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Saratoga Businesses Seeing Eclipse Impact

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It’s been nearly a century since the last total solar eclipse was visible from New York State. Although Saratoga Springs is outside the path of totality, the city will still feel the impact of visitors flocking to the Adirondacks, where they’ll hope to catch a glimpse of the celestial phenomenon on April 8.

“Our lodging partners are seeing strong transient demand on Sunday, April 7 and Monday April 8, with Sunday being the busiest,” Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri told Saratoga TODAY. “That means we can expect an influx of tourists and eclipse enthusiasts who will be engaging with our destination, spending time and money in our cities and towns, as they travel from all over to experience this rare event.”

Electronic signs stationed on I-87 warn travelers that the Northway could be congested on or around eclipse day. Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul told state officials and law enforcement to prepare for a high volume of traffic the weekend leading up to the eclipse and through April 9.

Those who don’t wish to fight their way through traffic may still be able to enjoy a partial solar eclipse. At least one local business, Speckled Pig Brewing in Ballston Spa, is throwing a rooftop viewing party on Monday afternoon. The Saratoga National Historical Park is also hosting a viewing event.

Discover Saratoga recommends a few public areas from which to view the partial eclipse, including Congress Park, Saratoga Spa State Park, and Moreau Lake State Park.

Free Virtual Career Workshops Available

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County Career Center, in conjunction with the Greater Capital Region Career Centers, will hold the following free virtual career workshops in April:

• April 9 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.
• April 10 at 10 a.m.: Goal Setting. This workshop explores how goal setting works, why goals are important, and provides helpful resources to get you started to reach your dreams.
• April 18 at 11 a.m.: Completing Job Applications. Learn how to prepare your online application to get the most visibility from hiring managers. 
• April 19 at 10:30 a.m.: Networking. Join us for an approachable journey to understanding networking. 
• April 23 at 11 a.m.: Overcoming Barriers. Join an informal discussion about how to overcome potential stumbling blocks to finding a job. 
• April 23 at 1:30 p.m.: Social Media. 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.
• April 30 at 11 a.m.: Transferable Skills. Learn how to make employers see the connection between your qualities and the skills needed to do the job and market yourself as the solution to an employer’s problem.

 Registration is required for all workshops. Visit thejoblink.org/calendar/ to register or call the Saratoga County Career Center at 518-884-4170 for more information.

Heat Pumps on the Rise in Saratoga County

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A handful of local businesses, in collaboration with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), are encouraging the use of cold-climate heat pumps for both cooling and heating. 

In Ballston Spa, Tree Huggers, Sustainable Sundry, and the Sweetish Chef all have heat pumps installed, as does Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs.

NYSERDA is promoting heat pumps as a “more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to stay comfortable.” The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers federal tax credits for homeowners who use heat pumps, and the New York State Clean Heat program provides rebates through utility companies to incentivise people to install pumps.

At Artisanal Brew Works, NYSERDA’s Courtney Moriarta explained how heat pumps work. “Through the magic of physics, we can take the energy out of the air that’s outside and put it through a set of refrigerant pipes, and it’ll heat that air up and turn it into usable heat inside the building,” Moriarta said.

NYSERDA aims to dispel a couple popular misconceptions about heat pumps. First, heat pumps can provide both cooling and heating, not just heat. Second, modern pumps, unlike older models, are able to work in cold climates such as upstate New York.

“These are really sophisticated systems that are designed to work at colder temperatures,” Moriarta said. “The single-stage heat pumps of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, they could perform down to about 40, 30 degrees outside temperature, and once the air outside gets lower than that, they would have trouble keeping up or just not really be able to deliver heat at all.” 

Today, heat pumps can operate at 100 percent capacity in 5 degrees, and can still function at lower capacity down to as low as -22 degrees. This means that heat pumps can operate in any climate in the world. “With this newer, cold-climate heat pump technology, you can really deliver comfort,” Moriarta said.

