Week in Review August 3, 2020 – August 7, 2020
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CEG IN THE NEWS
Times Union: FuzeHub launches fourth annual commercialization competition
Times Union: CEG announces 41 COVID-19 emergency grants
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Wolfjaw Studios adding business and employees despite pandemic complications
“The contract video game development startup Wolfjaw Studios was only in its second year when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Though it caused a bit of a slowdown in closing sales, the Troy company has added new clients and five new employees, director and founder Mitchell Patterson said.
While Wolfjaw Studios does not make entire video games, it does a lot of the work to support games with a focus on player experience, such as player accounts, individual user stats and tracking leaderboards.”
Defense bill may provide billions to GlobalFoundries, other U.S. computer chip makers
“The GlobalFoundries computer chip factory in Luther Forest would potentially gain a significant boost toward expansion under provisions of the U.S. defense budget approved by the House and Senate for fiscal year 2021.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., paid a visit Friday to announce the news and discuss the potential impact on the $15 billion foundry, called Fab 8, where approximately 3,000 people already work.”
Ski operators see good season ahead, despite pandemic
“Although the COVID-19 pandemic raises questions about the upcoming ski season, Gore Mountain in Johnsburg is replacing two lifts to improve access to beginner and expert terrain.
The 1967 High Peaks double chair to the summit is being replaced with a new quad lift, and the beginner access Sunway double chair, dating back to 1986, is becoming a quad. The cost of the replacements is about $9 million, said James “Bone” Bayse, Gore Mountain’s general manager.”
Horse farm to create retreat for combat veterans
“Combat veterans have a lot in common with off-track thoroughbreds.
A farm in the Comstock area plans to offer a program this fall to help combat veterans deal with their post-traumatic stress disorder by riding retired race horses.”
Druthers planning fourth location for Clifton Park
“Druthers Brewing Co. is planning a fourth location in the region in Clifton Park.
Plans for the new brewpub were filed with the Clifton Park planning board in August. The Times Union was first to report on the new location.”
Plug Power signs U.K. supermarket deal, sees big opportunity in Europe
“Plug Power will supply 44 GenDrive fuel cells and build a hydrogen fueling station for Asda, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United Kingdom.
The agreement, announced Monday, expands the Latham manufacturer’s presence in Europe. Plug Power now will have equipment operating in Belgium, France, Germany and the U.K.”
Saratoga Battlefield to receive $19 million in federal funding
“The money will come from a new fund — $1.9 billion a year over five years — intended to address maintenance backlogs across the national park system.
The 3,400-acre Saratoga National Historic Park preserves and interprets the site on the west side of the Hudson River in Stillwater where the Battles of Saratoga — the battles widely viewed as having turned the tide in the American Revolution — were fought in the fall of 1777. It has been a national historic park since 1938.”
A design for hummingbirds and people
“The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill on Friday will unveil The Pollinator Pavilion, a new outdoor architectural sculpture designed for the site by internationally acclaimed artists Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood.
Both artists will be on-site this week and are available for Zoom or in-person interviews, according to Cole House officials.”
Momentive investing $15M in Waterford, selling consumer sealant business to Henkel
“Momentive Peformance Materials will spend $15 million at its Waterford factory in a move to produce higher-margin specialty silicone for aerospace, 5G communications and automotive markets.
The investment is part of a companywide $40 million commitment to shift away from lower-margin commodity chemicals to focus on electronic materials growth.”
Passport For Good signs three-year contract for school districts statewide
“The software startup Passport For Good has been awarded a three-year statewide contract to provide college and career readiness support to hundreds of school districts throughout upstate New York.
Passport For Good is a mobile-friendly, web-based platform that makes it easier to track community service hours, primarily for K-12 students.”
