A newly released economic impact analysis shows that hosting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival transformed June into one of Saratoga County’s strongest tourism months during its three-year run at Saratoga Race Course, generating record hotel revenues, increased visitor spending and historically strong sales tax collections while extending the region’s economic momentum ahead of the traditional summer racing season.

The report, released in August by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Discover Saratoga, and the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, examines the cumulative impact of the event over its three years in Saratoga and highlights the significant economic benefits experienced by businesses, local governments, and the regional tourism industry.

The analysis traces the evolution of Saratoga’s tourism economy, comparing pre-pandemic performance (2017–2019), the tourism recovery years (2021–2023) and the Belmont era (2024–2026). The findings show that hosting the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival helped elevate June into one of the region’s highest-performing tourism months, creating lasting economic value while showcasing Saratoga to millions of viewers nationwide.

Among the report’s key findings:

June hotel revenue per available room reached a record $193.46 in Saratoga Springs, a 37.6% increase compared to 2023. June sales tax collections reached $2.04 million in Saratoga Springs and $18.62 million across Saratoga County in 2026. Over the three-year Belmont era, Saratoga County collected nearly $52 million, substantially higher than recovery-year and pre-pandemic totals. National television broadcasts averaged 3.6 to 3.8 million viewers, providing exceptional exposure for Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County during the month of June. 

“The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival has proven to be far more than a world-class sporting event— it has served as a powerful economic driver for our region with significant benefits to Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “These results demonstrate how extending Saratoga’s tourism season into June gave a boost to sales tax collections for the city and county. Given record breaking revenue per available room, the city and county will likely also see a rise in occupancy taxes too. Of course, where people stay is where they spend money, which also benefits our local restaurants, bars, stores, and shops.”’

“The true legacy of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival extends far beyond three incredible years,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga. “The event strengthened our tourism economy, elevated Saratoga County’s national profile, and welcomed new visitors who experienced our community for the first time. Those impressions don’t end when the race does—they create future vacations, return visits, and continued economic opportunity.”

Richard P. Sleasman, Board Chair of Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc., parent company of Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) welcomed four new members to the Board of Directors following the strategic merger of BSNB and National Bank of Coxsackie (NBC) in April. Aaron Flach, Carl Florio, Donald Persico, and Joseph Warren bring diverse business and leadership experience and share a vision for expanding BSNB’s strategic direction and setting new goals for the combined institution.

“I’m pleased to welcome Aaron, Carl, Donald, and Joseph to their new roles,” says Mr. Sleasman. “Their business acumen and leadership expertise combined with their strong connection to the communities NBC serves will be indispensable as BSNB works to expand opportunities for our customers following the merger of our two banks.”

Aaron Flach co-owns a property management group and brokerage in addition to other small businesses and has been actively investing in real estate in upstate New York for over 25 years. He was elected to the NBC Board of Directors in 2018. 

“When I met the other Board members, I was struck by our connection and had a sense that the culture and the values were on the same wavelength,” he notes. “This Board is interested in more than banking – they have a vision for the future and are committed to taking strategy and community development to the next level. I look forward to more collaboration with these great business minds.” 

Carl Florio brings decades of banking and leadership experience to the BSNB Board. He currently serves as Vice Chairman at Paradigm Funds Advisor LLC, Chair of AAA Hudson Valley, President of the Hudson River Bank & Trust Foundation, and Trustee at Paradigm Funds. He previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer at Hudson River Bancorp, Inc. from 1995 to 2005, and as the President-Eastern New York Region at First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. 

Mr. Florio was drawn to BSNB following the combined impact of its strong leadership team, actionable integration plan, and commitment to continued expansion. “This is a good market with a lot of opportunity for growth,” he notes. “When I looked at this merger, I saw the strong leadership that is essential for success.” 

