Saratoga Business Journal

Lisa Tracy Moves From Teacher To Construction Company And Now Into Real Estate

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Lisa Tracy started Terra Firm in 2007 and focuses mainly on residential transactions. However, she also owns and manages commercial properties.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

After running her own renovation and construction business for 25 years, Lisa Tracy, owner of West Branch Inc., is shifting her focus exclusively to her other business, Terra Firm Realty.

Tracy began her career as a kindergarten teacher and her husband, Warren Tracy, is a licensed architectural engineer. He started West Branch Architectural Engineering and Consulting PLLC and has done many projects for New York state as well as in the private sector. When the couple had children, Lisa decided to stay home with them and take over the ownership and all daily operations of the company.

“He handled all the design and construction and I handled all the back-end business,” she said. In the course of the next 25 years, she said she learned everything there was to know about the construction business, as well as real estate development, property management, and buying and selling properties.

Architect Susan Davis Of SD Atelier Says Technology Will Play Bigger Role In Her Field

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

By Liz Witbeck

Susan Davis founded the architecture company at SD Atelier of Saratoga Springs in 1992.

In 1996, her husband Don joined the firm, and the two have been working together ever since.

Davis, originally from the Boston area, went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she received her degree in architecture studies.

“From a young age, even in high school, I always enjoyed working on projects,” she said. “I liked to come up with solutions for things. I liked architecture because it was a combination of using technical skills and creativity.”

MWBE Program Ready To Expand In NY State

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced legislation to reauthorize and to expand the MWBE program to more contracts entirely funded by the state.

The proposed legislative changes and expansion to include all state-funded contracts would leverage the largest pool of state funding in history to combat systemic discrimination and create new opportunities for MWBE participation at every level, according to Cuomo.

Since 2011, state-certified MWBEs have won more than $10.4 billion in state contracts and the state has certified more than 6,600 MWBEs and re-certified more than 4,700 MWBEs.

“In New York, we know that our economy is strongest when everyone is empowered to participate, which is why we continue to work to increase access and opportunities to success for minority and women owned businesses to strengthen and diversify our economy,” Cuomo said. “These actions will break down barriers to success and empower these business owners to help fuel our economy and move this great state forward.”

WJ Grande Industrial Park Continues To Be Economic Driver For The Saratoga Region

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Mike Munter, left, and John Munter, own land in the WJ Grande Industrial Park.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

The WJ Grande Industrial Park continues to be an economic driver in the region nearly 70 years after it was first developed by its namesake, William J. Grande.

In the early 1950s, Grande purchased approximately 550 acres on Cady Hill in Saratoga Springs, adjacent to the D&H Railroad. The lifelong developer and philanthropist envisioned Cady Hill Research and Industrial Park, as it was originally named, as a vehicle for creating sustainable employment locally, as well as creating a revenue base for the county.

Grande’s acquisition proved to be as beneficial for the region as he had envisioned, with a succession of businesses moving into the park over the course of several decades.

General Foods was the first company to locate in the park in 1959. They employed over 200 people for more than three decades. During the 1960s and 1970s, several small regional companies located in the park, and in the 1980s Guyson, American Tissue, Quad Graphics and Ball Corp. became tenants of the park. Ball, Quad and Guyson are still fully operational and have steadily employed more than 1,500 people since they located there.

New Craft Brewery To Be Included In The Economic Development Project In Malta

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

A new brewery is part of a development at 7 Stonebreak Road in Malta this year.

The brewery will occupy part of the 25,000 square feet of new commercial space being developed with $2.5 million of private investment by area commercial developer MJ Properties of Clifton Park Inc., according to the Saratoga Economic Development Corp.

The initial tenant, Unified Beerworks, will occupy over 6,000 square feet of space, supporting seven full-time jobs in its first year, SEDC said. The project is expected to grow to support 15 full-time jobs by year three. The brewer expects to create seven full-time jobs in its first year and 15 by its third.

Officials said groundbreaking is scheduled for March, with construction expected to be completed in July. It will support 50 construction jobs.

New Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership Chairman Seeks To Help Businesses Thrive

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Kevin M. Hedley, chairman of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership board.
©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com

by Susan E. Campbell

“Our mission is to help the private sector secure jobs and capital investment,” said the new chairman of Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership (SCPP) board of directors.

Kevin M. Hedley, named recently to succeed Jack Lawler, said the agency’s board “has entrusted me to make sure the mission is carried out by our hired team of professionals and that we hold them accountable.”

As a taxpayer, a resident and a business owner, Hedley appreciates the opportunity to lend his voice to decisions regarding the future of Saratoga County and its economic development, he said. He is founder and partner of Hedley & Co. Certified Public Accountants in Clifton Park.

STEADfast IT Launches Location In Hartford For Managed IT Services, Remote IT Business Support

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

STEADfast has expanded operations by opening an office in this building in Hardtford, Ct. Courtesy STEADfast IT

STEADfast IT, based in Saratoga Springs, has opened a new office in downtown Hartford, Ct.

The new office is located at 100 Pearl St. on the 14th floor.

Craig Skevington, CEO and president of STEADfast said Hartford “is the perfect fit for the IT support services we offer. We are incredibly proud of our expansion and our clients feedback that attest to our unique ‘white glove end user support’ that allows businesses to focus on running their business while we focus on providing responsive, remote service with full capability.”

STEADfast focuses on providing end user support, virtual CIO, systems assessment, server support, network management, remote IT support, mobile device support, device monitoring, anti-virus protection, off-site backup and strategic consultant services.

Business Briefs: March 2018

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA) will host its 2018 community mixer and annual meeting on Monday, March 19, at the Next Door Kitchen & Bar, 51 Front St.

The event will celebrate the association’s 35 years of service to the Ballston Spa community. With the support of its members, the BSBPA promotes local businesses and organizations, presents events and activities that bring people to Ballston Spa, and helps beautify and enhance the downtown village through gardens, plantings, directory signs and more.

The event is an opportunity for BSBPA members and non-members to review the events and accomplishments of 2017 and preview what is planned for the coming year. The association will also honor outgoing board members and welcome new ones.

Four Top Team Members At Saratoga Casino Hotel Receive Awards At Annual Dinner

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

From left, Saratoga Casino Hotel employees Dan Gerrity, Cassandra Dano, Bob Ketcham, Sara Bender, Anthony DiDonato and Alex Tucker pose at the annual awards dinner.
Courtesy Casino Hotel

Saratoga Casino Hotel honored the exceptional performance of four top team members during an annual awards banquet on Feb. 26 in the hotel ballroom.

Over 100 were in attendance for this year’s event.

Awards were presented to: Bob Ketcham, executive sous chef, Leader of Distinction; Anthony DiDonato, restaurant manager, Supervisor of the Year; Cassandra Dano, senior accountant, and Sara Bender, booth cashier, Team Members of the Year.

“The success of our company depends on the hard work and dedication of our hundreds of team members,” said Skip Carlson, vice president of external affairs and the evening’s emcee. “The honorees we celebrated represent the best of our company, and I’m proud to work with them each day.”

Saratoga Raceway’s 77th Season Brings More Action For Area Fans Of Harness Racing

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018

Saratoga Raceway opened for its 77th season in February at the facility on Crescent Avenue in Saratoga Springs that includes Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Courtesy Saratoga Raceway

Saratoga Raceway’s 77th season of harness racing is underway.

“We’re very excited to welcome fans back for the 77th year of harness racing,” said John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “A strong lineup of stakes and marquee races will allow us to continue our tradition of exciting and quality racing here at the historic Spa Oval.”

As always, parking and admission are free.

Track officials said a top highlight of the racing season will be the 10th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace, which will feature one dash for $260,000 on July 21.

Also set to attract top talent to Saratoga Raceway are the eight divisions of the New York Sire Stakes program that will be contested throughout the summer, culminating in the Excelsior Finals on Sept. 23. Collectively, horsemen will be competing for over $15 million in purses.