Saratoga Business Journal

Business Report: Your Cloud, My Cloud, The Cloud

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Stored Technology Solutions Inc. (StoredTech).

Courtesy StoredTech

By Mark Shaw

The cloud is here, and it can be your own private cloud, or you may leverage the cloud others have built.

The transition has begun in earnest to fundamentally change the way IT services, and how the hardware it runs on is delivered. Microsoft and Amazon currently have two of the largest clouds for businesses. If you are a business owner and considering an upgrade- and your IT provider, IT director or CIO isn’t talking to you about cloud – you may be missing out on some real business value in your next technology cycle.

What is the cloud? What is a private cloud? What is the value? The concept can be boiled down to utility computing. Use technology and computing power like you would use electricity from the power company or internet service from a local provider. The process of buying a server, router, switch, desktops, laptops and tablets is about to change dramatically. In these cases, you own the hardware, you depreciate it, you pay a large IT bill up front to own it, and you pay an IT managed-service company or an internal set of resources to run it.

This is a capital expense. There is no way around it. The costs are variable, the support is variable, and if something gets old, you pass it down and spend more energy on older hardware. It’s a vicious cycle, and organizations are starting to ask why. Why do I have to play the card game with old desktops? Why do I have to plan for a large expense every three to five years? Why is this not easier, with more streamlined costs, and why won’t this technology just work?

What if there was a newer way? A better way. An operating expense way. There is, and it is growing in acceptance and use for small businesses by the day. This parallels the shift we saw from flip phones to today’s smartphones. You might start with either a “cloud in a box,” or use public clouds to make your business run better.

Consider this example for your next business upgrade. Your company needs new technology, you have desktops and laptops in various states of age and speed, you are paying an IT firm or internal resources to maintain this, and the monthly expenditures have you asking, “What am I getting for all of this?”

PrimeLink Continues To Grow Fiber Optic Service To Customers In Saratoga Springs

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

PrimeLink Inc., a regional telecommunications company with offices in Champlain, Plattsburgh, and Queensbury, is continuing to grow its fiber optic network infrastructure in Saratoga Springs and expand the number of businesses it serves.

Company officials said all services are brought to the end user with a 100 percent fiber optic network. The availability of fiber optic technology will provide Saratoga with the most advanced transport medium available in digital communications and provide a more competitive environment for business customers seeking affordable high-quality communication services.

According to the company, the biggest benefit of fiber is that it can offer much faster speeds over longer distances than traditional copper-based technologies like DSL and cable. Even if typical broadband speeds become 1,000 times faster in the next 20 years, a single existing fiber-optic connection will still be able to support it.

Because fiber optics uses light instead of electricity to transmit data, the frequencies that are used are much higher and the data capacity is much greater, officials said. The fiber optic cable itself is made from glass which is not susceptible to electromagnetic interference like metal cables. This allows data to flow over great distances without degrading.

Interference and energy loss is the limiting factor for all types of communication transmissions and fiber optics handles these factors much better than other modes of transmission. In the future, more and more of our world will be connected via fiber optics as we outgrow the old copper based infrastructures.

Bove Fuel Company Is Building 40-Unit Apartment In Stillwater; Some Ready This Year

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

By Maureen Werther

G.A. Bove Fuels, an 80-year-old company that distributes propane, heating oil, and diesel fuel across the upstate region, is building a 40-unit apartment complex in Stillwater, on nine acres of land that has been owned by the Bove family for years.

The apartment complex is called Gennaro Apartments, named after John Bove Jr.’s grandfather, Gennaro Bove, founder of Bove Fuels.

Bove Jr. said they broke ground two months ago and are hoping to have the first two buildings completed and ready for occupancy by the end of 2016. When the project is complete, there will be five buildings, with eight condo-style units per building.

Williams & Williams Designers Inc. in Glens Falls are the architects of the Gennaro apartment project and the general contractor is 10 Cardinal Lane LLC of Gansevoort. The budget for the project is $5 million and it is expected to be completed in the next two to three years.

The property is located off Coldsprings Road and west of the DeCrescente building in Mechanicville. It is approximately a 12-minute ride to GlobalFoundries, a factor that Bove thinks will be attractive to people working at GlobalFoundries and nearby businesses.