NYSERDA is encouraging both business owners and homeowners to experience heat pumps in person at one of the many local establishments that already use heat pumps. In addition to the aforementioned businesses, John Sawicki of the environmental consulting firm TRC Companies said that a number of restaurants in downtown Saratoga use heat pumps, as do several local libraries. 

“If you look across the street to the left, there’s a mixed-use apartment building that was built with Mitsubishi heat pumps; that whole entire complex,” Sawicki said. 

“Once you know what to look for, you start seeing them everywhere,” said Moriarta.

Networking Event Raising Funds for Wellspring Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Networking at Night, a local group that organizes community engagement and professional development events, is hosting a fundraiser on April 18 for Wellspring Saratoga, a group that helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. 

The event, with a suggested donation of $20, combines professional networking opportunities with a charitable cause. Attendees can enjoy a taco bar, drink specials, and participate in raffles and a silent auction.

The fundraiser will be held at Bailey’s Cafe at 37 Phila Street in downtown Saratoga.

www.wellspringcares.org

GlobalFoundries Could Bring Millions of Dollars to Ballston Spa Schools

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

MALTA — After billions of federal and state dollars were invested in GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor manufacturing company headquartered in Malta, the Ballston Spa Central School District stands to benefit from the windfall, perhaps for decades to come.

As GlobalFoundries plans to build a second plant in Malta, school officials are trying to determine both the enrollment and financial impact the new plant might have. “Next year right now is financially difficult, but the future is actually quite bright for Ballston Spa because of that plant, no other reason,” said Clerk of the Board and Records Access Officer Brian Sirianni in a Board of Education meeting on March 20. 

When the first GlobalFoundries plant opened, an immediate impact was felt on the district’s enrollment. The number of total students jumped from 4,185 in 2011 to 4,322 in 2012. The increase of 137 students was the first time enrollment had climbed in years. Since then, enrollment has steadily declined from 2012 until the present day, when students number around 3,860. 

Sirianni said that predicting the enrollment impact of the second GlobalFoundries plant would be difficult. Compared to 2011, today’s housing market is in significantly worse shape, with inventory rates being especially low. “That’s why we’re seeing so many apartment complexes being built in the area; literally hundreds and hundreds of units,” Sirianni said. 

When it comes to the district’s finances, a second GlobalFoundries plant is nothing but good news. Sirianni said that in the first year or two, the district could see an additional few hundred thousand dollars. “But it’ll grow into the millions like it did before,” Sirianni said. “So that will offset our loss and, in fact, starts to subsidize the rest of the district.” Sirianni said the second plant could benefit the district financially for the next ten to fifteen years.

Construction on GlobalFoundries’ second plant is expected to begin this year. The company estimates that more than 1,500 manufacturing jobs and about 9,000 construction jobs will be created.

Ballston Spa Skincare Brand Wins Six Beauty Awards

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo of the award-winning Acta Beauty Illuminating Serum provided by Jillian Ehrenberg. 

BALLSTON SPA — Acta Beauty, a skincare brand based in Ballston Spa, has won six Beauty Shortlist Awards: 

• Winner of Best Skincare Product with Vitamin C: Acta Beauty Illuminating Serum with Vitamin C  

• Finalist for Best 2-in-1 Cleanser & Exfoliator: Acta Beauty Skin Refining Cleanser with AHA and BHA  

• Editor’s Choice Awards: Acta Beauty Luxe Moisture Eye Cream with Bakuchiol, Acta Beauty Overnight Moisture Revitalizing Cream, Acta Beauty Moisture Infusion Day Cream, and Acta Beauty Resurfacing Serum with Bakuchio

Founded by cosmetic chemist Jillian Ehrenberg, Acta Beauty bills itself as “forward-thinking” and “committed to harnessing the power of nature and science.” Ehrenberg is also the owner of the clean beauty retail store Petal + Hive, located at 89 Milton Ave in Ballston Spa.

