Saratoga Chamber Launches Love Our Locals Campaign To Support County Businesses
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce kicked off its Love Our Locals $20.25 campaign, an initiative that emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
The campaign began Oct. 30 and continues throughout the remainder of the year. During this time, residents and tourists who support any business or nonprofit in Saratoga County by spending or donating $20.25 or more are eligible to enter a gift card giveaway.
Individuals are encouraged to submit their receipts of $20.25 or more online at www.saratoga.org/love-our-locals to enter. Each week, the Chamber will randomly select winners for $100 in gift cards to businesses across the county.
While the campaign takes place during the holiday shopping season, it is designed to support a wide variety of businesses and organizations from the retail, dining, service, entertainment and nonprofit sectors. Eligible purchases can include a chiropractor adjustment, teeth cleaning, eye exam, hair care appointment, car repairs, home improvement projects, dry cleaning, hotel stays, dining at restaurants, concert tickets, landscaping, snow removal, fitness club memberships, floral deliveries, toys and holiday decorations. Donations made to area charitable organizations are also eligible for entry. Spending $20.25 or more at any locally owned Saratoga County business or nonprofit gives folks a chance to win in this months-long giveaway campaign with unlimited entries, multiple weekly winners and a variety of gift card prizes!
Love Our Locals $20.25 is generously sponsored by many area businesses that donate gift cards as the prizes.
Now in its fifth year, this campaign started during the pandemic as Save Our Locals $20.21, which resulted in more than 2,000 entries from locals whose purchases directly aided in the county’s economic rebound from COVID-19 restrictions. In 2022, the Save Our Locals pro-
gram was recognized with a New York State Tourism Excellence Award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association.
Since then, the campaign was renamed Love Our Locals and remains a popular and purposeful annual effort.
“We are proud of how this initiative has grown over the past four years, and we’re thrilled to launch it once again,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “Love Our Locals was created to energize our local economy and encourage area residents to shop local and donate to local causes as 2025 comes to a close.”
More information on Love Our Locals $20.25 is available at www.saratoga.org/loveour-locals.
Businesses that would like to donate gift cards and be featured in this campaign are invited to email loveourlocals@saratoga.org for more information.
New Saratoga Escape Rooms Bring Mystery And Team Challenges To Downtown Fun
Saratoga Springs will soon welcome a new entertainment destination built around teamwork, storytelling, and immersive problemsolving. Saratoga Escape Rooms, founded by local entrepreneurs Tess and Brian Goodge, will officially open Nov. 14 on Gardner Lane in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The concept grew naturally from the couple’s complementary strengths. “We realized Brian had the engineering talent to bring these rooms to life, and I had the business acumen to make the venture possible, so we decided to take the leap,” said co-owner Tess Goodge. “Saratoga is home for us, and after visiting other cities with escape rooms, we were surprised no one had brought one to downtown yet.”
The Goodges have spent the past year designing themed adventures that blend atmospheric sets, engineered automation, and interactive puzzles. Each 60-minute experience is built for groups of two to eight players, who must work together to uncover clues, decipher riddles, and solve layered challenges before time runs out.
“We’re very proud of how automated and interactive the rooms are,” Goodge said. “Guests will be pleasantly surprised by the level of engagement our games require. Our third room will feature custom props we’re building ourselves, which is a whole new adventure.”
West Mountain, Gore And Whiteface Upgrade As North Country Ski Season Nears
BY LEE COLEMAN
West Mountain ski center in Queensbury is preparing to open early this season with a larger variety of trails to offer skiers.
“We are really going to try to open early, but it depends on the weather,” said Spencer Montgomery, co-owner and managing member.
He said 4,000 feet of new snowmaking pipeline has been added on the Frolic trail to replace older piping that was in disrepair. The goal is to open more terrain on the Northwest Base area along with the Main Base, which traditionally opens first. The mountain also offers a large snow-tubing park for young people.
Ski center workers have been running compressors on the snow guns, testing pipelines, checking power and lighting for the popular night skiing, and cutting back the trail edges. All is ready to make snow when the temperature allows.
In recent years, West Mountain has offered
year-round programming, with adventure courses, mountain-biking trails and scenic rides to promote use of the mountain in spring, summer and fall.
Sara and Spencer Montgomery have spent more than $20 million on improvements to the ski center since they took over operation of the mountain in 2013.
The couple is also hoping to gain final approval this year for a $190 million, 60-acre “ski-and-stay” resort at the northwest base of the property near the existing Northwest Base Lodge. Montgomery said planning for the Woods at West Mountain started four years ago. Plans include an 80-room hotel, 64 condominiums, 52 custom and duplex homes, along with a new high-speed lift, ski store, coffee shop and restaurant.
The project would be built in five stages over a 10-year period.
Montgomery said $350,000 has been spent on stormwater testing, traffic, soil and other
Saratoga County Capital Resource Board Recognizes Longtime Leadership Team
Ray O’Conor, Chief Executive Officer; Jeffrey Reale, Chief Financial Officer; and Lori Eddy, Administrative Secretary of the Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation (SCCRC) were recognized recently by the SCCRC board of directors for their twelve years of service. All three members of the management team will retire from their respective roles at year end 2025.
