Saratoga.com logo
Saratoga.com logo
  • Places to Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Businesses
  • Travel Guides
Saratoga Business Journal
  • Home
  • New Businesses
  • Business News
  • Business Reports
  • Business Briefs
  • Business Registrations
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Contact Us

Business Report: Care For The Long Term

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
Brian Johnson, director, business development at Advisors Insurance Brokers.
Courtesy Advisors Insurance Brokers

Brian M. Johnson, MBA, CLTC

When it comes to where and how you live, and what you do with your money, you want the freedom of choice and confidence that you’re making the right decisions. 

The same is true with your long-term care strategy, helping you set the stage for the future and the legacy you have planned.

Long-term care is quite simply assistance with simple everyday tasks, even as simple as eating or getting dressed. The need for care could arise from an accident, illness, cognitive impairment, or the aging process. You may never need it. 

But, the best time to start thinking about it is before the need arises and while you’re still able to take control. Many Americans work hard, save diligently for retirement, yet fail to address the single biggest risk to their portfolio and families: extended healthcare. 

When it comes to long-term care, do not be swayed by common misconceptions such as: 

• “It won’t happen to me.”

People unrealistically downplay their personal risk. Seventy-nine percent of people put off discussions about long-term care, but 98 percent of financial professionals say they have clients who have needed it. In fact, being healthy presents even a higher risk of needing long-term care services than someone who is managing chronic a condition.

• “Medicare or Medicaid will cover me.”

If qualified, Medicare will likely be insufficient for long-term care needs and Medicaid does not account for your choices or preferences, and one must financially qualify for benefits.

• “That’s what my savings are for.”

Many Americans significantly underestimate long-term care costs. Home care, assisted living and nursing care can run between $40,000-$150,000 per year in today’s dollars.

• “My family will take care of me.”

Read More

Business Report: Employers Scramble To Meet Health Care Costs

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
Renee Walrath, president, Walrath Recruiting Inc., Saratoga Springs.

by Renee Walrath

Open enrollment is around the corner and employers are scrambling to accommodate the rising cost of health insurance.

The annual premium for individual coverage has risen more than $225 per year on average, and family coverage has risen more than $700 per year on average from 2010 to 2022. Statistically speaking, prices for healthcare grow much faster than inflation and that combined with increasing employee demands has companies, both small and large, forced to make difficult decisions.

The specific reason for increasing healthcare costs can be attributed to a variety of factors including the following:

• Continuing research and new, innovative technology leading to more expensive procedures and products.

• Labor shortages, physician consolidation, and contract renewals are amplifying the already aggravated industry.

• Chronic healthcare conditions, catastrophic health claims and rising prescription drug prices add to the sizeable hike for 2024.

This is the second year in a row that employers have projected a 7 percent-plus hike and confronting affordability and disrupting costs are among the top obstacles for employers in 2024.

Read More

Life Insurance Awareness Month Is Time To Be Aware Of Benefits, Perils Of Not Having It

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
Robert Snell, financial adviser with Edward Jones Financial in Saratoga Springs.

By Rob Snell

It’s probably not on your calendar, but September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. And that means it’s a good time to become more aware of the benefits of having life insurance—and the dangers of not having it.

Unfortunately, confusion about some of the basic elements of owning life insurance may be keeping people from getting the protection they need. More than half of uninsured Americans say they have put off purchasing coverage because they don’t know what to buy or how much they need, according to Life Happens and LIMRA, two nonprofit organizations that provide research and education about life insurance.

Yet, while this confusion may be understandable, a delay in acquiring appropriate insurance can be costly in more ways than one. From a strict dollars-and-cents perspective, it’s generally much more affordable to buy life insurance when you’re younger. But there are potentially much greater costs involved in not having insurance when it’s needed — and these costs are personal.

To be specific, what is it worth:

 • To know your family could stay in your home if something happened to you?

 • To know your children could continue their education plans?

 • To know your debts could be paid without burdening your family?

Read More

New York State To Educate College Students On Health Insurance Coverages

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023

NY State of Health, the state’s official health plan marketplace, will conduct a statewide college campaign, with informational events taking place on campuses as students return. 

