OSWEGO COUNTY
BUSINESS August / September 2015
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OswegoCountyBusiness.com
INSIDE
Ausugt / September 2015
Health industry about to see a surge in jobs
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CNY’s Growing Tourism Industry Experts say tourism to play larger role in the economy
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swego County has a broad selection of business parks in place that are perfect for your business.
Infrastructure is in place and there’s room to grow! Operation Oswego County will work with you to make sure your location is the best fit for your success—whether it’s on a Great Lake, an airport, or in wide open spaces. Financing’s available too: SBA 504 loans, County IDA tax-exempt and taxable bond financing, and Empire State Development financing.
In NY: Industrial Parks Perfect For Your Business
Among the businesses we host:
Our Industrial Parks Include:
• • • • • • • •
• • • • • •
Sunoco Otis Technology Linde North America Northland Filter International Southern Graphic Systems Canfield Machine & Tool Oswego State University DeWald Roofing
Oswego County Industrial Park Lake Ontario Industrial Park Airport Industrial Park Rich Corporate Park Columbia Mills Business Park Riverview Business Park
Call or visit us online to find your dream location:
L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD
(315) 343-1545 | www.OswegoCounty.org
Find Your Way Home • • • • • • • • •
Certified Modular Homes On-Site Construction Animal Housing Custom Homes Playgrounds Furniture Gazebos Sheds Gifts ble g Availa Financin
Philadelphia and Sandy Creek www.ncsbarns.com (315) 387-2092 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Y O SW E G O C O U N T
BUSINESS $4.50
June / July 2015
ness.com OswegoCountyBusi
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Issue 139
PROFILE PATRICK DEWINE
INSIDE
Ausugt / September 2015
Health industry about to see a surge in jobs
$4.50
CNY’s Growing Tourism Industry
The former manager at the Oswego’s Friendly’s is testing his leadership skills as the new executive director of the Greater Oswego County United Way. He says he is ready to rally the troops and get them where they need to go...............12
SPECIAL FEATURES
COVER STORY
How I Got Started Norman Swanson, head of Woodbine Group, started his business with a credit card loan of $40,000........................ 10
TOURISM INDUSTRY
Enrollment at Local Colleges Despite national trend, SUNY Oswego has kept high enrollment; at CCC, figures are flat ............... 42
• Working Together to Get More Visitors Five Central New York counties are pulling together to get a profile visitors • ‘Syracuse. Do Your Thing’ Campaign designed to show visitors variety of options in Syracuse and Central New York • Ambassador to Tourism Retired doctor taking city of Oswego tourism to a new level • Destinations Salmon River is No. 1 destination in Oswego County, followed by Harborfest, Fort Ontario and Selkirk Shores • Collaboration Historical sites and local museums team up to market the area • Oneida Lake Fishing tournaments, a popular beach and other amenities have helped put the lake on tourism map • Key to the Thousand Islands Concern now is with low Canadian dollar, which can negatively affect the area
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Bringing Oswego to Syracuse SUNY Metro Center opens in Syracuse, giving students more options ................................................ 44 Healthcare Jobs Figures from the Labor Department show high demand for support-occupation professionals............................ .68 Meet Excellus’ New Boss Jim Reed returns to Excellus BCBS for second stint as regional president.................................................... .71 Healthcare Hawk Health consultant keeps watchful eye on a complex healthcare system — for him, Obamacare has had an overall positive impact, but more needs to be done...............................................76
SUCCESS STORY
For new owners of Colosse Cheese, running the business is a family affair. The Mills, who bought the business from Gary and Linda Raiti, want to expand store’s outreach, line of products .....84
DEPARTMENTS On the Job, Newsmakers. ........................... 9,
20 Where in the World... Dubai, an incredible place............. 16 Economic Trends Recognizing those who make a difference ... 26 Business Updates....................................... 28 My Turn Can the media sink even lower?................... 38 First Person Unmask job applicants....................... 40 Last Page Doug Buske, Harborfest’s executive director ....... 90 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Cool by Nature.
Sunsets. Boating. Museums. Architecture. Fishing. Restaurants and Pubs. Lighthouse. Festivals. Conference Center. Fort Ontario. University. Speedway. Shops. Parks. Music. Arts, and more. The City of Oswego on Lake Ontario... cool comes naturally.
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For more information: (315) 342-8186 or www.oswegony.org
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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A Cozy Heart........................... 23 Allanson-Glanville-Tappan Funeral Home..................... 48 ALPS Services........................ 84 Amdursky, Pelky, Fennell & Wallen................................ 13 Amerigas................................. 25 Apple Country Retreat............ 19 Arise........................................ 77 Banach Insurance.....................11 Beacon Hotel / All Season Inn.60 Bear’s Sleep Hollow Campground....................... 19 Berkshire Hathaway ............... 47 Blue Moon Grill...................... 21 Breakwall Asset Mgnt............. 32 Brewerton Boatyard................ 53 Brewerton Pharmacy............... 77 Brookfield Renewable Power. 41 Burdick Ford........................... 39 Burke’s Home Center.............. 25 C & S Companies................... 47 Canal Landing Marina............ 18 Canale’s Italian Cuisine.......... 21 Commercial Audio Solution..... 9 Caster’s Sawmill Inc................. 7 Central Square Apple Festival.15 Century 21 - Galloway............ 24 Child Care Council................. 77 Colosse Cheese Store.............. 19 Community Bank...................... 7 Compass Credit Union............ 47 Computer Accounting ...... 24, 84 Crouse Hospital....................... 91
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Davis Law Office...................... 9 Excellus - BlueCross BlueShield...........................11 Fastrac..................................... 41 Finger Lakes Construction...... 25 Fitzgibbons Agency................ 32 Foster Funeral Home............... 80 Fred’s Auto Parts..................... 23 Fulton Community Development Agency......... 57 Fulton Savings Bank............... 66 Gannon Pest Control .............. 23 Glider Oil................................ 41 Good Golly’s Restaurant......... 21 Great Lakes Oral Surgery....... 81 Great Lakes Trolley.................. 5 Greater Oswego Fulton C of C................................. 34 Harbor Lights Chemical Dependency........................ 80 Harbor Towne Gifts................ 18 Hardwood Transformations.... 23 Haun Welding Supply............. 23 History Collaborative.............. 19 Interface Solutions.................... 2 J P Jewelers............................. 34 Johnston Gas........................... 23 K-9 Grooming & Pet Motel.... 39 Key Bank................................ 60 Lake Ontario Antiques ........... 19
Lakeside Artisans.................... 18 Medical Registry of CNY....... 77 MetLife Ins. Co....................... 84 Mimi’s Drive Inn.................... 21 Morningstar Residential Care. 69 Mr. Sub.................................... 21 NBT Bank............................... 14 Nelson Law Firm...................... 8 North Bay Campground.......... 18 North Country Storage Barns.... 3 Ontario Health & Fitness – Pulaski PT.............................. 75 Operation Oswego County........ 2 Oswego Community Development Office........................... 5 Oswego County Community Foundation......................... 13 Oswego County Federal Credit Union.................................... 8 Oswego County Mutual Insurance...................................... 7 Oswego County Promotion and Tourism.............................. 91 Oswego County Stop DWI..... 57 Oswego Health ....................... 69 Oswego Industries................... 15 Oswego Inn............................. 19 Pathfinder Bank....................... 29 Paura’s Liquor Store................. 7 Peter Realty............................. 77
Phoenix Press.......................... 57 Pole Position Raceway............ 53 Port of Oswego Authority....... 66 Press Box................................ 34 Pro-Build................................. 25 Pulaski / Eastern Shore CofC.. 18 Riccelli Northern..................... 41 Riveredge Resort..................... 64 RiverHouse Restaurant........... 21 Rudy’s..................................... 21 Salmon Country Marina & Campground....................... 18 Scriba Electric......................... 25 Servpro of Oswego County..... 24 Skyline Solar........................... 25 Springside at Seneca Hill........ 75 St. Joseph’s Imaging............... 81 St. Lawrence C of C................ 65 SUNY Oswego........................ 33 Tailwater Lodge...................... 15 The Gardens............................ 69 Trust Pediatrics....................... 77 Tully Hill Chemical Dependency Center............ 75 United Way............................. 48 Valley Locksmith.................... 39 Vernon Downs........................... 6 VisitOswegoNY.com................. 5 Volney Multiplex.................... 23 Watertown International Airport................................ 65 White’s Lumber Supply.......... 39 WRVO..................................... 92 Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park.... 18
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The Store Next Door: Online Customers Go Local “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.” So goes the familiar theme to “Cheers,” though recent research suggests that for online shoppers in 2015, “sometimes” may actually be a bit of an understatement. An April survey conducted by Yodle and reported on eMarketer.com asked Internet users in the United States whether they were more likely to buy online from local businesses or major national chains. Despite the latter often having lower prices, 56 percent of respondents preferred shopping locally. The main reason the majority opt for mom-and-pop shops over the Walmarts of the world? Better, more personalized customer service. In virtually every customer-experience-related category, local businesses bested their national chain counterparts, the research shows. When asked about the areas in which local businesses outshone national chains, 88 percent of respondents said customer service overall, with 96 percent specifically preferring the more personalized service of a smaller business. Almost 90 percent of respondents said local businesses were fairer and more trustworthy, while 86 percent found the quality of their work to be higher than that of the national chains. Furthermore, nearly 80 percent said local businesses were more reliable and likely to deliver on their promises and nearly the same amount preferred the quality of the staff.
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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NELSON LAW FIRM
Attorneys at Law Allison J. Nelson, Esq. Lesley C. Schmidt, Esq. Rachael A. Flach, Esq. NY Certified Woman-Owned Business Enterprise
• Real Estate • Wills • Estates • Estate Planning • Municipal Law • Traffic Matters 89 E. First Street, Oswego, NY 13126 Tel: 315-312-0318 • Fax: 315-312-0322 • Web: anelsonlaw.net
COVERING CENTRAL NEW YORK OswegoCountyBusiness.com Editor and Publisher Wagner Dotto
Associate Editor Lou Sorendo
Columnists
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L. Michael Treadwell Bruce Frassinelli Sandra Scott, George Valentine
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ur newest office at the corner of E. 4th and Bridge streets in Oswego is open to serve you. It’s more than twice the size of our former east side location! Offering: • Plenty of free parking • 2 Drive-through lanes • 24-hr. drive-throughATM • Free coffee bar
Oswego County Business is published by Local News, Inc., which also publishes CNY Summer Guide, Business Guide, CNY Winter Guide, College Life, In Good Health– The Healthcare Newspaper (four editions), CNY Healthcare Guide and 55PLUS, a Magazine for Active Adults (two editions) Published bi-monthly (6 issues a year) at 185 E. Seneca Street PO Box 276 Oswego, NY 13126. Subscription: $21.50 a year; $35 for two years
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Corner E. 4th & Bridge St. Oswego 343-7822
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
ON THE JOB
“In this age of technology where people are glued to a screen, how do you encourage live human interaction with staff and customers?”
“SageMyLife is a start-up tech company whose employees are generally glued to a screen. Our business is helping people better visualize, understand and manage their networks — their ‘real life’ networks. So we are keen on developing our own. We have opted for an open workspace with just a few divider panels, mostly to dampen sound. Conversations fly freely over the tops of our monitors. We walk around the room to speak with each other. We don’t use Instant Messenger, though we do shoot frequent emails for quick replies. We visit our vendors and our colleagues in The Syracuse Tech Garden where we reside. And we spend a lot of time talking with other people about our business.” Nancy Bloeser Sage My Life Syracuse
“Sometimes all you need is someone to talk to, not someone to text to. Purposefully there is no TV in our waiting room as we encourage clients to enjoy tea or coffee and our staff is trained to use those moments to engage with people who are waiting. We do embrace the positive aspects of technology by using an iPad during appointments. Many clients have thanked us for actively spending time listening and engaging.” Jill Pelkey Pregnancy Care Center of Oswego County Oswego “In many ways as an industry, we rely heavily on technology to get the work done, but to us human interaction is critically important. We encourage our clients to call or stop by and if they can’t get to us, we are always happy to
stop and see them. We make it a point to get out and see our customers on a weekly basis whether it’s to pick up an order or stop in to help solve a difficult title problem. Most importantly as an office, we consistently work hands-on as a team to deliver the best level of service and products.” Curt Coville Chicago Title Syracuse “The ease and access to technology obviously have great appeal and success, but people also long for someone to recognize them and their unique needs and interests. At Harbor Towne, we try to engage and respond to everyone with interest in meeting his or her needs. Sincere customer service is still appreciated. Linda Tyrell Harbor Towne Gifts & Souvenirs Oswego “We don’t have a problem with live interaction. Our design and layout folks are constantly up monitoring the digital continued on page 84
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NEW CLIENTS ARE WELCOMED AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
9
How I Got
Started
Norman Swanson
President and owner of The Woodbine Group grew his Syracuse company, which owns Tailwater Lodge in Altmar, from a credit card investment of $40,000 to a multi-million dollar conglomerate By Lou Sorendo
Q.: Can you give us a sense of how you created The Woodbine Group? A.: I graduated from Syracuse University with an accounting degree then spent a year on Wall Street as an internal auditor. I didn’t like New York City and came back to Syracuse. I then went into the family laundry and dry cleaning business for a couple of years. I then went into the real estate brokerage business selling commercial real estate and, for a few years, was able to be successful. But I also found there was a dramatic amount of real estate for sale that needed reorganization, a new face and a new management style. Q.: What did you decide to do? A.: I was able — by credit cards and smiles on my face — to start buying properties. Bank regulations were a lot less at that point in time, and we were able to acquire property in Syracuse, Rome and Bloomington, Del. We came back to Syracuse and started buying what I will call orphans, which I define as something that has good bones, structure and location, but is vastly underutilized and most of the time vacant. Over the years, we continued to acquire these types of properties as a management group, which led us into the creation of The Woodbine Group in 1978. The group is a core organization of accounting, real estate management, human resources and all of the common utilization tools we need to develop, construct and manage property. We have a hospitality division that has four hotels — The Genesee Grande Hotel, Hotel Skyler, The Parkview Hotel and The Tailwater Lodge in Altmar — a warehousing division that warehouses new cans and bottles for Anheuser-Busch in Radisson, and a real estate development arm that owns and manages approximately 1,700,000 square feet of real estate in Syracuse and now in Oswego County. Q.: What motivated you at the outset of your career to focus your talents on owning and managing commercial real estate through the region? A.: It was a personal interest, not counting background and being able to design and construct. Our team not only totally designs our real estate and hotels, we source all our materials, supervise construction and when it’s finished, we manage, promote and operate it. Q.: What was the motivation to develope underutilized property? How
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
did you develop this niche? A.: The niche has always been that they are well located, have good bones but are very inexpensive. For example, in one period of time in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we bought within one year almost 1 million square feet of warehousing that was all empty. Because it was empty and had no income, the asking price was very modest. Q.: How did you finance your operations in the early days? A.: My first acquisition was financed with three credit cards with a grand sum total of $40,000 in credit. That’s it. We don’t sell property, and we have some of the same properties that I bought in 1977. We just continue to acquire, renovate, manage and build. Q.: What was the most challenging aspect of launching your own business? A.: The most challenging aspect was basically being able to find a way to finance projects when you did not have a large capital investment to make.
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Q.: What is the most gratifying aspect of successfully resurrecting properties that were once considered useless? A.: The most gratifying aspect in the hospitality business and in our other businesses is watching people take a look at something that was orphaned that has been changed in appearance and in what it does. Q.: What skill sets and personal characteristics do you have which helped you overcome the challenges of launching a new business? A.: I guess there is one common touch that works and it’s being stubborn. If you decide to go down a road and you know where you have to get to, obviously there are many roadblocks that are put in your way, whether they are through government agencies or banks. Q.: What kind of advice would you give to someone who is just embarking upon a career in real estate and developing commercial property? A.: No. 1, I would suggest that they start going to Toastmasters and learn communication skills. It’s immensely important to be able to speak in front of a group of people, whether it is five bankers or 500 people in a setting where you have to express your ideas and make them concise, to the point and get your total idea across. If there was one thing you need to perfect, it’s communication skills. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Profile By Lou Sorendo
PATRICK DEWINE Native Oswegonian stands tall as new United Way leader
V
Dewine is making the isibility creates credibility. Patrick health and well-being. transition from a job that Dewine, who stands at 6-foot-7, The United Way in Osfeatured a lot of physihas no problem creating visibility wego County serves 21 cal activity and 10-hour as the new executive director of United agencies and their 27 shifts to more of a convenprograms. Way of Greater Oswego County. tional office-type setting. The key to success Dewine, who succeeds Melanie “I realized that I was Trexler, is certainly an imposing figure for the United Way, able to keep myself quite Dewine said, is attainin the offices of United Way. active and fit by working “My stature kind of stands out in the ing a high level of outthere, and now I don’t crowd. Visibility is not a big issue for me. reach in the community. have that,” said Dewine, “Visibility creates I would never make a good undercover noting he will need to find credibility,” he said. cop,” he said. alternative ways to At times, his height can be a little “We need to be out in exercise. intimidating, said Dewine, who spent the public and face-to“I didn’t over 15 years working as a manager face whenever we spend a can,” he said. for 12’s. whole lot of “A lot of employees, for example, “I think we time in the ofhave said, ‘Oh my gosh, I remember are obligated fice at Friendwhen I first started working for you to be in the ly’s, except at the and thought, he’s so big and tall, but right place at end of a shift,” he now I don’t even think twice about it,’” the right time in said. “This is more order to justify who Dewine said. geared toward office Despite being tall and somewhat we are and what we are time, particularly now when daunting, Dewine said he still has the doing.” “I have a ‘can-do’ attitude and like I am trying to learn things.” ability to rally the troops and get them In-house coordinator — Dewine to get things done,” he said. to where they need to go. Others have noticed as well. He had been a United Way contributor for “It’s funny because my approach is not necessarily like a pounding-fist type received “Man of the Year” honors from many years. His first exposure to the of attitude,” he said. “Some people call the Ancient Order of Hibernians in 1987, United Way was through its annual inme the ‘Gentle Giant’ just because they was dubbed “Knight of the Year” by the house campaign at Friendly’s. He served as a campaign coordinaknow me and my personality. There are Knights of Columbus in the early ‘90s, too many distractions in life and you and was “General Manager of the Year” tor at the restaurant. Dewine, 50, said he is quite familiar can’t let them bring you down. Here’s at Friendly’s twice. “I have drive and passion. I want to with the climate of the community as far the thing: We get paid to do a job, let’s do it to the best of our abilities, learn get the job done but, most importantly, I as needs go. He said he has spent many years want to get the job done right,” he said. from our mistakes and move on. interacting with the community and “Once people get to know me, they working side-byrealize I am a people side with some of person.” Lifelines the people who have The United utilized United Way Way’s mission is to Age: 50 services. build stronger com- Birthplace: Oswego Dewine emphamunities by end- Current residence: Oswego ing hunger, helping Education: Graduated from Oswego High School; associates degree at Cayuga Community College sized the importance of education children and youth Affiliations: Ancient Order of Hibernians; Knights of Columbus in the United Way’s succeed, and im- Personal: Single cause. proving Oswego Hobbies: Camping, traveling “We need to get County’s overall
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
back out and educate not only the people who have been associated with United Way through donations, but the younger generation, as to who we are, what we do and who we serve,” he said. Dewine said people “just know we are a nonprofit and that we collect money and disburse it out into the community. I don’t think they understand who we give it to and who we help. “I was one of those people who knew about United Way, knew that the money stayed in the county and helped underprivileged individuals as a whole, but not in the specific areas that we touch,” he added. Dewine is teaming with Ali McGrath, the United Way’s resource development director, in working on some different ideas on how to bridge the gap between the United Way and where the money is being directed. The first endeavor involves collaborating with agencies the United Way presently serves. A project will then be put together and used as a learning tool for the general community. “For example, people can look at it and say, ‘OK, now I understand. This makes more sense. Some of my money is going to the YMCA, some to the Boy Scouts, and some to the Salvation Army,’” he noted. “They can get a better idea and understanding of where that money is.” Dewine said while the United Way is a nonprofit organization, it is basically a business. He said dealing with budgets and interacting with people are experiences he has had at Friendly’s. Just as he did at Friendly’s, Dewine is taking a diverse group of people and getting them to work toward the same common goal. Dewine said he had a humble Catholic upbringing in the city of Oswego’s Oak Hill neighborhood, and this helped foster his need to help others. He began to realize he could make a difference, particularly when he became involved in fraternal organizations such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus. “I think having a passion to help others was something I was born with that was nurtured by my parents and just blossomed from there,” he said. “It isn’t something that you can learn in a classroom setting. It actually comes from within.” Dewine said one of the reasons he was so successful as an in-house campaign coordinator at Friendly’s is because he gave a face to the United AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Way mission. “I employed a brother and sister who had a younger sister who benefited from the Arise Independent Living Center,” he said. “I got to meet the younger sister and it gave me a better understanding and I could finally say, ‘OK, this is where the money goes.’ That’s what started it all,” he said. “Moving forward, I was always able to use that example to sell the United Way.” Tapping into social networks — McGrath, who is in her first year on the job, has been instrumental in featuring the United Way on Facebook and Twitter. “She is the perfect person for the job as a member of the younger generation,” Dewine said. Social media is all the younger generation uses anymore, Dewine noted. Dewine said young people need to get a feel for how many people the United Way impacts within the county, and that all donations are used in the county. Dewine said as older supporters and volunteers retire, or move away or are just no longer around, the United Way needs to replace them and replenish those numbers with people who are young and willing to make a difference in their own communities. “This will be a great vehicle for them to do that,” he said. “My generation never thought twice about giving. Today’s thought process is a little different with younger kids,” he said. “I just think it’s a matter of the education piece and getting them to buy into it as one of the best agencies to support.” The United Way reported a shortfall recently due to diminishing donations. Dewine has a plan that is intended to reverse that downward trend. He said educating the public as to what United Way is, continuing with social media outreach, and getting out into the community to spread the message are pivotal to the plan. Dewine said “it’s actually kind of moving” when he sees how financially strapped agencies function with what they got. “It makes me proud of what I’m doing so far and it makes me look forward to the things I can do for them down the road,” he said. An avid outdoorsman, Dewine cherishes his annual vacation at Southwick Beach State Park, where he congregates with several other Oswegonians in what has become a tradition. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUPPORT FOR THE OSWEGO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION!! The Oswego County Community Foundation offers our thanks to everyone who helped us surpass our initial fundraising goal of $500,000. We are excited to begin making grants this fall to 501 (c)(3) organizations in Oswego County. Learn more at oswegocountycf.org The Oswego County Community Foundation is a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. 315.422.9538 www.oswegocountycf.org oswego@cnycf.org
26 East Oneida Street Oswego, NY 13126
P: 315.343.6363 F: 315.343.0134
www.apfwlaw.com
Timothy J. Fennell Joseph E. Wallen Gregory R. Gilbert
John D. Conners Courtney S. Radick Paul L. Pelky of Counsel
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“We’ve Got You Covered!” 13
Publisher’s note By Wagner Dotto
C
entral New York loves its manufacturing operations. Companies like Novelis, Lockheed Martin and Carrier Corp., to mention a few, bring tons of high paying jobs, they’re steady and are big wealth producers. We can’t live without them. But we all agree about the tremendous potential the tourism industry has — and the need to promote it even more heavily. More visitors in town means more money in the hands of local businesses and more taxes paid to cities and other municipalities. The region has been blessed with beautiful lakes, rivers, rolling hills, great vegetation and scenic byways. Add to that Destiny USA, which has become a shopping mecca visited by more than 20 million a year; the great fish, which attract anglers from all over the country; and many groups that know how to organize great festivals and events (see Harborfest,
the Jamesville Balloonfest, Syracuse Jazz Fest and others) — and you have the key ingredients already in place to make the area a hot destination. We just need to reach out to people in other parts of New York and neighboring states, package the area better, make it more marketable and promote it more heavily. We’ve seen some initiatives in those areas. One of them is a study by five CNY counties — Cortland, Onondaga, Madison, Cayuga and Oswego — to define a general profile of our visitors in order to offer them more reasons to come and stay in the area. Another example is the recent collaboration among historical sites and museums in the city of Oswego, called history collaborative. By working together, these organizations are able to reach out to more visitors and offer a package of attractions that many may find appealing. It’s also encouraging to see the private sector getting involved.