During their years of service, the SCCRC has supported several Saratoga County not for profit organizations by issuing more than $400 million in tax exempt bonds for capital projects related to health care, education and affordable housing. The organization provides grants to local not for profit organizations as well.
Succeeding O’Conor as CEO will be Matthew Veitch, long time Saratoga County Supervisor from Saratoga Springs, who chose not to run for reelection this year. Michael Sharp will serve as the new CFO and Katherine Tiedemann has been appointed to the position of Administrative Secretary.
Founded in 2012, The Saratoga County Capital
The venue opens with two completed rooms
and a third scheduled for summer 2026. Saratoga School of Magic immerses players in a spell-casting challenge, while Echoes of the Lost Jungle uses hand-painted props and vibrant scenery to transport guests into an uncharted wilderness. A third room, Whispers Beneath Broadway, is under development and
From left, Jeffrey Reale, Ray O’Conor, and Lori Eddy are recognized for 12 years of service.
Courtesy Saratoga County Capital Resource Corporation
Greg Dixon promotes the Chamber’s Love Our Locals $20.25 campaign. Couresy Saratoga Chamber
West Mountain’s operations team prepares the slopes and snowmaking systems for the upcoming ski season. Courtesy West Mountain
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Indulgence Bakery Brings Custom Cake Art And Sweet Creativity To Downtown
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
Whoever coined, “Life is Short. Eat desert first,” knew that a little sugar is good for the soul.
That’s a philosophy of Elise Soto, new owner of Indulgence Bakery at 63 Putnam Street in Saratoga Springs.
Members of the Saratoga Chamber, family and friends, former associates from Putnam Market, Mayor John Safford, and Senator James Tedisco all attended the bakery’s grand opening and ribbon cutting on November 6th.
It’s a full-circle moment for Soto. She was a pastry chef at Putnam Market on and off for 10 years, she said. Now her shop occupies the original site of the gourmet deli.
Soto left Putnam Market and started a custom cake business, Yours Truly Cake Designs, in 2021, she said. She had been employed there since 2008 as an intern after culinary school and had been promoted to kitchen manager by the end of the pandemic.
She was working out of commissary kitchens for about a year when she turned her focus to a government career. She administered the emergency food system for New York and in December was hired for the northeast regional office of the USDA, which job was terminated soon thereafter with a change of administration, Soto said.
“Th is bakery, Indulgence Bakery, had been here for two and a half years in Saratoga and the owner was selling,” said Soto. “We have the same business model so it made sense to transfer ownership.”
The previous owner offered Soto owner financing when she found it difficult to secure a traditional commercial loan. Her only other major challenge in starting the business has been that “orders for custom cakes are coming in better than expected,” she said.
Both business owners specialize in one-ofa-kind cakes for weddings and special occasions and in sculpted cakes. Sculpted cakes can take the form of anything the client would like, such as a guitar or a cartoon character.
One client’s son wanted a Godzilla cake for his party, so Soto made the classic monster complete with eyes that lit up.
Indulgence Bakery is described as more like an art studio than a bakery, where clients share their inspiration for custom works of art, Soto said.
“Cake is my art medium,” she said. “I do sketches, design to the customer’s specifications, and even incorporate their photos and ideas.”
The bakery has a boutique pastry counter that is open Fridays and Saturdays and will
soon extend through Sundays. Walk-ins can buy from a daily assortment of two or three varieties of cake slices, two kinds of cookies, scones, and breakfast pastries.
“But no cupcakes,” Soto said. “Cake slices stay within the brand.’’
Her most popular flavor is Dos Leches, but with a twist. Soto said she is Puerto Rican and “adds coconut to my recipe, so it’s different.”
Her vision for the retail store is to “eventually be more cooperative, maybe adding another baker, such as bread, as well as small gifts,” she said.
“We are getting artisan vendors to set up shelving inside the space to sell hand-made cards, body butters, soaps, and custom ornaments,” she said. “There is a market for a onestop shop for gifts at this little gem just off the beaten path.”
For her fi rst year of operation Soto is focusing on custom cakes and classes.
“I was a chef instructor in my government work and love teaching,” said Soto. “Right now there are courses coming up on baking cookies and decorating cakes.”
But she has other ideas. How to make macaroons and paint and sip gatherings, where people paint on slabs of cake instead of a canvas, are just a few.
“We want to use the space for a lot more,” she said.
For information on cakes and classes and to place an order, visit bitesofindulgence.com.
Elise Soto celebrates the grand opening of Indulgence Bakery, creating custom cake art downtown.
Courtesy Indulgence Bakery
Spa City Motel Is Rebranded As The Ambler After Its Acquisition By Weekender Hotels
BY ROD BACON
A hospitality venue that was once part of a larger hotel complex that included the nowdemolished United States Hotel has undergone a complete renovation and rebranding.
The St. Charles Motel, which was purchased in March 2024 by Saratoga Springs-based Weekender Hotels, opened in September with a new look and amenities.