Certified enrollment assistors will be available in popular spots on campus to educate students about affordable, quality health insurance through the marketplace, and help current enrollees renew their coverage.

“College can be an exciting but stressful time in a young person’s life, and it’s so important that they make their health a priority as well as stay informed about their health insurance options,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. 

“Many students are eligible or currently enrolled in public health insurance, and we want to ensure a seamless process to newly enroll or stay covered,” NY State of Health Executive Director Danielle Holahan said. “By partnering with SUNY and CUNY, we can help direct students to renew their coverage and find a health plan that best fit their needs and their budget.”

Officials said that as of May, almost 9.6 million New Yorkers—nearly half of the State’s population—were enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan. Many students may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance coverage through Medicaid, Essential Plan, or Qualified Health Plans with financial assistance.

Enrollment is currently open for all programs.

With federal COVID-19 continuous coverage provisions that allowed individuals to stay enrolled in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan without renewing ending this year, redeterminations for these public health programs are resuming for the first time since 2020. 

Read More

Arrow Financial Corp. CEO David S. DeMarco Sees The Value Of Building Relationships

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
David S. DeMarco is the new CEO and president at Arrow Financial Corp.
Courtesy Arrow Financial Corp.

By Paul Post

The Digital Age has made communication faster and more far-reaching than ever with email and various social media platforms.

But it’s also led to a breakdown of face-to-face, interpersonal relations that a strong community bank needs to serve customers most effectively.

That’s one of the biggest challenges Dave DeMarco sees in his new role as president and CEO of Arrow Financial Corp., and its subsidiaries Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co.

“Technology has changed the banking industry dramatically,” he said. “We’re in the relationship building business. It’s hard to do that with someone who’s taking a picture of a check and banking on their cell phone or computer instead of coming to the bank. You couldn’t do that when I joined Glens Falls National 35 years ago.”

“We don’t see customers as much as we used to,” he said. “So we basically have to get out of the office to meet people and build relationships.”

DeMarco, 61, a Saratoga Springs resident, has been intimately involved with many facets of the evolving industry during his lengthy banking career.

A Niskayuna High School graduate (1980), he earned a degree in finance from the University of Texas at Austin (1984) and started out as a commercial lending officer for a large bank in Dallas before returning home to join Glens Falls National, in 1987, as manager of its commercial loan department.

From there he was put in charge of branch offices and marketing, and in 2004 was responsible for building the bank’s insurance operation, The Upstate Agency.

Read More

State-Of-The Art Fire Detection, Suppression System Installed At Historic Grant Cottage

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
Funded by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, historic Grant Cottage in Gansevoort has a new fire detection and suppression system costing $1.5 million.
Courtesy NYS Parks and Recreation

A $1.5 million state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression system has been installed at Grant Cottage State Historic Site, funded by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

The cottage, in Gansevoort, is the Saratoga County retreat where Civil War General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant spent his final days. 

“This new equipment will better protect this National Historic Landmark, and its irreplaceable collection of historic furniture, floral arrangements and President Grant’s personal items from potentially devastating loss,” state Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “It is a crucial investment in innovative technology to help preserve the cottage and its collection for the future generations of visitors.” 

The new system deploys a mixture of nitrogen and water mist, rather than streams of water, when sensors detect a fire. In the event of a blaze, the mist rapidly lowers fire temperatures while the nitrogen displaces oxygen, depriving the fire of the fuel it needs to continue. Mist systems also deploy much less water than traditional fire sprinkler systems, reducing the risk of widespread water damage to rooms and contents in the aftermath of a fire.

Read More

Area Health Institutions Work To Have Access To OB/GYN Services Continue

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023

A group of area health organizations are working to ensure strong access to comprehensive OB/GYN services in Glens Falls and Saratoga in the wake of the impending closure of Women’s Care, an obstetrics and gynecology practice with offices at 45 Hudson Ave. in Glens Falls and 6 Carpenter Lane in Saratoga Springs.

Officials said the practice will close permanently on Aug. 30.