Retired Oswego physician David Granoff recently launched a commercial, for-profit website to promote tourism in Oswego. Titled VisitOswegoNY.com, the site has drawn the attention of thousands of viewers. As a spinoff of the site, Granoff recently created a visitor’s center on Route 481 right at the main corridor as people drive to Oswego. This issue of Oswego County Business explores several aspects of the industry. The good news is, according to many sources, tourism in Central New York is growing and the trend is expected to grow even more.
WAGNER DOTTO is the publisher of Oswego County Business Magazine.
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
SEPTEMBER 25, 26, 27
Lioness Club of Central Square
• Fri. 5 - 9
32nd Annual
Rides & Limited Food Only Ride 5 - 9 pm for $20 $5 off coupon on Facebook
APPLE FESTIVAL
• Sat 9 - 6 • Sun 9 - 5 Brewerton Speedway
(enter at 154 US Route 11) $5/carload with free parking and shuttles
• Best Apple Pie Contest • Hula Hoop Dance Contest • Best Scarecrow Contest • Miss Apple Festival Contest • Dance, Martial Arts Demonstrations & More Reymore Chevrolet Stage Sat. 1-5 Civil Servants • Sun 2 - 5 The Coachmen Lyons Dentistry Stage Sat 9 - 6 Jammin’ Beats DJs • Sun 9 - 5 Bandit DJ
MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC
Special appearances by Curls the Clown, Ronald McDonald and more
Amusement Rides, Crafters & Vendors, Food, Raffles, Demonstrations www.centralsquareapplefestival.com • www.facebook.com/centralsquareapplefestival 315-675-8232 100% of profits are donated back into our local communities.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
15
Where in the World is Sandra Scott? By Sandra Scott
DUBAI An Incredible Place F
ifty years ago no one could have envisioned the Dubai of today or that it would be a popular tourist destination. Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa — currently the tallest building in the world at 2,717 feet — and massive artificial islands. Hotel accommodations can cost $1,000 or more a night. The Burj Al
Arab, one of the most expensive hotels in the world, charges $24,000 per night for guests to stay in its Royal Suite. But we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, which was reasonable. Basically Dubai is a “dry country” but international hotels serve adult beverages. Ladies should dress modestly, meaning no short shorts and halter tops. But then I
don’t think that is appropriate attire in any cosmopolitan city. Visas are issued upon arrival. I like that. The $3-tour of Jumeirah Mosque, only mosque open to non-Muslems, called “Open Doors, Open Minds,” gives an insight into the Islamic religion. We were told the choice of clothing is more cultural than religious as the Koran only states that clothing should be modest. Interestingly, I noticed that bling has come to the abaya, the coat-like covering worn by women. Questions were welcomed. The other must-do is the Dubai Museum. At first, I thought the courtyard, which was set up like a typical home of 50 years ago, was the entire museum. I followed the arrows assuming they led to the exit, but entered the large air-conditioned underground exhibit area with multi-media presentations that records Dubai’s development from the early pearl divers to the discovery of oil in the late 1960s to the current over-the-top developments. One of my favorite evenings was also the least expensive and one of the
The Deira spice souk in “old” Dubai, a place filled with wonderful aromas of frankincense and myrrh. 16
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
few areas to experience the “old” Dubai. We wandered through the Deira spice souk filled with wonderful aromas of frankincense and myrrh, took the shuttle ferry across Dubai Creek, and strolled down the corniche to the Heritage Village. Along the way we toured the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum’s House, one of the oldest residences in the city. The house has wind towers constructed to keep the home cool by hanging wet cloths in the towers, when the wind blows it causes evaporation that works like an air conditioner. At the Heritage Village there were school children performing traditional dances, Arabian horses, camel rides, craftspeople, and ladies cooking traditional treats. Admission to the Heritage Village was free so including the ferry ride, food and admission to Maktoum House, I spent about $5. The best part was it gave me a feel for the real Dubai as there were many local families spending a relaxing evening at the village. Tourists seldom run into the local people as most of the “working” people are imported from Asia and India. Dune bashing is another touristy must-do. With our driver we charged up one dune and careened down another arriving at the top of a dune in time to watch sunset. Then it was off to a desert camp for a camel ride, a belly dancing show, and a traditional BBQ buffet. Dubai is a shopaholic’s dream with traditional souks and glitzy malls offering everything from antiques to designer clothing to gold. My reason for visiting the Mall of the Emirates was to see Ski Dubai. A chair lift provides access to three ski runs — one is almost a quarter of a mile run. Truly an amazing site within a mall. With their oil reserves depleted Dubai’s economic focus has turned to tourism. I would like to return to see their new audacious projects, including Dubailand destined to be the world’s largest multi-themed entertainment attraction when it is completed in 2020.
Sandra Scott, a retired history teacher and the co-author of two local history books, has been traveling worldwide with her husband, John, since the 1980s. The Scotts live in the village of Mexico. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
My reason for visiting the Mall of the Emirates was to see Ski Dubai. A chair lift provides access to three ski runs — one is almost a quarter of a mile run. Truly an amazing site within a mall.
The Burj Al Arab, one of the most expensive hotels in the world, charges $24,000 per night for guests to stay in its Royal Suite. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
17
Canal Landing Marina 20 Marine Electric Water Hookups, Dumping Station, Restroom Facilities & Private Showers. Located at Lock 3 on the State Canal (Oswego River), within walking distance of restaurants, banks, stores and churches. Friday Night Concerts at the Gazebo
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Pulaski area NY’s best and most popular fishing destination! 4 Seasons of family fun with boating, camping, golfing in summer and fall, to snowmobiling, cross country skiing and more in winter. Our members will help you plan your next visit for both business & pleasure. Call 315-298-2213 or visit us at www. pulaskinychamber.com or e-mail info@pulaskinychamber.com
OswegoCountyBusiness.com 18
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
exploreCNY Safe Haven Museum H. Lee White Maritime Museum Fort Ontario Historic Site Oswego Railroad Museum Richardson-Bates House Museum John D. Murray Firefighters Museum Heritage Foundation of Oswego Oswego Public Library
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Colosse Country Craft Corner
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NEWSMAKERS NEWS BRIEFS ON LOCAL BUSINESS & BUSINESS PEOPLE
Isabella Completes Leadership Program Kelly Isabella, personal lines sales manager at Eastern Shore Associates Insurance (ESA), recently graduated from the 2015 class of Leadership Oswego County. “Leadership Oswego County was extremely valuable to me,” Isabella said. “I learned a tremendous amount about the resources available through Oswego County and the issues facing the county. But most of all, I met a lot of great people and built a solid network of local contacts.” Isabella Isabella, a 14year employee at ESA’s Fulton office is a native of Macedon. She resides in Syracuse with her husband, David, son, Justin, and daughter, Olivia. Leadership Oswego County teaches a select group of local residents community trusteeship, leadership skills, current issues and networking. The group embarked on a nine-month course of intensive study of leadership skills, Oswego County and its resources. Key community members teach participants about the skills and knowledge needed to be effective leaders. The program is offered through SUNY Oswego’s Office of Business and Community Relations.
Anthis Joins Eastern Shore Associates Thomas Anthis was hired as a commercial lines insurance broker at Eastern Shore Associates Insurance (ESA). He will be in ESA’s N. Syracuse office at 401 S. Main St. “Thomas’ energy and enthusiasm 20
are a welcome addition to our commercial lines team,” Martha Murray, the agency’s president, said. “I know our customers will really enjoy working with him.” Anthis, a licensed insurance broker, has more than two-andAnthis a-half years in commercial lines experience where he worked for another Syracuse insurance agency. He resides in, and is a
native of, Syracuse. Headquartered in Fulton, Eastern Shore Associates is a Trusted Choice agency and ESOP (employee stock owned) company.
WRVO Teaming Up with Upstate Stations WRVO Public Media, a multistation public radio network based at SUNY Oswego, has received a $40,560 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Titled Upstate Insight, the grant is helping to fund the coordination and sharing of regional news and public affairs coverage among stations serving Upstate New York. Upstate Insight collaborators include WXXI Rochester, WSKG Binghamton, WMHT Schenectady
Visit to Parish’s BioSpherix
State Congressman Richard Hanna and other people recently visited the headquarters of BioSpherix in Parish. BioSpherix, Ltd. is a privately held corporation dedicated to the development, manufacture and sale of advanced laboratory equipment for optimizing mammalian cell incubation and handling. Research scientists and doctors in the fields of cell biology and stem cell research, cell therapy, gene therapy, regenerative medicine, clinical trials and cGMP cell production use the products. Visiting the company were back row from left to right: Paul Michaels, BioSpherix; Roy Reehil, Oswego County Legislature; Lee DeAmicis, M&T Bank; Kevin Gardner, Oswego County Legislature. Second row left to right: Kevin Murray, BioSpherix; Michael Backus, Oswego County Clerk; Deb Mc Atee, M&T Bank; L. Michael Treadwell, executive director at Operation Oswego County; Jennifer Cook, Assemblyman Will Barclay’s representative. Front row left to right: Congressman Richard Hanna, Randy Yerden, CEO of BioSpherix; Michelle Stepien, constituent liason at New York State Senate. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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LUNCH AND DINNER SERVED: Monday - Saturday 11 am to 9 pm BAR SERVICE till 10 weekdays Friday & Saturday till 12 SUNDAY DINING 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Banquet Room Unforgettable fine private dining for your special occasion Lower level of Blue Moon Grill AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Business Meetings•Seminars Parties & Receptions
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21
and associate partner WBFO Buffalo as well as WRVO. The stations are working together to train reporters in new forms of story development, production and presentation including the use of publicly available databases for reporting and analysis. The project is a follow-up to an earlier Corporation for Public Broadcasting-funded project, Innovation Trail. “Innovation Trail was a highly
successful multistation collaboration that became a model for public broadcasters around the country seeking to cooperate in newsgathering,” said WRVO General Manager Michael Ameigh. “We learned that when reporters and editors cooperate, the result is better, deeper coverage, and more of it.” Now in its 46th year of broadcasting from the SUNY Oswego campus, WRVO has nine repeater transmitters scattered across the Central and
Oswego Neighborhoods Awarded Revitalization Grants
Homeowners on Ellen Street in the City of Oswego celebrate their block being designated a 2015 Renaissance Block. The Oswego Renaissance Association (ORA) recently announced more Renaissance Block Challenge Grants have been awarded to various neighborhoods in Oswego. Block Challenge Grants award individual property owners up to $1,000 each in matching funds for exterior improvements, if neighbors get five or more households on the same block to participate. Neighbors must also propose a plan to begin revitalizing their neighborhood as part of their application. This year, over 150 homes on 17 city blocks were funded. The 2015 Renaissance Block Challenge grants are funded by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation and Pathfinder Bank, with administrative support by SUNY Oswego. “Last year, 96 out of 120 houses awarded the Block Challenge grant 22
completed the work, which was an outstanding 80 percent completion rate” said Paul Stewart, director of the ORA. “We awarded $81,104 in grants, resulting in $315,789 invested by property owners. We expect this year to be larger than last.” According to Stewart, by November of this year, the ORA will have leveraged between $750,000 and $1 million in investment in Oswego’s neighborhoods — all within the last 18-24 months. “This is still just the beginning,” added Stewart. “We partner with blocks year over year and it continues to grow.” For additional information visit the Oswego Renaissance Association’s website — www. OswegoNYonline.com — or The Oswego Renaissance Association on Facebook. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Northern regions of Upstate New York. Much of the WRVO program schedule is also carried by radio stations at SUNY Cortland and Colgate University. Reports produced by WRVO’s regional news staff are often heard in NPR national news broadcasts and are available as free downloads from WRVO.org.
Interface Solutions in Fulton Has New Name Interface Solutions, Inc., a leading global manufacturer of engineered composite materials, sealing solutions and advanced thermal and acoustic management products, has a new name—Interface Performance Materials, Inc.—effective July 1. The new name reflects the company’s core business of providing performance excellence through leading-edge materials, superior engineering, exceptional service and collaboration in established and emerging markets. Although the name is new, Interface Performance Materials is built on more than 100 years of technical innovation, production expertise and product excellence, ensuring total performance for its customers’ most pressing challenges. “Interface has strong brand recognition in the markets we currently serve,” said William Warkentin, president and CEO, Interface Performance Materials, Inc. “Our new name — Interface Performance Materials — positions the company as the partner for performance — more than an expert and more than a preferred source for technically reliable solutions. We are a trusted advisor that applies materials science, engineering and polymer chemistry to a range of exciting new materials and products across emerging markets. “Performance plays into everything we do,” Warkentin continued. “It means taking your customer’s success personally—working closely with them to match our expertise in materials science with the precise needs of their project and providing materials that are engineered with performance that endures.” The company name change coincides with the launch of a new website. Available at www.InterfaceMaterials. com, the mobile-friendly site is optimized to increase traffic to the website, welcoming visitors to its home page with the company’s “Let’s Talk Performance” brand commitment. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OswegoCountyBusiness.com
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From left to right are Compass Board Member Joanne Gardner, Crystal Dudley, Compass Manager Tom O’Toole, scholarship recipient Sage Dudley, Compass Assistant Manager Denise Grinnell, scholarship recipient Mark Forger and Jeff Forger.
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Compass Credit Union Awards Three Students $9,000 in Scholarships Compass Credit Union recently awarded $9,000 in college scholarships to three Oswego students. Sage Dudley and Mark Forger, who recently graduated from Oswego High School, each won a $4,000 college scholarship. Danielle Faivus, a recent graduate of Clarkson University, received a $1,000 scholarship to pursue an advanced degree in medicine. Dudley, the daughter of Todd and Crystal Dudley, plans to study physical therapy at Duquesne University in OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Pittsburgh. Forger, the son of Jeff and Kathy Forger, plans to study forensic chemistry at SUNY Albany. Faivus, of Oswego, will use the money to offset tuition at medical school. She is enrolled at SUNY Upstate Medical University but is also considering other medical colleges. Faivus hopes to study pediatric oncology with the ultimate goal of working at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. A volunteer committee for Compass selected Dudley and Forger among 17 high school applicants. This is the first year the credit union has added a one-time, $1,000 scholarship for continuing education. “We congratulate these seniors and wish them nothing but success in college,” Compass Manager Tom O’Toole said. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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OswegoCountyBusiness.com OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
25
L. Michael Treadwell ooc@oswegocounty.org
T Businesses and individuals recognized for significant contributions to economic development and job creation in Oswego County.
L. MICHAEL TREADWELL, CEcD, is executive director of Operation Oswego County based in Oswego.
26
OCO Recognizes Those Who Make a Difference
hree business organizations, a success- and OJT training services to 387 jobseekers ful entrepreneur and a long-standing and realizing a 97 percent level of customer economic development advocate satisfaction for services provided. were honored during Operation Oswego • The Business Excellence Award for County’s 63rd annual meeting at the Lake 2015 was presented to Behling Orchards in recOntario Event and Conference Center in ognition and appreciation for demonstrating Oswego June 18. adaptation and continued growth in a competThey were recognized for significant itive agricultural business environment; since contributions to economic development and 1947, the orchard has grown from six to 200 job creation in Oswego County. acres and offers 70 varieties of apples; primarily • The Ally Award for 2015 was pre- a U-pick farm, it also features hayrides, pony sented to the Oswego County Division of rides, mazes for children, snack bar loaded Employment and Training — One-Stop with pies, popcorn balls and cider; to add Center, in recognition and appreciation of diversity, the farm offers u-pick strawberries, its significant contribution to the economic raspberries, blueberries and cherries; for its development process outstanding reputation of Economic Trends in Oswego County; for providing quality produce its outstanding support and customer service; for in enhancing job creation and economic employing 23 full-time and 142 part-time development by providing effective job employees; for producing 75,000 to 100,000 training services and assisting companies bushels of apples a year; and for doing business with employment recruitment; for meeting in Oswego County for 68 years. or exceeding all federal and state perfor• The Jobs Award, recognizing signifimance goals; for its exceptional record for cant capital investment as well as job creation the 2013-2014 program year by assisting and retention, was presented to Champlain 5,581 job seekers, helping 2,305 individuals Valley Specialty in recognition and apprecienter employment, providing customized ation of its very significant contribution to
Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award prsented to the late Lawrence R. Perras Pictured are, from left, Kevin LaMontagne, OOC board president, Christopher, Theresa and Lawrence Perras II, Nancy Bellow, retired director of SUNY Oswego’s Office of Business and Community Relations, and L. Michael Treadwell, OOC executive director. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
The Ally Award. Kevin LaMontagne, Operation Oswego County (OOC) board president, and L. Michael Treadwell, OOC executive director, present the award to Christine Weaver, One Stop Center operator.
Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award. Kevin LaMontagne and L. Michael Treadwell present the award to Norman E. Swanson, owner and president of Woodbine Group.
the Oswego County and Central New York economies by establishing in 2012 a multi-million dollar apple processing and packaging plant that has grown to be over 100,000 square feet in the Town of Oswego; for creating over 175 manufacturing jobs in the food processing industry; for being the fifth largest manufacturing employer and 15th largest private employer in Oswego County; and for utilizing locally and regionally grown apples to produce pre-sliced ready to eat apples for school, retail and restaurant markets. • Norman E. Swanson received OOC’s 2015 Dee Heckethorn Entrepreneur Award. In recognition and appreciation of exceptional entrepreneurial AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
The 2015 Jobs Award. Kevin LaMontagne, Operation Oswego County (OOC) board president, and L. Michael Treadwell, OOC executive director, present the award Jeremy Dygert, VP of operations at Champlain Valley Specialty.
The Business Excellence Award. Kevin LaMontagne and L. Michael Treadwell present the award to Eric, Jenna and Lori Behling, owners of Behling Orchards.
spirit, creativity, and dedication to fostering economic, community and tourism growth in Oswego County and Central New York through excellence in transforming a closed and vacant 32,000-sq.-ft. elementary school in the Town of Albion into the fabulous Tailwater Lodge; a 42 room hotel, restaurant and conference center located on a 35-acre site on the fabled Salmon River; your vision and commitment has greatly enhanced the tourism and hospitality sector in Oswego County and beyond. • Lawrence R. Perras was honored posthumously with the 2015 Martin Rose Economic Developer Merit Award in recognition, respect and appreciation of his exceptionalism, leadership, vision, passion, collaborative skills and dedication to advancing small business OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
development that has lead to a better quality of life and a stronger and more stable economy in Oswego County; for serving as an outstanding senior small business adviser for the SUNY Oswego Small Business Development Center for over 15 years; for providing assistance to businesses that invested over $68 million and created and retained over 1,450 jobs; for his role in the SUNY Oswego SBDC winning a National SBA Excellence Award in 2010; for being recognized by the New York SBDC in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2012 for outstanding performance; and for being an integral and invaluable partner with the County of Oswego IDA and Operation Oswego County. His wife and sons, Theresa, Christopher and Lawrence II, accepted the award on his behalf. 27
Whnata LoCastro, 51, quit her job as medical secretary to start a taxi business in Fulton.
Fulton Woman Making It in the Taxi Business Nu-Cab, a taxi service in Fulton, has grown since its inception last year
O
n Feb. 13, 2014, Whnata LoCastro, 51, of Fulton, arrived home from her full-time job as a medical secretary, jumped into the driver’s seat of a Dodge Caravan freshly decked out with a checkered logo reading “NU-CAB,” turned on her new LED “Taxi” light and hit the roads of her hometown. “Because we are new, it will be a quiet evening,” she thought. But word of a new taxi cab company in Fulton was quick to travel. Her night finally ended at 2 a.m. So did the next, and the next. Today, Nu-Cab company has four vehicles, six parttime employees, and is filling “a very big need, an incredible need of people for transport” in and around Fulton, owner LoCastro says. “People may not have a car, but they still need to get to work or to the grocery store or the laundromat, to the airport or the bus station, to doctor’s appointments locally or in Oswego, Liverpool, Hannibal, Syracuse… wherever you have to go,” says the
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lifelong Fulton resident. Aware that there had been only one cab company (Fulton Taxi Service) in the city “for forever,” LoCastro’s thoughts turned a couple of years ago from the need for a new cab service to starting Nu-Cab. Then, “I did everything myself. I just asked the city clerk what I needed to do.” What she needed to do was get a dba ($40) from the county, a class “E” instead of a “D” on her driver license from New York state, a taxi license from the City of Fulton ($25 per vehicle) that entailed a background check, a safe, clean and insured vehicle approved by both the mayor and police chief, a commercially zoned place to park it and “a lot of very hard work around the clock,” she says. What LoCastro didn’t need to do was a lot of promotion. In preparation for Nu-Cab’s launch, “I started a Facebook page and tagged all my friends, got business cards and hung some flyers in local laundromats and stores,” she says. Beginning that first night, “The phone calls kept coming. What a great OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
feeling! Every fare I picked up was very happy to see a new taxi service available and told us they would spread the word and pass out our business cards.” LoCastro set and kept Nu-Cab’s rates well below the city’s legal maximum. Its flat rate in Fulton ($5), plus a dollar per mile outside the city, with flat rates available for certain locations like Syracuse. “People always tell us we’re very low, we’re lower than our competition, but it works for us and it works for the people,” LoCastro says. “It’s very rewarding to have such a large, loyal clientele that depends on our company every day.” After six months of driving solo night after night, “Business was very good and I just said it was time to hire people,” she says. “I had people already inquiring for positions — I never really had to look.” LoCastro added another shift, then a second vehicle and “just kept going from there.” Last summer, Nu-Cab applied to New York state and was approved as a vendor for Medicaid participants in need of transportation to and from medical appointments. Medicaid enrollees can indicate their preferred vendor to their healthcare provider when scheduling appointments. LoCastro says many of her clients have done just that. Nu-Cab operates from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily but schedules “time calls” for any hour. On holidays they AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
stay open all night. The business rents a small office space on route 481, “basically for the parking because it’s zoned commercial,” LoCastro says. But with cell phones, WiFi, a GPS app that shows vehicles’ locations and a credit card app called Square, Nu-Cab can now field calls and payments from anywhere. “Every once in a while I say, ‘Who would have thought?’… In the beginning, everybody said, ‘You’re crazy — why would you waste your time?’ But you do it yourself and you work very hard and then it just took right off!” Nu-Cab currently averages some 50 fares a day. LoCastro says she has no plans to get bigger and isn’t about to quit her day job. “I love where we’re at right now. I’m very happy with all our clientele,” she says. “If it wasn’t for our customers, we couldn’t do it.” “We have made a big dent in the need — people count on us, people know we’re here.” Nu-Cab contact information: 315400-7889.
“In the beginning, everybody said, ‘You’re crazy — why would you waste your time?’ But you do it yourself and you work very hard and then it just took right off!” Whnata LoCastro, owner of Nu-Cab in Fulton
By Joyce Gramza
Vince Lobdell
President/CEO, Healthway, Inc. Pulaski, NY
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www.pathfinderbank.com Oswego: (Main: 343-0057 • Plaza: 343-4483 • Downtown Drive-Thru: 343-2577) • Mexico: 963-7248 Fulton: 592-9545 • Lacona: 387-3437 Central Square: 676-2265 • Cicero: 752-0033 • Syracuse: 207-8020
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Member FDIC
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Commercial Audio Solutions Opens in Oswego
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ommercial Audio Solutions, a commercial and professional audio equipment distributor, was recently established as an extension of the owner’s mobile electronic business — Dynamic Automotive & Home Accessories on George Street in Oswego. “CAS specializes in commercial audio solutions for any home or business,” said owner Michael Leszczynski. The business specializes in the design and installation of audio and video systems for retail, industrial, corporate or industrial applications. “Currently, audio systems for offices and restaurants have been in the most demand as well as sound masking and speech privacy solutions for offices that utilize open floor plan work spaces,” Leszczynski said. His typical clients include small business owners looking to add audio systems to their customer waiting rooms, larger companies needing paging systems and even digital advertising in their place of business. Digital signage is a new product CAS is offering. It is used widely in venues that include taverns-restaurants, doctors’ offices and waiting rooms. “It allows advertising content to be displayed in public places for informational or advertising purposes,” Leszczynski said. A digital sign usually consists of a computer or playback device connected to a large, bright digital screen such as an LCD or LED display. “In some instances, it also opens a revenue stream to businesses by advertising specials or selling ad space,” Leszczynski added. A recent study projected that audio-visual products and services will become a $114 billion global industry by 2016. Leszczynski said corporate, event venues and military-government markets are the three largest consumers of audio-video services. “However, hospitality is the fastest-growing market for audio-visual
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products and services,” the Oswego resident said. With the recent partnership with Atlas Sound, CAS is able to deliver sound solutions to small business owners who may not have large budgets normally associated with high-end sound systems, he noted. Leszczynski said CAS understands how important first impressions are. “The right selection in music and video solutions can provide the essential ambiance throughout your customers’ visit to your business,” he said. “Our staff has the knowledge and experience to ensure all of our customers’ needs are met.” CAS services all of Oswego County. It offers free estimates by a knowledgeable sales team, Leszczynski said. The owner said he gains job satisfaction by working with businesses to meet their needs and then “going back and seeing their customers and staff using our products.”
