Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is leading an incentive application to the Clifton Park IDA to retain Kitware Inc.’s 88 high-paying software development and services jobs with potential for 25 percent more jobs in the next three years, agency officials said on May 2.

The new headquarters would retain over $13.8 million in local wages, rising to over $16 million in local wages in the third year, according to Dennis Brobston, SEDC president.

He said the effort continues SEDC’s Advance Saratoga initiatives to retain jobs and to promote the area as a home base for corporate headquarters.

Kitware’s average wages are over $100,000 per year, officials said. The company has outgrown its space on Corporate Drive in Halfmoon and has other operations in North Carolina, New Mexico, Idaho and France.

“With operations across the nation and in France, providing software products and services to several federal departments and major institutional clients, Kitware literally could have moved anywhere,” said Brobston. “Thankfully, we were able to collaborate with the principal developers, Kitware leaders and the Clifton Park IDA to develop an incentive proposal to help retain their skilled jobs and high wage earners in our communities.”

Mazzone Hospitality announced that Restaurant Associates will invest in its catering and business dining divisions.

The announcement was made by Mazzone Hospitality owner Angelo Mazzone, who said that the agreement is anticipated to take effect in July. Restaurant Associates is a subsidiary of Compass Group, The Americas Division.

According to the agreement, the expansive catering and business dining empire created by Mazzone will henceforth operate under the banner Mazzone Hospitality LLC. All jobs will remain in place and Mazzone will continue his leadership role within the organization.

The investment will provide the resources, systems and capital to enable Mazzone Hospitality LLC to expand its operations locally and regionally, and pursue opportunities with large institutions, including hospitals, universities, senior living facilities and major corporations.

The announcement follows a nearly four-decade career in the hospitality industry, beginning in 1980 when Mazzone opened Peggy’s, a small restaurant in downtown Schenectady. The business expanded in 1988 with the purchase and restoration of Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia. Presently, the Mazzone Hospitality portfolio includes seven premier restaurants, an expansive catering division, and a robust corporate dining program.

“I’m excited to announce this partnership because Restaurant Associates shares the same core values that we do, and will provide us with the infrastructure, systems and capital to sustain and expand upon the level of growth we’ve been so fortunate to achieve. Mazzone Hospitality has always strived to provide the highest level of service with vision, passion and integrity,” said Mazzone. “We have never been satisfied with the status quo, and are always looking for ways to improve and provide the best experience possible for our guests.”

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Saratoga Springs will become home to a new wine and beer production facility that will include a tasting room.

Tony and Debreen Oliva said what was a Fedex warehouse at  250 Excelsior Ave. will soon be known as the Racing City Brewing Co.

The couple started in Fort Edward with a tasting room known as Oliva Vineyards. Debreen Oliva said over the last six years she and her husband talked about having a place in Saratoga where they could not only make beer and wine, but also have a tasting room.  Oliva said she and her family have a passion for horses and track season, so when a Fedex small business grant was available, they knew it was time to make a move.

“The old Fedex building is at the perfect corridor and we are thrilled to be in Saratoga. It combines everything we love. Saratoga has always been our dream. We love everything about it,” said Oliva.

She said the property offers them 20,000 square feet, including space for a 4,000-square-foot tasting room. The couple plans to incorporate food. Initially, they will be relying on food trucks and light fare, but by next year they plan to have a kitchen and serve pub fare. Currently, they have five employees but plan to hire more as they grow.

Oliva said they were just given final approval in April, but plan to have the brewery open for business by the end of July,  in time for track season.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

The former Giffy’s Bar-B-Q on Route 9 in Clifton Park is undergoing quite a change. The building is being transformed into a dog boarding and day-care franchise under the direction of owners Matthew and Marlene Beck.

The couple said they will be up and running this fall, providing services to Saratoga County as part of their Camp Bow Wow franchise.

“We have now closed on the property and construction is underway,” said Matthew Beck.

The facility will be part of Camp Bow Wow, which has approximately 140 pet-care facilities nationwide. Services include grooming, training, day care and boarding.

J. Luke Construction Co. of Schenectady is doing the work and a grand opening is expected this fall. Camp Bow Wow has an Albany location that has been very successful,  said Beck. He feels the convenient location for Northway commuters and residents of Saratoga County will do equally well.

Beck said the Clifton Park site will be a smaller version of the Albany facility. All staff will have practical training in dog behavior, certifications in pet first aid and dog CPR.

Camp Bow Wow will be looking to welcome busy professionals needing pet care during the week, as well as those who are heading out of town and need a safe place for their pet. Samuel Dearth, owner of the Albany location, said they have developed a strong customer base with many loyal pet parents. 

A collaborative agreement with established flexible office space operator Saratoga CoWorks and the newly launched SPARK program of the Saratoga Economic Development Corp. will empower locally based entrepreneurs with mentoring support and access to potential capital to help promote, retain and grow new businesses in the region.

The pact will provide physical space and future educational programming at Saratoga CoWorks’ facility on Regent Street in Saratoga Springs.

Entrepreneur project companies who go through SPARK Saratoga analysis of their business idea or early stage companies who agree to a growth action plan to help them reach milestones will be eligible to access flexible space, at reasonable terms, managed by Saratoga CoWorks, officials said.

SEDC, through its Advance Saratoga startup advisory team of proven professionals, will develop programming in speciality business practices to help entrepreneur project teams. Skills ranging from legal and personnel challenges, marketing and advertising on a budget, to capital raises, will be developed to educate early stage companies for growth.

“To Advance Saratoga, we have been listening and learning from our community based members to promote, retain and grow businesses and jobs,” said Dennis Brobston, president of SEDC. “Launching SPARK Saratoga was just the beginning of how we aim to attract and retain talent that will accelerate locally based opportunities to grow the jobs and wages needed to bolster our future. Now, we can afford entrepreneurs going through our initial project analysis and agreeing to growth-action plans access to attractive space in Saratoga Springs.”