ProgressCNY 2015
An Eagle Newspapers publication.
February 11, 2015
Stories from the businesses, industries and issues that impact the Central New York economy
Expansion of care As local hospitals grow, so does their impact on the economy By Sarah Hall In the last decade, hospitals in the city of Syracuse have grown significantly, in some cases nearly doubling their physical footprint. The main reason for all of this growth is that local health care providers saw a need in the community. “In each instance, we were focusing on something that either did not exist or existed in an uncoordinated fashion,” said Dr. Gregory Eastwood, interim president of Upstate Medical University. In the last several years, Upstate has seen the most significant growth of Syracuse’s hospitals, adding a diabetes center, a cancer center and a children’s hospital. Eastwood said all were See Expansion, page 11
Compassionate Care Act: What does it mean for CNY? By Jason Gabak In July 2014, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature enacted the Compassionate Care Act, which will make medical marijuana available in New York. New York’s passage of the law means 23 states in the union have some laws allowing for medical use of marijuana as well as the District of Columbia. In December 2014, Congress and the Obama administration ended federal prohibition of medical marijuana. When the law was signed in New York, it was a day many New Yorkers battling a variety of ailments had long hoped to see come to pass. Julie Netherland, deputy state director for the New York office of the Drug Policy Alliance, who also works with Compassionate Care New York, a coalition that has rallied for the passage of the compassionate care act, said while the passing of the law was a big step forward the law has come with a variety of provisions, limitations and delays in implementation that are of concern. “The law is much more limited,” Netherland said. “New York is
one of 23 states to have a law for medical marijuana and the way it is being implemented is unique to New York.” First and foremost on the list of concerns, according to Netherland, is that while the law has passed, the availability of medical marijuana has not yet been implemented. According to regulations medical
marijuana dispensaries will be able to begin distribution “18 months from the effective date of the law or until such time that Commissioner and Superintendent of Police certify that the program can be implemented in accordance with public health and safety interests, whichever comes later.” Netherland said that means medication will no be available until at least January 2016. This has raised concern among
many, even here in Central New York. “When the law passed in July we thought it was amazing,” Donna Romano of Syracuse said. “But instead all the regulations are making it hard on patients.” Romano battles multiple sclerosis and through Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York became involved with See Act, page 6
ProgressCNY Home & Finance
2014 home sales ‘excellent’ in CNY Up 4 percent over 2013 By Jennifer Wing According to one real estate professional, 2014 home sales in Central New York as a whole were up four percent over 2013. Mark Re “2014 was an excellent year for RealtyUSA, with home sales up 10 percent over the prior year,” said Mark Re, vice president and general manager of the firm. He also said he’s seen more people buying real estate as an investment. “Investment buying [is] on the rise significantly in Central New York,” Re said. “Buying both single and multi dwellings now and ‘holding’ them in Central New York is very affordable.” Re said that also helping generate an increase in home buying is the fact that current interest rates are “incredibly low.” “While borrowing has prudently seen more
Photo courtesy of Kathy Annable
Compassionate Care New York members took part in a parade in Marcellus this summer raising awareness for the Compassionate Care Act.
See real estate, page 9