Category Archives: Business News

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) presented a $20,000 donation to several nonprofit organizations as a result of a joint initiative with Saratoga Springs to raise funds for the community through the sale of limited-edition Saratoga Race Course face masks.
The campaign, which launched in mid-June and was immediately met with high demand from racing fans, raised a total of $20,000 which will be divided evenly between AIM Services Inc., Franklin Community Center, Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).
NYRA worked with Mayor Meg Kelly to identify the program’s four beneficiaries, which provide food, shelter and other critical resources during a time of increased need resulting from the coronavirus global health pandemic. A portion of proceeds from all mask sales was donated to the nonprofits.
“It was great to see this level of support for a campaign that not only serves as a unique sign of the times, but benefits the collective health of the Saratoga community in so many ways,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “We thank our fans for their enthusiasm surrounding the face masks, as well as Mayor Kelly and the City of Saratoga Springs for their continued partnership and leadership.”
“We are all grateful to NYRA and the Saratoga mask initiative for helping us ‘Mask Up’ and raise funds for four of our local non-profits,” said Kelly. “NYRA has demonstrated once again their commitment to the safety and well-being of our entire community. When we get through this, we will be able to look back with pride on the many ways the community pulled together. NYRA’s example is just one of many that make Saratoga Springs such a special place to live, work and visit.”

By Jill Nagy
Bruce Tanski Construction & Development, already a major player in southern Saratoga County, has plans in the works for several more projects.
Tanski has already built more than 2,000 single-family homes and apartments. New ventures include the first development under Halfmoon’s cluster zoning law, as well as a new townhouse development, also in Halfmoon, and senior housing in Stillwater.
Hank’s Hollow, the cluster development, if approved, would consist of 106 single-family homes on Staniak Road, he said. The houses would be in a cluster of 12,000-square-foot lots.

By Warren Evans
During the lockdown, there is some good news.
Pollution levels during the height of the pandemic lockdown fell dramatically because of the lack of economic activity and the interruption of worldwide travel.
The question is this: As we recover from the pandemic, is there anything we as individuals can do to maintain these low pollution levels with little or no sacrifice?
We believe the answer is yes, it is possible. On a personal level, while you were locked down you probably noticed many great things about your home, on the other hand, if you’re like me you also saw a lot of things you needed to fix or change. You can start out by getting a home comfort and energy assessment and completing the recommended solutions. That’s the way each of us can begin to lock in some of the benefits of the low pollution levels we saw during the lockdown and help to achieve an overall sustainable and resilient global recovery.

On the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, the state is involved in an effort to stabilize and preserve the childhood home of prominent 19th century women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony in Washington County.
The work at the 1832 two-story brick home on Route 29 in Battenville, where Anthony lived from ages 13 to 19, includes repairs to the roof, masonry and drainage, as well as mold remediation and water damage.
“New York has been the birthplace to many of the progressive movements that have left an indelible mark on our society while pushing the nation forward and particularly for women’s suffrage, which began at Seneca Falls and included legendary New Yorkers such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and so many more,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, we must also recognize there is more work to be done.”

The Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga Spa State Park re-opened Aug. 1 with the implementation of a comprehensive health and safety program.
The hotel has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials said the hotel has adopted the Rest Assured—Commitment to Care program, developed by Delaware North, which operates the Gideon Putnam for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. It features new health and safety standards aimed at helping keep guests and employees safe while slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our guests and employees, and our Rest Assured program is focused on that,” said John Howard, general manager of the Gideon Putnam for Delaware North. “We’ve re-engineered our operating procedures to minimize contact risk and bolstered hygiene protocols to meet or exceed best-practice guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
The Gideon Putnam suspended service on March 23.
The Rest Assured program standards and procedures include:
• Ensuring our operating standards uphold current social distancing guidelines as directed by local and state regulators and in compliance with the CDC.

By Christine Graf
Hudson Valley Community College is responding to the skilled labor shortage in the area and across the state by pursuing plans to build a new $65 million facility for skilled trades education.
The proposed 130,000-square-foot Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) will allow the college to expand its training of the skilled technical workforce.
A capital campaign is underway, and a concept plan of the project has been prepared by JMZ Architects and Planners of Glens Falls.
Construction of ATEC, a net energy zero building, is in the planning phase. The architectural bidding process will begin in one to two months.