By Lou Sorendo
Michael Nahorney, a technician for Commercial Audio Solutions in Oswego, installs a set of speakers at a local tavern.
Commercial Audio Solutions technicians install an LED monitor in a conference room. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Brewerton Boatyard to Mark 50 Years in Business Oneida Lake boatyard is growing at a rate of about 10 percent a year, says owner
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he property for Brewerton Boatyard Inc. on the Seneca River/ Erie Barge Canal in Brewerton was bought by Ed Carroll in 1966. Ed Carroll passed away around the turn of the century, but now his son Wayne, 57, has grown the business into one that services 500 to 700 boats a year, has approximately $1.5 million in parts inventory and stores about 120 boats over the winter. Most of the business is done during the more mild months of spring through fall, but the yard keeps busy with storage and repair work in the winter months. “It’s a very tough business,” Wayne Carroll said. “We have about a fivemonth period to make our income for the whole year. We supplement that with our winter storage. We have a pretty decent income from that, but for the most part the profit is made from April 1 through November.” That’s when boaters are putting their vessels in the water, buying items from the store or docking at the boatyard. Eighty percent of the boat owners Carroll does business with are local he said, but he is getting a growing number of boaters who are transiting the “Great Loop.” “This is the main path between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean so a lot of the bigger boats will use this path to go from, say, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake Erie, all the way down to Florida,” he said. “They come [from] the Great Lakes to Oswego. They come in from the port of Oswego and then they come up this canal, which goes all the way to the Hudson River. It goes all the way to Albany and then you can go either north or south.” Hard Word — Carroll knows what it’s like to work hard. During the good weather he is at the boatyard seven days a week from six in the morning until six or seven at night. The boatyard consists of 10 acres and about 1,000 feet of waterfront. There are two buildings, including a main building where the
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store is and a storage facility. Added up it’s about 120,000 square feet of building space, Carroll said. And business has been good. He said the business he has grown about 10 percent a year. He thinks a lot of that may be due to the popularity of boating clubs, which encourage different boaters to go out on the water together. “It’s basically a bunch of people that get together and they travel together,” he said. “They have rendezvous. They have picnics and parties, one thing or another. They have newsletters, that type of thing. It’s basically an association. That’s developed probably in the last five years. I think a lot of it is to be social.” Boaters can dock in the calm waters of the canal rather than dock in a marina off Oneida Lake whose waters aren’t always tranquil. Brewerton Boatyard has 35-40 seasonal dockage customers (April 15 to Oct. 15) and 10 transit slips. The transit slips are used by bigger boats usually, Carroll said, of at least 40 feet long. The biggest vessel Brewerton Boatyards has accommodated was 126 feet in length. Large Inventory of Parts — Carroll said today most boats are getting smaller. The average boat they serve is 25 to 27 feet where years ago the average length was probably 35 to 40 feet, he said. Brewerton Boatyards has come to be known as something of a go-to shop for parts in Upstate New York from the Thousand Islands to Binghamton, Carroll said. Boaters who might need a part quick would rather travel to the boatyard to get it rather than lose a weekend waiting for a part ordered on the Internet. The business has a large inventory of boat parts — 60,000 — and the mechanical end is where he makes most of his profit at the boatyard, Carroll said. The owner said he employs about four people fulltime at the boatyards in the summer and one or two part-time. “I have potential to grow the business more but my limitation is help,” Carroll said. “For every 10 people that I hire for a trial period you might find OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Wayne Carroll, owner of Brewerton Boatyard. The business was started by his father, Ed Carroll, in 1966. “It’s a very tough business,” Carroll said. “We have about a five-month period to make our income for the whole year.” one that’s willing to learn and work.” Carroll himself has been working at the boatyards since he was a boy. He didn’t know he wanted to do it as a career until he got a chance to explore all its facets. “I really wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go, but then I got into the mechanical repair end of it and I really enjoyed that,” he said. “Then as time progressed I got into the parts end of it which I really enjoyed.” When he retires he would like to do some boating on the Great Loop too, starting out on the Mississippi River, going east across the Great Lakes and down the Atlantic Seaboard. He laughed when he speculated that he might be a customer on the trip at the old boatyard he used to own. Until then though, he is satisfied to continue running and growing Brewerton Boatyard. “If I didn’t like this work I wouldn’t be doing it,” he said. “I like it. I like the people, the customers. It’s like any other business. You’re going to get the bad apples, but for the most part I have really good customers.”
By Matthew Liptak 31
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Solar Company in Phoenix Looking to Expand Growth potential heats up at Skyline Solar
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ithin one year of their startup four years ago, Bill and Emmylou Edwards of Skyline Solar were beginning to see real results installing solar energy systems as a cost-efficient option for homeowners seeking a more self-reliant and sustainable lifestyle. They had built a small workshop-garage to get started as solar contractors and were also in the process of constructing a larger building for offices, warehouse and a workshop, run by solar panels on the roof, of course. Now, four years later, that large
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
building at 444 Gilbert Mills Road in Phoenix is complete and Skyline Solar has four full-time employees. They also work with a network of sub-contractors who elected to start their own business of sustainability for their families while supporting each other’s endeavors. In addition to a recent acquisition of 80 acres across the road that is sure to play a future role in their plans, the couple is bursting with ideas and plans for expansion. The business continues to work with residential customers on solar but Skyline Solar has moved into projects and service in the public sector. “We have done a lot more jobs evAUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
ery year,” Bill says, adding “2014 was a very exciting year for us as we began working with municipalities instead of just residential.” What the owners of Skyline Solar discovered in making the shift is that the same benefits from solar don’t always work for municipalities. “There’s no appeal from a tax credit basis, because they don’t pay taxes. Equipment can’t depreciate, so there’s no benefit there,” Bill points out. Instead, Skyline Solar works with municipalities and outside investors to gain a different kind of advantage. It’s through a power purchase agreement. Investors who are seeking to gain tax advantages look to establish customers for the PPAs and work with contractors to find and make those larger-scale business and municipal connections. Through this process, the municipality may get its own physical solar system project, but doesn’t pay for the actual installation. Municipalities are buying power from an investor-provider through the PPA. Skyline Solar is working with the village of Phoenix on a possible PPA that could result in installation of a solar energy system and potentially save the village thousands of dollars per year. “It locks in the power rate. We are writing the grants and doing the project with installation paid for by the investor,” Bill said. As Skyline Solar grows in both residential and other business sectors, Bill is pleased on how this will also have a positive impact for others. “We are excited to possibly double employment due to the volume of business we anticipate this year,” he says. Word of mouth and education is at the core of Skyline Solar and its growth. “We get new customers from old customers — it’s a business based on reputation and trust,” says Emmylou.
By Diana Cook
“2014 was a very exciting year for us as we began working with municipalities instead of just residential.” Bill Edwards
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
unlimited horizons SUNY Oswego helps solve problems. We provide advisement and training for business start-up and expansion. We assist in accessing grants and provide for workforce development opportunities. We provide technical assistance and training for non-profit organizations. We build relationships that lead to a better economy and inject vitality into the Central New York community. SUNY Oswego offers unlimited horizons. Learn more. oswego.edu/obcr Office of Business and Community Relations 103 Rich Hall SUNY Oswego Oswego, NY 13126 315.312.3492 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Best Seat in the House Congratulations Dad! We are proud of you! 29 E. First St., Oswego • 343-0308
Come join us and meet other business owners, share ideas and build partnerships… Perc Clubs – Fourth Friday of every month Business After Hours – First Wednesday of every month Greater Fulton Business Committee – First Tuesday of every month Greater Oswego Business Committee – Third Wednesday of every month
FOR YOU…ABOUT YOU Call us today and find out more, 343-7681 44 East Bridge Street Oswego, NY 13126
The Press Box in Oswego continues family tradition of food service. It was recently honored by the chamber of commerce
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a famiglia. For Italians, family is everything. Traditions and customs are borne from family togetherness and interaction. At The Press Box, 29 E. First St., Oswego, a family tradition of top-notch food service continues on. Owned and operated by Steve Canale, the business is enjoying its 31st year. Canale, 61, is a native and resident of Oswego. Steve’s father Michael and uncle Dominick bought the building in 1980, and began an extensive renovation project. Steve decided to convert a vacant piece of the building into a tavern, and sandblasted walls and ceilings to recapture a rustic look and feel of what once was a railroad depot. Along with help from his two brothers — Mike and Nick — and friends, Steve launched the tavern in 1984. “It was incredibly successful at first,” said Canale, noting the climate changed once the drinking age was raised and construction activity at Nine Mile Point in Scriba leveled off. In response, Steve decided to build a kitchen several months later and featured a limited menu for about 10 years. At that point, the bar comprised about
70 percent of the business. Steve would later purchase the entire building in 1992. More emphasis was placed on the kitchen in subsequent years and food service became the dominant source of revenue. “It’s more work running a kitchen versus a bar. It’s more intricate and there is a ton more responsibility,” he said. His brother Nick owns and operates Canale’s Restaurant in Oswego. Steve’s parents — Michael and Rae — formerly owned Canale’s Restaurant and Steve grew up in the business. Steve learned the business from the ground up while a youngster. He went from washing dishes to busing to waiting on tables. He would later earn a business degree from SUNY Oswego in the mid-1970s. “My father had a ton of patience, was a good listener and would only interject when needed,” he said. “If you treat people nicely, they are going to work hard for you. I am a firm believer in that,” he said. “If you are on someone’s back all the time and don’t give them space, they are nervous workers.” He said his daughter, Alison Canale
The Press Box Small Business of the Year Every year thousands of people buy commercial of residential properties in Oswego County. They all receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Oswego County Business. Reaching new property owners. Another good reason to advertise in Oswego County Business.
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he Press Box bar and restaurant in Oswego recently received the 2015 Small Business of the Year award given by Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce during Small Business Week. “It was a great honor,” said Alison Canale Scanlon, daughter of owner Steve Canale and manager at the business. “My dad has worked very hard to make this business what it is today. His motto in business is to treat people how you would want to be treated. “The way my dad makes people feel right at home and like they are welcome any time is something I try to implement and believe it makes all the difference.”
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Scanlon, is taking the same approach. Allison is one of four Canale daughters, three of which are working this summer at the restaurant. Alison graduated from college in 2009 and began working at The Press Box. “She does all the ordering for me now and is really taking a handle on a lot of things,” Steve said. “She is doing a nice job and taking pressure off.” “I think she would like to have a career here as well,” he added. Besides Alison, Steve and his wife Mary have three other daughters: twins Michele and Marissa, 23, and Christine, 30. They also have two grandchildren. After graduating from SUNY Oswego, Canale went to Cape Cod and southern Florida and worked at several restaurants there. “Working in other restaurants gives you a great outlook on how other people handle it,” he said. However, his brother Nick needed help back to Oswego, and Steve heeded his call. “This building then came available, and I decided to give it a go,” said Canale, noting the atmosphere at The Press Box is quite different than Canale’s. “This is more sporty with a simpler menu,” he said. The Press Box provides an assortment of pub-style menu items including burgers, paninis, wraps, entrees, grilled pizza, salads and more. One of the his foremost challenges was converting from a tavern to a restaurant, an undertaking which included developing a menu, finding a capable chef and line cooks, and hiring and training servers. “I still have a few employees that have been working for me 25 years and more,” he said. “These are key people who have done a great job and have made my life a lot easier.” Veteran employees include Angela Baxter, Peggy Izyk and Lonnie Pitcher. Baxter has been a force as the service manager while Pitcher takes care of maintenance. Customer is king — Canale said one of the most critical aspects of the business is training servers properly and emphasizing customer service. “For our servers, it’s important to be happy when you see someone come into the restaurant and greet them with a smile and say, ‘Hello, I’ll be right with you.’ That goes a long way,” he said. He said it is essential to maintain a high level of customer service throughout the entire
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Steve Canale, owner of The Press Box in Oswego. “If you give a good meal at a fair price with friendly service, people will remember you. That’s basically what our premise it,” he says. customer experience. Canale said it is imperative to keep up with the times and trends and make sure his products are a little more innovative than the next person’s. “I like to have a little flair here and there along with our signature dishes,” he said. A long-time favorite is the focaccia sandwiches, a staple at the restaurant for about 20 years. Some of its nacho dishes are innovative, Canale said, as are its specialty salads. The Press Box now does grilled pizza and customers can build their own while choosing from a list of toppings. Canale recently brought his daughters to the National Restaurant Association Show 2015 in Chicago where they learned the latest developments in the food service industry. Among the more interesting aspects of the show was how to put together enticing salsa and guacamole appetizers and how to adhere to more health-conscious food demands. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
“I think that anybody being in this kind of business has to be willing to give a little to get something,” he said. “You can’t overcharge or gouge people or they won’t be repeat customers. If you give a good meal at a fair price with friendly service, people will remember you. That’s basically what our premise it,” he said. Canale enjoys playing golf, and often travels with his wife, a development officer at SUNY Oswego, on business trips. “Now that we have grandkids, it just opens up a new avenue,” he said. When he was younger, Canale was on the front lines whether it was tending bar or to matters in the kitchen. Now his role is greeting and visiting with patrons. “I spent a lot more time socializing now than I did before. It’s pretty refreshing,” he said.
By Lou Sorendo 35
Adam Trexler, left, is the president of Valaurum, Inc. He is shown with Tim Shaughnessy, president and CEO of Rapid Cure Technologies in East Syracuse.
Modern-day Gold Rush Regional high-tech company allied with marketing of aurum
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n East Syracuse company has teamed with an innovative West Coast firm to produce a commodity that may transform how the globe perceives money. Rapid Cure Technologies, headquartered on Fly Road, and Valaurum, based in Portland, Ore., are marketing the precious metal aurum to points across the world. A fractional gram’s worth of gold is affixed to layers of polyester, creating a note — called an aurum — similar in dimension and thickness to a U.S. dollar bill. It is the smallest amount of gold bullion available. This gold — usually 1/10th or 1/20th of a gram — is commercially recoverable. In a world where a 1-ounce coin of gold costs over $1,200, an aurum will let a person hold a few dollars’ worth of gold in a single note. Rapid Cure Technologies is using a specialized printing technology to produce the patent pending aurum. The company developed a process for Valaurum that involves placing
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nano-sized gold particles onto a substrate. A nano is one-billionth of a meter. Adam Trexler is the president of Valaurum, Inc. and has been instrumental in developing and marketing the product. He is the nephew of Melanie Trexler, former executive director of the United Way of Oswego County. The husband-wife team of inventors Laurie Johansen and Paul Diffendaffer used a precious metal thinfilm laminate to create aurum in 2008 as an alternative way to store value. “They realized they could create a unit of gold that would be affordable to everybody,” Trexler said. “They thought there would be applications for it. I learned about the project and got really excited about it. I changed gears to be part of it,” Trexler said. As an academic, Trexler did research on the gold standard in the 20th century. “I felt this was an invention that really could have world significance,” he said. “People have wanted to own gold for thousands of years, and often it has been too expensive. It went up four times in price over the last 10 to 15 years, and people got OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
priced out of it. “I thought this was a way to give an enormous amount of people who wanted to own gold access to gold. That seemed very significant to me from an investment point of view of giving people a store of value outside currency.” Trexler said “there are literally billions of people on earth who want to own gold.” He sees it as a store of value independent of the dollar. “It’s a commodity in a form that can be held very easily.” He said it is not as esoteric as owning, for example, copper futures. “This is something you can hold in your hand and the value is right there. It’s very comforting to people,” he said. Trexler noted gold has been deemed valuable for 3,000 years. “Nothing else has that track record. Nothing else is universal like that. Nations have come and gone; empires have come and gone. You think about what people were doing 3,000 years ago, and think about the medieval and Renaissance periods, and gold is the only through-line during all that,” he said. All that glitters — He said it’s the permanence of gold that is attractive. It doesn’t rust or tarnish and it’s quite compact. “I would never say, “You should put all your money in gold.’ But in times of emergency, the ability to carry wealth has been wonderful for people,” Trexler noted. He said somewhere in the world, someone is always getting displaced by wars, conflicts and famine. “People want to have some form of wealth that can be universally accepted and easy to carry,” he said. “You can have a $100,000 check or have that in cash, but I can take that amount of gold anywhere in the world and it will have the same value. The idea of that kind of density of value and certainty of value gives a tremendous sense of security,” he noted. Aurum is sold as bullion to dealers the same way people deal bars and coins. It is also sold as a promotional item that has permanent store of value. Aurum is also used in certificates and the company is hopeful that countries will print their currency with it. Trexler said Valaurum is interested in working with central banks. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
“We can grow and have been growing hand-over-fist without a customer like that, but we have sold to governments as commemorative items,” he said. Valaurum grew by 600 percent last year. Trexler said if all goes well, the company should continue to experience “explosive” growth. “I want this to become a trusted international means of owning gold that is instantly recognizable worldwide,” he said. “I want it to find itself in the hands of everyone who would like to have a permanent store of value. Trexler said there are potentially over a billion customers for aurum. He said Valaurum’s market is not the U.S., which makes up only 10 percent of the world’s gold market. Target areas include the Middle East, China and India. “There are huge markets for gold and we want to be the entry point for gold investment,” he said. Rapid Cure involved — Rapid Cure Technologies custom formulates and develops resins, coatings, adhesives and inks that cure with ultraviolet light. The business prints substrates for Valaurum, and does more industrial-type applications from pipe and tube coatings to electrical applications using different chemistries. End users for its products include original equipment manufacturers for the pipe and tube industry, which requires corrosion protection. The electrical applications are for explosion-proof conduits, which offer protection at oil refineries, chemical plants and other hazardous environments. Partners Tim Shaughnessy and Dan Montoney formed Rapid Cure Technologies in 2011. Shaughnessy noted the company has been growing at a clip of 15 to 25 percent a year. This year, expected gross annual revenues are estimated at approximately $2.5 million. The business employs one fulltime lab technician and six part-time employees. Staff consists of engineers and several entry-level production workers. Shaughnessy said the new project is keeping people employed in Central New York. “With the manufacturing going forward here, it’s keeping jobs here. When a business makes a product, it makes a profit. This is keeping sales AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Jillian Schanzenbach and Tim Shaughnessy attend to duties at Rapid Cure Technologies in East Syracuse. The business custom formulates and develops resins, coatings, adhesives and inks that cure with ultraviolet light. dollars in Central New York.” Shaughnessy, originally from Massachusetts, worked in the paper and film industry, on both the manufacturing and converting ends. Montoney, a resident of Seneca Falls, has specialized in radiation curing involving ultraviolet, electron beams and X-ray. Rapid Cure Technologies also has a facility in Saratoga Springs that serves as a toll manufacturer. “Typically large volumes are manufactured in Saratoga Springs,” Shaughnessy said. Rapid Cure Technologies is part of RadTech International North America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of ultraviolet and electron beam technologies. It is also part of the SUNY ESF UV/EB Technology Center. The New York State Energy Research & Development Agency gave SUNY ESF about a $2 million grant three years ago to start a center where companies can do trial testing on technology to see if it helps their processes. “That’s where we met Valaurum through Rad Tech,” Shaughnessy said. “Valaurum was looking for a unique curable technology for the aurum, and that’s how we met up was through networking through Rad Tech.” Grant assistance — Once the allegiance formed, Rapid Cure Technologies was awarded a $14,295 grant through the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency as part of OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
its employee productivity program. Rapid Cure Technologies was reimbursed for 50 percent of its training costs related to the UV printers purchased for the Valaurum project. Rapid Cure Technologies and Valaurum have a major project going on with the Central Bank of Suriname. “Suriname has two natural resources — oil and gold — so it’s a very good opportunity for them to value their gold in a different way,” Shaughnessy said. Suriname produces 2 million ounces of gold per year. Recently, Valaurum sold and delivered 5,000 aurum in conjunction with the Staatsolie celebration of a $900 million state-of-the art expansion of its refinery in Suriname. “We’d love to grow there, but I don’t see that as a make or break situation. It’s more like a huge opportunity for us and for a country,” Trexler said. “We’ve had a great time in Suriname. We’ve sold four issues and also major national banks have bought them. The biggest oil producer — which is the biggest corporation in the country — bought aurum as well as the nation’s president, Desi Bouterse.” Valaurum received national press exposure. “We just had some very enthusiastic partners who took the ball and ran with it. It was wonderful to see,” Trexler said.
By Lou Sorendo 37
Bruce Frassinelli bfrassinelli@ptd.net
Poll Numbers: Can the Media Sink Even Lower? At one time journalists were considered to be noble defenders of democracy and the public interest. Today, not so much
BRUCE FRASSINELLI is the former publisher of The Palladium-Times and an adjunct online instructor at SUNY Oswego. You can contact him at bfrassinelli@ ptd.net. 38
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he latest General Social Survey results this perception, thousands of young men and women chose journalism as a career. are in, and the media have taken it A generation later, Newsweek columnist on the chin — again. In a profession Howard Fineman lamented the seismic shift whose practitioners pride themselves in attitude. It’s dying before our eyes, Fineon fairness, accuracy and balance, to say man said. “I’m talking about the ‘mainstream nothing of ethical behavior, it is a source of media,’” frustration to see these poll numbers sink He said the public regards this once highlower than the inside of one of last winter’s ly viewed institution with potholes. My Turn ever-growing suspicion. Public confidence American voters, viewers has decreased since the and readers increasingly turn for information 1970s when about 25 percent of Americans and analysis only to non-mainstream outlets expressed a great deal of confidence in the that tend to reinforce the sectarian views press. The latest survey puts the number at just 7 percent, an all-time low, while 44 per- of slices of the electorate, Fineman said. A cent say they have hardly any confidence at staggering number of young people said they rely on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show for their all in the media. news. Even Stewart himself condemned this While just 10 percent of the Democrats revelation. “We’re entertainment about the expressed a lot of confidence in the media, news, not the news,” he said. only 3 percent of Republicans did. It’s not as if this contempt for the media This follows on the heels of an earlier Gallup Poll, which said Americans’ distrust and their practitioners is solely a modern era in the media hit a new high, with 60 percent phenomenon. The French poet Baudelaire saying that they have little or no trust in the (1821-1867) said, “I am unable to understand how a man of honor could take a newspaper media to report the news fully, accurately in his hands without a shudder of disgust.” and fairly. Until 2004, a majority of Americans had a great deal or fair amount of trust Upon learning that his nephew was considin the media, but in the intervening decade, ering a career in journalism, Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) rebuked him, saying: “Your conthe lines crossed, and now there has been nection with any newspaper would be a disabout a 20 percent shift in negativity. grace and a degradation. I would rather sell A famous 1972 poll found that 72 gin to the poor and poison them that way.” percent of Americans trusted CBS anchor Hildy Johnson, the cynical reporter played by Walter Cronkite, a higher share than any Pat O’Brien in the 1931 film Front Page, called other public figure received in the survey. a journalist “a cross between a bootlegger and Contrast this to the suspension earlier this a whore.” year of NBC Nightly News anchor Brian A generation ago, the number of media Williams, who said he “misremembered” outlets was relatively small. There were daily details of a helicopter episode in Iraq on and weekly newspapers, TV and radio. Today, which he had reported and, admittedly, the “media” umbrella includes Internet-only embellished. In 1976, Washington Post reporters Bob news outlets, such as the Huffington Post, bloggers, talk-show provocateurs and an insaWoodward and Carl Bernstein’s investitiable 24-hour news beast that needs constant gations that broke the Watergate scandal feeding. were dramatized in a movie adaptation of Drama and conflict sell, so when a juicy their book “All the President’s Men.” In the story involving the likes of Casey Anthony, highly successful film, the journalists were George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, Osdepicted heroically and played by two of that day’s most popular actors, Robert Red- car Pistorius and football star Ray Rice comes along, the media fall over each other in the ford and Dustin Hoffman. Journalists were considered to be noble defenders of democ- race to be first with any new disclosure. Make no mistake: The media business racy and the public interest. As a result of OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
is big, and these mega-operations, most of which are publicly owned, must make a profit or drop out of the game. The constriction of the newspaper business over the past 15 years is an example of what can happen to even the most robust and established business if the public begins to feel it is irrelevant or, worse, boring in a modern age of glitz and gadgetry. Circulation and number of viewers and listeners used to determine the viability and popularity of a news organization; today, it’s increasingly the number of views or clicks a story gets. Given the predisposition of a mass audience, it is little wonder that the stories that get the most attention involve murder, mayhem or weirdness. Now that everyone is a reporter-in-waiting with his or her camera-equipped smartphone, being at the scene of weirdness is much more likely than years ago. This pandering to pop culture — the every move of the Kardashian clan, the media obsession with what the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing during a difficult pregnancy and the constant chatter and more than 20 million tweets about whether a wedding dress is white and gold or blue and black — is a collaborative failing of an unsophisticated public and a willingness on the part of the media to provide it with these news snacks instead of a substantial meal.