Donald Persico has served as President of home heating company Persico Oil Co since 1979 and is also the owner of Persico True Value Hardware in Ravena, New York, a company founded in 1982. Mr. Persico was elected to the NBC Board of Directors in 1991 and was elected Chairman in 2018. 

Mr. Persico recognized significant potential in the combined organization and the opportunities it creates for stakeholders across the region. “I’m amazed at the synergy of this union,” he says. “After looking at the combined size of the bank, I thought, ‘This is incredible.’ It’s good for the communities, employees, and shareholders. It really was a perfect union.”

Joseph Warren is an attorney who served as the President of State Telephone Company until his retirement in 2025, overseeing the company’s growth from a small phone provider to a competitive internet provider. He was appointed to the NBC Board of Directors in 1992. He is deeply involved in his community through his professional experiences and joins BSNB’s Board with a desire to protect and expand local decision-making capabilities. 

Mr. Warren believes the merger creates new opportunities to expand service and enhance offerings in the NBC area. “This strategic combination allows us to offer much more,” he says. “Additional products, bigger loans, more resources…I look forward to better serving customers in NBC communities as a result.”

“Aaron, Carl, Donald and Joseph each bring a unique perspective shaped by years of leadership, service and involvement in their communities,” noted Christopher Dowd, President & CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank. “Their experience and knowledge of the markets we serve will be an important asset to our Board as we continue to build on the strengths of both organizations to serve our customers with the personal relationships and local decision-making that define community banking.”   

The Saratoga County Career Center is offering free virtual career workshops throughout August. The summer is a perfect time to think about furthering your professional life and Saratoga County has you covered. Below is the full list of workshops, and to register visit, www.saratogacountyny.gov/workforce.

August 5 at 10 a.m. and August 6 at 10:30 a.m.: Resume Development – This workshop presents the basics of a powerful and effective cover letter including formatting, tailoring to the job, and getting through the online application process to land an interview. Please have a rough draft of your resume with you. 

August 6 at 11 a.m. and August 20 at 1:30 p.m. Transferable Skills – Transferable skills are qualities you have already acquired which can be used in a different job. Make it easy for employers to see the connection between your qualities and the skillset needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem. Learn ways to research the employer’s needs, then identify and show them that you have these skills. 

August 10 at 12 p.m.: Broadview Financial Well-Being – Your budget is a key that opens doors, guiding you to your money goals. Get ready to take control of your finances and your future! Find out how to organize what you make, spend, and save; set goals to save up, spend down, look ahead; harness the power of mindful spending; and identify budget tactics that work best for you. 

August 11 at 10:30 a.m.: Interview Preparation – Learn how to articulate your strengths, what questions to expect, how to address difficult topics, and ace the interviewing process. 

August 12 at 10 a.m. and August 25 at 1:30PM: Goal Setting – Goals are what take us forward in life. They are the first step in every journey we take. In this workshop we will explain how goal setting works, why goals are important, and take home more helpful resources to get you started. Remember: “If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” Find out how to achieve your dreams. 

August 13 at 10 a.m.: Essential Skills for Spanish Speakers – This new pilot program offers this engaging workshop to Spanish speakers to learn about the skills that are most valued by business leaders yet are underdeveloped in employees. Learn why these skills are critically important, how to develop them, and the influence of AI. Please note, the workshop will be held entirely in Spanish.

August 18 at 10:30 a.m. and August 20 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications – Statistics show approximately 50% of mid-sized companies, and almost all large corporations use an applicant tracking system to screen candidates for job opportunities. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. 

August 21 at 10:30 a.m. and August 26 at 10:30 a.m.: Networking – Networking is your strategic tool for cultivating lasting relationships, fostering professional growth, and unlocking opportunities. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. 

August 25 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers – Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. Whether you’re facing transportation needs, childcare needs, prior justice system involvement, inexperience, health concerns or more, this workshop will provide you with resources and strategies to help you meet your goals. 

August 27 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media – Your social media presence can make or break your ability to find a job. Learn how to use social media to your advantage in searching for a job and marketing yourself to land the job or career you’ve always wanted. 