“We are honored to receive these prestigious awards, which underscore our commitment to crafting effective skincare solutions that deliver tangible results while prioritizing the needs of sensitive skin,” Ehrenberg said in a statement.

Saratoga National Appoints New Senior VP

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo of Ryan Case provided by Rachael Murray 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company has appointed Ryan Case as Senior Vice President, Capital Region Market Executive.

In his new role, Case will lead market expansion efforts and develop and engage in community relationships across the Capital Region. He will be responsible for driving a high standard of customer experience and leading a competitive growth strategy within the bank’s Capital Region footprint.

Case most recently served as Senior Vice President, Business Banking Market Leader of KeyBank. Before that, he worked in commercial and business banking roles at First Niagara, Citizens Bank and M&T Bank.

Fish Fry Coming to Ballston Spa

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

The old Pizza Hut location in Ballston Spa will soon become a Ted’s Fish Fry location. Image via Ted’s Fish Fry Facebook page.

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa’s old Pizza Hut at 2103 Doubleday Avenue is about to transform into a new restaurant: Ted’s Fish Fry. The business is expected to open this fall.

Ted’s Fish Fry has been a Capital Region mainstay for decades. The chain currently has locations in Albany, Troy, Clifton Park, Latham, and Watervliet. The eatery specializes in fried seafood and chowder.

“It’s great to see such a popular area business trust in the strength of our Village business community,” Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi wrote in a social media post. 

The old Pizza Hut building will undergo renovations, with the goal of reopening as Ted’s Fish Fry in October or November. 

The Bunker Opens in Downtown Saratoga

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

The Bunker celebrated its grand opening last week during a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. Photos by Super Source Media.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Bunker, an indoor golf simulator and bar/restaurant, has opened its doors at 307 Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. The location includes 7 virtual golf simulators, golf lessons, 2 full bars, a food menu, and darts. Rates for the golf simulator bays start at $60 per hour. For more information, visit getinthebunker.golf.

New Cannabis Dispensaries Proposed for Ballston Spa and Saratoga Springs

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Business.

Google Maps image showing proposed location of a cannabis dispensary in Ballston Spa via Mayor Frank Rossi’s Facebook page.

SARATOGA SPRINGS/BALLSTON SPA — As plans for multiple cannabis dispensaries in Saratoga Springs continue to progress, the budding industry now has ambitions to expand into Ballston Spa. 

According to Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi, on March 15 the village received an application for a cannabis dispensary that would be located at 303 Milton Avenue. The site is currently the home of Russell’s Deli. The application was made by Sachmarie Crowley of Saratoga Springs for Island Vibes Cannabis Dispensary, LLC.   

At a March 20 Board of Education meeting, Rossi said that the village could’ve opted out of having dispensaries in 2021 but didn’t. “There’s nothing we can do per se to stop a cannabis [dispensary] from locating in the village, it’s just a question of now doing the right thing, giving it its full review, etc.” 

Rossi wrote on his Facebook page that comments about the planned dispensary could be emailed to him at mayor@villageofballstonspa.org with the subject line “Proposed Dispensary Comment.”

Saratoga Springs also has a new dispensary application to review. At a Planning Board meeting earlier this month, a special use permit was considered for a High Peaks Canna Inc. dispensary that would be located at 137 Maple Ave. The site is currently used as an office building for The Towne Law Firm. Roohan Realty has the property listed as pending sale. 

High Peaks manufactures its own line of cannabis products, which are sold at dispensaries throughout New York, including several in the Capital Region.

Recently, New York has faced a number of issues regarding cannabis sales, including lawsuits, increased competition from illegal operations, and complaints about the difficulties of opening  dispensaries. On March 18, Governor Kathy Hochul began an assessment of the Office of Cannabis Management. “Today, we take the first step in revamping New York’s legal cannabis industry to ensure its long-term success,” Hochul said in a statement.

In addition to the proposed High Peaks dispensary, Saratoga Springs also has plans to open cannabis shops at 75 Weibel Ave, 95 West Ave, and 1 Kaydeross Ave West.