Saratoga Hospital and Hudson Headwaters Health Network are working in close collaboration with Glens Falls Hospital and Women’s Care to ensure access to services continues.

“It has been an honor taking care of our patients and their families,” said Dr. Diana Sustar, a physician and partner of Women’s Care. “While closing the practice is a difficult decision, we are heartened that Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital and Hudson Headwaters have engaged in critical conversations and planning to ensure our community has access to comprehensive OB/GYN services. We also thank our patients for their support throughout the years.”

 Four Women’s Care physicians will be joining existing OB/GYN practices following Women’s Care’s closure.

Dr. Jennifer Bashant and Dr. Diana Sustar, will join Women’s Health at Hudson Headwaters Health Network in Glens Falls (call 518-792-7841 to establish, www.hhhn.org/locations/womens-health).

Dr. Susan Bradford and Dr. Ali Doyle will join the Saratoga Hospital Medical Group- OB/GYN and midwifery (call 518-587-2400 to establish, www.saratogaobgyn.org).

Read More

Business Briefs: September 2023

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023

The Academy for Lifelong Learning Saratoga Region continues its 30-plus year tradition of presenting educational and social opportunities for adults over 55 by offering 20, six-week courses starting the week of Oct. 2. 

Registration is now open. For the fall course catalog and mail-in registration form, go to www.allsaratoga.org 

Course brochures will also be available soon at local libraries, YMCAs and retirement communities or by request at (518) 290-6988 or jeff@allsaratoga.org. Registrations are being accepted throughout the term until courses are full. 

Annual membership is $75 and goes for 365 days from join date. Six-week courses are $50 each. Courses are held outdoors, by Zoom, or in community classrooms including at SUNY Adirondack’s Wilton location.

Topics for these volunteer-led, noncredit courses include music, literature, variety speaker series, biology of aging, Feng Shui, hiking, local business tours, history, theater, global warming, opera, poetry, Ukraine, writing, and more. 

Founded in 1992, the Academy is a nonprofit, membership organization whose members share a love of learning. A self-funded entity, A.L.L. is designed to offer lifelong learning and camaraderie among seniors, A.L.L. also offers winter and spring courses, special interest groups  and special events that are held throughout the year. 

For more information, contact the Academy at (518) 290-6988, email jeff@allsaratoga.org, or go to www.allsaratoga.org. 

***

Franklin Community Center will conclude its year-long 40th anniversary celebration with a Cheers To 40 Years anniversary event on Sept. 28, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 550 Waterfront by Druthers on Saratoga Lake.

The event invites attendees to commemorate and honor all who contributed and partnered with FCC over the years to create a lasting impact in the Saratoga County community. Tickets are $75 and are available online at www.franklincommunitycenter.org.

To learn more about how Franklin Community Center has helped to shape Saratoga Springs visit www.franklincommunitycenter.org.

Established in 1983, Franklin Community Center, the Saratoga Springs-based organization has provided programs and services to individuals and families in the Saratoga County area. The mission of the nonprofit is to work collaboratively with individuals and other agencies to provide services that will improve the quality of life and foster a sense of neighborhood, community and family for all people.

***

Read More

Northshire Books In Downtown Saratoga Springs Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
Northshire Bookstore recently celebrated 10 years in its Saratoga Springs location of 424 Broadway. location opened in August of 2013.
Courtesy Northshire Book Store

Northshire Bookstore celebrated 10 years in its Saratoga location of 424 Broadway in August.

The store is an award-winning independent bookstore, founded by Ed and Barbara Morrow on Main Street in Manchester Center, Vt., in 1976. The Saratoga Springs location opened in August of 2013. 

Both Northshire Bookstore locations are now owned and operated by sisters Cathleen Ihasz, Nicole Ihasz and Ashley Ihasz-Austin.

“Saratoga Springs understood the value of a downtown bookstore and effectively lobbied, invested and supported us,” said  Nancy Scheemaker, general manager of the Saratoga store. “We are of course deeply grateful for this passion and vision. We are grateful also for a decade of support that we could only have dreamed of prior to experiencing the real thing.”