Abele Builders Plans 57,000 Square Feet Of Office Space In A New Three-Story Building

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

By Maureen Werther

Abele Builders, a familiar name in construction and heavy equipment throughout the Capital Region for more than 25 years, is in the initial stages of approval for a proposed 57,000-square-foot office space in Clifton Park.

The site plan includes the construction of a three-floor building on five acres of vacant space on the west side of Route 9, just north of the Route 146 intersection.

“We are very motivated to move forward with this project,” said Joe Abele, who works in the commercial division and handles leasing and tenant relationships. He said Clifton Park needs a property that will attract those who work in the professional, medical, and high-tech fields, something he said is in short supply at this time in Clifton Park.

They based their decision to pursue this type of project on a number of different market analysis tools. In addition, Abele said his father and uncle, Chris and Ed Abele who run the company, “have been in this business for a long time, and they have a lot of skill and expertise. They are very aware of the types of commercial spaces companies are looking for in this area.”

Business Brief: July 2016

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

The Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association is requesting nominations for its 2016 Property Beautification Awards in the village.

The awards are given in recognition of the restoration, renovation, new build, and beautification efforts by homeowners and businesses, that enhanced the Ballston Spa area within the past two years. This year’s awards are sponsored by Curtis Lumber.

Criteria for residential nominations can include exterior renovations and restorations; new builds; or landscaping improvements. Criteria for commercial nominations can include complete renovations; new exterior attractive signs or window displays; or new interior improvements.

All projects should be complete at the time of nomination.

A nomination form is available to be filled out online at www.ballston.org. Forms may also be printed and either emailed to info@ballston.org or mailed to: 2016 Beautification Awards, c/o BSBPA, PO Box 386, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

All nominations should be made by Aug. 31. Award winners will be honored at an award presentation preceding the BSBPA board of directors meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17. For more information, contact Michelle Burlingame at michelle@ballston.org or Ellen Mottola at info@ballston.org or 885-2772.

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Ascent Wealth Partners in Saratoga Springs was named to the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers, as of June 16.

The list recognizes top independent RIA firms from across the U.S. Ascent Wealth Partners is a member of the Dynasty Financial Partners’ Network of Advisors.

This is the third annual FT 300 list, produced independently by the Financial Times Ltd. in collaboration with Ignites Research, a subsidiary of the FT that provides business intelligence on the investment management industry.

The 300 top RIAs hail from 34 states and Washington, D.C.

The FT 300 is one in a series of rankings of top advisers the FT produces in partnership with Ignites Research, including the FT 401 (DC retirement plan advisers) and the FT 400 (financial advisers from traditional broker-dealer firms).

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In celebration of its silver anniversary, GTM Payroll Services in Clifton Park is donating $25,000 to several community organizations that serve the Capital Region.

These groups are: Albany Stratton VA Medical Center, Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York, Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region, Double H Ranch, Hannah’s Hope Fund, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York, Mother Teresa Academy, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region and Senior Services of Albany.

Year after year, GTM Payroll Services and its employees get involved in the community by volunteering their time, participating in fundraising events, making donations and contributing goods to local organizations.

GTM now employs more than 60 professionals at its headquarters in Clifton Park and recently added a second office location in Glens Falls.

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Personnel Briefs: July 2016

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

Bond, Schoeneck & King announced that, for the third consecutive year, John M. Bagyi is one of 200 lawyers recognized as the Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys (Up-and-Comers) in a survey published in the June 2016 edition of Human Resource Executive.

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Marks Opening Of New Saratoga Casino Hotel On Crescent Ave.

July 7, 2016November 8, 2017

Saratoga Casino Hotel officials and other dignitaries took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 6 to celebrate the opening of the new 117-room hotel that has many amenities.

Courtesy Saratoga Casino Hotel

Saratoga Casino Hotel on July 6 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially commemorate the opening of its new hotel.

Elected officials, construction workers, local leaders and casino employees were on hand to attend the ceremony in front of the facility, located on Crescent Avenue in Saratoga Springs.

Amenities in the 117-room hotel include Morton’s The Steakhouse, Perks CafÃ©, an indoor resort pool with spa whirlpool, 13 premium suites, an outdoor terrace, fitness center, lobby bar and grand ballroom that officials said offers more than 3,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

“Our new hotel will transform the entire guest experience at Saratoga Casino Hotel,” said Tom Wiedmayer, general manager at Saratoga Casino Hotel. “We are now a dynamic entertainment destination offering something for everyone, and providing guests with yet another reason to visit Saratoga Springs all year long.”

