The state has launched a $50 million initiative to transform existing commercial high-rise buildings and multifamily buildings to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of these structures.
The challenge will advance low-carbon retrofit approaches resulting in heating and cooling solutions that will increase the comfort, sustainability, and energy performance of the state’s existing high-rise buildings, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, state officials said.
Buildings currently account for 45 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from fuel combustion and electric generation, officials said.
“New York is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing renewable energy resources that will grow our economy and advance our nation-leading plan to fight climate change,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “The Empire Building Challenge leverages public-private partnerships with leading industry experts and helps New York to continue its rich legacy of environmental stewardship in order to protect our natural resources for future generations.”
Through a comprehensive retrofitting process, infrastructure in existing buildings will be replaced with more energy efficient heating and cooling technologies and solutions, spurring new jobs and significant economic activity. According to a 2019 analysis by Urban Green Council, if all buildings choose efficiency to meet their carbon goals, the retrofit market opportunity in New York City could be over $20 billion by 2030 while creating over 100,000 jobs by 2030.
Camarro’s Huge Chocolate Fudge Business, Aided Recently By ‘Good Morning America’
Courtesy Sundaes Best
By Susan Elise Campbell
Katie Camarro says she has “the sweetest job in the world.”
She and husband Jeff Shinaman founded and co-own Sundaes Best, a brand of hot fudge sauces and other natural ingredient chocolate products that came right out of the family kitchen.
Camarro is a third generation Saratogian who spent most of her career with Toy Works in Washington County’s Middle Falls. As national sales manager she “loved the job” but knew she was “grossly underpaid,” she said.
This was 25 years ago, a challenging time because her father was ill and in the hospital. He sensed something was wrong when she visited him, and in one of their last conversations together he advised her, “think about doing something on your own.”
Stein Works Her Way From Cake Decorator To Owner Of Her Own Bakery Business
By Christine Graf
Leah’s Cakery, located in the historic West Side General Store building at 3 Curry Street in Round Lake, opened in 2013.
Owner Leah Stein worked as a cake decorator for the Bread Basket in Saratoga Springs before owning her own shop. Prior to that, Stein worked as a park ranger and environmental educator.
When Stein made the decision to change professions, she enrolled in the culinary program at Schenectady County Community College (SCCC). The Lake George native comes from what she describes as a “culinary inspired” family, and she fell in love with baking as a young girl. It was while making custom cakes as a side job while working in environmental science that she decided to pursue baking full time.
“I grew up in a tourist town with tons of entrepreneurs around me,” she said. “A lot of people had their own businesses, and it was always something that was in the back of mind as an attainable goal.”
Marijo English Opens First Indoor Park In Saratoga Springs For People To Walk Dogs
©2020 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Lisa Balschunat
A 19-year concert event merchandiser from California, who has lived in Saratoga Springs since 2016, is now the owner of the first indoor dog park in the city.
Marijo English wanted to give pet owners a much-needed alternative to rainy, snowy or sub-zero walks for their canine pets. The building also provides an opportunities for training, grooming and year-round socialization.
English, owner of Chow Bella, 50 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs, created the business out of necessity for her pet beagle and convenience for herself. She was looking to do something new.
“I was tired of the high stress and traveling. I moved to Saratoga four years ago. I looked into franchises, but none of them are social places,” she said.
Welcome Relief Massage Therapy Relocates, Moves From Malta To Space In Ballston Spa
By Christine Graf
Welcome Relief Massage Therapy recently relocated from Malta to 160 Milton Ave. in Ballston Spa.
The business specializes in various types of therapeutic massage including traditional, deep tissue, Swedish, hot stone, couples, and pregnancy. Welcome Relief also offers neuromuscular therapy, a type of soft tissues massage that treats underlying causes of chronic pain, and reflexology, the application of pressure to areas of the feet.
Owner Jennifer Narkiewicz is a graduate of the Center for Natural Wellness School of Massage Therapy in Albany. The Buffalo native and longtime Malta resident pursued a career in massage therapy in 2007. Prior to that, she worked for about 20 years as an administrative assistant.