“Saratoga is a continually growing market and we liked the urban nature of the property’s proximity on South Broadway to what downtown has to offer, as well as the Saratoga Race Course, mineral springs, and SPAC,” said Keir Weimer, founder/CEO of Weekender Hotels. “We had the vision to take it from what it was, which was a bit of a distressed, older, underoptimized property to Weekender Hotel standards.”
Renamed The Ambler, the building was completely gutted and reimagined to what Weimer described as “a Palm Springs desert retro feel with pops of color and layouts that bring in sunlight.”
“We wanted to achieve a creative concept that was something different and unavailable in the local and regional areas,” he said.
The two-story building has 18 guest rooms that were given new floors, bathrooms, and unique color schemes. State-of-the-art technology provides voice enabled Wi-Fi, thermostats, and streaming televisions. There are also two suites, one of which has an Alaskan king bed. The exterior brick has been painted white.
Weimer said rooms are priced from $160 per night to $500-$600 for suites during the summer season.
There is a two-story standalone house on the property that is currently being renovated for families and groups. It is expected to be ready for occupancy in Spring 2026.
The Ambler is one of three Weekender hotels overseen by Area Manager Jason Gerard, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry who was recruited from New England where he managed a portfolio of four hotels. He is also responsible for the Alpine Lodge and The Phoenix in North Creek. There are on-site supervisors at each of these properties.
Edwin Hathaway, owner of Troy-based Hathaway Construction and Renovation, was the general contractor on the project.
AnCor, Inc., a national construction and development company working in the commercial, retail, and hospitality fields, provided project oversight.
Shawn Corp led the team at Reveal Architecture/Design PLLC, of Saratoga Springs, in designing the changes.
That firm worked in conjunction with Mapa Mueller, lead designer at Saratoga Springs’ Memo + Otto, who has expertise in blending hospitality with industrial and interior design.
Branding and identity was created by Longitude to create a guest experience rooted in Saratoga’s sense of place.
Matt Guiarelli, founder/principal of Albanybased Ascend Real Estate Advisors, consulted on financial matters.
The motel was purchased from Scott Grosky for $1.4 million. He is holding the seller’s note so there was no bank involved in the transaction.
Weimer launched Weekender Hotels in 2021 after a career in real estate where he led a luxury brokerage team at Sotheby’s International Realty and later founded other companies in real estate, hospitality and technology.
The Ambler is ideally located for guests to explore what Saratoga Springs has to offer.
Courtesy of Weekender Hotels
“Our speciality is connecting people with adventure and the great outdoors, so we look for hotels in iconic vacation destinations near national parks, world class skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and culture, some of which are on or near the water,” he said.
In addition to the recent acquisition of the St. Charles, the company owns seven other hotels in the Northeast: Placid Bay and Town House Lodge in Lake Placid; Great Pines in Old Forge; Alpine Lodge in North Creek; Trailhead in Tupper Lake; Aspen Hotel in Manchester Center, Vt.; and Riverhouse in Peterborough, N.H.
According to Weimer, he is far from finished. Last year Weekender Hotels purchased a second hotel in North Creek, the former Copperfield Inn, later renamed The Phoenix, for $1,775,000. The company is investing $1,330,000 in renovations and $400,293 in other costs.
The 30-room hotel has two restaurants, a bar, a banquet hall, conference rooms, exercise facility, and an outdoor pool. The inn will employ 16 people, four of whom will be full time. It will operate during the coming ski season as The Phoenix, then close while renovations are done, after which it will be renamed.
Last month the company acquired the Grey Bonnet in Killington, Vt. Some renovations had been started by the previous owner but not completed. The hotel will be open during the coming ski season while renovations continue and then renamed in June.
Weimer recently started Northbound Capital, a real estate private equity company that just launched its first fund investment vehicle.
“We are raising money to expand the Weekender brand and move into different markets throughout the Northeast and eventually other areas of the country,” he said. “We will concentrate on the Northeast for the next year or two and then look at the Rockies and the Southwest.”
Information on this investment vehicle can be found at northbound-capital.com.
Weimer holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and economics from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University and a Master of Science in real estate finance and investment from New York University.
For further information about what these hotels have to offer go to weekenderhotels. com
New Yorkers Say Kindness Has Declined,
But Still See Themselves As Kind
Seven in ten New Yorkers say people are less kind today than they were a decade ago, yet 97 percent describe themselves as either very or somewhat kind, according to a new Siena Research Institute (SRI) survey released Oct. 23.
Ninety-two percent say they personally follow the Golden Rule — treating others as they would want to be treated — at least most of the time. But only 27 percent believe others follow it as consistently.
Respondents report practicing small acts of kindness regularly, including holding doors (94%), greeting strangers (87%), checking on friends or neighbors with health issues (83%), and helping someone who appears lost or in need of assistance (79%). Nearly half (44%) say they volunteer their time for a cause, and 41 percent say they “pay it forward” at least occasionally.
Despite these reports of personal kindness, majorities say they often witness unkind behavior. Seventy-two percent say they see
people acting unkindly online, including on social media, through texting, or in emails. Sixty-nine percent report unkind behavior in traffic or on public transportation, and 55 percent say they see it in person.
