NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan marketplace, as experienced “overwhelming success” with New York’s Small Business Marketplace (SBM) following implementation of a simplified enrollment process and the addition of thousands of new plan options in April 2018, according to the Department of Health.
Since then, the number of small employers participating in the SBM has grown to 12,219, an increase of 465 percent, officials said. Greater plan choice and easier access to the federal Small Business Health Care Tax Credit have contributed to the rapid growth.
Albany Med Biomedical Research Arm Will Get Boost From $250K National Grid Grant
A regional economic initiative to bring biomedical innovations to market was awarded a $250,000 economic development grant from National Grid.
The Biomedical Acceleration and Commercialization Center (BACC) at Albany Medical College received a grant from National Grid to provide direct financial assistance to BACC biomedical start-up companies for commercialization needs and access to experts. It will also help support the BACC’s entrepreneurs in the arenas of clinical trials, prototype development, marketing and hiring consultants for regulatory needs, officials said.
Mexican Restaurant ‘Mi Rancho’ Opens In Main Street Building In South Glens Falls
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
For people looking for authentic Mexican food, Jose Magdalena says to look no further than South Glens Falls.
Magdalena, owner of Mi Rancho, said his restaurant serves cuisine that is a taste of Mexico in upstate New York.
Saratoga Casino Hotel Presents Four Team Members With Awards At Annual Banquet
Courtesy Saratoga Casino Hotel
Saratoga Casino Hotel honored the exceptional performance of four top team members during an annual awards banquet on Feb. 25 in the hotel ballroom.
Over 125 were in attendance for this year’s event.
Awards were presented to: Dan Dyer, restaurant chef, Leader of Distinction; Sarah Kittle, housekeeping manager, Supervisor of the Year: Scott Walrath, audio/video maintenance technician, and Linda Osuchowski, guest service representative, Team Members of the Year.
BNI Winners Circle Chapter In Saratoga Passes The $1 Million Mark For Business In 2018
Courtesy BNI Winners Circle Chapter
BNI’s Winners Circle Chapter in Saratoga Springs was recognized for passing $1,121,944 in business in 2018.
The ceremony took place at the Hyatt Place in Malta during International Networking Week in February. BNI is the world’s largest networking organization. There are two chapters in Saratoga Springs.
38 Business Leaders Attend Learning LABs
Elliott Masie, an international learning analyst and curator, hosted 38 corporate leaders from around the world at his Learning Innovations LAB last week in Saratoga Springs.
As business and work changes, the format and style of workplace learning must innovate to leverage new technologies and methodologies to upskill employees, according to Masie.
Maple Weekend Highlights Work Of Maple Syrup Farms In Area And Across The State
Courtesy NYS Maple Producers Association
The New York State Maple Producers Association is holding their Maple Weekend events in March. In Washington County, events will take place March 23-24 and 30-31.
Some are extending events to March 16-17 as well.
During Maple Weekend, maple farms across New York state invite visitors to their “sugar houses” to experience firsthand how pure, mouth-watering maple syrup and other related products are made.
DeCrescente Becomes Exclusive Distributor For Shmaltz Brewing Co. Products In Region
DeCrescente Distributing Co. (DDC) has become the exclusive distributor of Shmaltz Brewing Co.’s award-winning core beers, as well as their special releases throughout the Capital Region.
DDC will distribute all draft and package versions of Shmaltz’s core beers, including their flagship Hop Manna IPA, a heavily dry hopped and unfiltered American IPA; Messiah Brown Ale, an American brown ale; Slingshot Lager, a dry hopped American craft lager; Hop Momma IPA, a New England-style IPA brewed with peach, apricot and a hint of habanero; and 518 Craft Foggy Goggles, a New England-style IPA.
“Shmaltz fits a unique niche in this market, having been brewed in Saratoga County since 2003,” said Russ Teplitzky, general manager at DDC. “Their award-winning selection and fun brand personality are a great addition to our world class craft beer portfolio.”
In addition to teaming up with DDC, Shmaltz recently transitioned all packaging into cans. There will be a limited release of Jewbelation 22 Anniversary Ale, a brown ale; No Shtick, a New England-style double IPA; and R.I.P.A. Rye Double IPA, brewed with malts and hops in 16-ounce cans for the first time.
Season At Saratoga Race Course Will Begin July 11, But Still Maintains 40 Days Of Racing
©2019 Saratoga Photographer.com
Updated 2/12/2019
The New York Racing Association has extended the summer racing season at Saratoga Race Course.
NYRA adjusted racing dates for the Belmont Park spring/summer meet and the Saratoga summer meet to ensure the continuity of racing operations in New York in light of proposed timelines for the construction of a new arena at Belmont Park, officials said.
The Saratoga meet will begin on July 11, but the number of racing days remains at 40. In the past, each Tuesday was a dark day when races were not held. This season, Monday and Tuesday will be dark days, except for Labor Day, which traditionally is the final day of the meet and will remain so.
According to NYRA, the adjustment is based on initial timelines presented by Empire State Development (ESD) and the New York Arena Partners (NYAP) for the potential construction of an arena for the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders at Belmont Park.
The construction timeline presented by ESD and NYAP through the public hearing process in early January indicates that work on the new arena at Belmont Park could begin as early as the second quarter of 2019, leading to potential disruption during morning training and afternoon racing. These changes to the racing calendar are designed to protect equine and human athletes, and to mitigate potential impact to horsemen and the backstretch community.
As approved by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), the Belmont Park spring/summer meet will feature a revised 48-day calendar to commence on Friday, April 26 and run through Sunday, July 7.
Annual Rotary Club Home & Lifestyle Show To Benefit Nonprofits And Youth Scholarships
Photo by Brian Carrol
The annual Saratoga Home & Lifestyle Show, the Saratoga Springs Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraiser since 1973, will take place March 1-3 at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Admission is free of charge, courtesy of the show’s major sponsor, Adirondack Trust Co. The Rotary Club accepts cash and coin donations at the event to benefit Franklin Community Center, a local nonprofit organization.
The show offers 120-plus Home and garden exhibitors plus the work of 25-plus regional artisans.
Now in its 46th year, it features 120 regional exhibitors showcasing a wide range of home improvement services, décor and furnishings, energy-saving products, outdoor living and landscaping, family recreation, and lifestyle products and services. On the City Center’s second floor, a fine art and craft event showcases artisans such painters, photographers, wood crafters, jewelers, and a winery, all with items for sale.