Public confidence has decreased since the 1970s when about 25 percent of Americans expressed a great deal of confidence in the press. The latest survey puts the number at just 7 percent, an all-time low, while 44 percent say they have hardly any confidence at all in the media. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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George Valentine Unmask the Job Applicant How to get to the ‘real’ prospective employee
B “Try some of these ideas in your next job interview to fight against the masks job applicants use. Have some laughs and you both may learn something.”
GEORGE VALENTINE has been an employment specialist for over 20 years. He is the author of several books and articles on job hunting and owner of the blog www.jobhunterstoolkit. com. He lives in his hometown of Oswego with his wife of 21 years, Karen. 40
y the end of a job interview, employers would someone like you work for me?” “What need to know if an applicant has what makes my business special to you?” it takes. Ask something not directly related to the Does “Joe” have brains to learn the job, job at hand such as, “Name six people, living heart to work well with others, courage and or dead, you would invite to dinner tonight.” drive to learn from mistakes? How can we see “Name an animal that best describes your last past the applicant’s “mask” of preparation in boss. Name one that describes you and why?” what to say and how to say it? • Drive — Employers often want to know Here are ideas for your next interview: about whether an applicant has “drive” – that • “Wizards”: Brains, spirit when a clerk gets First Person heart and courage, eh? shopping carts in the rain or Every job requires an waitresses to clear another’s ability to learn, to get along with others and table. How does one express that quality and to learn from mistakes. So ask Joe for specific drop the mask of tales that he will work hard? examples from his work or other life experiAsk Joe to describe what he likes to do on a ences where he learned new things efficiently day off or a long weekend. Name three examples and effectively; worked in a team setting or of what you do for leisure (volunteer, chores, taken orders from others; describe mistakes sleep in). made and lessons learned about work and • Take the applicant on a brisk walk through himself. the office or factory floor. Watch how well he Have them make the connection between keeps up — does he or she walk with a purpose their skills and demands of the new job. or drag their feet seemingly unaccustomed to • Want to see the real person in an inter- moving quickly? view? Throw a curve. • Ask for specific situations (work or perIn World War II, Admiral Hyman G. sonal life) the applicant has been in making a Rickover was responsible for promoting na- decision that mattered. Faced with a problem val officers to help the fight against the Axis with real consequences, how did he react and powers. The fate of thousands and possibly did he learn from mistakes? Anyone can talk the the war itself rested on these decisions. talk; can he or she show they can walk the walk? To find how applicants responded to • Try an eye-rolling test. Have a written test the unexpected, he created a variation of the asking questions related to specific job skills. As stress interview by bolting a chair to the floor the interview appears to be over, say, “Just one or gluing a pen to a desk and then asking the more thing, we have a test … ” then watch the unsuspecting interviewee to bring it to him. applicant’s eyes. Does the applicant’s eyes show He learned how people dealt with pressure interest or do they say, “Gosh darn, I thought I and probably had a few laughs, too. was finally done here — now this?” That tells • On-the-spot thinking — Give your you something special. applicant a situation faced during a bad day Try some of these ideas in your next job inat work. terview to fight against the masks job applicants The employer expresses a conflict and use. Have some laughs and you both may learn asks what the applicant would do in that something. situation. “Would you attend to an immediate issue (spill in aisle 4) or an important one (customer wants to see your supervisor now)?” “Does ‘Joe’ have brains to “Do you follow directions of your immediate supervisor or the different procedure you learn the job, heart to work were trained on?” well with others, courage • Twister — Putting a twist on traditional interview questions eliminates old prepared and drive to learn from answers. Instead of, “Tell me about yourself,” mistakes?” try, “What about you is right for my business?” Instead of, “Why should I hire you?” try, “Why OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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education SPECIAL REPORT By Ken Little
Students walking past the Campus Center at SUNY Oswego. Photo provided by SUNY Oswego.
Enrollment at SUNY Oswego Stable, Despite Trend Declining population of college-ready students in Upstate hasn’t had negative impact on SUNY Oswego
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s incoming freshmen begin studies at colleges across the country, SUNY Oswego is one of those “enjoying a very stable environment” in student enrollment and expects to do so in the future, officials there say. “It is our goal to maintain that enrollment — no small feat in the midst of a flat or declining population of college-going students in Central and Upstate New York. And, as a parent of a
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student starting college this fall in SUNY, I’d love to see tuition go down,” said Daniel Griffin, SUNY Oswego director of admissions. SUNY Oswego remains successful in attracting students despite projections of fewer people reaching college age in the years to come. “In general, Oswego’s goal has long been to hold a steady enrollment course — enrolling enough students to fill our OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
spacious campus without straining our resources and still allowing each student plenty of personal attention,” said Julie Harrison Blissert, director of communications and marketing at SUNY Oswego. The college strives to be “relatively selective” in admissions “while casting a wide net,” Blissert said. The plan has been successful to date, said Blissert, who stressed individual SUNY campuses have no control over tuition. “Administrators in several areas pay incredibly close attention to numbers and trends and strategize to hold enrollment steady,” Blissert said. Stable Quality — Academic quality of the SUNY Oswego freshman class has stayed very stable as well, Griffin said. “Over time, one Griffin AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
would see perhaps a one- or two-point change in the average high school GPA of admitted freshmen, and perhaps a 10 point change in the average SAT — up or down,” he said. In recent years, a 90 GPA and 1,100 SAT have been average for incoming students, an indication of the quality of each freshman class, Griffin said. SUNY Oswego has had record on-campus occupancy over the last few academic years, averaging out at about 4,400 students. “To maintain a healthy, robust enrollment and keep our dorms filled, admissions has been implementing a few strategies with some success,” Griffin said. That includes “re-doubling efforts” in what has historically been the strongest market for SUNY Oswego — Upstate and Central New York, Griffin said. “At the same time, campus officials recognize the population decline and are going to where the students are,” Griffin said. Griffin said that includes Downstate, New York City, Long Island and the greater metro New York City area in general. “We’ve also been pushing into new markets like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington and [also] creating partnerships with international schools and agencies,” Griffin said. Results have been favorable. Griffin said that this fall, SUNY Oswego will likely enroll its largest freshman class ever from New York City, about 300 students. One of the largest incoming groups from out of state, about 70, will also begin studying this fall at SUNY Oswego. Census Bureau Report — Nationwide, college enrollment declined by 463,000 students between 2012 and 2013, marking the second year in a row that a drop of that magnitude occurred, according to a 2014 U.S. Census Bureau study. The cumulative two-year drop of 930,000 was larger than any college enrollment drop before the recent recession. The Census Bureau began collecting data on college enrollment in this survey in 1966. “The drop-off in total college enrollment the last two years follows a period of expansion: between 2006 and 2011, college enrollment grew by 3.2 million,” Kurt Bauman, chief of the Census Bureau’s Education and Social Stratification Branch, said in a news release. Bauman said the level of growth exceeded the total enrollment increase AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
of the previous 10 years combined, at a total of 2 million from 1996 to 2006. According to the recent statistics, the drop in enrollment was equally divided between older and younger students. Enrollment of students 21 and younger fell by 261,000, while the enrollment of students older than 25 fell by 247,000, statistically about the same from the change in enrollment of students 21 and younger. Overall, 40 percent of those 18 to 24 were enrolled in college in fall 2013, after having reached 42 percent in 2011. Diverse Student Body — Griffin said that related to the expanded recruitment effort at SUNY Oswego is the significant increase in the diversity of the student body. “This fall I am projecting over 30 percent of the freshman class will be from an underrepresented background, compared to less than 20 percent just six years ago,” he said. Overall, Griffin projects a “very healthy” freshman class numbering
about 1,500. “We’ve been successful lately for a number of reasons,” Griffin said. They include “forward-thinking administrators, in particular President [Deborah F.] Stanley, who wisely positioned Oswego to be attractive to a wider audience through new, modern facilities.” Griffin noted the investment of nearly $1 billion on campus in the past decade. Griffin also cited new in-demand programs in engineering, business and education; and innovative study abroad and internship experiences, including co-ops. “And, in general, a very student-centered culture on campus that really puts the students’ best interests and success in front of everything else,” he said. The SUNY Oswego acceptance rate has been steady for about the last five years, at 48 to 50 percent.
At Cayuga Community, Enrollment Expected to Be Flat
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t the Fulton and Auburn campuses of Cayuga Community College, enrollment is projected “to remain generally flat,” said Jeffrey Rosenthal, CCC vice president of student affairs. Projections are for about 2,850 fulltime equivalent students for the next three to five years, Rosenthal said. With a drop in the population of college-ready students, “we think we’re leveling off in Fulton and college-wide with enrollment,” Rosenthal said. He said that strategies for stabilizing and building enrollment include offering additional courses to high school students via the college’s Cayuga Advantage program, expanding online offerings and developing new academic programs, including event management, advanced manufacturing and occupational therapy assistant. It’s unlikely tuition will go down at public colleges in New York state, Rosenthal said. With tight resources at the county and state levels, tuition is our only other significant revenue source. Raising tuition is always a difficult decision and is only done when absolutely necessary,” OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
he said. “Even despite tuition increases, community colleges, via their open admissions policies, remain an accessible entry point for many.” Cayuga is anopen admissions, full-opportunity institution, Rosenthal said. Anyone with a Rosenthal high school diploma is accepted for admission, pending verification via a high school transcript or other credential such as a GED. CCC has a strategic plan with six themes, Rosenthal said. • Provide robust educational programs. • Develop engaged citizens. • Ensure effective leadership. • Deepen community partnerships. • Strive for state-of-the-art facilities. • Provide responsible management and stewardship of the college’s finances. “Our efforts to preserve quality are centered on those themes,” Rosenthal said. 43
education SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Metro Center:
Bringing Oswego to Syracuse SUNY Oswego Metro Center redefining what education is all about
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igher education is leaning away from the stuffy, intimidating environment commonly on display at those learning institutions. One only has to ask leaders at the SUNY Oswego Metro Center in Syracuse about that. The center is now officially a branch campus and will start offering courses that will allow students to complete several bachelors’ and advanceD degrees without going to the main campus. Students will be able to join programs that lead to a masters of business administration, a master’s degree in mental health counseling and a master’s degree in childhood education. Post-graduate certificates of advanced study will be available in educational leadership and advanced certificates will be offered in gerontology, integrated health systems and health information technology. 44
By fall 2016, students will be able to transfer in undergraduate credits and complete bachelor’s degrees in business administration and public justice. The college plans to add a degree in human development. The college also has been approved to add a master’s in adolescence education and advanced certificates in play therapy and integrated media and social networks. Previously, the Metro Center only offered selected courses for graduate study, and students were unable to complete a full degree or certificate program on site. The branch campus will operate under SUNY tuition prices. The college’s Metro Center, which opened in the Atrium on Clinton Square in 2008, serves many students who need to take courses in the evenings or on weekends. The center has seen enrollment go OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
from 61 students in its first year to 771 in 2014, with the growth being driven by part-time adult students seeking graduate programs. Its role has expanded to encompass both traditional and non-traditional students, according to Kimberly Armani, director of the SUNY Oswego Metro Center and Active Aging and Community Engagement Center at 2 Clinton Square. “It brings Oswego to Syracuse and Syracuse to Oswego,” Armani said. “The whole design and how we operate here facilitates that process.” Armani said the center features a professional feel. “Eventually starting in the fall of 2016 when we begin to offer upper-division undergraduate courses that lead to the completion of an undergraduate degree, we’ll have more traditional-aged undergraduate students here,” she said. “Students really value coming into a AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
education SPECIAL REPORT
Shown at the SUNY Oswego Metro Center in Syracuse are, from left, office manager Cindy D’Arrigo; Kimberly Armani, director of the center and Active Aging and Community Engagement Center; and Kristi Eck, chief of staff for the office of SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley. building that feels very professional and welcoming rather than intimidating,” said Kristi Eck, chief of staff for the office of President Deborah Stanley. The center does anything but operate in a vacuum. It is in the middle of a vibrant downtown and connected in many significant ways to the community. Armani said the mission of the Metro Center is to link the main campus with Syracuse and create opportunities for an exciting education and growth experience for students and professionals at all stages of their careers. “We impact the community by inviting them in and the community impacts our students as we get them to think about things differently,” she said. The Metro Center features space flexibility that can be structured according to faculty and student needs. Small group sessions can be accommodated, and the center has teleconference capabilities to plug into activities on the main campus. “We want this place to really be a hub for the community, and included within that hub is an education ecosystem feel,” Eck said. “That means providing opportunities to engage, learn, do research, have internships and applied learning AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
opportunities, all of which are products of partnerships.” Armani said the center wants to build upon the strengths of SUNY Oswego, an excellent education and price point and also take advantage of all the opportunities and resources that Syracuse brings to that mix. Meeting community needs — Eck said since 2008, the center has built a “real foundation of collaboration” with space designed to serve the region and its citizens. A plethora of opportunities for research, certificate and community programs and rental space allows people to take full advantage of the facility in a number of ways, Eck noted. The center also focuses on professional development for teachers. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is being featured at The Center this summer for the benefit of area teachers. The course is timely given that refugee populations in the city have skyrocketed, Eck said. Eck said these programs were designed with industry in mind and knowing the need for these specialists in the region. “We know the need is continuing to OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
increase. We have hospitals and schools all hiring mental health counselors and professionals. Students who want to stay in the region and find employment can earn that degree and they have an opportunity to do so,” Eck said. “I think we are changing the way students think about how their education fits with their future work situation,” Armani said. “I think it really creates a very different learning experience for students other than the traditional, ‘just go to your classes’ approach. We really immerse them in the community.” Eck said this is a prime opportunity to provide a high-quality education at a public price point, and allows SUNY Oswego to complement other higher education institutions in the area. “We are all working for the same purpose, and that is to increase degree attainment for our region’s students, to produce a qualified, prepared workforce and then to continue to educate and nurture those in the workforce who want to return and earn more certifications or an additional degree so they can continue to have the jobs they want,” she added. Eck said higher education institutions in the nation have realized how nimble they must be in preparing students for the global marketplace by providing online and face-to-face opportunities while serving traditional and non-traditional students. “What will make the center successful is this nimbleness and a receptiveness to community needs and the desire to continually meet those needs. That is what will allow us to prosper,” Armani added. Eck said it is imperative that learning centers adjust to following a course calendar that is year-round and not just fall and spring semesters. They also need to provide global experiences through internships, study abroad and co-op programs. “We also must be mindful of what is coming down the pike in terms of what other regions in the nation and countries are doing that are excelling,” Eck said. “We must ask ourselves, ‘How do we need to make sure we are ahead of the curve as much as possible rather than trying to catch up?” Rich in resources — The office of John Randall, the new student resources adviser at The Metro Center, is at the 45
education SPECIAL REPORT
heart of center. “One of the differences between being an extension center and being a branch campus is that students shouldn’t have to drive to Oswego to get the services they need. They should be able to get it here in Syracuse. So in preparing for the branch campus, we hired a new person who links students to those services. It’s done in a face-to-face, personalized manner and we track student satisfaction with services,” Armani said. Randall’s hours are from 2-10 p.m., which accommodates the hectic schedule of busy working professionals. “It is really tailored to making this a very pleasant experience for those groups of non-traditional students,” she said. Armani said she is surprised the center has many students who are over 50 years of age. “We are getting that older age group, and while it’s not the majority of our students, we have a significant number of students in their 40s and 50s. That trend is going to continue. They find this environment very attractive,” Armani said. “We want to make sure students who come her have the support services that our main campus receives,” Eck said. Armani said that is where Randall comes in. He holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling and has the necessary interpersonal skills to deal with students. His background includes the military, and Armani stressed that veterans and military personnel are a significant part of the center’s target population. The center’s staff consists of Armani, Randall, office manager Cindy D’Arrigo as well as student assistants who are primarily grad students. There is about 20 faculty members, most of which teach at the main campus. SUNY Oswego also features a free express bus that carries students and faculty to and from the main campus and the center. Intertwined with community — The center serves as a branch of Tyler Art Gallery and features artwork from students, graduates and faculty members from the main campus. It also participates in the Wednesday Walk every other week in Syracuse along 46
with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County, the American Heart Association, the Onondaga Civic Development Association, the Downtown Committee, Fleet Feet Sports, Metro Fitness and the YMCA of Greater Syracuse. Wednesday Walk is a series of themed strolls or jogs through downtown Syracuse. The next walks are slated for Aug. 5 and 19, and Sept. 2, 16 and 30. The AACE Center has joined with a number of other local organizations to sponsor the downtown Wednesday Walks, bi-weekly downtown walking tours with themes, such as downtown murals and downtown parks. The incentive behind the Wednesday Walks is to get people on the streets and into different businesses. “If you
don’t go out of the building, you don’t know what is available,” Armani said. The center also participates in “Third Thursday,” where a number of visual art venues downtown open their space so people can admire artwork on display. The center also has a presence at the Downtown Farmers Market in Syracuse on Tuesdays. WRVO, a nonprofit, non-commercial multi-platform that is headquartered on the main campus, has additional studios and offices at the center. The center has a website at www. oswego.edu/syracuse. The website features a forum where readers can offer suggestions in terms of what kind of programs they would like to see featured at the center.
Injection of Energy SUNY Oswego Metro Center giving region an economic boost
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esides preparing students for lifelong careers, the SUNY Oswego Metro Center in Syracuse is also creating a buzz among economic development circles. “It’s the desire of all the higher-education institutions in the region to provide the most opportunity, nurturing and high-quality education as possible to students while they are with us,” said Kristi Eck, chief of staff for the office of SUNY Oswego President Deborah Stanley. “We want them to achieve their goals, but we hope they stay in the region and help our economy and add to that economic development that we are all seeking.” Eck said when students successfully navigate through local internships or co-op experiences, they become the future of the regional OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
workforce. “That kind of opportunity is phenomenal for that individual, but also great for employers because they have a chance to really preview potential employees,” Eck said. A conference room at The Metro Center has served as a meeting space for the Regional Economic Development Council. “I think it’s really important to them that we have this space essentially accessible downtown that’s truly open, neutral and a welcoming place for people to gather and talk about anything ranging from economic development to educational topics,” Eck said. The Metro Center is generating more traffic downtown as students and business professionals come to the facility to take advantage of course AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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offerings, prepare for graduate school with a test prep course, or for formal business training. “It just brings more people downtown. They may go to a café or restaurant downtown. It’s bringing in additional dollars right into the heart of Syracuse,” Eck said. The newly designed branch campus status has allowed the center to hire more people who play a critical role in the delivery of high-quality services for students. “It creates more opportunities for people to be employed,” Eck said. In order to help work toward economic development priorities, it is imperative on The Metro Center’s part to listen to what kind of degree programs are needed in the region to achieve unmet needs in terms of the labor market, Eck said. This type of correspondence led to the development of programs approved by the State Education Department and also will influence the kind of programs that the center will be offering in the future, she added. “Businesses right here in the heart of Syracuse can provide internships for our students in the Master of Business Administration program or eventually even our undergraduates who will be in the business administration program,” said Kimberly Armani, director of the SUNY Oswego Metro Center and Active Aging and Community Engagement Center. Eck said as the economy in Syracuse continues to improve and the Central New York region continues to get stronger and more globalized, SUNY Oswego will continue to respond to what is needed. “We are producing the next generation of workers and helping the current generation of workers develop the skill sets and connections that they need to thrive and consequently, what the region needs to thrive,” Eck said. Lively environment — The center is located in the heart of downtown Syracuse in the midst of government, business and cultural attractions. Downtown living space is at 98 percent capacity, Eck noted. “I just moved downtown myself and it’s just a great loft and living space,” she said. “There’s just vitality OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
downtown and we are part of that excitement.” “The area around downtown is being refurbished and it is undergoing a metamorphosis,” Armani said. “We are part of it and helping to invigorate downtown and heighten that level of excitement.” Eck moved to Central New York from New York City in 2008. “I always bragged and said I came to Syracuse at just the right time,” she said. Eck said she has seen a dramatic transformation of Syracuse over the last six years, and The Metro Center has helped set the pace by responding to the needs of industry and people in the community. Demand for The Metro Center is steadily growing. “Many jobs are now requiring masters degrees for people to perform,” Armani said. Another factor driving demand is the downturn in the job market. “People are seeing the need for more education to change their career or to make themselves more attractive and stand out in the job market,” she said. Armani said in order to stay globally competitive, “we need a very skilled workforce that is requiring more education than we’ve seen in the past.” “People are also seeing value of a SUNY Oswego education,” said Armani, who added there is a convenience factor for those working and living close to the center. Prospective students also enjoy the comfortable environment of the center, Armani added. “These are very affordable, targeted programs in high-demand, high-need areas in our community,” she said. Critical to sustaining the center is input and support from public school districts in the area, business and industry leaders, nonprofits and higher education institutions. Eck said certificates that the center is offering, such as in gerontology, integrated health systems and health information technology, are all derived from the needs of the healthcare industry in the region. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
COVER STORY
CNY’S GROWING TOURISM INDUSTRY Regional travel spending grew by nearly 17 percent since 2009, reaching $1.18 billion in regional visitor spending in 2013 and supporting over 25,000 jobs that provide a payroll of $544 million. This visitor impact generated $86 million in local tax revenue. With attractions ranging from Destiny USA to Harborfest and the Salmon River, officials say the trend for growth in the tourism industry continues.
See on the next pages: • Tourism: Working Together to Attract More Visitors • Campaign ‘Syracuse. Do Your Thing’ • Top Destinations in Oswego County • Oswego’s Ambassador of Tourism • All About Collaboration • Oneida Lake: A Larger Presence on Tourism Scene • Thousand Islands and Alex Bay Tourism
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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COVER By Ken Little
The Salmon River is by far the most heavily fished of the Lake Ontario tributary streams in the state. The Department of Environmental Conservation estimates that 200,000 people fish the Salmon River annually. Shown here is Emily Viglietta with her prize steelhead.