“Something just doesn’t add up,” said Don Levy, director of the Siena Research Institute. “Almost everyone says they are kind and live by the Golden Rule, but only one in four think others do the same. People say they hold doors, help strangers, and check in on friends, yet most believe society has become less kind and see unkindness regularly — online, on the roads, and in daily interactions.”
The survey was conducted Sept. 15–22 among 814 New York State residents using a combination of telephone interviews and online responses. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points.
For more information or to view the full data summary, visit www.siena.edu/sri or contact Don Levy at 518-783-2901 or dlevy@ siena.edu.
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Ski Season
Continued From Page 1
environmental studies. Peter Luizzi is a partner in the large-scale development. So far, the Queensbury Town Board has approved the concept, and in April the town Planning Board recommended rezoning of the property. The project goes back to the Town Board for the required rezoning and then back to the Planning Board for site-plan review.
Some neighbors have expressed concerns about the impact of the project on their property. Montgomery said these concerns can be mitigated. He said there are “lots of falsehoods” being spread about the impact of the project.
“There is no future for West Mountain without this new project,” Montgomery said. “I’m optimistic, but we have to expedite the approval process,” he said.
Farther north, preparation work and improvements have been made at the state’s Gore Mountain in North Creek and Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington for the ski season.
One of the biggest improvements at Gore Mountain is the Station, a new base lodge at the North Creek Ski Bowl that will open this season. It features seating space, a retail shop, lockers, grab-and-go food options and a year-round, full-service restaurant and bar.
Ian Tomasch, sales and marketing manager at Gore, said work on the new building started in May 2024. The restaurant will be run by the owners of Southpaw Bistro, located on South Street in Glens Falls.
Work continues on the construction of the Topridge Quad Lift , which replaces the Topridge Triple Chairlift and will be operational this ski season.
Another Gore improvement is a new 375car parking lot installed directly below the existing Lot G parking lot.
Gore is also planning a new zip coaster, which combines the thrill of a mountain coaster and a zip line as the rider transitions from cable to rail, traveling up and down the mountain during spring, summer and fall. Gore also offers chairlift rides and hiking
and biking trails for year-round mountain activity.
At Whiteface Mountain, which is operated by the state’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA)—as is Gore—the Little Whiteface and Mountain Run chairlift s have been replaced with a new SkyTrac lift . Major snowmaking upgrades at Whiteface include more powerful and energy-efficient equipment. A total of 115 additional high-efficiency snow guns have been added along with 15 mobile units. New state-ofthe-art trail-grooming vehicles have been purchased to improve trail conditions across the mountain, according to a statement from ORDA.
The Legacy Lodge has also been renovated with new siding and decks. The Bear Den has been upgraded with a new heated patio and expanded learning area to enhance the family experience at the Olympic mountain. These improvements strengthen Whiteface’s reputation as the East’s premier vertical mountain.
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Saratoga County Gears Up For A Season Filled With Festive Holiday Celebrations
BY CAROL ANN CONOVER
The holiday season brings festive cheer to Saratoga County with a packed calendar of events celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. From tree lightings and Victorian celebrations to holiday markets and train rides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Saratoga Springs
The 50th Annual Saratoga Holiday Craft Marketplace takes place Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Admission is $5 in advance or $10 at the door, and proceeds benefit the Saratoga Center for the Family. The marketplace, held each year on Small Business Saturday, features handcrafted gifts and goods from regional artisans—an ideal kickoff for holiday
shopping while supporting local makers and community programs.
The Saratoga Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held Dec. 4, 2025, in downtown Saratoga Springs, marking the official start of the holiday season. The ceremony features festive music, hot beverages and visits from Santa Claus.
Immediately following, the 39th annual Victorian Streetwalk will transform downtown Saratoga Springs into a Victorian wonderland from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening includes carolers in period costume, live music, church tours with hot beverages and sweets, and shopping at downtown businesses. Santa will greet visitors in his cottage following the tree lighting. Broadway and nearby streets will close to vehicle traffic at 3 p.m., reopening by 10
p.m. City garages and side-street parking remain available, and the event is free to the public.
The Saratoga Festival of Trees , Dec. 3–7, 2025, turns the Saratoga Springs City Center into a winter wonderland of decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces to benefit Catholic Charities of Saratoga. Admission is $5 during Victorian Streetwalk evening hours. The City Center, 522 Broadway, is fully ADA-compliant with accessible entrances and restrooms.
The Saratoga Farmers Marke t at Wilton Mall continues year-round with special Saturday activities through the winter months.
For performing arts enthusiasts, Saratoga Performing Arts Center presents its “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert Series at the Spa Little Theater, including:
– Danú: An Emerald Isle Christmas, Dec. 12, 7 p.m.
– Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Dec. 13, 5 p.m. (sold out)
– Christmas Dreaming with Stella Cole, Dec. 14, 3 p.m.
Free parking is available at the Admin lot. The venue is fully accessible, with assisted listening devices available upon request at 518-584-9330.
