Week in Review: August 19 – August 23, 2019
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CEG IN THE NEWS
Times Union: N.Y. now among top 10 states for job ‘reshoring’
Fluid Handling International: Mobius Labs awarded NSF grant for leak detection product
Times Union: Capital Region in top 50 for corporate R&D spending
Times Union: Preparing for tech’s ‘next wave’ a topic at Stefanik economic roundtable in Corinth
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Dollar General has 400 openings
“Dollar General will present a job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Riverfront Center in Amsterdam. Dollar General is building a 750,000-square-foot distribution center in the Florida Business Park Extension in Montgomery County. The national retailer is looking to fill 400 positions.”
Plug Power and FedEx make a little dent in airport’s carbon footprint
“The tuggers that haul baggage and cargo around airport tarmacs have provided new insight into the future potential of fuel cells.
Plug Power, the Latham-based manufacturer of the hydrogen-powered electric generators, provided an update recently on its field trials with FedEx. The parcel delivery company last year tested 15 of fuel cell-equipped tugger tractors at the airport in Memphis, where FedEx has its flight hub and headquarters.”
Clifton Park warehouse project takes step forward
“A large-scale warehouse project slated for Route 9 in Clifton Park was advanced to a preliminary review state by the planning board at its Tuesday meeting.
The plans call for a large combined warehouse and office space project, with two buildings totaling 160,000 square feet.”
Leak-detection device wins $750K federal grant
“A local startup company has won a $750,000 National Science Foundation grant to continue development of its water leak detection equipment.
Mobius Labs, an internet-of-things developer, will use the money for phase II development of its FirstDrops water-leak detection product.”
Forged through adversity: Adirondack Folk School educates and impacts others
“For many weeks in the summer, the town of Lake Luzerne is filled with a steady clinking of hammers on hot iron as blacksmithing students hone their craft at the Adirondack Folk School.
Blacksmithing is just one part of the school, which nearly closed its doors in 2016 but remained open thanks to a nationwide campaign of donors who flooded the school with funds in the eleventh hour.”
South Street redevelopment concept draws favorable reviews from neighbors
“Property owners along South Street praised the city’s redevelopment plans this week, saying it will bring new life and people to the area.
‘I think it’s exciting. I think it’s great. I think it’s going to be good for business,’ said Nicholas Gazetos, co-owner of New Way Lunch. ‘The more people that surround downtown Glens Falls, the better. I think it’s nice that South Street is finally going to get some money to get spruced up.’”
Common Roots to break ground on new brewery this week
“Common Roots is set to break ground this week on its new brewery, as the company rebuilds from a devastating fire.
The site at 58 Saratoga Ave. has been cleared. The damaged building and apartment building next door have been demolished and trees have been removed from the site.”
Glens Falls leaders unveil vision for South Street redevelopment
“Mayor Dan Hall on Tuesday unveiled the conceptual design for the redevelopment of South Street, including The Market — a 10,000-square-foot, one-story glass-and-brick building with high ceilings and flexible space for farm vendors.
“I think it’s a gorgeous building,” he said during a presentation on Tuesday at Crandall Public Library.”
How this Schenectady tech company is managing 176% growth in 3 years
“The Jahnel Group is growing so quickly in downtown Schenectady, employees are spread out over three offices across several blocks.
The custom software company has added 20 employees so far this year, and CEO Darrin Jahnel expects to add about five more employees before the end of 2019.”
Saratoga’s $12 million parking garage already attracting new interest to the City Center
“The Saratoga Springs City Center’s planned $12 million, 600-space parking garage appears to be paying off more than a month before contractors start building it.
Executive director Ryan McMahon says he is close to booking an event that will fill 5,000 hotel rooms — and organizers would not be considering Saratoga Springs without the new parking garage.”
Saratoga startup raises more than $1M to connect video game influencers with big brands
“Angelo Damiano was a professional World of Warcraft gamer when he was still at Ballston Spa High School. Today, he’s aiming to help other gamers make money with his startup, PowerSpike.
PowerSpike connects more than 20,000 video game stars on Twitch — the largest 24/7 streaming platform for gamers — with brands for sponsored content marketing. The goal is to help gamers make a living through sponsorships and advertising deals on Twitch, as well as other livestreaming platforms.”
Essity plans $3.6 million upgrade to South Glens Falls plant
“Recycling has not only an environmental benefit but an economic benefit for Essity, which has undertaken a $3.6 million capital project to be able to use more paper waste in producing its tissues, napkins and other goods.
Essity site manager Steve Duell said that, in the past, the company obtained most of its paper from industrial printing shops. Now, Essity is getting more paper through residential curbside recycling.”
CDTA’s first electric buses arrive next month
“Electric buses will make their debut on Capital Region streets sometime this autumn.
The first of a fleet of four buses is expected to arrive in mid-September, with the other three coming at the end of September, said CDTA spokeswoman Jaime Watson. Drivers will undergo training, and the buses and their electric charging systems will undergo testing.”