Working Together to Attract More Visitors
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ourism revenue is vital to the economies of Oswego County and Central New York. Accordingly, local and state government, along with businesses, are pitching in with innovative initiatives to help attract visitors to the region. Visitor spending in Oswego County totaled $122.73 million in 2013, figures from the state Department of Economic Development show. Oswego County is currently working on a regional visitor study with four other Central New York counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Onondaga. Janet Clerkin, Oswego County tourism and public information coor-
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dinator, said that the counties retained a tourism research firm, North Carolina-based Young Strategies, to conduct a destination research and strategic planning study. Oswego County businesses and organizations partnered with the county by emailing the survey link to their customers or posting it on their social media sites. “The goal is to establish a detailed profile of visitors to Oswego County and Central New York. This research will be very helpful in guiding future sales and marketing programs for the tourism promotion agencies in the Central New York region,” Clerkin said. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Revenues from the hotel/motel occupancy tax showed a 14.5 percent increase in 2014 over 2013, to $369,938, Clerkin said. “So far in 2015, we are close to 2014 collections,” she said. Tourism “has a very strong impact on the local economy,” Clerkin said. Figures from last year from the state Department of Economic Development were not available as of late April, but 2013 numbers from the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning give a good idea of tourism’s impact of tourism in Oswego County. Fishing — The Salmon River is AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
COVER king. Many of the county’s tourism attractions are on or near the water. The Salmon River may be the crown jewel of tourism draws. The Salmon River is by far the most heavily fished of the Lake Ontario tributary streams in the state. Between Sept. 1, 2011 and May 15, 2012, more than 1.5 million angler hours were spent fishing the Salmon River, according to the Lake Ontario Tributary Creel Survey conducted by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC estimates that 200,000 people fish the Salmon River annually. Of that total, the DEC estimates that 62 percent of anglers fishing the Salmon River come from outside the state. The top 10 states of residency are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia and Maine. The Oswego County fishing hotline receives an average of more than 16,000 calls annually. In 2013, there were 34,801 fishing licenses sold in Oswego County to outof-state and international visitors. That number does not include online sales made on the DEC website, Clerkin said. The total angler impact on the Oswego County economy was $42.62 million in 2007, according to the state DEC. Occupancy Tax Up — Anglers and other visitors need a place to stay. Total Oswego County occupancy tax collected in 2014 was $369,938. Overall, tourism generated $14.24 million in state and local taxes in Oswego County in 2013, including sales, occupancy and property taxes, according to state Department of Economic Development figures. “Were it not for tourism-generated state and local taxes, the average Oswego County household would have had to pay an additional $312 to maintain the same level of government revenue in 2013,” according to the state Department of Economic Clerkin Development. An estimated 2,628 jobs in Oswego County are supported by direct and AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
indirect tourist expenditures. Tourism labor income totaled $50.36 million in Oswego County, a DED Tourism Economic study said. About 8 percent of all employment in Oswego County is generated by tourism. Clerkin said the Oswego County Tourism website, www.visitoswegocounty.com, received 337,756 page views in 2014, with 249,718 unique visitors. The top-viewed page was the fishing report. “The site was visited by readers from all 50 U.S. states and 53 countries around the world,” Clerkin said. Tourism Development — Tourism remains a vital cog in Oswego County’s economic wheel, said L. Michael Treadwell, executive director of Operation Oswego County, Inc., the economic development agency in the county. “From the economic development perspective, tourism is one of the major contributors to the Oswego County overall economy along with other major contributors like manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture and the energy production sectors,” Treadwell said in an email response to questions. Treadwell cited some examples of recent economic development packages spearheaded by Operation Oswego County that support the tourism industry. The Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in the city of Oswego is a $6 million project that was also tied to an expansion of the Best Western Hotel, he said. The conference center can accommodate events up to 400. The Kallet Theater in the village of Pulaski was a $2 million renovation project of a historic theater built in 1938 and converted into an event and conference center, with a capacity to accommodate 300. Treadwell also mentioned the Tailwater Lodge project in the town of Albion, the renovation of the The Eis House Restaurant and event center in the town of Mexico and the Central New York Racing Park in Hastings. Site work has already started on the project, which has a 2016 completion date. Elected Officials — Elected officials on a local and state level are also working to promote tourism in Oswego County
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and Central New York. State Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-48th District, whose district includes the cities of Oswego and Fulton, said tourism is important to the regional economy. “Capitalizing on our natural resources — our forests, streams, lakes and other bodies of water — is key to attracting visitors. It’s those visitors who provide a vital boost to the economy and create jobs by staying in our hotels, spending money in our small businesses, dining in our local restaurants and more,” Ritchie said. In the summer of 2014, Ritchie helped deliver $200,000 to help the city of Fulton and the town of Granby to dredge Lake Neatahwanta, and ultimately make the body of water usable again. “These investments are key to restoring Lake Neatahwanta to its former glory and beginning once again, to attract tourists to its shores,” Ritchie said. In conjunction with revitalizing Lake Neatahwanta, Ritchie and others are continuing the fight against invasive species like water chestnuts. “In recent years, I’ve been successful in delivering $250,000 to help battle invasive species that hinder recreational activities in Oswego County waterways,” Ritchie said. Ritchie was recently able to secure $150,000 to help communities throughout her district to promote local fishing tournaments. Tourism Promotion — Oswego County and area businesses are working together to promote area tourism initiatives. On May 4, the Network of Tourism Professionals presented a “Tourism Ambassador Seminar” in Altmar. The tourism ambassador training session was hosted by the Tailwater Lodge in Altmar and the Kallet Theater in Pulaski. The program was organized “to increase the tourism and hospitality knowledge of business owners, frontline staff, volunteers, and community leaders in Oswego County,” said David Turner, county director of Community Development, Tourism and Planning. “Our goal is to develop a first-class welcoming environment in the county — one that makes our visitors want to tell other people about what a great experience they had here in Oswego County,” Turner said. 51
COVER By Lou Sorendo
Local residents taking advantage of a sunny, hot day at Green Lakes Beach in Onondaga County.
‘Syracuse.
Do Your Thing’
New regional brand identity designed to promote tourism
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here’s enough variety in terms of attractions in the Greater Syracuse region that anyone can find a reason to “do their thing.” That’s the premise behind the new regional brand identity — “Syracuse. Do Your Thing” — developed by Visit Syracuse, formerly known as the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau. David Holder, president of Visit Syracuse, said his organization plays a key role in Onondaga County’s economic development strategy through its focus on growing the area’s multi-million dollar tourism industry. As the county’s official destination marketing organization, Visit Syracuse works to generate short-term and future income for businesses, employment for residents and tax revenue for local
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government. “One of the distinctive features of Central New York is our area’s diverse tourism offerings,” Holder said. “The abundance of things to do and places to see was the basic foundation for the ‘Syracuse. Do Your Thing’ brand.” The economic impact that the tourism industry has on CNY is staggering from a numbers’ perspective. Regional travel spending grew by nearly 17 percent since 2009, reaching $1.18 billion in regional visitor spending in 2013 and supporting over 25,000 jobs that provide a payroll of $544 million. This visitor impact generated $86 million in local tax revenue. Tourism spending across CNY saved every individual household in the region $490 in overall taxes in 2013, OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Holder noted. Tourism represents just over 19 percent of the region’s export economy, according to Visit Syracuse. Holder said it is the individuality of the Syracuse visitor experience that is the hallmark of the regional brand. “This brand was developed not based on our perceptions as residents and tourism marketers, but rather on the experiences of our actual visitors,” he said. “Taking this deep dive into their psyche helped us better understand that the variety of the place is our top asset.” Holder said the goal of the new branding effort is simple: To utilize a transformed perception of Syracuse and CNY to increase travel spending. Holder said more progress is needed in order for the Greater Syracuse area, Onondaga County and CNY in general to take the region’s tourism industry to the next level. “More development, more promotion and more believers are all part of the recipe for taking our destination to an even higher level,” he said. Travel magnets — The Syracuse region offers primary attractions — such as Destiny USA, individual state parks, specific headline events, lakes, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and universities — that draw visitors in impressive numbers. It also features other clusters of attractions that draw visitors to a range of activities, such as arts and culture, historic sites, wineries and breweries, farms and markets. “On an individualized basis, these activities may not produce the comparable attendance as a state park or the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, but their presence in the region certainly helps shape our area’s unique attractiveness,” Holder said. Holder noted that Visit Syracuse is preparing to roll out a significant amount of regional visitor research that provides a comprehensive look at consumer behavior in Central New York. “The early sneak-peek of that research shows our visitors embracing the rural landscape of our parks and farms as part of the more urbanized experience of shopping, entertainment and events,” he said. “This attractive complexity of our region allows us to reposition our destination in a manner that is consistent with cool communities like Portland, Ore., Asheville, N.C., and Austin, Texas. Reshaping the way we AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
COVER think of our home will reshape the way others perceive us.” Holder said CNY features a uniqueness that serves the region well when it comes to tourists making it a destination point. “Quite simply, all of the incredible quality-of-life comHolder ponents that appeal to us as locals and residents are the same features that make us a compelling destination,” he said. “Our only problem in broadcasting this has been the challenge of taking things for granted. Our destination is blessed with an extremely diverse range of experiences and scenic beauty.” Holder said the “hardiness” of CNY residents translates into extraordinary hospitality. “We live in a special place that has a knack for celebrating the passions of others,” he noted.
Destiny USA received more than 25 million visits last year, according to mall officials. It’s on its way to recieve a record 29 million visits this year. Twenty percent of that total are visitors from Canada.
SYRACUSE NY - 9090 DESTINY USA DRIVE 315-423-7223 ROCHESTER NY - 1 MIRACLE MILE DRIVE 585-427-7223 BUFFALO NY – 1 WALDEN GALLERIA 716-683-7223 PolePositionRaceway.com AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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COVER By Lou Sorendo
Oswego’s Ambassador of Tourism David Granoff taking city of Oswego tourism to next level
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avid Granoff isn’t going to wait for someone or something else to promote Oswego as a tourism destination. He has taken on that responsibility himself as an independent entrepreneur. Granoff works in the digital media industry as a designer and manager of local tourism and organizational websites. A retired physician, Granoff is involved in the promotion, coordination and dissemination of information to specialty audiences. He is CEO of Logistics in Design, LLC. Logistics in Design specializes in website design and digital media management, tourism development, and public relations for municipal communities and nonprofit organizations. His newest creation is www.visitoswegony.com, a website designed to highlight the Port City’s natural, cultural, recreational, educational and historical attractions. VisitOswegoNY is complemented by a Facebook site — www.facebook. com/visitoswegony — to allow for community interaction and feedback. These sites are maintained free of charge as a public service to boost tourism in the region, Granoff said. “As a resident of the Greater Oswego area, I am aware of the immense beauty and attraction that our lakeside city offers,” he said. “Having lived near other seaside resorts on the East Coast some years ago, I am aware of the tremendous potential that an area of this type can have in the tourism market.”
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COVER Granoff said the city’s lakefront location and historical treasures are among a defining quality that many other cities simply cannot match. “In many ways, Oswego offers visitors more than many other ‘known’ locations in and around the eastern U.S.,” Granoff said. “My vision is to offer the amenities to the public and place Oswego ‘in the mix’ in attracting those guests who otherwise would have not known the place even exists. “Awareness starts with getting the word out, and in my case that is with a website and social media site.” The site’s concept was developed late in 2013, and officially launched in early 2014. The Facebook site followed several months after that. To date, the site has over 220,000 views, and uses statistical tracking via advanced Google analytics. A mobile version of the site, which is available on Apple and Android portable phones and devices, also has a growing number of ‘hits.’ “The Facebook site has reached over 8,250 likes in an amazingly short period of time, making it one of the top-visited sites in Central New York,” he said. Tourism mission — The website serves several purposes, Granoff said. It serves as an informational reference for the traveler and vacationer who is looking to find out about major activities, events and festivals, the best and most attractive areas to visit, places to stay, dine and shop in and around Oswego. It also provides helpful maps and organizes attractions by category, such as museums, historical venues, where to find camping grounds, boat launches and marinas. “The mission of the website is to portray the city in a positive manner that will engage viewers,” Granoff said. VisitOswegoNY wants to introduce prospective tourists to Oswego’s year-round attractions. “Other websites in Oswego and Oswego County serve similar purposes, and our site is designed to work in concert with them,” he said. “But, we are mainly focused on providing a general picture of the city and surrounding areas for the first time AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
viewer,” he said. “We believe this exposure places Oswego into favorable competition for the attraction of visitors, and perhaps individual families who may choose to live and work here.” The site also provides links for those who want to learn more about specific places and venues. The sky is the limit in terms of the site’s targeted demographic. Granoff said its demographics are multi-directional and targets viewers in and around the Port City and throughout New York state. It also reaches out to folks in across the Northeast as well as Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. “The demographics are principally targeted to travelers of all ages looking for vacation opportunities and weekend excursions, and include families, sportsmen, boaters, festival goers, and historians, among others,” he noted. Granoff said response to the site is overwhelmingly positive. “The site continues to create amazement for those seeing it for the first time,” he said. “Another measure of our attractiveness is the confidence instilled in our projects, as measured by the growing number of supporters that fund our site through company and institutional ads and sponsorships.” Granoff said the website takes full-time management to keep it relevant and up-to-date, and is constantly adding new award-winning photographs that depict Oswego’s ever-changing attractions. “Natural evolution of the webOSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
site’s contents are inevitable and are added as Oswego’s tourism market becomes better defined and markets for the website’s usefulness are identified,” he said. Future plans include enhanced navigation and a more robust mobile website “app” version. “However, consistent name branding and recognition as Oswego’s tourism website must continue on track in order to gain the greatest amount of exposure and utility,” he said. The Facebook site complements the tourism website by providing a portal for up-to-date posts. The posts cover a diversity of attractions and upcoming events relevant to tourism and visitors’ interests. Viewers of the website also find it convenient to read the Facebook site itself from a built-in window on the home page, without the need to look elsewhere for it, Granoff said. Granoff is webmaster for Rotary International’s District 7150 (Central New York) website at www.Rotary7150.org; chairman of the Oswego Rotary Club Foundation, past president of the Oswego Rotary Club, president of the Fulton NY Amateur Radio Club and a member of Oswego County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service. 55
COVER By Lou Sorendo
Destinations Top destination in Oswego County — Salmon River — drew 200,000 anglers in 2014
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he top destination point in Oswego County in 2014 was the Salmon River, according to Janet Clerkin, tourism and public information coordinator at the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning. It attracted more than 200,000 anglers to its shores and waters. The Salmon River, located in Oswego County, stretches 17 miles from the Lighthouse Hill Reservoir in Altmar to where it empties into Lake Ontario at Port Ontario. There are 12 miles of public fishing rights along the river. The Salmon River offers some of the finest sports fishing in the country. Two major fish records have been set in the Salmon River: the Great Lakes record Chinook salmon (47 lbs.-13 oz.) and the world record Coho salmon (33 lbs.-4 oz.). Coming in second as a top destination point was Harborfest, Oswego’s annual summer festival held during the last weekend in July. It was estimated that 150,000 to 200,000 people attended the 2014 Harborfest celebration, Clerkin said. For the past 26 years, millions of visitors have enjoyed free musical concerts, amusements, children’s activities and world-class fireworks on the harbor. The third most popular destination point in Oswego County in 2014 was the Fort Ontario State Historic Site. There were 113,857 guests at the fort in 2014, according to Clerkin. Fort Ontario is one of several forts erected by the British in the mid-18th century to protect the area around the east end of Lake Ontario. Fort Ontario also features the Safe Haven Museum and Education Center. During World War II, Fort Ontario was home to approximately 982 Jewish refugees from August 1944 to February 1946. The Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee
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Shelter was the only attempt by the United States to shelter Jewish refugees during the war. Selkirk Shores State Park drew 74,644 visitors in 2014 and ranks fourth as the most popular destination point in Oswego County. In addition to spectacular sunsets over Lake Ontario, visitors to Selkirk Shores State Park can expect outstanding fishing and popular hiking and biking trails that lead to a lush mix of meadows and woodlands. The park is directly in the migration route for a wide variety of bird species as well. Campsites are available directly overlooking a bluff on Lake Ontario. Small boats can be launched from the Pine Grove site into the Salmon River, while larger boats can be launched from the Mexico Point Boat Launch on the Little Salmon River. Other highly popular destinations and attractions include Thunder Island Amusement Park, Oswego Speedway, Salmon River Fish Hatchery, Sandy Island Beach, the Oswego County Fair and the Central Square Apple Festival. Fishing Is King — Clerkin said tributary stream fishing and historic sites continue to trend upward. Oswego County, particularly the Salmon River, is recognized as a worldclass fishing destination due to the quantity and variety of trout and salmon that run the length of the river.
The Salmon River continues to generate a strong social media presence, particularly as a fall and winter fishing destination. The number of angler hours spent on the Salmon River continues to increase, Clerkin said. The world-class quality of the county’s fishery and successful management of the fishing resources by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation continue to draw anglers from all over the U.S. and around the world. “We are one of the few places that can claim year-round opportunities for trophy-class fish in a variety of species,” Clerkin said. The Salmon River is also home to the Douglaston Salmon Run, one of the largest, privately owned fishing preserves in the U.S. Paid attendance at the DSR in 2014 was 16,500 anglers. Opened late in the 1980s, the Douglaston Salmon Run was developed as a low-pressure, catch-and-release fishing environment to maximize the outdoor experience of guests. Two and a half miles of private waters fishing offers a world-class sports fishing destination with seven nearby lodges available year round for guests. Meanwhile, the state’s Path Through History marketing program and regional heritage tourism marketing efforts — complete with brochures, advertising, heritage tourism radio spots and 1812 symposium marketing — have led to
Oswego County’s Big Draws • Salmon River • Harborfest • Fort Ontario State Historic Site • Selkirk Shores State Park OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Fort Ontario is one of several forts erected by the British in the mid-18th century to protect the area around the east end of Lake Ontario. There were 113,857 guests at the fort in 2014, according county figures. increased visitation at historic sites. Attendance at Fort Ontario increased 12.3 percent from Memorial Day to Labor Day between 2013-2014, Clerkin said. Clerkin said there are unique attractions in Oswego County that entice people to make it a destination point. “Our outdoor resources and history are second to none. We have an incredible wealth of public access to prime fishing, boating, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing areas at very reasonable costs to the user, and in many cases, free of charge,” she said. “We also have a very rich and strong heritage with unique historic sites that reflect our story. Fort Ontario and Safe Haven are just two of the high-quality and unique heritage sites that attract thousands of visitors from across the U.S. and around the world.” Smaller museums, such as the Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum in Mexico and the H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego, add to the variety of historic sites visitors appreciate and enjoy. Excitement in the air — Clerkin said these core resources are strengthened by events that highlight and promote the waterfront, skiing and snowmobile trails, fishery and heritage tourism assets. Examples are Harborfest, Oswego Paddlefest, several salmon and trout fishing tournaments, the Oswego County Fair, Pumpkinfest, Central Square Apple Festival, Winona Forest snowshoe AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
races and cross-country skiing events, and the War of 1812 Symposium. The county has organized an effective tourism ambassador program whose mission it is to provide an overview of Oswego County’s travel industry, its economic impact, the types of activities visitors are looking for, trends in social media, and communication and customer service skills to improve the visitor’s experience. About 160 people attended the first two tourism ambassador workshops, held in 2014 and earlier this year. “We plan to continue them, although we haven’t finalized the format of future events,” Clerkin said. “The workshops have been very well received and we have just begun to scratch the surface as to the variety of topics that can be explored and locations that can be covered.” Clerkin said the mission of the tourism ambassador program is to provide hospitality training and orientation to frontline workers, business owners, and other interested persons, and to raise awareness of all aspects of Oswego County’s tourism resources and events. Some of the topics that it has addressed include economic importance of fishing, lighthouse tourism, outdoor resources, hospitality and marketing. “By holding the program at different locations, we give people the opportunity to see new development in parts of the county that they might not see otherwise,” Clerkin added. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Grow Your Business
in Fulton
The City of Fulton is an attractive place to locate and expand your business. Fulton’s abundance of water and energy, central location and highly productive workforce has attracted large and small businesses into the community.
Among other things, we offer: • Revolving Loan Packages • Micro-Enterprise Loan Program • Technical Assistance For more information, call 593-7166 or visit us online at fultoncda.com
Every year thousands of people buy commercial of residential properties in Oswego County. They all receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Oswego County Business. Reaching new property owners. Another good reason to advertise in Oswego County Business.
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COVER By Lou Sorendo
All About Collaboration Local museums and historical sites in Oswego form collaborative effort to attract tourists
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he city of Oswego is making history with a collaborative effort designed to infuse life into its tourism industry. Leading the effort is Mercedes Niess, executive director of the H. Lee White Marine Museum, located at Oswego’s West First Street Pier. Niess worked with and studied under the late Rosemary Nesbitt, who founded the museum in 1982 under the auspices of the Port of Oswego Authority. Niess now carries the torch of history once held proudly by Nesbitt, who personified Oswego history during her tenure as director of the museum and city historian. Executive director since November 2008, Niess said the museum was established to preserve and promote the Oswego harbor’s importance in history. In efforts to rejuvenate the city’s tourism industry — particularly its historic attractions — Niess is spearheading a “history collaborative” among the major historical sites to enhance awareness as well as marketing resources. Niess said the collaboration includes Fort Ontario, the maritime museum, the Safe Haven Museum and Education Center, the Oswego County Historical Society and its Richardson-Bates House Museum, the Heritage Foundation of Oswego County and its highly touted walking tours, the Oswego Public Li-
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brary, the Oswego Railroad Museum and the John D. Murray Firefighters Museum. Advertising will be handled as a team due to the collaborative effort. “The reality is we’re not going to have visitors come to Oswego for one place. We thought if we could market ourselves as a whole, people would realize there is so much to do and actually make a point of coming and perhaps stay overnight,” she said. Niess said each historical entity doesn’t feature significant advertising budgets, “and there are opportunities that we can’t take advantage of.” With pooled funds, members of the initiative can market through an assortment of media while aiming to attract more people to the community, she noted. Niess said history is a vital component of a region’s tourism industry. The Port City recently hosted the Lakes-N-Lobster 2015 motorcycle tour as about 200 bikers came to Oswego to take in historic sites. “I think it’s proven that historic and cultural sites really do attract visitors,” Niess said. Niess said it is interesting to discover how people do find out about museums and cultural sites. The maritime museum has a guest register that specifically asks visitors OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
how they heard of the historic site. “Sometimes it’s online, from a friend, or a newspaper. Especially nowadays, there is such a wide variety of ways for people to get their information. We really feel we have to be out there in a multitude of ways,” she said. Marketing is a challenge, and Niess said adjustments are made upon evaluation of visitor information. For instance, if someone is visiting from out of state, museum staff wants to know what brought them to Oswego. Niess noted oftentimes people are here because of SUNY Oswego, the manufacturing and nuclear plants in the area or they are attending a conference. Sometimes, they are boaters simply passing through. “We want to find out why they are here. That helps us decide where we put our money,” she said. “We work closely with the county tourism department, whose job it is to get people to the county. Our job is capturing those people who come to Oswego,” she added. Niess said individual sites and attractions must supplement the county’s tourism promotional efforts. A boost in tourism traffic leads to increased revenue in the form of more sales tax, which benefits everybody from an economic standpoint, she noted. “I think our waterfront is one of our AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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Mercedes Niess, executive director of the H. Lee White Marine Museum, is spearheading an effort among the major historical sites in Oswego to enhance awareness as well as marketing resources. biggest sellers,” Niess said. “We are the only maritime museum on the United States side of Lake Ontario.” “If you want to know about the water or want to see boats and ships, this is the place to come,” she added. She said the water has been instrumental in defining the history of Oswego, and is the reason why people settled here in the first place. It is the oldest fresh-water port in the country. Niess said there is a tendency for the community to take for granted the historic treasures in the city. “We really need to polish it up and show the gem for what it is,” she added. “I think that is what we are trying to do through the history collaborative.” Upgrades at maritime museum — Niess addressed improvements made on the tourism scene, such as historic sites throughout the city recently receiving AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
new signage courtesy of the state-backed Path Through History initiative. Meanwhile, the maritime museum is working on creating a new entryway that will be more visitor-friendly. It has also changed and added new exhibits in an effort to keep things fresh, Niess said. The museum features a new exhibit by Don Gillespie, a local maritime artist. The exhibit called “Kindred Spirits, and other relative mysteries” celebrates Oswego’s rich art heritage and features original paintings by James G. Tyler, born in Oswego in 1855. Tyler became one of the most notable marine artists of his time. “We’ve elevated the historic relevance of our derrick boat, which was placed on the National Historic Register earlier this year,” she said. The NYS Derrick Boat 8 was the last steam-powered vessel on the Barge OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Canal. The Preservation Association of Central New York recently awarded the maritime museum for its efforts at preserving the derrick boat and the National Historic Landmark Tug LT-5, the last functioning large tug used in the Normandy landing on D-Day during World War II. It was also awarded for its efforts at restoring the Oswego Harbor West Pierhead Lighthouse, which was built in 1934. The museum recently acquired a lease of the lighthouse from the city with the purpose of spearheading the complete restoration of the lighthouse, and, in the future, providing guided tours of the facility accessed by boat. Safety improvements and cleaning are needed, according to Ted Panaytoff, chairman of the Oswego Lighthouse Development Committee. 59
COVER
Mercedes Niess: Passion for the Past
M
ercedes Niess is originally from Long Island, and “grew up in suburbia complete with cookie-cutter houses,” she noted. In comparison, Oswego exhibits charm and “the fabric of the community is so rich,” she said. “If everything had a pole barn look, cinder block buildings and strip malls, you’re not inspired at all,” she noted. “I love to live in a community where there are different looking buildings and houses,” she said. “They also tell us a lot about who the people were that came here [before us].” She said Oswego exudes a working-class, blue-collar vibe, something Nesbitt always expressed appreciation for. “We are not Cape Cod and that’s OK. We are who we are and need to embrace it,” Niess said. She said the LT-5 and derrick boat “did the heavy lifting” during their hey-
day and are emblematic of the character of Oswegonians in general. “Oswego was part of every aspect of history from the beginning of our country,” Niess said. “I think we need to keep embracing that.” The maritime museum received a major bequest from H. Lee White’s brother upon his passing. Without it, the maritime museum would be severely limited in what it could do, Niess said. While it is sustainable, it is only a portion of the museum’s budget. It does allow for staffing, Niess noted. “We have some staff structure here, and we feel it is our obligation to support the other organizations that are maybe all volunteer. We try to support them as best we can with what resources we have,” she said. The maritime museum is funded through membership dues, admissions, the gift shop and donations from individuals and businesses.