SantaCON returns Dec. 13, 2025, inviting revelers to don Santa suits and enjoy a festive pub crawl through downtown Saratoga Springs. The year ends with Saratoga New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, featuring two days of celebrations at downtown venues.
Regional Holiday Train and Light Experiences
The Candy Cane Express runs Nov. 28–Dec. 21, 2025, on select dates via the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway. Passengers enjoy a 60-minute Christmasthemed ride through the Southern Adirondacks. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
The CPKC Holiday Train will make regional stops in Mechanicville and Ft. Ed-
ward November 25.
The Greenwich Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade , Nov. 22, 2025, brings a magical display of decorated tractors through the village.
The Quick Response Santa’s Playland Christmas Lights , located at 2095 Route 9, Round Lake, will be open Nov. 15, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. The drive-thru light display operates Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 to 11 p.m., and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The attraction will be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, offering one of the region’s most dazzling holiday light experiences.
Other Local Celebrations
The Ballston Spa Holiday Parade on Dec. 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., travels through downtown, ending with Santa lighting the Christmas tree.
The Holiday Tree Lighting at Gavin Park in Wilton takes place Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., featuring family-friendly festivities, refreshments and a visit from Santa to mark the start of the season.
Beyond Saratoga County
The Troy Victorian Stroll , Dec. 7, 2025, celebrates its 43rd year with Victorian-era festivities throughout downtown Troy.
On Dec. 7, 2025, the Great Train Extravaganza returns to the Empire State Convention Center in Albany, featuring model railroads and displays for all ages. Holiday Shopping and Dining
Throughout December, Saratoga County retailers and restaurants offer special holiday hours, menus and promotions. Many downtown Saratoga Springs shops extend hours during the Victorian Streetwalk weekend and beyond.
For the latest event updates, visit saratoga.com, discoversaratoga.com, ballston. org, or check individual venue websites and social media pages.
As always, many events require advance registration or ticket purchase, so plan ahead to ensure you don’t miss out on your favorite seasonal celebrations.
Downtown Saratoga Springs will come alive with holiday spirit during the 2025 Victorian Streetwalk on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Saratoga Business Journal
Year End Tax & Financial Planning
Year-End Investment Strategies Can Help Strengthen Your Retirement Planning
BY DAVID M. KOPYC, CRPC®
Integrating year-end investment planning into your retirement strategy is crucial for maximizing savings, minimizing tax liabilities and ensuring long-term financial security. The end of the year offers a critical window to review progress, make adjustments and use key tax-efficient strategies that align with your retirement goals.
Effective retirement planning is a continuous process, not a one-time event. The close of the calendar year provides a natural checkpoint to assess your financial health and determine if you are on track to meet your retirement objectives. This review should encompass your entire financial picture—from investment portfolios and savings rates to tax strategies and estate plans.
Maximize Retirement Plan Contributions: One of the most impactful year-end moves is maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts.
Employer plans (401(k), 403(b), etc.): Confirm you have contributed up to the annual limit. For 2025, this limit is $23,500, with an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution for individuals age 50 and older. If you haven’t reached the maximum, consider increasing contributions for the remaining pay periods of the year.
Individual Retirement Accounts: You can contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA until the tax filing deadline in April of the following year, but making the contribution by year-end can still be beneficial for planning purposes. The 2025 contribution limit is $7,000, with an extra $1,000 catch-up for those 50 and older.
Health Savings Accounts: If eligible, maximize your HSA contributions. HSAs offer a “triple tax advantage”—tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses—making them a powerful tool for covering healthcare costs in retirement.
Optimize Your Investment Portfolio:Yearend is the ideal time to ensure your investments are still aligned with your risk tolerance, time horizon and retirement goals.
Rebalancing: Market fluctuations can cause your asset allocation (the mix of stocks, bonds and other investments) to drift from your target. Rebalancing involves selling some overperforming assets and buying underperforming ones to restore your desired allocation, helping manage risk and lock in gains.
Tax-loss harvesting: This strategy involves selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains from other sales, which can lower your overall tax bill. Net capital losses can also offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income, and unused losses can be carried forward to future years.
Leverage Tax-Efficient Strategies: Integrating tax planning into your year-end investment review can significantly enhance long-term retirement security.
Required Minimum Distributions: If you are age 73 or older, you must take RMDs from traditional retirement accounts by Dec.
31 to avoid a steep penalty of 25% on the amount that should have been withdrawn.
Roth conversions: Consider converting a portion of your traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA, especially if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in retirement or are in a lower one this year. You’ll pay taxes on the converted amount now, but all future qualified withdrawals will be tax-free.
Charitable giving: If you plan to make charitable contributions, doing so by yearend can yield immediate tax deductions. If you’re 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA directly to a charity can satisfy your RMD requirement and exclude the amount from your taxable income.
Beyond Investments
Year-end planning also involves a broader review of your financial life to ensure all components support your retirement plan.
Review your estate plan: Outdated wills, trusts and beneficiary designations can lead to unintended consequences. Confirm your documents reflect your current wishes and family situation.
Assess insurance coverage: Ensure your life, health and long-term care insurance policies provide adequate coverage for potential risks that could derail your retirement plans.
