Jake Van Ness, Author at Saratoga Business Journal

Jake Van Ness

2079 Articles

Saratoga-Based American Natural Gas Adds 18 Fueling Stations With Recent Acquisitions

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

With two transactions announced on Dec. 20, American Natural Gas (ANG), a distributor of alternative motor fuels in Saratoga Springs, has acquired two companies that add 18 compressed natural gas fueling stations to the company.

ANG is a portfolio company within HC2 Holdings. It has acquired Questar Fueling Co. a subsidiary of Questar Corp. including its 11 compressed natural gas fueling stations in Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Utah, California, and Colorado.

It also acquired Constellation CNG LLC, formerly a subsidiary of Constellation, adding seven compressed natural gas fueling stations in Indiana and Ohio.

Alex Shmulsky’s Expanding Business Has Offices In Ticonderoga And Saratoga Springs

January 6, 2017January 13, 2017

Alex Shmulsky has a law office at 18 Division St., Suite 302, in Saratoga Springs. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com — Alex Shmulsky has a law office at 18 Division St., Suite 302, in Saratoga Springs.
*©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com*

By Jennifer Farnsworth

From his two offices in Ticonderoga and Saratoga Springs, attorney Alex Shmulsky has been helping people navigate through the legal system for almost a decade. He is continuing to help countless clients while growing professionally.

Originally from Sheffield, Mass., Shmulsky began his career working in the Massachusetts State Supreme Court, he then gained experience working in security for the Boston Red Sox, along with various law firms in Boston, including his own. He attended Albany Law School for his Juris Doctor and received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University in Boston.

Shmulsky said he feels like Saratoga is a combination of what he considers to be a perfect location.

Recently Opened Senior Housing Project Is Nominated For A National Design Award

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Senior Housing News, an Aging Media Network publication, announced that the Summit at Saratoga, 1 Perry Road, Saratoga Springs, is one of eight independent senior living communities in the nation to be nominated for its architecture and design awards in the Independent Living category. The Summit is among the nominees for the publication’s fifth...

State Has Funds To Help Farmers Enter The New York State Grown & Certified Program

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

New York state has funding to help fruit and vegetable farmers join the New York State Grown & Certified program. Some $1.5 million is available through the Environmental Protection Fund to help farms implement an agricultural environmental management plan and a reimbursement of up to $1,000 is available for growers who participate in a...

Businesses See Energy Costs As A Concern; SEDC Assessment To Address Future Needs

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is coordinating a strategic assessment of energy use in the Capital Region corridor from eastern Albany north through Saratoga County to Warren and Washington counties.

Increased demand for electricity and natural gas have contributed to the price fluctuations affecting diverse employers’ competitiveness and consumer rates, including small and larger businesses as well as institutional users, SEDC officials said.

“We are focused on keeping our region competitive so we retain businesses and attract investment to drive future job growth,” said Dennis Brobston, SEDC president. “In large part due to the region’s recent economic development successes, increased demand for electricity and natural gas has resulted in our area, especially the zone north through Saratoga County. Large and small businesses have flagged energy cost as a concern.

Business Report: Cybersecurity Is A Cost Of Doing Business

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

By Christopher W. Meyer President-elect Donald Trump recently observed that no computer is safe from hacking and that the only way to securely convey information is to deliver it by courier. While experts agree that no computer system can be made 100 percent safe, they also have pointed out that “old fashioned” methods of...

Good Business Plans, Reasonable Expectations Are Important Facets Of Starting A Business

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Paul Dowen, CPA, is a partner at Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP. Courtesy Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP — Paul Dowen, CPA, is a partner at Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP.
*Courtesy Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP*

By Susan E. Campbell

What determines whether a start-up flies or fails? A well thought-out business plan, reasonable expectations and enough capital to get through some down times are key factors, say some experts.

“To secure a start-up business loan, the lender requires the principals to provide a written plan,” said Paul Dowen, CPA, partner at Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli LLP (WDR) of Queensbury and Saratoga Springs.

This need not be a formal 40-page document, but must provide research and details about what the company will need for its initial capitalization, he said.

Business Report: Employee Stock Ownership Plan Benefits

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

By Stephen Ferraro Business owners who are considering how and when they will cash in the shares of their privately-held stock are often curious about whether or not an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) can be of assistance in helping them reach their goals. Although there are many details to ESOPs that need to...

CEO Of nfrastructure Hopes Concerted Effort Can Improve The Health Of Area Residents

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Dan Pickett of nfrastructure in Clifton Park, is chairman of the Capital Region Heart Ball. Courtesy American Heart Association — Dan Pickett of nfrastructure in Clifton Park, is chairman of the Capital Region Heart Ball.
*Courtesy American Heart Association*

As chairman of the Capital Region Heart Ball on Feb. 25, Dan Pickett, CEO of nfrastructure in Clifton Park, is bringing together organizations and businesses to help improve the health of Capital Region residents.

“The American Heart Association is one of the most impactful of its type in our community,” Pickett said. “One of the foci of the Pickett Family Foundation is health care. I’m also a director at Albany Medical Center, which now has an affiliate agreement with Saratoga Hospital and Columbia Memorial Health. Chairing the Heart Ball puts a lot of our philanthropy into one area—health care.”

The Capital Region Heart Ball is set for Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. Pickett said he plans to highlight the work of area hospitals, their leaders and the American Heart Association at the Capital Region Heart Ball.

The Center For Occupational Health Helps Companies Monitor Health And Safety Issues

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

This is the Wilton office of the Center for Occupational Health and Safety. The agency helps businesses throughout the region maintain quality workplace health care. ©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com — This is the Wilton office of the Center for Occupational Health and Safety. The agency helps businesses throughout the region maintain quality workplace health care.
*©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com*

By Susan E. Campbell

The greatest asset a business has is its people. Keeping both workers and the workplace healthy and safe directly impacts a company’s bottom line and more.

The Center for Occupational Health (COH), a service of Glens Falls Hospital, helps businesses throughout the region maintain quality workplace health care. Last year, COH served 31,000 individuals and 2,000 companies from its locations in Queensbury, Wilton, and at individual company sites, said COH director Cathy Reichen, PT, DPT.

“Companies want to make sure that new hires are fit and capable of doing the work they are being asked to do,” Reichen said. “Injuries hit the bottom line with increased workers comp costs, lack of work, and decreased productivity.”