It also receives grant money for programming and special projects. The port supports the museum by providing space for its operations. The museum gift shop features its “Passport to History,” which features an itinerary, information about each historical agency, a walking tour map, and paid admissions to all of the city’s historical attractions. The cost is $20 and it has a value of $40. In order to maximize revenue, the maritime museum sells them to groups, particularly those who stage conventions and meetings at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center. The museum uses proceeds from the passport to cover the cost of advertising. Niess is a board member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board-Oswego County, a role she has fulfilled for more than 14 years. She is also on the steering committee of Leave a Legacy of Oswego County, which enables one to keep giving to a favorite nonprofit after passing.
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key.com
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
COVER By Matthew Liptak
Oneida Lake: A Growing Presence on Tourism Scene
Fishing tournaments have put Oneida Lake on the map
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ourism is big business in Central New York and Oneida Lake businesses and communities have been busy growing their piece of the economic pie in recent years. Oneida doesn’t get the same attention as does Lake Ontario, but observations by locals involved in the Oneida Lake’s tourism economy speak of great things and perhaps even better things to come. Tourism figures do exist from 2013 for the CNY region in general, which includes Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Oswego counties, but there is nothing specific for the Oneida Lake region. Fishing, boating and vacationing are the crown jewels of the economy around the lake with perhaps fishing making the biggest splash in recent years. “It’s gigantic,” Rob Goffredo said. “I’m not sure anyone has done a full study as far what fishing means here. In general, I don’t think anyone really comprehends how many people come AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
here just to fish.” Goffredo is the owner of Bartel Road Bait and Tackle in Brewerton and also sits on the board of directors for the Fort Brewerton Greater Oneida Lake Chamber of Commerce. He has seen the notoriety of the lake’s fishing rise in recent years. He was able to name seven tournaments that had held fishing events at the lake in just the first couple weeks of June alone. Bassmaster Magazine recently named Oneida Lake as the 40th best bass lake in the country. “They come from all over to fish this place now,” he said. “Ice fishing season is the same way. It’s a non-stop economic engine that I’m not sure anyone fully understands.” With some tournaments hosting well over 100 boats on the lake, the effects of fishing on the economy are quite real. The Bassmaster Northern Open is probably the most well known tournament that takes place on the 50,000-acre lake each year. This year the competitors will OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
be there from Aug. 6-8. Goffredo estimated the tournament could bring up to 1,000 visitors to the lake between fishermen, family, fans and staff who come to the televised event. Many arrive days before to test out the lake before the tournament, he said. “They all have to shop,” Goffredo said. “They’re all going to eat. Every restaurant is going to be packed during that week. Every grocery store is going to get hit that week because the guys who are renting cabins and houses are going to cook at home.” That’s not to mention gas for boats and hotels for lodging. Tournament time — David Holder, president of Visit Syracuse, a division of CenterState CEO, agrees that the Bassmaster tournament is big. “We’ve developed such a great reputation with bass through that event coming to Oneida Shores,” he said. Oneida Lake is a great walleye and pan fish fishery too. Fishing has been good enough to build up the mom and 61
COVER pop bait shops around the lake. Goffredo said the number of shops serving anglers has at least doubled since 2011. He excitedly rattled off a list of eight small businesses that now sell to fishermen around the lake, up from just three. They have learned to compete with big stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Gander Mountain. “It’s very exciting to see because we went through a period in the ‘90s and early 2000s where a lot of small shops closed down because all the big boxes came in,” he said. The business owner expects the Central New York Raceway Park, now under construction, will add to the tourism of the lake area. Plans for that raceway in Central Square include two dirt tracks, seating for over 10,000 people and a 300-seat restaurant. But right now, great fishing, boating and family oriented vacationing are the major draws on Oneida Lake. Those pastimes are encouraging tourists to part with their dollars. Many of the lake’s visitors rent or own homes. Holder, the president of Visit Syracuse, said these visitors are some of the most beneficial to CNY. Using an
index, Visit Syracuse discovered these people are spending 69 percent more than the average CNY vacationer. Some of that money is undoubtedly going to the eastern shore, to two popular tourist destinations — Sylvan and Verona beaches. “Oneida Lake is pretty much everything to us,” said Greg Horan, mayor of the village of Sylvan Beach. “We use the water for boating, fishing — all the things connected to it.” Village administrator Joe Benedict agreed. He said millions from tourism are pumped into the community’s economy each year. There were 200,000 separate visits to Sylvan Beach last year, he said. Kelly Blazosky, president of Oneida County Tourism, said the lake had a big impact on her county’s tourism. She expects Verona Beach State Park, which is adjacent to Sylvan Beach and its amusement park, to be a bigger draw this year than last due to recent improvements. Last year, the state park drew just over 206,000 visitors, according to state records. “They’ve made some tremendous improvements and the new facilities
there at Verona Beach State Park are just outstanding,” she said. “They built an entire new bathhouse and an additional pavilion as well. They’re beautiful buildings and make a wonderful presentation for people coming in to the beach.” There is a difference, though, between the way small town and city tourism officials view the lake. Holder said he believes Oneida Lake is important to the county, but small communities like Brewerton can’t be easily marketed to tourists and thus can’t be marketed as a sole destination. The area needs to be promoted in conjunction with other Onondaga County attractions, he said. “We’re establishing Brewerton as this neighborhood destination that is part of the Syracuse region,” he said. Goffredo disagrees. He said small communities around the lake should be more united in the tourism effort, and not just settle for residuals from the larger cities. He said they can work with Syracuse to help bring more promotion and development to the lake. “Once we get people educated to just what they can do with this area and the fishing, we can be an unstoppable force,” he said.
Aerial shot of Sylvan Beach along Oneida Lake
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
COVER By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Tourism: Key to the Thousand Islands Concern now is with the low Canadian dollar, which could negatively affect the region
I
n the Thousand Islands and Alexandria Bay region, tourism represents a substantial chunk of the local economy, both directly and indirectly. “The opening of the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel in Clayton and recent renovations at Keewaydin State Park in Alexandria Bay are encouraging residents and visitors to experience all that this great region has to offer,” said Gavin Landry, Empire State Development executive director of tourism. “This is another great example of tourism which is helping to create jobs, boost ‘visitorship’ and grow the economy.” Empire State Development stated that in 2014, tourism generated 10.3 percent of all employment in the Thousand Islands/Alexandria Bay region, amounting to 8,842 jobs. Direct spending on tourism in 2014 was $498,032,000, with a total economic impact of $766,440,000, which includes labor income and taxes. Indirect and induced impacts of tourism spending were $268,408,000, including $32,758,467 in local taxes and $27,186,726 in state taxes. Gary DeYoung, executive director of 1000 Islands International Tourism Council, said that the additional 700 rooms built in places of lodging in Watertown, Clayton and Sackets Harbor since 2006 has helped the area “see a lot of growth in hotel sales.” Guests represent a mix of military relocations and tourists. “The state parks continue to be a big attraction,” DeYoung said. “In 2013, 1.2 million Canadians used the [Thousand Islands] Bridge. Tourism is an export AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
industry, selling experiences for money.” In addition to bringing revenue into the coffers of area businesses, DeYoung said that tourism benefits locals in many ways. “Tourism allows visitors to contribute to the quality of life in the area,”
he said. “When visitors support parks, performing arts, festivals, those are things local residents enjoy. A lot of our small communities wouldn’t have these amenities without tourism.” DeYoung spoke with business operators in June whose outlook remained
Gary DeYoung, executive director of 1000 Islands International Tourism Council: additional 700 rooms built since 2006 has helped the area “see a lot of growth in hotel sales.”
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COVER positive, despite a wet spring. “One concern on the horizon is the Canadian dollar is under $.80,” he said. “A few years ago the rate was par. We’re afraid we’ll lose business from Canada because of the economy.” Keri Jobson, director of the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce, said that new events and expanded events have helped grow the local economy in recent years. The Thousand Islands River Run,
for example, draws 2,000 to 4,000 bikers in a single weekend. The continued restoration of Boldt Castle has renewed interest in the popular point of interest. “Local tourism in this day and age plays a bigger role in light of the economy,” Jobson said. “Riverfest brings in 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers from Ft. Drum for the day, for example.” Families with small budgets also still enjoy daytrips instead of traveling away from home for summer fun.
Recipes to Improve Tourism • “Be aware of what the tourism industry is. If you’re a retailer or service provider, [realize]...people go where they’re invited and stay where they feel welcome. A lot of marketing you do never reaches tourists. A complaint I hear in the North Country is that we don’t do as good a job as we could at welcoming tourists. • “Make sure the businesses you work with think about tourists, too, and think about how they could refer tourists to you. If you’re a hotel, it might help to remind customers of the farm stand or winery down the road. • “We work a lot with neighboring counties. We’re trying to make tourism not just about summer. We’ve been working to make it a year-round business, especially with winery tourism. We’re seeing progress in getting tourism more viable in fall. Gary DeYoung, executive director of 1000 Islands International Tourism Council, offered tips on improving tourism.
• “We do bulk mailing and many are somewhat local. Western New York and Pennsylvania can’t make it a daytrip, but they’re coming because they’re staying closer to home yet still getting away. It saves them a lot of travel expenses. • “Be open the entire summer. Some are open only for dinner, but we do have a pretty short window to capitalize on tourism season. • “The majority of our local businesses are [chamber of commerce] members. We are such a small community we have to rely on one another.” Keri Jobson, director of the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce, also offered a few tips. 64
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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Watertown International Airport:
Small But Handy
Some of the perks airport offers: free coffee, free parking
G
rant W. Sussey, manager of Watertown International Airport (ART) for the past 18 months, has been working to make locals more aware of the advantages of using the diminutive airport. “Sometimes, bigger isn’t better,” he said. Since 2011, American Airlines started service from Watertown to Chicago and, in 2014, to Philadelphia. “Since American came onboard, passenger numbers have been going up year after year,” Sussey said. He likes promoting the benefits of his small airport, which employs just 10: friendly, personal service and convenience. The airport also gives fliers free WiFi, coffee and free parking. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
“We have a nice terminal building with one gate,” Sussey said. “You don’t have multiple gates for people to walk to. You’re close to the ticket counter and gate. There’s one security lane in operation for just that flight. You don’t go through a gate with dozens of passengers going on other flights.” The airport operates two 50-seat flights daily to and two flights from Philadelphia. Sussey has been promoting the airport at community events, through social media and standard marketing. “We’ve been focusing on our community, military families and Canada and showing them the benefits of flying out of our airport,” he said. The airport is a 30-minute drive from OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
the border. Sussey believes that instead of dealing with customs at an airport in Canada, driving across the border and using Watertown’s airport is easier and costs less. The airport’s free parking could help lure travelers from other regions of Upstate who don’t want the expense of parking their cars for a long time period. “As the airport grows, we want to continue to grow the air service,” Sussey said. “We’re looking at future needs and looking at what we need to do to meet those needs.” He hopes to extend the runway by 1,000 feet so larger aircraft may access the airport.
By Deborah J. Sergeant 65
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Health Care Special Jobs in Support Occupations to Surge Can Oswego Health Labort Department data Go it Alone? shows a need for nursing Hospital mergers are happening everywhere. Will Oswego Health be next?
assistants, home health aides and others
MEET EXCELLUS’ NEW BOSS Jim Reed takes over as regional president of CNY largest health insurer
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Jobs in Support Occupations to Surge Healthcare support occupations — such as dental assistants, certified nursing assistants, home health aides — projected to surge over next five years
H
ealthcare support occupations across the nation are expected to grow by 28.1 percent, or by 1.2 million jobs, by 2022 compared to 2012 levels. Health-care support jobs are growing more than any other major occupational group, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to Karen Knapik-Scalzo, associate economist at the New York State Department of Labor in Syracuse, that trend is quite apparent in Central New York. “We do see growth in health services, which has been growing for some time. The projections for that sector
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continue to be bright for Central New York,” she said. Healthcare support occupations include certified nursing assistants, physical therapy assistants and aides, occupational therapy assistants, home health aides, medical assistants and dental assistants. How significant is the healthcare sector in Central New York from a jobs perspective? As of April, the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area — comprised of Oswego, Onondaga and Madison counties — had 41,800 jobs in the private health care and social assistance sector. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
This represents 13.1 percent of total nonfarm jobs in the metro area. Nearly 25 percent of that total is healthcare support workers. For the healthcare and social assistance sector, projections call for 16.3 percent job growth in Central New York by 2020, Knapik-Scalzo said. Within the sector, jobs related to ambulatory healthcare services, such as those at doctors’ offices, are projected to skyrocket 28.4 percent in Central New York by 2020, she added. “We are definitely looking at continued job growth at hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing and residential care AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT
facilities and within social assistance,” she said. In terms of the projected fastest-growing healthcare support occupations, Knapik Scalzo said to expect a surge of personal care aides, physical therapy assistants, home health aides and certified nursing assistants. She said the demand for CNAs is going to be “huge,” according to reports she has heard from local employers. What’s ‘hot’ on jobs scene — Even though they are considered healthcare support occupations, some of them are more entry-level than others. Some jobs — such as occupational and physical therapy assistants — might demand a two-year degree rather than others that only require a high school diploma. Healthcare support occupations comprise three of the top-five fastest growing jobs projected in CNY to 2020. Personal care aides, for instance, are expected to grow by 44.9 percent, while physical therapy assistants will see 44.4 percent job growth. Home health aides, meanwhile, are projected to grow by 36.4 percent and are on the list of occupations featuring the most job openings projected to 2020. “We are seeing the aging of the baby boomers, so it’s going to be a large population base that needs care,” she said. “Also, there is more of an emphasis on preventive care and maintenance as well. People are living longer, and that is becoming a factor. “Years ago, you didn’t see as many people living into their 90s and over 100. Now, that is becoming more and more common.” Knapik-Scalzo said the healthcare sector in CNY has been on a long-term upswing and perhaps may be accelerating more now than what she has seen in the past. She noted there is also a high concentration of healthcare jobs in the region, with hospitals, outpatient care facilities and nursing homes providing many jobs. “It is a large industry here in Central New York that continues to grow in our region,” she added. With the trend in long-term care being toward “aging in place,” more elderly are opting to stay at home while receiving needed care. Knapik-Scalzo said this will lead to a rise in healthcare support occupations 70
such as home health aides and certified nursing assistants. “We are definitely seeing more individuals wanting to stay in their own homes, and I think that trend will contribute to growth in those types of occupations,” she said. Robust sector — New York state has the second-highest number of workers in the healthcare support occupation sector (338,760) behind California. Hourly mean wage is $14.06 while annual mean wage is $29,240. The Utica-Rome region has one of the highest concentrations of healthcare support occupation jobs (6,460) in the nation based on location quotient. Location quotient is a ratio that compares a region to a larger reference region according to some characteristic
or asset. The New York State Department of Labor posted long-term industry employment projections from 2012-2022. In the category of healthcare and social assistance, there were a total of approximately 1.4 million workers in the sector in New York state in 2012. That number is projected to increase to about 1.68 million, which is a 20.8 percent jump. The most dramatic increase will be in ambulatory healthcare services, an area that is expected to grow by 35.2 percent. Employment numbers are expected to increase by 20.7 percent in New York state at nursing and residential care facilities, while hospital jobs for healthcare support occupation workers are anticipated to increase by 5.7 percent.
Pick Your Career, Your Salary
Salaries for support occupations can go from an entry level $20,660 to more than $56,000
W
ages paid to those working in healthcare support occupations in Central New York differ depending on the job. Here’s a summary of the information provided by Karen KnapikScalzo, associate economist at the New York State Department of Labor in Syracuse. All Healthcare Support Positions • Average Salary: $29,330 a year • Median: $27,620 • Entry level: $20,660
• With experience: $33,670 Home health aides Average Salary: $24,610 Occupational therapy assistants • Average Salary: $48,910 Physical therapy assistants • Average Salary: $44,900 Massage therapist • Average Salary: $56,180
See related story on page 82
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Meet Excellus’ New Regional President James Reed returns for second stint as regional president
F
or James Reed, succeeding in the business world while following a core personal value system is inseparable. Reed, who has returned for his second stint as regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Central New York region, has Le Moyne College in Syracuse to thank for that. He was formerly senior vice president of sales and marketing, a role that he will incorporate into his regional president’s duties. Reed replaces physician Arthur P. Vercillo, who retired from the position earlier this summer. Vercillo will continue to focus on his local surgical practice. Reed oversees 850 Excellus BCBS employees who work in the CNY offices. He previously held the regional president position from 2008-2009 and moved into the senior vice president of sales and marketing role to help prepare the organization for significant changes resulting from passage of the Affordable Care Act. Reed earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business and a Master of Business Administration degree from Le Moyne College. He is on the Le Moyne College business school advisory board. “I give tremendous credit to my career success to the foundation I learned and gained at Le Moyne,” he said. “It’s a good, well-rounded liberal arts education built on the Jesuit value structure and system.” He said this approach not only gives one a broad sense of many fields of study, but it is grounded in the foundation of Jesuit values. “Part of the success of my career has AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
been around the value structure that I bring to the table. The values that you learn at Le Moyne carry with you for the rest of your life,” he said. Some of those values include spiritual inquiry, civic engagement and religious and cultural pluralism. Reed said Le Moyne graduates are part of an extended family. “When you graduate from Le Moyne, you have this connection with other graduates that is part of the Jesuit culture and value structure,” he said. This sense of recognition and acceptance, Reed said, is evident throughout Upstate New York. “Other colleges have good, quality liberal arts education, and quality academic reputations and programs, but maybe don’t have that connection and feel,” he said. Reed, 44, is originally from Elmira. In 2006, he and his wife Theresa bought a house in Skaneateles and have since called it home. The couple has three children: two teenage boys, Jake and Tommy, and a 10-year-old daughter, Katie. At Le Moyne, Reed played baseball for the legendary Dick R o c k well, a notable coach OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
and athletic director who is considered an icon in Dolphin circles. Reed was a pitcher until an injured shoulder sidelined him his junior year. After growing up an athlete, Reed said he believes in the concept of teamwork and making that an integral part of the business culture he wants to create. “I think aspects that you learn i n
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sports are very translatable over to the business world,” he said. “I try first and foremost to build a good team and make sure people who are on the team are in the right roles and understand what their roles are,” he said. “I view myself as the coach. With any team, you’ve got certain skill sets and responsibilities that team members have,” he said. “As the coach, I am able to help guide, counsel, mentor and provide focus and direction.” Reed graduated from Le Moyne in 1993, and not long after was hired by BlueCross BlueShield of Central New York. He will be celebrating his 20th anniversary at Excellus in January of 2016. Reed spent the majority of those years working in the Southern Tier. He took on sales and account management roles before relocating to the Central New York market as his job evolved. His role involves leading the sales and marketing team that has account 72
management as well as promotion and product responsibilities for the organization across Excellus’ Central New York territory. Reed said he views himself as a senior level leader in the community with the responsibility and opportunity to engage with other leaders representing customers, hospital and physician communities. “Relationships obviously in any business really are the keys to success,” he said. “This organization has been very good for nearly 80 years at developing relationships and keeping them strong.” Reed said among his skill sets, the ability to create, cultivate and maintain relationships based on trust are paramount. He noted his career has been built on this ability. Dramatic time of change — Reed noted the insurance industry environment has dramatically changed between his stints as regional president. “I also think in many ways, it’s very much the same. We have very similar challenges as a community within healthcare and the health insurance industry,” he said. These challenges involve the affordability of health insurance and healthcare coverage. “That is of utmost concern to all our stakeholders, whether they are customers, hospitals or physicians in the provider delivery side of the system, as well as ourselves as an employer. In so many ways, we have exactly the same issues that we faced in 2008-2009,” he said. Reed said new regulations are now intact with the arrival of the Affordable Care Act. “We still end up being focused on the same thing, and that is how do we make health insurance more affordable and accessible to people who live within our communities,” he said. Reed said when the ACA was implemented in January of 2014, the state exchange was created and a new individual market was born across the country. Today’s climate now features a new market segment that is more focused on the New York state-based exchange and the subsidies and accessibility associated with health insurance coverage, Reed OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
noted. When assessing the ACA, Reed said when the law was first passed in 2010, the main objective was to provide access to health insurance for people who did not have it. “Generally speaking, I think the law is successful in its effort to provide access to insurance for those who didn’t have access,” he said. For Reed, there are several aspects of his job that must be dialed in for him to realize success as a regional president. One of them involves his internal team and employees and ensuring staff members are in the right positions and have the right resources to accomplish their objectives. Another key component to success is being engaged with the community, he said. Reed noted Excellus features a significant employee presence in Upstate New York, and the company takes advantage of numerous community involvement opportunities. “That’s an important piece of the regional president’s role because it’s impacting the lives and health of people that live and work in our community,” he said. Effectively collaborating with the provider delivery system is another key to success as a regional president, Reed noted. He said the ability of a locally based health insurance company to have a strong, established partnership with the provider delivery system is crucial when working together to develop payment policies and quality of care that’s delivered to members. Reed said he has been working with Crouse Hospital, SUNY Upstate Medical University, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center and the physician community to help unlock that partnership model. Another key to success for Reed is engaging with customers. “We exist because our customers find value in the products that we sell,” he said. He said it is essential to understand what customers’ priorities and objectives are, whether it involves providing coverage to employees, buying individual coverage or dealing with Medicare-eligible seniors. Challenging environment — Reed said he faces many job-related challengAUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT
es, including a regulatory environment that features a tax high burden to pay for the ACA. It has increased access, Reed said, but is also comes at a significant cost. “There is an increased tax burden that we all pay in our premiums to help cover the subsidies and building of the exchange,” he said. “The regulatory environment is certainly a challenge from my perspective.” Reed said the cost challenge is very real. “It’s easy for me to say that our objective is to align with the provider delivery system and customers in a way that benefits all,” he said. “Those objectives are hard to achieve,” he said. “Especially in a climate where you’ve got somewhat disparate parties at the table. The insurance company is in the middle as a risk-taking conduit between providers and consumers. You’ve got hospitals and physicians who may or may not be connected in any way. You’ve got specialists, primary care physicians, pharmacists and ancillary providers in an ecosystem that is quite large and complex.” Reed said it is easy to say Excellus can make and foster a collaborative environment around that ecosystem where incentives and objectives become commonly aligned around the delivery of high-quality care at the most affordable costs. However, “the mechanism by which you get there can be very complex and difficult,” Reed noted. Reed said technology looms as a challenge as well. He said the health insurance sector has yet to take advantage of the technology opportunities that exist. Reed said Excellus is meeting the challenge with a multi-year investment toward modernizing the infrastructure associated with its transactions and delivery of those transactions so they are much more focused on current technology and use of rapid, mobile resources. The lag, Reed said, was due to the advent of the ACA and time spent adjusting to those changes instead of upgrading from a technology standpoint. Reed is a volunteer for The MakeA-Wish Foundation. He is also on the board of Syracuse Stage, CenterState CEO and is board president of Little League in Skaneateles. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Excellus’ New Boss Shares Thoughts On living in Skaneateles “If you were to drive over to Skaneateles at any point when it is not raining, my wife and I are walking our dogs,” Reed said. The couple enjoys what Reed characterizes as a walking community. “That is one of the things we love about the village,” said Reed while referencing the village’s plentiful well-lighted walkways. Both he and his wife hail from the Southern Tier, and both came from small town environments. They wanted that same community feel while scoping out places to live in Upstate New York, and settled on Skaneateles. “We always felt comfortable there and when it came time to pull the trigger on a new home, it felt right to us and we’ve been there ever since,” he said.
