New York state has made $4.2 million available to support programs providing training to building operations and maintenance workers on best practices to reduce energy use and energy bills in buildings across the state.

The funding will advance the state’s goal to transition to 50 percent renewables by 2030 and reduce energy use in buildings by 23 percent over 1990 levels, officials said.

“This training is a win-win that will help businesses lower operating costs, reduce energy use and help New York fight climate change,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “With this funding, we are taking one more step toward a cleaner, greener and more sustainable New York for all.”

He said the funding is part of a broader statewide effort under the Clean Energy Fund to offer customized technical assistance to increase energy efficiency and drive greater use of renewable energy resources in commercial, industrial, multifamily and institutional buildings, and schools. This training will help advance the state’s clean energy efforts because as energy use is reduced in buildings, fewer renewable energy resources will be needed to reach the 50 percent renewables goal.

More than $170 million in federal funds that could have been sent to other states will be returned to Upstate New York to expand broadband and high speed internet service, state officials announced on Jan. 27.

The bipartisan effort was announced by  Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer, and Rep. Chris Collins.

“This is huge news for rural communities all across Upstate New York. From the very beginning, I was very clear with the FCC that this $170 million belongs strictly to New York and should be kept here,” said Schumer.  “The federal government’s job should be to invest not divest in Upstate New York’s internet access.”

He said other broadband companies in Upstate New York “will now have the opportunity to work with the state in order to bid on this funding to improve Upstate’s broadband access.  As long as I’m Senator, I will never let New Yorkers access to broadband suffer just because one carrier chose not to invest in New York.”

“Access to rural broadband is crucial for Western New Yorkers,” said Collins. “We have tirelessly fought to keep this money in New York State and I am excited for Western New Yorkers that the FCC listened. This money is a critical investment in New York’s future.”

Officials said several telecommunications companies are using federal investment from the Connect America Fund to expand broadband Upstate, but one national carrier did not accept the money it was allocated. The Federal Communications Commission wanted to take this unused money from New York and bid it out nationally.

The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership will host a small business workshop series  designed for people who are thinking about starting their own business or are ready to move their startup business to the next level.

Attendees will hear from experts on the things they should know, including how to build a business plan, financing options, and workforce development resources. The workshop will end with one-on-one sessions between the attendees and experts.

Workshop dates and locations include:

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce launched on Jan. 30 a first-ever digital ad campaign to promote the Job Zone portion of its website.

The Job Zone is a local site with full-, part-time and seasonal jobs posted by the Chamber’s 2,000-plus members.

This site currently has about 20,000 unique views per month largely from local people looking for new opportunities and people considering relocating to Saratoga County, according to Chamber officials.

The site is free for Chamber members to post as many jobs as they have open. It is also free for job seekers to look at the job openings online at any time.

Besides jobs, nonprofit organizations that are members can also post volunteer opportunities.