Economic Development Week in Review: June 11 – June 15, 2018
Stay up-to-date on business and economic development happenings in the Capital Region with the CEG Economic Development Week in Review. Don’t miss out on the developments that are transforming the region by following us on:
CEG IN THE NEWS
Troy Record: Experts: Capital Region multifamily rental market strong
Troy Record: Grant helps colleges close skills gap
CEG’s Kennedy talks to the Daily Gazette about region’s growing craft beverage industry
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
“Ellms Family Farm known for their Christmas trees, pumpkin patches and various forms of “agri-tainment” just got bigger.
Garth Ellms, proprietor of Ellms Family Farm, acquired a property located at 284 Middleline Road in Ballston on June 1. The 80-acre piece of land adds to their 250 acres, totaling to 330 acres.
Death Wish Coffee Expands Into Walmart Stores, Adds CFO And Eyes Even More Hiring
“The Capital District’s fastest-growing premium coffee roaster, Death Wish Coffee, has reached another milestone. This month, Death Wish Keurig Cups hit the shelves at 1,600 Walmart stores, bringing to more than 2,300 the number of retail locations where consumers can buy what is billed as “the world’s strongest coffee.”
“At the beginning of 2017, our coffee was in roughly 350 stores and our focus in 2018 is on increasing our retail partners,” said Mike Brown, owner and founder of the company.”
SABIC adding offices, lab and warehouse space in Selkirk
“SABIC Innovative Plastics wants to add 22,500 square feet of new office, lab and warehouse space at its Selkirk plastics factory in plans dubbed the “Half Moon Project.”
The Bethlehem planning board was recently briefed on the company’s plans, which are related in part to the company moving a research and technology operation from Exton, Pa., to the Selkirk site, located off Route 32. SABIC employs 530 people at the site.”
Plastics company has new owner, will hire more workers
“Massachusetts-based Universal Plastics Group has acquired Kintz Plastics, located in Howes Cave, and plans to hire more workers.
Kintz manufactures plastic parts used for medical equipment. Universal specializes in different types of thermoforming, a process that involves turning plastic into products. The sale was announced Tuesday and the terms were not disclosed.”
“The local gourmet granola maker being ousted from its downtown Schenectady production facility has found a new home on Hamburg Street in Rotterdam.
Gatherer’s Granola founder and president Sandro Gerbini this week said his company will likely begin the relocation later this month.”
Local college student designs mounted gun safe
“A local college student is working on a new product that will give firearm owners a safe case to hold their guns that is also easily accessible.
Timothy Oh, a 22-year-old Californian who attends RPI, founded a company called Vara to produce the gun safe, which is called Reach. “
Carpenters union completes $5M training center
“The regional carpenters union on Monday showed off its expanded and upgraded training center/headquarters.
The 75,000-square-foot conversion of two warehouses was undertaken at a cost of more than $5 million by the Northeast/New England Regional Council of Carpenters.”
Study: Saratoga County biggest contributor to region’s arts economy
“Saratoga County is the biggest contributor to the Capital Region’s robust arts, cultural and creative economy, which supports thousands of jobs.
This major sector, on par with manufacturing and food services, is also critical to bringing new employers to the area for the high quality of life it affords.”
SUNY Poly chooses next interim president
“The next interim leader of SUNY Polytechnic Institute will be Jinliu “Grace” Wang, the senior vice chancellor for SUNY Research and Economic Development.
Wang will replace interim leader Bahgat Sammakia, who will return to Binghamton University after a year and a half at SUNY Poly.”
Schenectady on road to becoming ‘smart city’ of the future
“National Grid and the city of Schenectady launched a three-year, $6.7 million project to set the groundwork for Schenectady to become a “smart city” of the future where lights and sensors deployed on city streets will make city services more efficient and help improve public safety programs.
The initiative, which will be paid for through the utility, will begin with National Grid converting more than 4,000 street lights across the city to energy-efficient LED lights that use much less energy than traditional light bulbs.”
Civic Center coalition makes final $50,000 lease payment
“The Adirondack Civic Center Coalition on Thursday made its last payment of $50,000 on its lease-purchase agreement for the Civic Center.
“Today is a momentous day in the city of Glens Falls that marks an important milestone in the life of the Cool Insuring Arena,” said Mayor Dan Hall at a brief news conference.”