Evaluate spending and set goals: Reviewing the past year’s spending habits allows you to create a more effective budget for the coming year and ensure your discretionary spending aligns with your long-term values and goals.
By proactively integrating these yearend investment and tax strategies into your overall financial plan, you can build a solid foundation, navigate market volatility and gain the confidence that comes with a wellprepared retirement future. Consulting with a financial advisor and tax professional can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.
New Federal Tax Law Overhauls Business Deductions And Incentives
BY KEVIN M. HEDLEY, MS, CPA, PFS
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted in July 2025, represents a sweeping overhaul of U.S. business taxation, with significant implications for federal and state tax planning, and corporate investment strategy. This article is a brief summary of some of the key business tax law updates introduced by OBBBA, focusing on the most impactful provisions for corporations and their practical implications.
100% Bonus Depreciation Made Permanent OBBBA permanently restores 100% bonus depreciation for qualified property. This allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of most tangible property placed in service after January 19, 2025. This provision, which had been scheduled to phase down under prior law, now provides a powerful incentive for capital investment by enabling immediate expensing rather than requiring depreciation over several years. The law also introduces a transitional 40% bonus depreciation rate for property placed in service in the first tax year ending after January 19, 2025, if the taxpayer elects this treatment.
New 100% Deduction for Qualified Production Property (QPP)
A major innovation is the creation of Section 168(n), which allows a 100% immediate deduction for certain nonresidential real property used in qualified production activities—primarily manufacturing, production, or refining of tangible personal property. This deduction is available for property placed in service after January 19, 2025, and before January 1, 2031. The provision is elective and subject to recapture if the property ceases to be used in a qualified production activity within 10 years. This is a significant departure from the traditional 39-year straight-line depreciation for nonresidential real property, and it is designed to spur domestic manufacturing investment.
Immediate Expensing of Domestic R&E Expenditures
OBBBA introduces Section 174A, which allows taxpayers to immediately deduct domestic research and experimental (R&E) expenditures for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This reverses the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) requirement to capitalize and amortize R&E expenses over five years (for domestic) or 15 years (for foreign) under Section 174. Taxpayers may now elect to either expense these costs immediately or continue to capitalize and amortize them. The law also provides a mechanism to write off previously capitalized and unamortized R&E amounts from 2022–2024, either in full or ratably over two years.
More Favorable Business Interest Deduction Limitation
OBBBA amends Section 163(j) to permanently allow the addback of depreciation, amortization, and depletion in the calculation
Under OBBBA
of adjusted taxable income (ATI) for purposes of the business interest expense limitation. This change is increasing the amount of deductible interest for many businesses. The law also clarifies ordering rules and allows for more flexible application of the limitation. Energy Credit Modifications OBBBA curtails and modifies many energy tax credits introduced by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), imposing new domestic content and foreign entity restrictions, and phasing out or repealing several credits, such as residential energy credits and clean vehicle credits. This is expected to affect investment decisions in the energy sector and supply chains, especially for companies relying on federal energy incentives.
Creation of “Trump Accounts” for Children
For tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, the OBBBA establishes “Trump Accounts,” a new type of tax-advantaged savings account for children under 18. These accounts have a $5,000 annual contribution limit, allow employer and charitable contributions, and include a government-funded $1,000 pilot for newborns from 2025–2028. The law sets out new reporting, rollover, and penalty rules for these accounts. An interesting provision is employers may contribute up to $2,500 per year per employee (or their dependents) to Trump Accounts, excluded from the employee’s gross income.
State Tax Conformity and Planning
OBBBA’s federal changes do not automatically apply at the state level. States vary in their conformity to the Internal Revenue Code, and many have historically decoupled from provisions like bonus depreciation and R&E expensing. Make sure you, or your tax preparer, are aware of how your state filings
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David Kopyc, president of Retirement Planning Group LLC in Saratoga Springs. Courtesy Retirement Planning Group LLC
Kevin M. Hedley, MS, CPA, PFS Partner of Hedley & Co., PLLC.
Courtesy Hedley & Co., PLLC
Hewison Aviation Celebrates First Year As FAA Part 141 Approved Flight School
BY SUSAN ELISE CAMPBELL
Through Hewison Aviation, Christopher and Maura Hewison extend their passion for flight to help people of all ages become pilots in a safe, professional, and pleasant atmosphere.
Chris founded Hewison Aviation 11 years ago, originally as a Part 61 flight school instructing in private pilot, instrument, commercial, and certified flight instructor (CFI) designations, as well CFII for teaching instrument reading to other students, said Maura Hewison, the company’s chief operating officer.
Their flight instructors currently teach out of five airports, the closest in South Albany until the newly renovated Saratoga County Airport welcomed them a year ago. The timing coincided with FAA approval for Hewison’s Part 141 school, she said.
In October, with staff and members of Saratoga Chamber of Commerce, a representative of Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh’s office, and others, the Hewisons hosted a grand opening ribbon cutting and accepted a citation from a representative of Senator James Tedisco’s office. They also received congratulations from the Chamber and sponsor Arrow Bank.
“It was cool to hold those big scissors,” Maura Hewison said.
