CEG Economic Development Week in Review – June 26- June 30, 2017
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CEG IN THE NEWS
Times Union: SEEN: Center for Economic Growth Technology Awards 2017
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Ushering in new building era at Fab 8
“”When GlobalFoundries starts making computer chips later this year at the 7 nanometer scale, it will be ushering in a new generation of technology designed for everything from the latest smart phones to the internet-of-things and beyond.
But GlobalFoundries will also be ushering in a new way of constructing large, expensive buildings.”
Local couple stocking grocery shelves with protein-packed pancakes
“Protein-packed pancakes are now on the shelves at local grocery stores, thanks to innovative entrepreneurs Gary and Lisa Kassabian.
This Clifton Park couple are owners of STACK’D Nutrition, which produces STACK’D Protein Pancakes.”
How RAD Soap Co. is expanding to get a piece of the growing health and beauty industry
“RAD Soap Co. is investing in new technology and hiring more employees, as the health and beauty company looks to expand its retail footprint across the country.
RAD Soap, based in Albany, New York, makes plant-based body and beauty goods. Sue Kerber founded RAD seven years ago with her sons, Zak and Max. Her husband Greg Kerber is now part of the business. The company started in her kitchen in Cohoes, where she was using natural ingredients to soothe her son Zak’s eczema.”
Dollar General begins construction of 16th distribution center
“The largest U.S. dollar store chain has begun construction of a 750,000-square-foot distribution center in Florida, New York.
Dollar General is building its distribution center 35 miles west of Albany will employ 430 people who will supply merchandise for 800 stores throughout New York and the Northeast. It will be the company’s 16th distribution center.”
AngioDynamics CEO confident in Glens Falls and Queensbury
“AngioDynamics is reinvesting $5 million in profit back into the business, instead of distributing it to shareholders, to position the local medical device maker to compete in a changing health care environment, said Jim Clemmer, the company’s president and chief executive officer.
“I felt it was necessary for our company to have a reset,” Clemmer said Tuesday, at the annual EDC Warren County lunch and membership meeting at Great Escape Lodge.”
Troy tech company gets $9.1M defense contract to literally grow building materials
“Ecovative Design, the Troy, New York, company that makes furniture and packaging products out of mushroom technology, has received a $9.1 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — DARPA — to develop the next generation of building materials.
Eben Bayer, CEO and co-founder of Ecovative, said the project is focused on developing building materials that can literally grow, and be shipped around the world at a fraction of the cost of standard building materials.”
Uber, Lyft start rolling in upstate New York
“A new option for getting from point A to point B became legal in upstate New York at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, as one of the few areas left in America without ride sharing opened to the popular practice.
State officials on Wednesday announced that two of the biggest ride-sharing networks, Uber and Lyft, had completed their approval procedures and would be able to operate upstate starting today.”
Soul Fire Farm is giving the land, and its bounty, back to the people
“Leah Penniman is in perpetual motion; like hosts of others who cultivate and care for the land, she is propelled forward by the sun, determined to use each second of daylight in service to her land, her crops and her family. While posing for pictures she can’t help but stop and pull a weed from the crop bed; while talking to a reporter she connects, bends and erects tent poles in a wide-open field–she’s preparing for a host of guests. This weekend Soul Fire will host its first alumni weekend, along with its Soulstice bash, which features food from local restaurants and a host of local musicians, including Taina Asili and DJ Trumastr.
Soul Fire isn’t a typical farm, and despite her instincts, background, education Penniman isn’t exactly the typical farmer.–especially out here in Petersburg, a small town in northeastern Rensselaer County. The 2012 Census of Agriculture found only 1.4 percent of the nation’s 32 million farmers are black. That study did show a 12 percent increase in black farmers since the 2007 survey, but most black farmers live in the south. Black farmers are substantially less likely to own and operate a farm than white farmers.”
Great Flats marks opening with beers, cheers
“Schenectady officialdom raised a glass to the area’s newest craft brewery Thursday, as Great Flats Brewing formally celebrated the opening of a Lafayette Street brewery converted from a garage earlier this year.
The first few months have been learning and growing experiences, as the owners and brewmaster learn what it means to run a beer-making operation.”
Schenectady Amtrak station demolition to start soon
“The Schenectady Amtrak station’s parking lot has turned into a construction site as equipment is positioned for the start of the two-phase project that will replace the crumbling building with a new one.
Parts of the parking lot at Erie Boulevard and Liberty Street were blocked off this week with construction fencing, and a large crane now towers over the two-story station and adjoining tracks. The station has closed, with passenger boardings shifted to a new temporary platform constructed by Amtrak.
