The Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership in December  released its inaugural Saratoga County Real Estate Index, which it said portrays the county as having strong residential, commercial and industrial markets, but with a need for additional inventory in each sector.

The index was unveiled during a luncheon event attended by more than 100 business executives and professionals at the Hyatt Place Saratoga/Malta.

The index also presented the results of a Pulse Survey that signaled an optimistic view of Saratoga County’s real estate sector. Among real estate professionals surveyed, 94 percent describe the residential sales sector as strong, very strong or stable; 88 percent see the commercial leasing market as strong, very strong or stable; and 78 percent characterize the commercial sales market as strong or very strong.

“Saratoga County’s vibrant real estate market is critically important because its reach extends into all sectors of our economy,” said Marty Vanags, president of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership.

A Q4 MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index released in December reflected general optimism from the small business community about the economy.

Optimism on the health of the national economy has continuously increased since the second quarter and is at a new high with 58 percent of small business owners believing the U.S. economy is in good health, the Chamber said. 

Optimism on the local economy also improved this quarter to 56 percent of small business owners noting their local economy as good, up six points from he third quarter 2018.

“Small businesses are the growth engine of the American economy, employing half of the nation’s private sector workforce,” stated Jessica Moser, senior vice president, Small Business Solutions in MetLife’s Group Benefits business. “The owners of those businesses make crucial decisions about expansion and hiring every day, so their level of optimism is a good indicator of future growth. The findings of this quarter’s Index show they are still bullish, which bodes well for our economy as a whole.”

As 2018 drew to a close, the Brewers Association—a nonprofit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers—said that while the brewing landscape is shifting, small and independent breweries continue to find market success.

Julia Herz, craft beer program director for the Brewers Association which represents more than 4,800 U.S. breweries, said brewers are “finding ways to differentiate themselves in a competitive market, become pillars of communities, and embrace new experiences and occasions to connect with beer lovers.”

A report by the association covered a variety of topics as it looked back at 2018.

By Maureen Werther

Chris Crounse and Darren Van Heusen have opened a new craft brewery and taproom, Hank Hudson’s Brewing Co., at the Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Course.

They are hosting a grand opening, dubbed Hanktoberfest, from 1-4 p.m.  Sunday, Oct. 14.

The taproom is newly constructed in the space between the Fairways clubhouse restaurant and the pro shop. The interior is constructed of reclaimed barn wood from two local farms on nearby Farm to Market Road. The seating consists mainly of long communal tables that facilitate friendly dialogue among fellow beer lovers as they sample pours from the 16 different taps at the bar.

It has a large stone fireplace and sliding glass doors that lead outside to a deck area. Outdoor patio seating is available in front of the taproom.

Key Capture Energy broke ground on Sept. 26 on its KCE NY 1 facility, which represents the commencement of construction on the project.

The KCE NY 1 facility is a 20 megawatt (MW) utility-scale battery storage project located at the Luther Forest Technology Campus in Malta.

The project is the largest lithium-ion battery storage project in New York state and supports he state’s commitment for the state to reach 1,500 MW of energy storage by 2025.

Airosmith Inc., a provider of wireless network support services based in Saratoga Springs, received funding from the Saratoga County IDA to help retain and grow its corporate headquarters.

The Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) led an incentive application that went before the IDA in September.

The company’s services include site acquisition, radio frequency development and field support, systems installation, and trouble shooting and maintenance. It serves wireless service providers, utility service providers, tower companies, OEMs, and system integrators in the Northeast region and across the United States.

Plug Power Inc. , which has a manufacturing plant in Clifton Park, in partnership with the RPI Center for Automation Technologies & Systems (CATS) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is working to develop a first-of-its-kind robotic hydrogen fueling technology for motive power applications.

The immediate goal of the robotic fueling station is to increase the ease and efficiency of fueling hydrogen-powered vehicles in warehouse settings, where every second amounts to more than $1,000 in annual cost impact for medium to large sites officials said.

Six Flags Great Escape Resort in Lake George will rebrand its outdoor water park as Six Flags Hurricane Harbor for the 2019 season

The park will undergo a major expansion with more to see and do than ever before,  including two new attractions; a bright, tropical theming throughout; and a new dining location.

Officials said it will offer guests a bigger, and better experience.