Where Part 61 is more flexible, the more regimented Part 141 classes are for students who want to get into professional flight, commercial airlines, or charter services. In addition to training on the ground, this designation requires more time in the air than when qualifying to fly recreationally, Hewison said.
their growth, she and Chris “want to grow organically, smartly, and not too fast,” as clients find them through word-of-mouth and the website hewisonaviation.com.
Management at the airport, Mary Price, “is an angel,” said Hewison. “The maintenance shop guys are wonderful, too.”
“I’ve been surprised at the number of our students looking to make a career change and fly professionally,” she said.
“You need 1,500 hours in the air to get into the airlines and a mandatory two flights a week for our school, so that can easily run $1,000 a week,” she said.
“It can be risky to leave your career to start at the bottom and put in three to four years or more,” she said. “But the payoff at the end is, when you get to the airlines, you don’t see any pilots with sad faces.”
“Some students are people who want to buy a plane and fly themselves around, but I always recommend they get their instrument rating,” she said. “It will make them a safer pilot.”
At this milestone in their business, there are two full-time flight instructors. Hewison Aviation has its own hangar as of February. Their administrative space in the old FBO, or fi xed base operations area, now includes classrooms, office space, a lounge, and soon will take over another space in order to move in a flight simulator.
“Students are going to be able to do 10 hours of instrument training on the simulator as opposed to air time, so that will be a big cost savings of about $4,000,” she said.
Forty were wait-listed for hangar space in the brand new build resulting from the recent $35 million dollar federal, state, and locally funded renovation project. As soon as Hewison got the call from Price, she accepted immediately. The county airport has had a helicopter school for some time and now fills a need for airplane flight instruction, she said.
The Hewisons have long seen a diversity of people coming through their doors to learn to fly. Some are as young as age 12, but they can’t fly solo until age 16. The oldest new student is 66, and there is a flow of more seasoned students getting recurrent in an FAA endorsement or applying for a certification. The Hewisons have added a new Piper Arrow to their fleet of Piper Cherokees, Aeronca Champion, and Seneca 3 multi-engine aircraft.
Discovery Flights are a way for people who want to take to the skies for an hour with an experienced aviator to see if they are candidates for pursuing further flight training.
“It’s a memorable experience for those curious about aviation or considering it as a hobby or career,” Hewison said.
Boys and girls in high school can fast-track careers in aviation by taking courses now. Hewison’s youngest student in Saratoga is such a 17-year-old girl who wants to go to an aviation college, she said.
Students earn a private pilot’s license and then levels of ratings can be added onto it, such as instrument rated or commercial rated. After the commercial rating, one can get a certified flight instructor license and then work for a flight school to earn money while training new
Hewison said that as pleased as they are with
In the next year or two, Hewison said she would like to partner with BOSCES to provide the financial portion of a program for young students to pursue careers as pilots.
“There is already a program, but I would like to duplicate it at all of our locations,” she said. “When I go to career days, kids are shocked that they can become a pilot, and that shocks me.”
Learn more at hewisonaviation.com.
Chris Hewison, co-owner of Hewison Aviation, on the wing of one of their training aircraft.
Courtesy Hewison Aviation
Stark Tech Helps Businesses Make Buildings Smarter, More Efficient, And Economical
BY ANN DONNELLY
Stark Tech helps businesses run their large buildings more efficiently by making them “smarter” and more sustainable. The company connects heating, cooling, lighting, and security systems into one easy-tomanage platform. Th is allows companies to save money on energy costs, lower their environmental impact, and simplify building management.
Stark Tech specializes in energy solutions, building systems integration, and maintenance services. The company expanded its reach in 2021 with the acquisition of Technical Building Services (TBS), headquartered in Ballston Spa, NY, and founded in 1981. TBS served a wide Upstate New York territory—from Lake Placid to Utica, south to Binghamton, and east to the lower Hudson Valley—providing temperature-control and mechanical maintenance services. The acquisition enabled Stark Tech to build on TBS’s strong reputation while expanding into advanced solutions such as access control, security integration, and protective systems.
Today, Stark Tech employs more than 1,000 people across 16 offices in New York, with additional operations in Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia, and New Jersey.
In Eastern New York, Market Lead Jason Tyler manages operations from Stark Tech’s Ballston Spa office. His territory stretches from the Canadian border to Westchester County, where he oversees client accounts and coordinates with a technical team of union technicians, engineers, and designers. Tyler draws on more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, real estate, and property management to help clients plan for both capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) expenses. He said he once looked for companies like Stark Tech to help reduce costs and modernize facilities. “I was looking for a true mission and purpose behind what I was doing,” he said. “It’s nice to see the results of the projects you support. What
we’re doing now is making an impact not only locally but throughout the state.”
Stark Tech’s clients include small businesses and large enterprises in the commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and education sectors. The company supports more than 600 K–12 schools across New York State.
As a “master integrator,” Stark Tech provides complete solutions from planning to long-term servicing. Tyler said the company begins every project by understanding the client’s needs: “We look at what our customers are trying to do, what problems they’re facing, and then fi nd the right solutions.”