The United States Department of Agriculture has issued a Secretarial Disaster Designation for several New York counties — including Saratoga — after a late-April freeze damaged crops across the state. 

The declaration opens up Emergency Farm Loans for impacted farmers who have experienced significant damage or losses from the disaster and can’t obtain funding from other sources to meet their needs.

Saratoga was one of 28 counties listed as a primary disaster area for the freeze with farmers in an additional 24 counties eligible for aid should their lands touch one of the impacted counties. The freeze occurred April 19-21 and cost the state $30 million in crop losses, according to a release from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

New York wasn’t the only stater impacted by this freeze. Areas of Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont and New Jersey, which touch the impacted counties in New York were also included in the declaration. A separate disaster declaration for 17 counties in Pennsylvania for a freeze at the same time was issued back in May.

In addition to the April freeze, Saratoga County farmers and ranchers whose lands touch Fulton and Montogomery Counties are available for aid due to a freeze that occurred in mid-May. The primary counties for this weather event were Fulton, Montgomery, Onondaga, Otsego, and St. Lawrence counties. 

In Saratoga County, the month of April saw major temperature fluctuations. According to daily temperature data from the Stillwater Reservoir Station, the days leading up to the freeze saw temperatures peak in the high 60s before dropping below freezing on April 19 and coming within 10 degrees of the lowest recorded temperature for that day during the freeze. 

While it’s far from the largest sector in the county, the agricultural sector still has a significant impact in the county. 

According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, a report published by the USDA every five years, Saratoga County has 604 farms accounting for nearly 74,000 acres and nearly $29 million in revenue. In terms of total sales, it ranks 26 out of 62 in New York and 1,292 out of 3,078 nationwide. 

In terms of specific products, Saratoga County ranks 11 out of 59 counties statewide and for fruits, nuts and berries and 10 out of 60 statewide for specialty crops like Christmas Trees and nursery produced plants.

Saratoga County farmers impacted by the freeze are encouraged to contact the Washington County Farm Service Agency for information on how to obtain emergency loans.

Five Towers Media, a website agency serving small businesses in Saratoga Springs and the Capital Region of New York, announced the launch of three new service offerings designed to help small businesses maintain visibility and competitiveness as AI systems fundamentally reshape how consumers discover and choose local businesses.

The new offerings — an SEO/AEO/GEO Management Plan, updated website hosting packages, and a process automation service through its Foundry 5 platform — reflect the agency’s response to a rapid shift in consumer search behavior that is leaving many small businesses behind.

“We’ve been watching this shift for over a year,” said Michael Nelson, President and CRO of Five Towers Media. “The businesses that move on this now, while most of their competitors are still figuring out what AEO even means, are going to own their markets in AI search. We built these services because our clients deserve to be in that position.”

For more information visit: fivetowers.us 

Saratoga Hospital is grateful to announce the generous donation of a new 2026 Ram ProMaster Cargo Van from Nemer Motor Group, the company’s corporate organization. The vehicle will support Saratoga Hospital’s Engineering team as they respond to maintenance and repair needs across the organization’s network of off-site and ambulatory care locations.

The addition of the cargo van strengthens the hospital’s operational fleet and enhances the Engineering team’s ability to efficiently transport tools, equipment, and supplies to locations throughout the region.

“We are incredibly grateful to Josh Nemer and the entire Nemer Motor Group team for this generous gift,” said Jill VanKuren, President of Saratoga Hospital. “As Saratoga Hospital continues to expand access to care across our region, reliable transportation and operational support are more important than ever. This vehicle will directly support our Engineering team’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of our ambulatory locations, helping us maintain safe, high-quality environments for patients and staff alike.”

Saratoga Hospital’s Engineering department plays a vital role in maintaining hospital facilities and supporting the organization’s many off-site locations, ensuring operations continue seamlessly across the health system.