“I got into massage therapy because I really wanted to help people,” she said. “Massage therapy can profoundly impact people and make them feel better. I really like being able to take people from a pain point and get them to where they are functioning and feeling better. Some people are able to wean themselves off of medication because they are no longer in pain. It’s very rewarding.”
Business Briefs: October 2020
The Adirondack Trust Co. has again secured a 5-Star rating from BauerFinancial, a bank rating firm.
A five-star rating indicates that the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. Earning and maintaining this top rating for 57 consecutive quarters puts Adirondack Trust in the most prestigious bracket as an exceptional performance bank.
BauerFinancial, Inc., based in Coral Gables, Fla., has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution can pay for or opt-out of a BauerFinancial rating.
* * *
The Academy for Lifelong Learning is the recipient of a $3,500 grant from the Stewart’s/Dake Family for COVID-19 relief support. The funds are being used to convert in-person educational classes and social activities to virtual offerings through Zoom.
Twenty classes, most by Zoom, are currently being offered during the Academy’s fall semester and continue through early November. A first-ever winter term is also being planned to start Jan. 11 with registration in November. A spring term will begin in early April. Annual membership through June 30, 2021 is $65. Eight-week classes are offered at $50 and four-week classes are $25.
Adirondack Orthodontics Opens Its Fifth Location On Broad Street In Glens Falls
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Opening a fifth location seemed like a natural progression for Adirondack Orthodontics, a locally owned and operated orthodontic practice that serves patients across the Capital Region.
The newest office at 88 Broad St. in Glens Falls is now part of the largest locally owned and operated practices in the Capital District region.
As the founder of the practice, Dr. Sergey Berenshteyn said he had many patients travelling from northern Saratoga and Warren counties down to his Clifton Park office. Opening up a spot that was closer for those travelling south down the Northway for care seemed like an obvious decision to make.
“I knew we already had a client base in that area and I knew going to Glens Falls would not only make it easier for those patients but it would also allow for us to bring in new patients in the more northern areas,” said Berenshteyn.
Berenshteyn said the new location needed some renovations but nothing major. The office is part of a suite that opened up and was recommended to him by a friend who was already there practicing pediatric dentistry.
Company Gets Contract For Work At Arsenal
M J Engineering and Land Surveying PC in Clifton was awarded a $9.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for general architect engineering services and sustainment; renovation and modernization projects primarily within Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.
The contract can include work anywhere in the North Atlantic Division boundaries, according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers new release.
Bids were solicited via the Internet with eight received. Work location and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 21, 2022.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the contracting entity.
The project will be conducted through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, focusing on renovations and modernization to parts of the arsenal.
Stewart’s Open New Store In Clifton Park Aimed At Serving Southbound Route 9 Traffic
Courtesy Stewart’s Shops
By Jennifer Farnsworth
A new Stewart’s Shop has opened on Route 9 in Clifton Park. The 3,700-square-foot shop has a massive pumpkin out front and the company is asking customers to guess its weight by Oct. 19 to win a prize.
“A giant pumpkin was delivered the first week in October. Customers can guess the weight for a $100 My Money card to stock up on all their favorite fall flavors,” said Stewart’s Public Relations Specialist Erica Komoroske.
Stewart’s purchased the property at 1740 Route 9 from Clifton Park Hotel Associates LLC, owners of the Residence Inn by Marriott for $630,000. They are also planning to open six more locations, bringing their store count to 343.
“There were a lot of considerations when choosing this location. The resident and business growth in Clifton Park were key, along with the traffic north-south of Route 9. We didn’t have a shop to serve the southbound traffic. This shop fills that void,” she said.
Viscusi Builders Plans To Construct Some 68 Condos, Two Commercial Buildings In Malta
By Jill Nagy
Viscusi Builders has filed a site plan with the Malta Planning Board for a development consisting of 68 residential condominiums and two commercial buildings consisting of 1,700 square feet of space.
The project would be build on a 6.8-acre site at the corner of Copper Ridge Drive and Route 9, near the western access road to GlobalFoundries.
Company head Zelindo Viscusi estimated that construction would start in about a year, if everything is approved. The land is currently zoned for commercial use.
“It’s a great area with a lot of infrastructure,” he noted, “I’m surprised it has been siting there for a few years now,” he said.