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

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Feds Update Guidance For Small Businesses Seeking COVID Economic Injury Loans

Posted onDecember 13, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced updated guidance for COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program applicants to better serve small business owners in need, while funding remains available. 

Since its inception, the COVID EIDL program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to better serve and support our small business communities still reeling from the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels, has approved nearly $300 billion in relief aid. Specifically, the following updated guidance is being provided:

EIDL loan and Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until Dec. 31 and will continue to be processed after this date until funds are exhausted.

Supplemental Targeted Advance applications will be accepted until Dec. 31; however, the SBA may be unable to process some Supplemental Targeted Advance applications submitted near the Dec. 31 deadline due to legal requirements. The SBA cannot continue to process Supplemental Targeted Advance applications after Dec. 31 and strongly encourages eligible small businesses to apply by Dec. 10 to ensure adequate processing time.

Borrowers can request increases up to their maximum eligible loan amount for up to two years after their loan origination date, or until the funds are exhausted, whichever is soonest.

Read More

Jesse Peters’ Jessecology Business Is Taking Orders For Native Plant and Wildflower Seeds

Posted onOctober 17, 2021
Jesse Peters has been growing plants from seed for wholesale use and do-it-yourself gardeners.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Susan Elise Campbell

She didn’t realize it at the time, but when Jesse Peters was invited to bid on a local airport habitat restoration project, her sustainable landscape business, Jessecology, would soon take off in a new direction.

Jessecology grows and sells thousands of native plants annually to civil engineers and construction companies for projects like roadside, highway median, post-construction and municipal landscaping.

“I didn’t win the bid on the plant piece of the project, but it was illuminating to me how great a need there is for propagating seeds of native plants for projects like these,” said Peters, an ecologist now in her 16th year of business.

Peters has been growing plants from seed for 10 years for wholesale use and do-it-yourself gardeners. But she said harvesting seeds for resale “was basically a hobby until that project for 90 acres shed light on the need.”

Any surplus she had in the past she typically donated to organic farms in the area to sow native plants around the fields.

“The wildflowers help bring in more pollinators to the farms and improve their crops,” she said.

Read More

Law Firm Little & O’Connor Attorneys Merges With FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth

Posted onSeptember 17, 2021
Michael O’Connor, left, and John Aspland Jr. have merged their law firms.

By Christine Graf

Attorneys Michael O’Connor and Elizabeth Little of Little & O’Connor Attorneys PC of Glens Falls have merged their practice with FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth PC. 

Both attorneys and their paralegals have made the move to 68 Warren St. where FitzGerald Morris is headquartered. Prior to the merger, the firm employed 14 attorneys and a total staff of 32. 

According to FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth managing partner John Aspland Jr., he and O’Connor have been friends for many years. The idea of merging firms began to take root 10 years ago.

“We had some communications about 10 years ago where we started discussing some of the synergies between what he does and what we do and the clients that we have that have some common interests. We started that conversation and occasionally over the years revisited the discussion. He is an icon in the local legal community and has some fantastic clients that are very active,” Aspland said.

Read More

Mackey Auto Group In Saratoga Springs Gives $30,000 To SPAC Education Program

Posted onSeptember 17, 2021
Representatives of SPAC and the Mackey Auto Group attended the presentation of the ceremonial check representing the donation of $30,000 to SPAC’s education program.
Courtesy SPAC

Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced that Mackey Auto Group donated $30,000 to its education program for 2021.

The program serves approximately 50,000 students throughout the Capital Region annually, according to SPAC. The contribution marks the beginning of a five-year campaign as part of Subaru of America’s annual “Share the Love” event.

“Our education program has grown exponentially over the past five years,”  said Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC president and CEO. “This generous gift will help us reach even more students and children with free and engaging arts programming like SPAC’s Learning Library, our Classical Kids program, and dance workshops with New York City Ballet and National Dance Institute. 

“SPAC’s commitment to education and community clearly aligns with everything that the Subaru brand stands for,” said Chris Mackey, Mackey Auto Group managing member. “Putting the community first and selling cars and trucks second has been part of Mackey Auto Group’s ethos since the beginning. We truly believe in the vision that SPAC has for the future and know that this funding will have a huge impact on access to arts education throughout the region.”

Read More

Gideon Putnam Resumes Services For The Season With Health, Safety Rules In Place

Posted onMay 17, 2021May 17, 2021
Delaware North operates the Gideon Putnam hotel under a contract with the state.
Courtesy Gideon Putnam

The Gideon Putnam hotel in Saratoga Spa State Park resumed service on May 5 for the spring, summer and fall seasons.

The hotel will be open for stays Thursday through Sunday nights in May before opening seven days a week beginning May 31 (Memorial Day) through the fall.

Delaware North, which operates the hotel under a long-term contract with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, will again implement its Rest Assured  Commitment to Care comprehensive health and safety program. It includes re-engineered operating procedures to minimize contact risk and bolstered hygiene protocols aligned with guidelines of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We know people are looking to book vacations for the summer and fall, but there are also many who are ready to just hop in the car and get away for a few days,” said Jim McGrath, general manager of The Gideon Putnam.

Hotel guests enjoy amenities, including: advance tee time booking at the park golf course; use of the outdoor Victoria Pool and Peerless Poo; use of the Roosevelt Baths & Spa relaxation lounge; complimentary admission tickets to the Saratoga Automobile Museum; use of sports equipment for tennis, the putting/chipping green and disc golf in the park; free use of the Saratoga bike share program; and outdoor lawn games such as croquet, bocce ball, and horseshoes.