On his favorite restaurants Reed said he thoroughly enjoys the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, considered the eastern gateway to the Finger Lakes. “The Sherwood Inn features a relaxed environment at the tip of Skaneateles Lake. It has good food, company and ambience,” he said. Other notable restaurants that he enjoys include Rosalie’s Cucina and The Krebs.
On being a New York Yankees’ fan Reed is a New York Yankees’ fan, and likes to reflect on their heyday during their championship years in the 1990s. He said there is a certain sadness associated with watching some of the greats such as Derek Jeter and Jorge OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
Posada hang up the cleats over the last several years. “We’ve all been fortunate when you think back on all the terrific players we’ve seen come and go,” he said.
On the game of golf Reed enjoys playing golf, although he does not have the opportunity to play as much as he would like due to schedule restrictions. “It didn’t take that long to learn that I don’t make my living playing golf,” he said. “If I was upset about my score or what I end up doing on the golf course, I probably wouldn’t enjoy the game.” He does make an occasional great shot. “That’s what brings me back the next time, although there’s not too many of those,” he added.
On dealing with job stress “For me personally, challenges involving delivery of our products and issues associated with the business aren’t my primary stressors. It’s managing relationships and the demands that impact the team,” Reed said. Reed said he likes to tackle those issues head-on. “You need to be transparent with people and you need to always stay true to your core value structure. The way to increase stress is to ignore it,” he said. “What I try to practice to decrease that stress is to make sure you are communicating. That’s the step toward getting other people to buy in and ultimately de-stress the environment,” he added.
On coaching youth sports
Reed relishes the opportunity to partake in sports with his children, and assists by volunteering and coaching young athletes. “To me, the ability to interact in sports as a coach is a huge benefit and de-stressor to the work environment,” he said. “My athletic days are probably over, but if I can be still be involved with the kids and helping them have fun and 73
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learn the games and sports they are playing, I think it is a win-win for all of us,” he said.
On becoming employed at Excellus “If you would have asked me when I was in college if I was going to work for a health insurance company, I would have asked, “What’s a health insurance company?” “I didn’t set out from a young age to say, ‘I want to be in the health insurance field. It is a mix of good fortune and luck,” he said. After graduating from college, he realized that he needed to find a job, settle down and start a life. “The thing that attracted me to BlueCross BlueShield of Central New York at the time was the people that worked there,” he said. He had befriended several people who worked for the company, and when a job opened, he was encouraged to interview for the position.
On the creation of the individual market in the insurance sector Reed said the implementation of the individual market brought forth a whole different business model for Upstate New York-based insurance companies, he said. He said the company’s main customer base has predominately been associated with employer group-based coverage, and the manner in which Excellus markets to, sells and interacts with an employer group has been through human resource directors, CEOs or CFOs depending on the company. Now, Excellus has had to shift gears to accommodate the needs of the individual market. “The concept of retail around the individual market is really driving a change within our industry,” he said.
By Lou Sorendo
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And How About Those High Premiums?
13.9 percent rate increase on small group and 12.8 percent increase on individual policies is necessary in 2016 due to the rising costs of health care, regulatory burdens and operating losses from previous years, according to the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield website. Excellus provides health insurance and administrative services for about 1.6 million Upstate New Yorkers in 39 counties. The proposed premium rates affect about 257,000 members or 15.9 percent of the health plan’s total membership. Its proposed rates are subject to review by the New York Department of Financial Services. The proposed rate adjustment is based on the need to recover from operating losses in previous years, anticipated increases in medical costs, and changes in the health insurance market driven by federal and state actions, according to the proposal. “These changes are likely contributing factors for most Upstate New York health plans reporting underwriting losses in 2014,” the proposal said. “We take proactive steps to help manage rising health care costs that drive premium increases,” said James Reed,
regional president Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Central New York region. “Through innovative payment arrangements, we provide support and incentives for providers to attain the triple aim of enhanced patient experience, improved quality and reduced costs,” he noted. Excellus is partnering with Upstate New York hospitals to provide incentives for improvements in quality measures and reductions in the number of hospital-acquired infections, Reed noted. “We continue to offer significantly lower cost private coverage than the national average, which helps more people afford coverage,” he said. The annual family PPO [preferred provider organization] premium rates in Upstate New York averaged 30 percent lower than the national average reported in the most recent nationwide benefit-for-benefit price comparison done in 2010, he said. “Wiser health care spending is fostered by strong local collaborations among those who provide care and the employers and insurers who finance it,” he said. “Lower costs mean broader access to affordable coverage.
Former Leader to Focus on Private Practice
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hysician Arthur Vercillo has retired from his position as regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Central New York territory. “I look forward to maintaining my local surgical practice and spending more time with family and friends,” Vercillo said. “For the past decade, I’ve enjoyed working with many talented people at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield,” he said. “I’ve been proud to be part of an organization OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
that values collaborative relationships with health care providers and cares deeply about its service to employers, members and the community.” Vercillo said new regional president James Reed’s strength lies in the fact that he has served as president of the company’s Central New York region before. “When he was named senior vice president of marketing and sales, he never lost his connection with our local customers,” he said. “Under Jim’s leadership, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will further its mission to continually improve the health and health care of the residents of the communities it serves.” AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Ann Gilpin No Longer Oswego Health’s CEO
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nn C. Gilpin has chosen to pursue an early retirement as president and CEO of Oswego Health, effective June 30, according to a press release issued by the organization. Gilpin made this decision, in consultation with the Oswego Health Board of Directors, so she may pursue personal and family matters that have been postponed by her commitment to leading the changes at Oswego Health over the last eight years. “Ann has led Oswego Health through the challenges and opportunities of expanding quality health services throughout Oswego County,” said William Clark, chairman of the board. “We thank Ann for her many accomplishments that include her support of physician recruitment and the development of more than $45 million in grant funding, which led to the expansion of services at Oswego Health.” As Oswego Health moves forward, Clark said the health system will continue to develop high-quality services through the important relationships it shares with the medical staff, employees and other health and human service organizations in the county. “I want to thank the professionals at all levels of the health system that commit themselves to serving the needs of patients, residents and clients,” said Gilpin. “I am confident that their continued dedication and leadership will ensure that Oswego Health will be successful in meeting the care needs of Oswego County residents.” Operations at all Oswego Health locations will continue to be overseen by the current executive leadership. The board of directors is presently working to secure interim and longterm leadership that will assure community members continue to have access to the highest level of quality care in the region. As these plans advance, the board of directors will share more information with the community, Oswego Hospital medical staff and all health system employees.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Healthcare Hawk
Consultant George Chapman keeps watchful eye on a complex healthcare system — for him, Obamacare has had an overall positive impact, but more needs to be done
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omeone has to do it. George W. Chapman, owner of GW Chapman Consulting in Syracuse, does not mince words when describing the current state of the healthcare industry. “The healthcare industry has a lot of problems,” he said. “Obviously, cost and access are the two biggest ones.” “I just think there are ways you can keep costs down and keep access up, but there are too many vested interest groups in this industry,” he said. The vested interest groups are hospitals, doctors, drug companies and insurance companies, he said. “Someone has to force them together to see that the better goal is care for all Americans.”
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That someone might as well be Chapman himself. He distributes a monthly electronic newsletter to clients and colleagues and also writes a monthly healthcare column for In Good Health newspapers throughout Central New York that touch on many timely and controversial topics. Chapman began his healthcare administration career at Northern Oswego County Health Services in Pulaski, which he helped launch at the age of 25. He then went on to work at Rochester General Hospital for a few years before returning to Syracuse to work for the Prepaid Health Services Plan. From there, he served as vice president at St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Center in Syracuse. For the last 20 years, he has been privately consulting in the healthcare field, primarily with doctors’ groups and hospitals. “Every job is slightly different and I’m in a position where I can learn a lot because I am exposed to a lot of different providers,” he said. “When you’re in administration, you are locked in the office with your nose to the grindstone and really don’t see a lot.” Being a consultant provides him with a broader overview of what is happening in the healthcare field, he said. Chapman said the most challenging aspect of being a consultant is keeping clients up to speed on an ever-evolving healthcare climate. “You want to help your client and forecast the future as best you can, but reimbursement and regulations change so quickly, and Obamacare has changed things up,” he said. He said the challenge lies in projecting out as concisely as possible what is OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
going to transpire in the years to come. “It’s harder to help your clients go forward because a lot of it is speculation and basically educated guessing,” he said. Chapman, originally from Syracuse, graduated from Christian Brothers Academy. He attended Syracuse University for his undergraduate and Master of Business Administration degrees. Having worked at various points along the continuum of care — from primary care to specialty practices within hospitals to managed care — Chapman said he is able to see “how everything interlocks and how everything works.” When Chapman first embarked on his consulting career, his clients simply wanted him to discover ways to help run their business better. Today, issues have become more complex. “I always say, ‘Do the right thing and the money will flow’,” he said. “I try to get them to understand they are in the business of seeing patients.” Making the system more accessible and easier to navigate for patients should be the primary focus, Chapman said. “I think because the industry is so screwed up and reimbursements constantly change, they lose sight of what they need to do and are forced to obsess about how they are going to be paid,” he said. “Let’s face it. Everyone has to put food on the table,” he said. While the intention of government is to make care better, constant change in regulations and reimbursements is coming so rapidly, it is creating a huge diversion for doctors and hospitals, he said. State of the ACA — Today, there AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
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is much less uncertainty about the Affordable Care Act because fear of the unknown has been replaced by actual experience, Chapman said. “Most of the dire predictions have failed to materialize,” he noted. Due to the ACA, 15 million more Americans have health insurance. The uninsured rate has plummeted from 20 percent in 2013 to 13 percent in 2015. According to a report by the politically neutral Commonwealth Fund, 86 percent of the newly insured report they are very or somewhat satisfied with their coverage. Meanwhile, 91 percent reported they are very or somewhat satisfied with their provider. “Overall, the impact of the ACA on the healthcare industry, per se, is actually positive,” noted Chapman, adding that if it wasn’t, “we would have been deluged with negative ads from the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the insurance industry.” Commercial insurers have added millions to their memberships, he noted. “Profits are high for both commercial insurers and drug manufacturers,” he said. “Due to more people having
insurance, hospitals and physicians have less bad debt. Providers have not been overwhelmed — as predicted — with sick, newly insured patients. Cost containment, which is part of the ACA, is the next step.” What he dislikes most about the ACA is the confusion and complexity it creates for employers, particularly small employers. The impact of the ACA on both large and small employers has resulted in confusion along with additional taxes to pay for those who qualify for a discount on the exchange or expanded Medicaid, he said. The average New York state employer-sponsored family premium is now about $17,000 with the employer picking up about $13,000 of the premium, he said. Employer sponsored-provided insurance was actually on the decline prior to the ACA, he noted. “Healthcare costs are crippling both employers and taxpayers. Something had to be done; hence the ACA,” he said. “Since the ACA, employer-sponsored insurance has remained stable.” Premium concerns — The ACA has definitely impacted premiums, but it is hard to determine the exact extent
Chapman: Expect Primary Care Physician Shortage to Ease
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t’s no mystery that New York, like most other states, has been suffering from a shortage of physicians, especially in primary care. George W. Chapman, owner of GW Chapman Consulting in Syracuse, sees a solution happening “There are market forces that will eventually create more primary care physicians,” Chapman said. “Medicare and commercial insurers have been slowly ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ over the years, which means they are increasing payments for what primary care physicians typically bill at the expense of what specialists are paid.” Chapman said as reimbursement transitions away from fee for service — which has traditionally been biased toward specialists — and more toward 78
fee for outcome and population management, primary care physicians will command more in salary as they will become managers of large panels of patients for hospital systems and accountable care organizations. “The value of a primary care physician in the near future won’t be the amount of money generated, but the number of patients in his or her practice, Chapman said. “Organized, integrated and well-managed healthcare systems are finding they can make do with less specialists.” As demand for certain specialties declines, many residency slots will go unfilled and eventually will be eliminated, he noted. “More medical students will begin to opt for primary care residencies, OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
because of a number of factors, Chapman noted. First, Chapman said rate increases always vary from state to state, county by county, insurer to insurer and then plan by plan. Secondly, the ACA added expanded benefits by eliminating pre-existing conditions and lifetime caps and allowing parents to cover children up to 26, he added. “Third, there is the typical medical inflation due to increased utilization and an aging population,” he said. The fourth factor is escalating drug costs that lately have been the largest contributor to overall premium increases, Chapman said. Another key factor is new ACA taxes on insurers and employers. “An educated guess is the ACA is responsible for about one third of annual premium increases since the inception of the ACA,” Chapman said. “Employers, who still pay the lion’s share of the premium, are forced to pass on some of the cost burden to employees in the form of high deductible and co-pay plans. But that has been occurring well before the onset of the ACA.”
causing an increase in those residency slots over time,” he said. “When healthcare systems are paid via capitation or bundled payments, they will be free to divvy up the lump payments received among their physicians as they see fit. Savvy systems will seize the opportunity to increase the compensation they pay to their primary care providers.” Chapman said he doesn’t think the physician shortage will be as bad most prognosticators estimate for several reasons. “The primary reason is these shortage predictions only consider doctors per 1,000 people in their calculations,” he said. “Most fail to account for or consider the over 200,000 nurse practitioners and physician assistants.” In addition to not accounting for mid-level practitioners, analysts fail to take into consideration the expanded range or scope of practice that many states have granted mid-level healthcare professionals, he said. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo
Can Oswego Hospital Go It Alone? In a new environment where smaller hospitals are increasingly merging with larger systems, can local, smaller hospitals remain independent?
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n an era when the hospital industry is leaning toward mergers and affiliations, Oswego Health is standing tall as an independent healthcare institution. Health care experts say rural hospitals must affiliate or merge in order to sustain themselves. But Oswego Health officials say that is not necessarily the case. “While we are not considering any mergers at this time, Oswego Health was among the first hospitals in the area to take part in a consolidation of local healthcare services when it continued providing outpatient care at both the former A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital in Fulton and the Phoenix Health Center,” said Ann Gilpin earlier this year before resigning as president and CEO AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
of Oswego Health. “Since then, thanks to an emphasis on collaboration with our healthcare partners and watchful spending, Oswego Health continues to maintain its exceptional healthcare services and programs.” Gilpin said Oswego Health has recognized that to remain financially viable, the health system must develop collaborations with additional healthcare providers. She said a recent success is the primary care collaboration between Oswego County Opportunities and Northern Oswego County Health Services Inc., which created a more cost-efficient system for providing primary care in primarily rural Oswego County. Oswego Health also has collaboOSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
rations with other Syracuse providers in its effort to provide exceptional care efficiently in the community, she noted. Oswego Health has an affiliation with SUNY Upstate Medical University’s radiation and oncology departments, so that community members needing these services can receive them locally, Gilpin said. The Oswego Radiation site at the Seneca Hill Health Services Center was recently rebuilt to house the same advanced TrueBeam technology that was recently installed in the new Upstate Cancer Center, she noted. Another affiliation with Crouse Hospital and SUNY Upstate Medical University is the Central New York Regional Perinatal Program. This pro79
HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT
gram provides special assistance during pregnancy and the newborn period and is dedicated to the care and well being of mothers and babies in the 15 counties that comprise Central New York. Oswego Health Home Care is another successful collaboration between Oswego Health and an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Gilpin noted. This collaboration is a management agreement that will soon become a corporate partnership, she said. Previously, this corporation was a joint venture between A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital and Oswego Hospital that was managed by St. Joseph’s Hospital. “While developing additional collaborations and partnerships remains important, Oswego Health also continues to lobby our state and federal representatives for more favorable Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates,” Gilpin said. “Oswego Health, like other New York state health systems, is suffering from decreases in these government
reimbursements.” Cites failed mergers — During a recent presentation by a national healthcare consultant in Oswego, Oswego Health officials learned that several mergers between healthcare organizations over the past several years have been unsuccessful. “This resulted from two important issues. First, both of the hospital’s financial positions and care needs in the community were not clearly understood,” Gilpin said. “Secondly, the organizations merging had not selected an appropriate model of affiliation.” Gilpin said it is important to understand that affiliations between healthcare organizations occur along a continuum that ranges from non-binding service relationships to full-asset mergers. To make a merger or consolidation financially feasible, it is often necessary to reduce services, Gilpin said. However, “at Oswego Health, we are continuing to maintain and develop
services for Oswego County residents.” During the past three years, Oswego Health experienced better than breakeven operating statements. “Over the last 10 years, Oswego Health has been able to invest $75 million in new facilities while many other healthcare systems would require a partner to make such improvements,” Gilpin said. “With much of this funding coming from grant sources, Oswego Health is in a unique position to selectively collaborate with healthcare partners that benefit our physicians and patients.” Oswego Health has steadily employed 1,200 employees and it anticipates employment will remain at this level throughout 2015. “We will continue to manage employment levels that allow us to best serve the healthcare needs of Oswego County residents,” Gilpin noted. Oswego Health is the largest private employer in Oswego County. “I am very proud of this fact and our
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HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT
employees are important contributors to the local economy, especially as some 80 percent reside within the county,” Gilpin said. Outpatient traffic healthy — Gilpin said outpatient services continue to grow and there are no plans to limit these services. Later this year, Oswego Health will install new magnetic resonance imaging equipment. This equipment is cutting edge when it comes to depicting and clarifying diseases of the soft tissue organs, including the brain, spine, liver and kidney. It is also valuable for many orthopedic diagnoses, Gilpin said. A new MRI suite will be built inside Oswego Hospital to house this advanced technology.” “The way healthcare is delivered is changing dramatically, as hospitals continue to treat fewer inpatients,” Gilpin said. “While this is occurring, more individuals are being provided
healthcare on an outpatient basis. This is largely due to new technology and pharmaceuticals, which are allowing many inpatient services to be provided in a more cost-effective outpatient environment.” Several healthcare publications have recently written about what is referred to as “The Great Migration.” The article published in Modern Healthcare in 2014 reports that inpatient admission fell 7.8 percent per Medicare beneficiary from 2004 to 2011, while outpatient volumes rose 33.6 percent during the same period. The article further states that according to the American Hospital Association, the total inpatient admissions for U.S. hospitals fell from 35.76 million in 2008 to 34.40 million in 2012. At the same time, outpatient visits increased from 624 to 675 million. “At Oswego Health, we are working to provide the same efficient care and we are involved in a major collaborative
effort with several local and regional partners to reduce hospital readmissions and decrease emergency room visits over a five-year period through the Central New York Care Collaborative,” Gilpin said. “These are important cost-saving initiatives that will allow the healthcare industry to remain stable.” Gilpin encourages area residents to use Oswego Health services when they need healthcare. “By using our services, they are supporting local healthcare and their neighbors and friends who work here,” she said. “We want to become the county’s healthcare provider of choice and are striving to achieve this goal.” Gilpin said Oswego Health has strategically developed services and programs needed in the community so residents don’t need to travel elsewhere. “We have also placed great importance on physician retention and recruitment, as well as have continually updated our facilities to include the most modern technology,” she added.
David A. MacGregor, D.M.D. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Office Hours By Appointment
GREAT LAKES ORAL SURGERY P.C.
Seneca Hill Health Service Center 105 Co. Rt. 45A, Suite 100 Oswego New York 13126 Phone: (315) 343-6160 | Fax: (315)343-8556
Taking Anxiety Out of Oral Surgery AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT By Lou Sorendo Demand for personal care aides is expected to grow by 44.9 percent, according to figures of the Labor Department.
Oswego County Gets Ready for Job Bonanza in Healthcare One Stop Career Center working with CiTi to train people interested in healthcare occupations
O
swego County is reflecting the national trend of rising job opportunities among healthcare support occupations. For the healthcare and social assistance sector in Central New York, projections call for 16.3 percent job
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growth by 2020, according to the New York Department of Labor in Syracuse. Chad Whelsky, employment specialist/business services representative at the One Stop Career Center, part of Oswego County Workforce New York, in Fulton, said his office has seen an OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
increase in the numbers and types of healthcare opportunities available in Oswego County for some time. As of mid-June, there were over 100 nursing-related jobs listed on the NYS employment job board at the center. The positions ranged from entry-level care to advanced nursing. Additionally, there have been several new home health care agencies advertising for home health aides, personal care aides, certified nursing aides and licensed practical nurses in Oswego County over the past year or two. “It seems regional home care agencies have identified a burgeoning need for home care services in the county and are offering positions for people to enter the field with little or no experience,” he said. “We have also seen a growing need for therapeutic services, such as certified occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy assistants. AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
HEALTHCARE SPECIAL REPORT
Whelsky said a recent informal survey the center conducted with local healthcare providers — including nursing homes, home health agencies and hospitals — predicted a continuing demand for certified nursing assistants well into the future. “This is a great field for those seeking a stable occupation with a good career path,” Whelsky said. Collaborative approach — The center has been helping area nursing homes and hospitals meet their increased healthcare staffing needs through a variety of training programs over the past two years. Specifically, it has partnered with several area employers and CiTi to provide employer-needs based CNA training, which has proven highly successful, Whelsky added. Whelsky said as the baby boomer generation continues to age, and the general population lives longer due to advances in medicine and life extending services, “it’s only natural there will be an increased need for dedicated professionals to care for them.” He said aging citizens in the community will be relying on a full spectrum of healthcare providers as they require more assistance to maintain independence and good health.
Also, as medical technology advances, such as the advent of electronic medical files, there will be a growth in alternative healthcare-related occupations, Whelsky said. “We’ve already seen an increase in the number of health information management jobs that have been created recently,” he said. “Area colleges are also now offering courses in health information technology to address the growing shift from paper to electronic medical files.” New look of healthcare — Dan Dey, chief executive officer of Northern Oswego County Health Services, said as the population ages and with changing demographics come the more need for health services. “As the model of care moves from visit to visit to coordinated care, we’re going to need more personnel to coordinate that care within a care management model,” he said. “We are particularly going to need some elevated clinical support personnel like registered nurses who serve as navigators to coordinate the care of the patient to the appropriate setting of care,” he said. “This will minimize the expense of unnecessary admissions in the in-patient world or readmissions.
There is more focus on home care and movement of patients to primary care providers instead of emergency rooms.” Dey said to expect clinical support positions as they relate to nursing to skyrocket, particularly medical assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. The model for the delivery of modern-day healthcare is the medical home. It is a model or philosophy of primary care that encourages providers and care teams to meet patients where they are, from the most simple to the most complex conditions. Meanwhile, Dey said the state Department of Health’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program is being accelerated to support the medical home concept. DSRIP´s purpose is to fundamentally restructure the health care delivery system by reinvesting in the Medicaid program, with the primary goal of reducing avoidable hospital use by 25 percent over five years. Up to $6.42 billion dollars is being allocated to this program with payouts to healthcare facilities being based upon achieving predefined results in system transformation, clinical management and population health.