Improving energy efficiency is a key focus as clients face higher costs and stricter state regulations. Tyler acknowledged the challenge: “If everyone had unlimited budgets to invest, we wouldn’t be where we are right now.”
Stark Tech works with both new construction and existing facilities. Tyler noted that
Campaign Challenges Myths
To Promote Fact-Based Understanding Of Homelessness
The Saratoga–North Country Continuum of Care (SNCCoC) has launched “Myths Hurt. Facts Help.” to combat stigma around homelessness and elevate data-driven solutions across Saratoga, Warren, Washington and Hamilton counties.
“To effectively address homelessness, we must begin with facts,” state SNCCoC CoChairs Lindsey Connors and Amber Beaudet. “When stakeholders and the public have access to accurate, transparent data, they can support strategies that work.”
“This campaign aims to shift the narrative from blame to understanding, from isolation to inclusion,” said Joan Spector, MST, lead of the SNCCoC Planning Team.
Over three months, the campaign will circulate on social and community channels, pairing common myths with fact-based responses and inviting partners to share content. For resources, contact Joan at jspector@ caresny.org or visit endhomelessnesssaratoga. org. Interviews are available with Joan Spector.
Community Donations Continue As Mitten Tree Program Warms Saratoga Residents
The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center launched its annual Mitten Tree Community Giveback Program on Nov. 6 and is now collecting winter wear donations through Jan. 9. Community members may hang new or handmade hats, scarves, mittens, gloves and socks on the Mitten Tree at the Visitor Center, 297 Broadway.
Donations will support CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Franklin Community Center and Shelters of Saratoga. The program has become a longstanding tradition, providing hundreds of warm winter items to
local residents in need.
“Your thoughtful donations make a lasting impact in our community, especially during difficult times,” said Director Karen Verrigni. “The generosity of our region is heartwarming.”
The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special holiday hours apply for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Winter hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. begin Jan. 3. More information is available at discoversaratoga.org/saratoga-springs-visitor-center.
Go on our website www.SaratogaBusinessJournal.com www.GlensFallsBusinessJournal.com to subscribe to our email for the release of the the virutal edition.
You may also mail your check in the amount of $25.00 for 12 issues made payable to Weinhagen Associates LLC to receive your paper by mail.
Saratoga Escape Room
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will introduce a more detective-style experience.
“I love a good detective-style mystery,” Goodge said. “Traditional escape games lead you from one puzzle to the next, but they often lack the evidence, deduction, and suspectdriven themes that make mysteries so engaging. Whispers Beneath Broadway will be closer to a true mystery game and draws on Saratoga’s rich Gilded Age history. It’s such a glamorous, interesting period, and we can’t wait to make it accessible for both locals and visitors.”
The Goodges see Saratoga Escape Rooms as a natural complement to the city’s lively hospitality scene. “Our location is right in the
OBBBA
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will be impacted by the provisions of the OBBBA.
Retirement planning
Business retirement plans are tax-advantaged arrangements employers can establish to help employees (and often themselves) save for retirement. Common types include SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, 401(k) plans, and defi ned benefit plans. The OBBBA permanently extends lower individual tax rates, increases the standard deduction, and enhances the qualified business income deduction, which may improve after-tax retirement savings for
Stark Tech
Continued From Page 9
regulations are constantly changing, including refrigerant standards and new building gas bans. He said heating and cooling systems are often “the biggest offenders” for energy use but emphasized that investing in modern systems saves money long term: “If you invest in your equipment and facilities, your overall costs will go down.”
center of downtown, and we think it will be a great addition for groups looking for something fun before or after enjoying Saratoga’s outstanding food and drink scene,” Goodge said. “Escape rooms appeal to all ages and work well for team events, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette groups, and more. We’re also excited to partner with Indulgence Bakery next door to offer cakes for party packages.”
Saratoga Escape Rooms is family-friendly, with recommended ages of 13 and up, though younger children may participate with adult supervision. Pricing is $100 for groups of one to two players and $40 per person for groups of three or more. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday by appointment, Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more and make reservations at saratogaescaperooms.com.
employees and business owners. Although the OBBBA did not directly alter the fundamental aspects of most retirement plans, the changes in the law may make reviewing your current retirement plan worthwhile.
Conclusion
The OBBBA represents a major shift in U.S. business taxation, with permanent 100% bonus depreciation, immediate expensing for domestic R&E, and a new deduction for production property. The law’s impact will vary by industry, with manufacturing and tangible production sectors seeing the largest benefits. However, the complexity of state conformity requires careful planning because businesses must closely analyze the law’s provisions to maximize benefits and ensure compliance.
asking how we can make buildings stronger, more efficient, and better prepared over time,” he said.
Stark Tech partners with mechanical contractors, electricians, and engineering fi rms to provide comprehensive support. “We’re stronger as a collective than we are singularly,” Tyler said. “There’s plenty of business to go around in the region.”
He added that the company’s success depends on helping its clients succeed: “If our clients aren’t successful, we’re not doing our job.”
Looking ahead, Tyler is focused on resiliency, especially in the North Country, where power outages are common. “We’re