Read More

Personnel Briefs: May 2021

Posted onMay 17, 2021May 17, 2021

The Arrow Family of Companies announced the appointment of Blake Jones, vice president and director of marketing, to senior vice president for Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co., Saratoga National Bank and Trust Co. and Upstate Agency LLC. As part of the senior leadership team,  Jones will be responsible for all activities related...

Read More

Owners Of Smoke Shop In Malta Laying Groundwork To Open Cannabis Dispensary

Posted onMay 17, 2021May 17, 2021
Robin Barkenhagen, who owns a smoke shop in Malta, wants to open a cannabis dispensary.

By Christine Graf

Local businessmen Robin Barkenhagen and Brian Bronzino, partners in 42°, a smoke shop and functional art glass gallery in Malta, are pursuing plans to open a marijuana dispensary at 56 Glen St. in Glens Falls.

The pair also have a 42° store at 206 Glen Street, Glens Falls. In February, they established a new business called Warren County Cannabis LLC.

In recent years, Bronzino has purchased several buildings in Glens Falls, including the 5,000-square-foot property at 56 Glen St.

Because marijuana has not been legalized at the federal level, dispensaries must be operated out of properties without loans or mortgages from federally chartered banks. 

But Bronzino “owns the building which is instrumental” in the process, said Barkenhagen.

The state Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law on March 31  and legalizes the recreational use of marijuana for those ages 21 and up. The state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established to oversee the industry, but they have not yet begun issuing licenses for growing, distributing, processing, and selling.

When MRTA was enacted, government official estimated that it would take approximately 18 months before the first recreational marijuana businesses would open in the state.

Read More

AIM Services Launches Annual Campaign To Raise Program Funding And Awareness

Posted onMay 17, 2021May 17, 2021
Chris Lyons, executive director of AIM Services which launched its fundraiser.

AIM Services Inc. has launched an I Am AIM 2021 annual campaign to raise funds and awareness for its programs.

The agency is one of the area’s largest providers of services to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The campaign theme will highlight its commitment to empowering values of individuality, inclusion, independence, and integrity among their staff, their community, and in the lives of the people they support.

Services are provided in Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties.

Officials said that over the course of 2021, I Am AIM will create opportunities for fundraising and engagement, including a new “I Am AIM” sweatshirt campaign, annual events such as Croquet on the Green and Vin Le Soir, various fundraising appeals, and other community collaborations to raise awareness and highlight the spirit behind the campaign.

“In my short time here at AIM, I am already so moved by how we truly embody our core values of inclusion, independence, individuality, and integrity,” said chief development and communications officer Bo Goliber. “This is part of what makes our approach to supporting individuals so innovative. It’s exciting to think about raising awareness and educating the community about that important aspect of our work and include them in our continued success.”

Read More

Psychiatrist Offers Motivational Coaching And Other Services For Entrepreneurs

Posted onMay 17, 2021May 17, 2021
Dr. Manuel Astruc has found his niche in providing motivational coaching to entrepreneurs. He has an office on Maple Avenue in Saratoga Springs.
©2021 SaratogaPhotographer.com

By Jennifer Farnsworth

After working for 20 years as a psychiatrist, Dr. Manuel Astruc  has found his niche in providing motivational coaching to entrepreneurs.

The Saratoga Springs-based physician said he remembers the day he made the decision to change course, pivoting into a new way of promoting mental health awareness. He, himself, was suffering from a sense of burnout.

“I remember looking at my twin sister’s picture and thinking it was time to make the commitment to myself to enjoy things more, to enjoy life more,” said Dr. Astruc.

Astruc’s sister had recently died and he was reflecting on the way she lived her life during her final years. He said she lived a life filled with happiness and grace, something he wanted to emulate. It was then he decided the stress from his career was taking away from his quality of life.

Astruc explored different paths before landing on the one that felt right. He created Your Next Act, in which he teaches resilience and leadership. He said the goal is to improve mental fitness and well-being so that entrepreneurs can start enjoying their dream.

“I wanted to find a way to take my expertise and have a bigger, more meaningful impact on the world, and this feels like a good way for me to do that,” said Astruc.

Read More

Business Report: Addition By Subtraction

Posted onMay 17, 2021May 17, 2021
Michael Cruz is president of Lighthouse Advisors LLC in Queensbury.

By Michael Cruz

Most businesspeople believe that success is bred by doing more. And more and more. And many times, that makes things worse.

Success comes from being the best at what we do. Doing tasks we are good at brings energy to all of the people in your company. Success breeds success. Repeating success is easier than struggling to do things we may not be as good at. So, what am I talking about here? I am suggesting that you may become even more successful by figuring out what not to do.

Look at your products and services. List them out on a sheet of paper. Which ones are profitable? What percentage of the revenue for that sale do you keep? Which ones are always a struggle to break even with? And, it’s a sure thing that some have no profit at all—or are performed at a loss. We begin to add services or products for lots of reasons. Many of them are to add to the top line. It will increase our revenue.

However, remember that you did not get into business to sell things. You got into your business to make money. So, using critical thinking, you want to figure out where you make the most money.

This focus on profitability will help you get rid of activities that do not make you money. That frees up time to focus on the things that make you money.

There are good reasons to add to your product or service offerings. Helping to offer a more complete solution to your customers is a good one. That adds in client retention. And it should make you more money because you have expertise and a relationship that make your offering less price sensitive.

Moving into areas without that expertise has the opposite effect. When people push you into areas that you should not go, learn to say “no.”

Read More

Posts navigation

Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 8 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
  • Economic Outlook 2024
  • Economic Outlook 2025
  • 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
  • Leadership Development
  • 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

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • 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 © 2025
Disclaimer & Privacy Policy / Terms of Use / Copyright Policies
[uc-privacysettings]

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.