The Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services (WSWHE BOCES) has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Green Economy Fund (GEF). This funding will support the expansion of green energy training within WSWHE BOCES’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Employment Training for Adults (ETA) programs, equipping students with skills for careers in clean energy industries.

The CHPE Green Economy Fund is a $40 million, 20-year initiative aimed at preparing individuals from disadvantaged communities, low-income backgrounds, and transitioning fossil fuel workers for green economy careers. WSWHE BOCES is among the recipients in this second round of grants, which collectively awarded $745,000 to workforce development programs.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will expand opportunities for our students and provide training on emerging green energy technologies,” said WSWHE BOCES District Superintendent Turina Parker. “As industries evolve, it is essential our students gain the skills and certifications necessary to thrive in this sector.”

The grant will strengthen existing programs for high school juniors, seniors, and adult learners by integrating green energy concepts and hands-on training in key industries, including:

The Index of Upstate Business Leader Confidence increased by 18 points from 60.8 to 78.8 this year, according to the 18th annual Upstate New York Business Leader Survey from Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) sponsored by the Business Council of New York State, Inc, UHY Advisors, Inc. and HVEDC.

While still well below a score of 100 that signals equal degrees of optimism and pessimism, 31 percent of Upstate CEOs, up from only 18 percent last year, expect business conditions in New York to improve over the coming year.

Again this year, only 11 percent of CEOs say New York’s government is doing an excellent or good job creating a business climate in which companies can succeed and only 15 percent are confident in the ability of state government to improve the business climate. The survey completed immediately after the November election of Donald Trump finds a 22-point increase from 13-35 percent of CEOs now expressing confidence in the federal government’s ability to improve business conditions for New York companies.

Thirty-eight percent, up from 29 percent last year, predict increasing revenues in 2025 while 28 percent, up from 21 percent a year ago, anticipate growing profits in the year ahead. Fifty-eight percent, up from 50 percent last year, plan to invest in fixed assets this year in order to meet growing demand, reduce costs or enhance productivity. While 29 percent of CEOs plan to increase their workforce this year, only 19 percent say that there is an ample supply of local workers that are appropriately trained for their employment needs. On a number of job readiness traits including technical skills, work ethic and initiative, CEOs give applicants overall poor grades. At the same time, 66 percent say that they are having trouble recruiting and 25 percent are having difficulty retaining employees.

“Despite little faith in New York’s government, Upstate CEOs are more optimistic about business conditions this year, and expect a better 2025,” said Siena College Research Institute Director Don Levy.

“Over half of CEOs call on Albany to cut spending and reform both business and personal taxation and of all the challenges they face, the ‘winner’ is governmental regulation,” Levy said. “Concerns over adverse economic conditions, supplier costs and global political instability have eased a bit as Trump, engendering more confidence among CEOs than Biden did, assumed the Presidency. As the new administration takes the reins, New York CEOs are more optimistic – albeit guardedly – towards the future than they were a year ago.”

By Susan Elise Campbell

When he was in his teens, Jacob Laurent picked up books at Crandall Library about acupressure, massage, and therapies that help relieve people of pain. Years later Laurent would apply what he had researched about the science of acupuncture along with his own experience, and a new career path formed.

That path lead to Saratoga Springs Community Acupuncture, which opened the end of last year at 18 Lake Avenue in downtown Saratoga. The occasion was marked by a ribbon cutting with Saratoga Chamber of Commerce in December.

“I was already adjacent to the industry because my wife, Lauren Burke, is a massage therapist,” he said. “She had been considering a transition from massage to acupuncture for a few years, so we decided to enroll in a masters program and do it together.”

Laurent and Burke scouted out educational opportunities and chose the three-year program at New England School of Acupuncture, the nation’s oldest accredited acupuncture college. They graduated two years ago, passed the board exams, and obtained their state licenses.

Acupuncture is a treatment of choice worldwide for growing numbers of sufferers of back pain, migraines, or even a minor sports injury, as well as stress and anxiety. It provides a pain-free way to get results and avoid harsh drugs and ultimately surgery without side effects, Laurent said. 

“I am passionate about helping people through the power of traditional Chinese medicine,” he said. “Acupuncture is based on the ancient method of harmonizing internal networks, or meridians.”  

But the business model Laurent and Burke chose for their practice is quite contemporary and, according to him, a growing trend.