Over the last decade, Northshire has presented more than a thousand author events in Saratoga Springs, hosted children’s programming and brought authors into area schools, partnered with local not-for-profits, and has worked with our customers to provide free children’s books to area children via our Book Angels program. 

Read More

Charlie’s Stay & Play In Malta Will Be Site To Train, Board And Provide Canine Daycare

Posted onSeptember 12, 2023
This is a rendering of what will be Charlie’s Play & Stay, a business in Malta that will provide daycare, boarding, and training classes for dogs.
Courtesy Lisa Mitzen

By Susan Elise Campbell

There is a new 11,000-square-foot building going up behind Mahogany Ridge Dog Training and Daycare’s original leased location at 2983 Route 9 in Malta. 

When the last details are finalized, the entire staff and their furry guests will move into a clean, modern space under the new banner, Charlie’s Stay & Play. 

The project started to take shape three years ago when founder and former owner Jennifer Weis began talks with her friend and client Lisa Mitzen, a fellow animal lover who is known in the area for her business acumen and philanthropy. 

“We have a farm with lots of animals,” said Mitzen. “Twelve years ago we got a yellow lab puppy named Charlie and brought him to Mahogany Ridge for daycare.”

Mitzen “fell in love with the place” and grew fonder of Weis as she trained her dog, she said. Later the Mitzens added another lab and a mixed breed to the family and again Weis helped train them.

In 2021, the Mitzens bought Mahogany Ridge for their personal portfolio and Weis agreed to stay on to manage day-to-day operations and training. The next step was to buy five acres of land from Stewarts Corp. behind the doggie daycare just south of Northway Exit 13. 

Read More

Posts navigation

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 427 Next
Subscribe to Our Newsletter View the Latest Virtual Edition

Categories

  • 50-Plus
  • Banking
  • Banking / Asset Managment
  • Building Trades
  • Business Briefs
  • Business News
  • Business Registrations
  • Business Reports
  • Commercial / Residential Real Estate
  • Community Services
  • Construction
  • Construction Planning
  • Corporate Tax / Business Planning
  • Cyber / Tech
  • Dining Guide
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Outlook 2016
  • Economic Outlook 2017
  • Economic Outlook 2018
  • Economic Outlook 2019
  • Economic Outlook 2020
  • Economic Outlook 2022
  • Economic Outlook 2023
  • Education/ Training/ Personal Development
  • Entrepreneurial Women
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environment / Development
  • Financial Planning / Investments
  • Fitness / Nutrition
  • Health / Community Services
  • Health & Fitness
  • Health & Wellness
  • Healthcare
  • Holiday Guide
  • Holiday Shopping
  • Home / Energy
  • Home / Insurance
  • Home & Real Esate
  • Insurance / Employee Benefits
  • Insurance / Medical Services
  • Legal / Accounting
  • Meet The Chef
  • New Businesses
  • Non-Profit
  • Office / Computer / New Media
  • Office / HR / Employment
  • Office/ Technology/ E-Commerce
  • Outlook 2021
  • Personnel Briefs
  • Retirement Planning
  • Senior Living / Retirement
  • Summer Construction
  • Uncategorized
  • Wellness
  • Women In Business
  • Workplace / Security / Legal
  • Year-End Tax Planning

Archives

  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
Connect With Us

Follow, like and subscribe to Saratoga.com on social media

Account Sign In Submit An Event
Saratoga.com logo
  • Home
  • Places To Stay
  • Things To Do
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Real Estate
  • Businesses
  • Guides
  • Contact Us
  • Blogs
  • Sweepstakes
  • Advertising
Visit Saratoga.com For Everything Saratoga
Full-Service Internet Marketing: Search Engine Optimization, Website Design and Development by Mannix Marketing, Inc.
Mannix Marketing, Inc. is headquartered near Saratoga Springs in Glens Falls, New York
Saratoga.com All Rights Reserved © 2023
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy / Terms of Use / Copyright Policies

We strive to insure accuracy on Saratoga.com however accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Information is subject to change.
Please alert us if there is any inaccurate information here.

Having trouble using this site? Accessibility is our goal, please contact us with site improvements.