Week in Review: March 16 – March 20, 2020
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CEG IN THE NEWS
Register Star: Small businesses adjust during coronavirus
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
SuperPower moving to Schenectady County airport business park
“SuperPower Inc. of Schenectady will move its operations from Schenectady into a $10 million manufacturing and office complex being constructed at the Airport Business Park in Glenville.
The manufacturer of superconducting wire used in large generators, motors and electric utilities will become the tenant of a 47,000-square-foot building being developed by Plank Construction Services and Highbridge Development of Schenectady at 21 Airport Road.”
AlbanyCanCode offering free online coding class
“AlbanyCanCode is offering free coding classes for those stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
The classes will be held on AlbanyCanCode’s Facebook page. There are two lessons this week: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday.”
SBA to provide disaster-assistance loans to businesses hurt by coronavirus
“The U.S. Small Business Administration will be working to give businesses hurt by the novel coronavirus pandemic up to $2 million in low-interest loans.
The SBA will work with individual governors to identify businesses needing assistance, SBA announced Monday. Loans can be used for payroll, fixed debts and other bills that can’t be paid because of the virus’ impact.”
Area car dealerships ready for COVID-19 – ‘We’re all in this together’
“With over 100 full and part-time people employed at her Amsterdam and Ballston Spa Mangino car dealerships, co-owner Tina Mangino-Coffey has spent long hours over the past couple weeks, strategizing on how to keep her employees and customers safe from the growing threat of the COVID-19 virus.
It’s been a challenging time for the family-owned business with the current focus on employee and customer safety, with sales taking a temporary backseat.”
CDPHP, MVP team up on telemedicine in response to COVID-19
“Rival health insurers CDPHP and MVP Health Care are teaming up to give their members free access to telemedicine for COVID-19 concerns.
It is an effort to ease the worries of members who may be worried they’ve contracted the disease.”
Capital Region unemployment at 4 percent in January
“Unemployment in the five-county metropolitan region fell to 4.0 percent in January from 4.3 percent a year earlier, the state Labor Department reported Tuesday. The data are preliminary and subject to revision.
The rate was identical to that of the United States and 0.1 percentage points below the state’s 4.1 percent jobless rate. Saratoga County’s 3.8 percent rate was the region’s lowest, followed by Albany County at 3.9 percent and Schenectady County at 4.2 percent. Rensselaer County posted the second highest rate in the region at 4.3 percent, while Schoharie County had a jobless rate of 6.2 percent.”
Chip making goes on at GlobalFoundries amid coronavirus
“The Capital Region’s computer chip manufacturing sector is sending non-essential employees home and crossing their fingers that the coronavirus epidemic doesn’t do much damage to their orders.
For now though, GlobalFoundries, which employs 3,000 people at its Fab 8 chip factory in Malta, says things are running smoothly in the fab’s clean rooms, with orders not dropping off yet.”
Hospitality businesses hurt by coronavirus, but local manufacturers unaffected so far
“”ike many companies, Essity is taking extra precautions to keep its employees safe from the spread of the coronavirus.
The company, which makes a variety of hygiene products, such as paper towels, toilet tissue and hand sanitizer, is limiting vendors and suppliers from coming into its plant and asking people who absolutely must enter if they have been to any high-risk areas or traveled outside the country, according to spokeswoman Amy Bellcourt.”
Telescope closes, gives 250 workers two weeks of paid leave
“Telescope Casual Furniture has shut down operations for two weeks, letting about 250 workers go home with full pay.
Kathy Juckett, CEO of the family-owned business, which makes high-quality patio furniture, said in her experience Telescope has never had to take such a drastic step.”
Janitorial services ‘just getting hammered’ with requests for deep cleanings
“NightRider Janitorial Services in Latham and Daigle Cleaning Systems in Albany have been inundated with requests from commercial customers for more frequent cleanings and intensive “deep cleans” to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure.
Deep cleanings use powerful disinfectants on phones, door knobs, keyboards, desks and a long list of other surfaces people touch.”
Boat maker may seek federal disaster loan as coronavirus delays $1.2 million in sales
“George Badcock and Hacker Boat Co. jumped out to a strong start to the year, selling multiple custom mahogany boats during what is normally their slowest season.
Now, Badcock is reworking his 2020 projections as the new coronavirus spreads across the United States. Over the past week, two Hacker customers put contracts on hold, raising concerns that the boat builder could miss out on $1.2 million in sales.”
Cuomo: Businesses must reduce on-site workforce to 50% to slow coronavirus
“Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said he is making it mandatory that no businesses in New York state can have more than 50% of their workforce report to work outside of the home.
Cuomo said he plans to issue the statewide executive order later today.It will go into effect on Friday, March 20. He said the order could be expanded if the number of COVID-19 cases does not slow down.”
Firms still hiring amid the coronavirus pandemic
“The Saratoga County of Chamber and local recruiters are trying to get the word out that local companies are still hiring amid the coronavirus pandemic and new work-from-home mandates.
The chamber says that Stewart’s Shops, The Wesley Community, Target Distribution, Saratoga Bridges, Daigle Cleaning Systems and Walrath Recruiting are all hiring, while Alaant Workforce Solutions in Colonie is still hiring for companies using remote interviews and meetings with employers and job candidates. The Saratoga County Chamber is using its Facebook page to highlight companies that are hiring.”
Wrestling Hall of Fame proposed for Catskill
“A trio of entrepreneurs on Monday presented to the Greene County Legislature the hopes of bringing an exciting new attraction to Catskill.
Catskill native Michael Lanuto, former Saugerties school district superintendent Seth Turner, who served as one of Rocky Johnson’s biographers, and Tony Vellano, the founder of the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, expressed to county lawmakers their interest in making Catskill the new home of the Wrestling Hall of Fame.”
