesy Malta Commons Hotel LLC

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Visitors to Saratoga Springs have another hotel option with the opening of Home2 Suites Hotel by Hilton.

The hotel chain landed a location at 103 Saratoga Village Boulevard in Malta, allowing for easy access to Saratoga Springs, Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga State Park, SPAC, museums, and the restaurant and retail district.

The 107-suite hotel is designed to meet the needs of travelers during the height of the city’s busy months.

Adrian Kurre, global head of Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton, said the decision to build in Saratoga was an easy one to make.

NYRA Privatization Still In Limbo, But 2015 Was Another Solvent Year; 2016 Track Improved

August 4, 2016November 8, 2017

Laoban, a 27-1 long shot, wins his first race on July 30 at Saratoga Race Course, which was the Jim Dandy Stakes. NYRA said opening day this season saw an all-sources handle of $17.8 million.

Courtesy NYRA

By R.J. DeLuke

Matt Jones, chairman of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, mentioned at the Chamber’s breakfast meeting in July at Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant and Conference Center, that pushing the plan to privatize the New York Racing Association (NYRA) “was not fully successful, but that effort will continue.”

It was one of few mentions of the situation regarding NYRA, which controls the three major thoroughbred horse racing tracks in the state–Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct.

The board was to revert to private, nonprofit status in 2015 and again this year. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo has not liked the proposed bills and has proposed capping the amount of money that would go to track operations.

That spawned the creation of Concerned Citizens for Saratoga Racing which is lobbying, with the support of the Chamber, to push re-privatization while ensuring steady funding.

A new agreement extended state control until October 2017.

Jones remarks were made prior to the keynote address by Chris Kay, CEO of NYRA, who spoke mainly about improvements made for the 2016 season, which is in progress, having begun on July 22.