Saratoga Casino Hotel’s expansion offers guests a modern interpretation of the Victorian architecture that influences the community. JCJ Architecture created interior and exterior designs to integrate within the existing casino, racing, dining and entertainment facilities.

The $40 million project first broke ground in May 2015 and was led by Consigli Construction and Tishman, An AECOM Company. During the 13 months of construction, nearly 200,000 man hours were utilized, creating 700 construction jobs, officials said. More than $22 Million was spent directly with subcontractors located in the Capital Region.

Craft Beer Success Means Expansion At Local Brewery, More Business At Steel Fab Company

June 8, 2016November 8, 2017

Bert Weber, left, and Christian Weber, owners of Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls are adding four new fermenting vats to the growing operation.

Courtesy Common Roots Brewing Co.

Fronhofer Tool Co. has moved into the niche of making fermenting vats for breweries.

Courtesy Fronhofer Design

By Jill Nagy

Common Roots Brewing Co. in South Glens Falls is doubling its brewing capacity and a local company, Fronhofer Design of Cossayuna Lake, is fabricating the vats that will allow them to do it.

Both are local, family-owned, companies.

Common Roots will add four new 20-barrel (620 gallons) fermenting vats and a new 20-barrel “bright tank,” said co-owner Bert Weber.

The bright tank, he said, is for the final conditioning of the beer. It spends a day or two in the tank before being transferred to kegs.

Fronhofer is a 36-year-old steel fabrication company in Washington County, consisting of Fronhofer Tool and Fronhofer Design. Brewery equipment is a relatively new line of work for them.

“They do beautiful work,” Bert Weber said of Fronhofer.

Getting into the brewery niche began about two years ago, according to Paul Fronhofer II, who runs the business along with his brother Kyle. Paul Sr. founded the business in 1980.

Their projects have included a 40-barrel tank for a meadery (a honey-based beverage) in the Bronx, a 70-barrel tank for the Brown’s Brewery facility in Hoosick Falls, and a full-scale brewery in Argyle.

Concerned Citizens For Saratoga Racing Tabs Lewi As Chair, Pushes for Track Privatization

June 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The Concerned Citizens for Saratoga Racing has rejected the state’s plan for re-privatization of the New York Racing Association.

NYRA is the group that operates Saratoga Race Course, Belmont Park and Aqueduct, the three main thoroughbred horse racing tracks in the state.

According to the local group, the plan now being circulated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that seeks to retain public control of NYRA and unilaterally transfer funds legally designated for the state’s thoroughbred racing industry into the state’s general fund.

Four years ago, Cuomo “promised to return NYRA to a nonprofit corporation in three years,” Concerned Citizens said in a statement. “He did not keep that promise last year. This year, his plan is another means by which he is seeking to exert his control over NYRA and the future of our state’s thoroughbred racing industry.”

The group, which recently elected Maureen Lewi as its chairwoman, said the governor’s proposal will:

• Allow the governor to appoint one-third of the members to the new NYRA board of directors or five of the 15 members.

Downtown Business Association Joins With SPAC For Discount Promotional Venture

June 8, 2016November 8, 2017

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has partnered with the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association in celebration of SPAC’s 2016 50th anniversary season, offering SPAC patrons a 10 percent discount at participating DBA member businesses.

Participating DBA businesses show a SPAC 50 logo in their window.

In addition, SPAC and the DBA co-present a chance to win SPAC amphitheater tickets to all 2016 performances of the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, New York City Ballet, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The sweepstakes package is valued at more than $2,000.

Officials said anyone can enter to win by completing an entry form at participating DBA member businesses before June 19. The winning entry will be drawn on June 21. Participants must be 18 or older to enter.

“We are delighted to announce our exciting 2016 50th Anniversary partnership with the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association,” said Marcia J. White, president and executive director of SPAC. “For five decades, community collaborations such as our continued partnership with Saratoga’s DBA member businesses have facilitated SPAC’s growth into an internationally renowned summer home for world-class music and dance. As we celebrate SPAC’s 50th Anniversary, we celebrate this community that has enhanced, enriched, and expanded SPAC for fifty years.”