Saratoga Business Journal

Economic Outlook 2017 – Pete Bardunias

January 6, 2017February 9, 2017

eco-outlook-bardunias-c By Pete Bardunias

Last year we talked about workforce, which continues to be a hot-button issue for area employers and economic developers alike. New York struggles to compete with the rest of the country, and indeed the world, when it comes to attracting an adequate workforce to support the type of industry-leading and cutting-edge technology we hope to attract to the area.

There is a simple reason for this: people keep choosing not to stay in the area. To those of us who, like myself, have chosen to come to Tech Valley in search of a better future for our families, this may seem rather counterintuitive, but it is a big problem because parents keep sending their kids to expensive schools in search of liberal arts degrees and perceived prosperity in environs far away from home.

Projects In Saratoga County Receive $4.3M In Recent Round Of State Development Grants

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls will receive $100,000 to renovate its warehouse to support continued growth and expansion into new markets. Courtesy Common Roots Brewing Co. — Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls will receive $100,000 to renovate its warehouse to support continued growth and expansion into new markets.
*Courtesy Common Roots Brewing Co.*

Grants totaling some $4.3 million will assist projects in Saratoga County, the money coming in economic and community development funding awarded through Round VI of the state’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

More than $700 million in grants statewide was announced Dec. 8.

Franklin Center’s ‘Project Lift’ to Expand Its Services To Two More Elementary Schools

January 6, 2017January 9, 2017

Franklin Community Center will expand its Project Lift program to include Division Street and Lake Avenue elementary schools.

It is now operating in all six of the Saratoga Springs City School District elementary schools.

Project Lift is a free after-school prevention program operated by Franklin Community Center that offers a safe, caring and structured environment for youth in grades 1-5. Center officials said its approach heightens children’s social and emotional competence, improves decision-making skills, offers lessons on the prevention of tobacco, drugs, alcohol and bullying, boosts self-esteem and helps strengthen the bond between child, family, school and community.

John Baker Is Bidding Emotional Goodbye To Gaffney’s, A Business He Has Run For 35 Years

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

John Baker, 59, has owned and operated Gaffney’s restaurant and bar on Caroline Street for 35 years, since he was 24 years old. The establishment is changing hands in January. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — John Baker, 59, has owned and operated Gaffney’s restaurant and bar on Caroline Street for 35 years, since he was 24 years old. The establishment is changing hands in January.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By R.J. DeLuke

Gaffney’s, a landmark Saratoga Springs restaurant and bar, has changed hands and with that transaction, the owner is riding off to the ski slopes after investing 35 years of his life in the business.

SEDC: Two Proposed Projects Being Pursued Could To Lead To 130 New, 69 Retained Jobs

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Saratoga Economic Development Corp. (SEDC) is coordinating eligible proposed investment and job creation incentives for two separate firms totaling $21 million in new investment. Combined, it could lead to 130 new and 69 retained jobs in the county, agency officials said, pending approvals by local and state agencies. SKS Bottle & Packaging Inc., founded...

‘Behind The Scenes’ Efforts In Economic Development Projects Shown At Summit

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Marty Vanags of the Saratoga Prosperity Partnership speaks at the recent summit. Courtesy Saratoga Prosperity Partnership — Marty Vanags of the Saratoga Prosperity Partnership speaks at the recent summit.
Courtesy Saratoga Prosperity Partnership

By R.J. DeLuke

“For us it’s about bringing in a greater general awareness and knowledge about the mechanics of economic development,” said Marty Vanags, president of Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, about the Saratoga County Prosperity Summit held Nov. 10

“The more people that understand that, the more we can corral resources toward that effort when the time comes,” he noted.

About 100 people attended the summit, a mix of public and private sector representatives, supervisors and town council members, business leaders and others.

President Of Saratoga Springs City Center To Retire After Being At The Helm For 33 Years

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Mark Baker is retiring after 33 years as president of Saratoga Springs City Center ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Mark Baker is retiring after 33 years as president of Saratoga Springs City Center
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

Mark Baker traveled from his home state of Wisconsin in 1983 to help break ground at the Saratoga Springs City Center.

The center opened one year later and now, 33 years later, Baker is retiring as president and executive director, a role he has held during his entire tenure there.

Under his stewardship, and with the help and support of the Saratoga City Center Authority and the city of Saratoga Springs, the center has expanded to offer more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and reached an all-time high benchmark of 310 days of use in 2016.

“We are so fortunate to be in the city of Saratoga Springs, which is nationally recognized,” said Baker.

Seraphina Divine Beauty Relocates To The ‘Art Alley’ Section Of Village Of Ballston Spa

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Autumn Wright offers haircuts, coloring and styling at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa. She is an ex-Marine who who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Autumn Wright offers haircuts, coloring and styling at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa. She is an ex-Marine who who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Maureen Werther

Reading Autumn Wright’s resume before visiting her hair and beauty salon, one might have a hard time believing that she is a licensed cosmetologist.

This Marine Corps veteran, who specialized in driving 22.5- ton hydraulic trucks in Iraq, also loves doing hair and makeup and does so at Seraphina Divine Beauty in Ballston Spa.

After graduating from Ballston Spa High School in 2005, Wright enrolled in the Marine Corps. As she headed out to boot camp, the former high school cheerleader’s parents didn’t think she would last more than a week.

Augie’s Family Style Italian Restaurant Will Open ‘To Go’ Shop In Saratoga In January

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Augie Vitiello, owner of Augie’s Family Style Restaurant in Ballston Spa, is opening a new location in Saratoga Springs. Augie’s Family Style To Go will have takeout food when it opens in January. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Augie Vitiello, owner of Augie’s Family Style Restaurant in Ballston Spa, is opening a new location in Saratoga Springs. Augie’s Family Style To Go will have takeout food when it opens in January.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Augie’s Family Style Restaurant in Ballston Spa will be expanding into Saratoga Springs early next year.

Augie’s Family Style To Go will open at 223 Lake Ave. From ready-to-heat and eat meals to desserts, the new location will serve as a convenient stop and shop for those seeking fresh Italian food.

Augie’s owner, Augie Vitiello, said he was hoping to hold out a little on the announcement of the Saratoga business, but people began to talk and ask questions about it. He said for years patrons have said they would love a second location with a take-out option.

After Leaving The Business For Five Years, Man Returns, Opening The Floor Store In Malta

December 9, 2016December 13, 2016

Paul Mastroieni was working in the financial field after giving up a six-store group of flooring outlets. He has left that field and opened the Floor Store in the Shops of Malta. ©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com — Paul Mastroieni was working in the financial field after giving up a six-store group of flooring outlets. He has left that field and opened the Floor Store in the Shops of Malta.
©2016 Saratoga Photographer.com

By Jill Nagy

The Floor Store is back and in a new location after a five-year hiatus.

Owner Paul Mastroieni was working in the financial field after giving up a six-store group of flooring outlets in 2011.

“I hated finance,” he said, and so he is back in his previous business with a store at 7 Kendall Way in Malta, part of the Shops of Malta near Exit 12 of the Northway.