Week in Review: January 17 – 21, 2022
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CEG IN THE NEWS
IBM: BM and 40+ business and academic leaders urge Congress to act on semiconductor crisis
WNYT News 13: Capital Region’s craft beverage industry grows despite pandemic
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Full ‘green’ ahead for Port of Albany offshore wind development facility
“Gov. Kathy Hochul stood alongside U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, Congressman Paul Tonko and other elected officials from the Port of Albany on a cold Friday morning to announce the finalization of contracts between the New York state Energy Research and Development Authority and Empire Wind Offshore LLC and Beacon Wind LLC on, Jan. 14.
Each contract a 50-50 partnership between Equinor and bp, for the Empire Wind 2 and Beacon Wind offshore wind projects, representing a key milestone in the advancement of offshore wind development in New York.”
Voluntary gamers are building Albany into Minecraft
“Minecraft lovers may soon be able to wander around a virtual Albany.
A voluntary group of builders associated with Build the Earth Northeast USA is building the city and other parts of the Capital Region into the game.”
Bucks County Biscotti In Pennsylvania Plans To Open Shop In The Airport Industrial Park
“Bucks County Biscotti, a family-owned biscotti bakery, is moving forward with plans to relocate its Pennsylvania bakery to the Airport Industrial Park in Kingsbury.
The company was founded in 1993 by husband and wife Karen and Craig Silbert. Their son, Riley, joined the family business after working for a startup company in New York City.”
The CDL School works to meet huge demand for truck drivers
“Andrea Hanley, vice president of The CDL School in Menands, saw enrollment for commercial driving students double in 2021, with 750 graduates in Albany and 8,000 across the country.
After a month at The CDL School, these drivers are prepared to take the state’s commercial driver license test, and often already have job offers paying annual salaries of more than $50,000.”
Colonie Center, South Colonie schools establish jobs training center for students with special needs
“Colonie Center Mall has teamed up with the South Colonie school district to provide a unique jobs training and enrichment program for students with special needs.
Colonie Community Connection — a work-based initiative that focuses on developing broad, transferable skills for success both in and out of the classroom — was unveiled Tuesday during a celebratory ribbon cutting at the new classroom space at the mall.”
Hochul’s economic development strategy targets cities, workforce
“Gov. Kathy Hochul’s economic development budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for the state’s 10 regional economic development councils.
The number allocated to the all-volunteer councils in Hochul’s proposed budget is $225 million, which will be given to the councils for “high-value” regional economic development projects. The breakdown is $150 million for state grants and $75 million in tax breaks.”
SUNY Poly program gets tech workforce ready for future
“SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany is one of the top schools in the world to attend for those who want to learn how to make computer chips and other semiconductor-based technologies.
But one of the school’s most exciting new programs is designed to train students and workers across the state on next-generation “digital manufacturing” jobs in the semiconductor industry.”
The Sweetish Chef In Ballston Spa Offers Grain-Free And Sugar-Free Baked Goods
“Ballston Lake resident Britt Young has taken her passion for baking to the next level by opening The Sweetish Chef, a grain-free and sugar-free bakery at 76 Front St. in the village of Ballston Spa.
The Rockland County native and University of Albany graduate launched an online baking business in 2020 after leaving a career in teaching. She also developed a local following by selling her baked goods at local farmers market. For her, opening her own bakery is a dream come true and something she said she could have never imagined actually happening.”
Ten80 Education creates STEM education programs for companies across the United States
“Since the STEM education company Ten80 Education set up shop in Schuylerville in 2006, it’s worked with organizations like NASCAR, Bank of America, several trade organizations and, most recently, the Denver Broncos.
So when its leaders had a meeting recently with local investor Steve Gonick, he was surprised he’d never heard of the company.”
Big moves happening before split of GE Energy into public company
“General Electric Co. has named a new CEO of its software technology business, GE Digital.
Although many have likely never heard of him, the man they named to the job, Scott Reese, could become important to GE Energy’s Schenectady operations, where thousands of GE employees work.”
Galvan Foundation plans $15M restoration of Hudson’s Community Tennis building
“The Galvan Foundation’s next big investment in Hudson will be a $15 million restoration of an empty, historic theater into a performing arts center.
Built in 1937, the former Hudson Community Theater at the corner of Columbia and North 7th streets was used as a theater until at least 1967 and later adapted into an indoor tennis court and antiques warehouse, according to the foundation.”