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“We must embrace changes to our communication patterns as a result of technology — we can maintain human communication elements using technology. We need to break down old schools of thought and structure to make room for a new communication style to root in today’s business world. At the same time, making moments happen at work and at home where we have human contact is necessary and there are many creative ways to do this. They all don’t need to be serious or work related. Keeping laughter and humor in the work place should be on everyone’s agenda.” Joseph Murabito Morningstar Residential Care Center Oswego
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“Greeting each consumer as he or she enters the office sets the tone that ICP staff are ready to help. Our office space was designed to be open, thus perpetuating accessibility to our consumers and encouraging staff connections for a more cohesive approach to providing services. In turn, those we serve are fully engaged in obtaining the assistance they are seeking from our agency.” Brandy L. Koproski Child Care & Development Council of Oswego County Oswego “With our board of trustees, for example, we strongly encourage board members to attend board and committee meetings in person. Face-to-face interaction is very important for building social fabric and building trust. We generally do not provide electronic access to board meetings, and that is a purposeful decision. The reason is to encourage someone to be there personally. Like many other schools, we are an online school and have 1,600 students OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
online. We were an early adopter of online learning back in 1998. With that said, there is great value in face-to-face interaction. For example, we have over 140 working committees on campus, and I think that is emblematic of our valuing face-to-face interaction while working through issues and goals collaboratively.” Dr. Todd S. Hutton Utica College Utica “In this age of social media, we encourage our customers to have direct interaction with our social media posts. Often we find fans will scroll past our direct advertising on our page but when we post topics that encourage conversation, it allows our fans to participate. This allows us to answer their questions directly. When customers have specific product-related questions, our staff invites them for a personal one-on-one consultation. Our staff welcomes them to come down to the store to discuss and show them various options that would most likely meet their needs and budget.” Michael Leszczynski Dynamic Automotive Oswego “LPA Software Solutions is a technology company that highly utilizes technology in our everyday business. We recognize that face-to-face human interaction is important for our employees both mentally and physically. We encourage employees both in our corporate office as well as home offices to participate in periodic face-to-face meetings with customers, vendors and other LPA staff whenever possible, and when not possible to suggest meetings using video through Skype, Lync or Google Hangouts. In addition, we stress the value of onsite consulting to customers even if travel expenses are necessary.” Kevin M. Bryans LPA Software Solutions LLC Rochester
By Lou Sorendo AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Success Story
By Lou Sorendo
W
ho said the aging process has to be a bad thing? Colosse Cheese Co. is back in Pulaski and its new owners are taking sharp aim at restoring its image as a tasty gem on the Oswego County food-processing scene. Colosse Cheese Co./Colossal Ice Cream Shop is located at state Route 13 and U.S. Route 11 in downtown Pulaski. It is considered one of the busiest intersections in Oswego County. The new owners are Matt and Deb Hill. The Colossal Ice Cream Shop, located adjacent to the cheese store, is managed by Dan Krupke, who operates Ponderosa Steakhouse in Pulaski. The cheese store is famous for its aged cheddar cheeses, plain and flavored cheese curds and cheese spreads. It also features butter, including Amish rolled butter, as well as pepperoni, Canadian bacon and Croughan bologna. Matt said he discovered a “lucky gem” after purchasing the business. He discovered 18-year-old sharp cheddar Matt Hill, new owner of Colosse Cheese Store and Colossal Ice Cream Shop in Pulaski. tucked away in a cooler. Meanwhile, ice cream is available just steps from the cheese shop. Colossal features 20 flavors of hard ice cream and eight flavors of the soft serve flavor burst. Matt said he wants to promote local vendors that create and make their products nearby. Featured on shelves at the store are local products made by entrepreneurs who want to provide fresh food items as well as crafts. The Hills purchased the business last October. The couple declined to discuss financial aspects of the transaction. “We don’t want to change too much,” said Matt, noting the business already has strong name recognition and a tradition of excellence. “We don’t want to tinker with it too much.” Matt said a top priority now is
Colosse Cheese
New Owners Restoring a Rich Pulaski Tradition, Expanding Outreach, Line of Products AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Family affair at Colosse Cheese in Pulaski: Matt and Deb Hill and their daughter, Kate. marketing and letting people know the store is alive and well. Colosse Cheese has its own vendor booth at the Oswego Farmers’ Market on Thursdays in the summer. The Hills intend on also having booths at the Phoenix and Watertown farmers’ markets. In addition, Colosse Cheese has entered into a co-op agreement with The Connection Point on West First Street in Oswego. It will offer cheeses, spreads, curd and possibly ice cream cakes down the road, Deb said. The business has added several regional products, including Adirondack candles, pancake and biscuit mix from New Hope Mills, and is expanding its selection of handmade Amish baskets. Amish farmers are at the store on Saturdays with numerous items for sale as well. 45 years of Ownership— The former owners of the business were Gary and Linda Raiti, who decided last year to retire following 45 years of doing business. In March 1971, the Raiti family bought the Gulf gas station on the corner of Routes 11 and 13 in Pulaski and transformed it into a cheese distributorship. At one point, the business distributed to numerous chain and local grocery stores throughout the region. The previous owners discontinued being distributors about eight years ago. 86
“They had trucks going out to stores every day of the week,” Matt said. “We would like to begin to distribute to some smaller stores to expand our operations.” The first Colosse cheese was manufactured in the hamlet of Colosse in the town of Mexico in 1863, according to L. Michael Treadwell, executive director of Operation Oswego County. He noted the Colosse cheese brand has been recognized for its quality through the years and has won recognition at the New York State Fair for its dairy products. “Its reputation for producing quality products is the primary reason that it does such a good business in selling decorative gift packages along with its retail business,” Treadwell noted. “Small businesses like Colosse Cheese are very important to Oswego County’s local economy and it is an important player in the tourism support system in the Pulaski area. “With such a long tradition and the respected brand name, Colosse Cheese is a sound building stone for the Pulaski business community.” Love at first bite — Matt said the key to the business’ longevity is that it doesn’t rely on any one particular product or season. “If you took away one piece, we would still be left with a viable, sustainable business,” he said. OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
When the salmon run takes place in the fall, business booms as anglers visit from across the Northeast, but it is just part of the whole picture, Matt said. Cheese curds are not widely available and customers come to the shop just for that product. Also rare is the 12-to15-year-old cheddars the store features. “People order from us and we ship all over the U.S.,” he said. Most of the cheese is produced at Great Lakes Cheese in Adams, but the aging and flavoring takes place in Pulaski. The more cheddar ages, the sharper taste it acquires. “You can’t just walk into a local grocery store and buy 5-to-6-year-old cheese,” he said. Colosse makes its trademark horseradish and Prohibition cheddar, items that customers would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. The Hills said what makes their cheese so distinctive is its age. “For many customers, the sharper the better,” she said. A local attorney who runs a seasonal restaurant and pub stops in and buys 15-year-old cheddar at $30 a pound to make macaroni and cheese for his pub customers. “He absolutely loves it,” Deb noted. “The challenge is making sure customers are always happy and making sure we have enough product that we AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
need on hand,” said Deb, noting time is of the essence when it comes to aging cheese. “That is our signature,” she said. “We carry really high-age cheese, so it takes a while. We have to put it in the aging room and it takes years,” she said. The process of rotating the cheese and ensuring the business has enough on hand to meet demand for sharp cheddar can be challenging, she added. All about numbers — Matt works for the 10-person public accounting firm of Peters and Associates in Syracuse. It specializes in handling small business accounts. Mentoring people who are aiming to start their own business has proved instrumental for Matt. “I knew the numbers and that the store was profitable and could continue to be profitable,” he said. He said running the store is quite a contrast to his “day job” of being an accountant, which normally features office duties and form work. “I then come here and it is such a break from that,” said Matt, noting he enjoys chatting with customers. He also enjoys interacting with the Amish. “For some reason there is a mystique about them that they are not approachable,” he said. “They are the friendliest people and it’s nice to just go and talk to them and gain a different perspective on life. “It’s a great mental break.” Deb said she looks forward to cultivating the business as a family effort. Her son Brandon and daughter Shayda help at the business, with Brandon offering managerial help and Shayda, who has a business degree, taking on the outside farmers’ market duties. Shayda will also be attending to wine and cheese tasting events. The couple also has 15-year-old twin daughters, Kate and Jessica. “I am looking to grow it back into a family business,” she said. Deb said she stopped working years ago when she hurt her back, and then took on the role of caretaker for her parents before they passed. She took care of her twins and is now at the stage where she is ready to take on the role of business owner. “Since Matt and I both have managerial backgrounds, it wasn’t a far cry to step into something that we can actually get into,” she noted. Because Colosse was a large corporation at one point, it created many AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Gift and party packaging are available by mail order from Colosse Cheese Co. longtime customers. “We have a lot of online sales,” Deb said. “A lot of people who moved out love Colosse Cheese. We do a lot of shipping to loyal customers.” Deb said Christmas is the most challenging aspect of the business. Colosse Cheese Co. ships gift packages to individuals as well as cheese to major companies, including The Fulton Companies in Pulaski. Companies purchase wheels or blocks of aged cheddar for their employees and sometimes customers as well. “To get all that stuff out is huge,” said Deb, noting the process begins in November. While the store itself is closed for the first three months of the year, online sales
still take place and wholesale customers are attended to as well. Matt declined to disclose the cost of the transaction. However, the sale price of the property in 2013 was $145,055, according to the Oswego County Real Property Tax Service. “Gross revenues are difficult to project as we are still in our first year of business and we were closed for three of those months,” Matt said. He said the best predictor for future revenues is past sales, but the prior owners have asked not to disclose those figures. The Colosse Cheese Co./Colossal Ice Cream Shop’s hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Monday and Thursday are fresh cheese curd days.
Colosse’s famous cheese curd comes in a variety of flavors
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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Best Business Directory
COPY + PRINT Port City Copy Center. Your one stop for all of your copy + print needs. 184 Water St. Oswego (back of Canal Commons). 216-6163.
COUNTERTOPS & TILES Oswego Soapstone & Tile, a Pauldine company. Quality tilework. See gallery photos at OswegoSoapstoneandTile. com. 315-593-9872.190 5th Ave. Oswego.
CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING Picture Connection 169 W. 1st St. Oswego 343-2908. Quality conservation matting & framing for your photos, prints, original artwork & objects.
DEMOLITION Fisher Companies. Commercial & residential demolition. Great prices. Fully insured. Free estimates. 45 years of experience. Call Fisher Companies at 315-652-3773 or visit www.johnefisherconstruction.com.
ACCOUNTING & TAX Canale Insurance & Accounting Service for all your insurance, Accounting, Payroll and Tax needs. Locally owned and operated. For insurance call 343-4456, Taxes & Accounting 343-0409.
EXCAVATING Manwaring Lawn & Snow-Serving all of Oswego County. Residential / commercial. Fully insured. A+ rating with BBB. Free estimates. Call Dave 315-593-9892.
ANTIQUE BROKERS The Antique Brokers — multi dealer antique shop. Buying & selling antiques & collectables. Gerald A. Petro, 315-5619777, across from the Great Northern Mall, 4180 Rt. 31 Clay, NY. Buyers of gold, silver & coins. Vendors wanted.
APPRAISALS & ESTATES Antiques & Estates Specialists. We buy, sell, appraise, liquidate, auction. Barry L Haynes Co. 5872 Scenic Ave. Mexico, NY 315-963-0922, 41 years experience! :-)
AUTO COLLISION Northside Collision Baldwinsville. Upstate’s largest collision/repair center. Lifetime warranty loaners or rentals. We assist with the insurance claims. 75 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville. More information, call 638-4444.
AUTO SALES & SERVICE Bellinger Auto Sales & Service — third generation business! Towing, auto parts & accessories, used car dealers, car batteries, automotive repair, Truck repair. Oil, lube & filter service. 2746 County Route 57 Fulton, NY 13069. Call 593-1332 or fax 598-5286.
AUTO SERVICE & TIRES Northstar Tire & Auto Service. Major/minor repairs. Foreign & domestic. alignments. Tire sales. Call Jim at 315-5988200. 1860 State Route 3W, in Fulton.
AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR Port City Car Care — Major/minor automotive repair & service. Excellent automotive repairs with small town family values. We take pride in what we do and strive for quality customer service. Call John at 315-207-0500, 20 Ohio St. Oswego.
BATTERIES JD BATTERIES-Oswego’s Battery Specialists. Automotive, marine/RV, snowmobile, motorcycle, jet ski, heavy duty, golf cart, cell phones, laptops. 200 W 4th St, Oswego (across from Stewarts). 315-216-4993 or 315-297-8412.
BEER BEER BEER C’s Farm Market & Beverage Center — where the beverages never end. Domestics, microbrews, imports. Our selection makes us the best! Fruit baskets. Rte. 104 West (behind Fajita Grill) Oswego. 343-1010. www. csfarmmarket.com.
BOTTLED SPRING WATER Bottled spring water and coffee service for home and office. We now have single serve cups for your K-cup brewer. Free delivery. Convenient. Refreshing. Economical. Jay Sea Distributing. 343-3700. Remember: buy local.
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Gilbert Excavating. Septic Systems. Gravel & top soil. Septic and tank pumping. 691 Co. Rt. 3, Fulton 13069. Call 593-2472.
BUILDING SUPPLIES
FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT & SERVICES
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Jerome Fire Equipment Co., Inc. Portable fire extinguisher and kitchen suppression systems sales & service for the home and business. Home safety supplies: Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, escape ladders, etc. 8721 Caughdenoy Rd., Clay, NY 13041. 315-699-5288. www.jeromefire.com.
Burke’s Home Center. The complete building and supply center. Two locations: 38 E. Second St. in Oswego (3436147); and 65 North Second St. in Fulton (592-2244). Free deliveries.
Stripping, refinishing, regluing, repairs, restorations. Haynes Restorations. 5872 Scenic Ave., Mexico. 315963-0922. Commercial/residential. 33 yrs. exp.
Deaton’s Ace Building & Home Center. Your one stop home improvement shop 3970 Port St. (Rte 13) Pulaski, 315-298-2644.Web: www.deatonsace.com Store hours: Mon-Sat 7-7, Sunday 8-5.
FURNITURE RESTORATION
CLEAN UPS/CLEANOUTS
GIFT SHOP
Filthbusters weekly house cleaning. Spring-cleaning. Offices & businesses. We clean attics, garages, storage buildings, rental units, foreclosures & estates. We haul debris & unwanted items. Over 24 years in business, fully insured & competitively priced. Free estimate. Call 298-7222.
The Vintage Garden. 315-727-8388. Consignment & gift shoppe-antiques. Furniture, home & garden decor. 3715 St. Rte. 13 Pulaski (next to the Knights Inn). April-May hours W-F 10 - 4, Sat. 10 - 3.
CLEANING
Fulton Glass — Oswego County’s only full service glass shop. Residential. Commercial. Shower enclosures. Auto glass. Window and picture glass. Screen Repair. Window Repair. Beveled Mirrors and Glass. Hrs:M-Th 7-5, Fri 7-noon. FultonGlass.net, 840 Hannibal Street Fulton, NY 13069, 593-7913.
Clean Care Service. One source for all your cleaning needs. Carpets and upholstery, windows, floors, siding, gutters, interior painting, epoxy painting of concrete floors. Fully insured. 2072 Rabbit Lane Phoenix, NY. Call 695-6775 cleancareservice.com.
CLEANOUTS Manwaring Cleanouts. Serving all of Oswego County. Residential/commercial. Fully insured. A+ rating with BBB. Free estimates. Call Dave 315-593-9892.
CLOCK & WATCH REPAIR Brewerton Watch & Jewelry Repair. Watch & jewelry repair. Clock repair. 60 years in business. 9340 Brewerton Rd. Brewerton, NY. Call Orley at 676-7474.
GLASS
GUNS & AMMO Sharpshooters — Full svc gun store. Buy / sell / trade / transfer & storage. Long guns, hand guns. 315-298-5202. 1164 Co. Rt. 28, Pulaski.
HEATING & COOLING JR Comerford & Son-HVAC since 1916. Commercial & Residential Installation, Service & Repair of Heating, Air Conditioning & Air Quality Systems. www.jrcomerfordandson.com, 24 Ohio St. Oswego, NY 315.343.4030.
CLUTTER REMOVAL
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Expert Clutter Removal. We clean out your junk, not your wallet! Attics, basements, garages, yards, almost anything! Free estimates! Call Bruce 315-730-6370. Year round service! www.ExpertClutter.com.
Wet Paint Company. Paint, flooring, blinds & drapes. Free estimates. Call 315-343-1924, www.wetpaintcompany. com.
CONTRACTOR Natoli General Contractors. Residential & commercial. Bath & kitchen tilework. Masonry. Windows. Quality work. 3756 Co. Rte. 45 Oswego. Call 342-8850.
OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
INTERIOR REMODELING C.P. Force LLC — Custom interior remodeling. Kitchens, baths, new rooms. Flooring, insulation, roofing, siding. One company does it all. Fully insured. 24 hr emergency svc Snow and Ice removal. Mark Davis 315-341-4949.
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
JEWELERS
LANDSCAPING
JP Jewelers is your hometown jeweler offering supreme design at wholesale prices. Whether you’re buying or selling, JP Jewelers is here to be your local jeweler. 136 W. Bridge St. Oswego. (315) 342-GOLD. Find us on Facebook.
D&S Landscaping Office. Servicing Oswego & surrounding areas. Quality work, prompt & dependable service. Free estimates. Fully insured. Backhoe services, Lawn mowing, snow plowing, top soil, tree work. Hydro-seeding, & asphalt seal coating. 315-598-6025 (cell 315-591-4303).
JEWELRY BUY /SELL
LUMBER
Bridge Street Jewelers, 137 East Bridge St. 315-342-0022. We sell quality jewelry at affordable prices. Layaway and credit available. Lowest prices on certified diamonds in the area. Always buying gold, silver & platinum.
D & D Logging and Lumber- Producers of high-grade hardwood lumber. Sales, full service sawmill, hardwood lumber, wood chips & bark, Timber cutting. Call us at 315593-2474, 1409 County Route 4 Central Square, NY 13036.
JUNK HAULING
White’s Lumber. Four locations to serve you. Pulaski: State Rte. 13, 298-6575; Watertown: N. Rutland St., 788-6200; Clayton: James St., 686-1892; Gouverneur: Depot St., 287-1892.
Pack Rat Rubbish Removal. Serving Oswego and Onondaga counties. Haul all of your unwanted junk away. Also sheds, fences, swimming pools, decks and more. Gutters cleaned. Prices starting @ $25. Credit cards accepted. Insured. Free estimates. Call 436-8051 or 708-4834.
KILN-DRIED HARDWOODS Lakeshore Hardwoods. We stock kiln-dried cherry, walnut, maple, butternut, ash, oak, basswood, mahogany, cedar figured woods, and exotics. Also hardwood flooring, moldings, stair parts & woodworking supplies. 266 Manwaring Rd. Pulaski. 298-6407 or visit www.lakeshorehardwoods.com.
LAND SURVEYOR Robert M. Burleigh. Licensed land surveyor. Quality land surveying. Residential, subdivision, commercial, boundary surveying. 593-2231.
MOVING C&S Moving- Great customer service. Free estimatesInsured, call Chuck at 315-532-4443.
OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT BJ’s Outdoor Power Equipment/Sales & Service. 3649 State Route 3, Fulton, NY. www.bjsoutdoorpower.com. We sell Ferris, Echo, Central Boiler, and Snapper products. 315-598-5636.
PAWN BROKER Pawn Boss. We buy everything from game systems to
gold & silver. Coin collections, guitars, and flat screen TVs, too! Check us out on www.newyorkpawnboss. com.
PET GROOMING & KENNELS K9 Grooming & Pet Motel offers the finest possible loving, gentle care for your dogs & cats. Visit our website at www. k9groomingandpetmotel.com, call 315-343-5158 or stop in to see us at 2452 Co. Rte. 7 Oswego.
PORTABLE TOILETS Blue Bowl Sanitation Inc. Portable toilets, veteran-family-owned since 1952. bluebowlsanitationinc.com, 315593-3258, Fulton, NY 13069.
REMODELING JTS Remodeling. New construction, fiber cement siding, pole barns. All phases of construction & remodeling. Call Judd at 315-591-6959.
ROOFING Over The Top Roofing. Mike Majeski. Commercial & residential roofing. Quality craftsmanship. 50-year manufacturer’s warranty for residential roof. Call- 315-882-5255, 400 Co. Rte. 7 Hannibal, NY 13074.
SELF STORAGE Northway Mini Storage- Conveniently located at 279 Crosby Rd. Parish, NY. Best rates around! Call John or Mark at 315-625-7049. Don’t tow it, stow it.
ADVERTISING BARGAIN HEADING: LISTING:
$149 for 1 Year
Just fill out this form, and send it with a check to: AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2015
Oswego County Business P.O. Box 276 • Oswego, NY 13126 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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By Matthew Liptak
Ellen Sykes Central Square Apple Festival’s executive director talks about its growing popularity Q.: Twenty thousand people is a lot of people. How do you manage to attract so many people to the Central Square Apple Festival? A.: Our festival is always the last full weekend in September, which allows people to plan ahead. We have been very fortunate to have the support of many people and organizations. Our crafters and vendors share our information with others, which has allowed us to increase the amount of attractions we have to offer. Social media has played a large roll in our growth, but we are also very fortunate to have the assistance of the Oswego County Promotion and Tourism staff. They have been very supportive of our efforts, and have shared our information on the State level through the “I Love New York” program. Q.: Do you have any idea of the economic impact on the area? A.: While we don’t have actual dollar amounts, the impact is widespread. Area hotels, restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores benefit from the influx of vendors and festival attendees from other counties and states. Additionally, we invite local nonprofit organizations to fund raise at the festival at no cost to them. The monies they raise are used to benefit their organizational missions. Q.: What are the main highlights of the event? A.: We feature approximately 300 crafters, vendors, nonprofit displays and demonstrations, plus amusement rides, pony rides, live bands and special events. Q.: Who is behind the festival? A.: The Lioness Club of Central Square is the sponsor of this event. We are a nonprofit organization that is made up entirely of volunteers, with no paid staff in our organization. One hundred percent of the profits are donated back into our local communities. Q.: How has the festival changed 90
over the years? A.: Our first Apple Festival was one day in 1984. It started out small at Goettel Community Park in Central Square. We made candy apples that melted in the sun, we ran out of food, and darkness came before the festival was over. We learned a lot that first year. In 1990 we expanded to a two-day festival to lessen the effect of inclement weather. In 1998 we realized we could no longer do everything ourselves. There were just too many apples to pick, pies and apple crisp to be made, bake sale items to be prepared, and food booth items to cook and serve. We invited local nonprofit service organizations and churches to set up their own booths at the festival, and eventually we found organizations to take over the food booth, pies, apple crisp and bake sale. By 2011, we had outgrown the park, and were turning away vendors. As luck would have it, it was at that time that we were notified that the village of Central Square was applying for grants to upgrade Goettel Park, and we were unsure if the location would be available for 2012. We went in search of a new location, and were relieved to find a new home at the Brewerton Speedway. This was a turning point that allowed us to expand the festival itself. At the same time, Glenn Donnelly of CNY Raceway Park graciously offered the use of his adjoining property, which provided a safe, off street area for parking.
vendors, additional entertainment on the Lyons Dentistry Stage, two new local bands on the Reymore Chevrolet Stage, more demonstrations and contests, a variety of different rides from Playland Amusements, and have increased the number of NAPA 6 seat golf cart shuttles for those that need assistance getting around the perimeter of the festival. Q.: When did you become executive director of the festival? Why did you take the position? A.: Over the years we have had much input from our Lioness Club organizers. It takes the entire club to organize something this large. I started out working on different, smaller areas of the festival. I have been co-chairing the event since approximately 1993. As the festival grew, we realized we needed to have a dedicated team of directors to guide the growth and direction of the festival. We now have six directors that work together to present and implement new ideas. This continuity of leadership has allowed us to review each area of the festival and determine areas where we can improve in future years.
Q.: What’s new for this year? A.: We are still working on new surprises for 2015. We are always seeking input of what our customers would like to see added each year. We are continuing to add new crafters and OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS
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