Check out this week's economic development news for Broome County!
Development in the News this Week: March 2 - March 9
March 2 "Broome County Unveils New Electric Hybrid Buses" CNYBJ Eric Reinhardt
Broome County Transit has added three new eletric hybrid busses to their fleet as part of their continuing efforts to go green. The busses were purchased thanks to a $2 million grant from the US Department of Transportation awarded in 2018. The BAE Systems technology make these the cleanest and most fuel efficient busses running in Broome County. The series-ER systems are produced at their Endicott facility and power transit networks around the world.
March 3 "Vestal Bunn Hill housing development reaches Town Hall: Here is what each side said" Press & Sun Jeff Platsky
There is much debate surrounding the proposed housing development planned for the six parcels of land, totaling 43-acres, between Bunn Hill Road and Jensen Road in the Town of Vestal. Supporters of the 161-unit complex cite its fulfillment of the high-density and market-rate housing needs in the area. Opponents question the development's place in their neighborhood, feeling as though Landmark Properties' project does not fit the character of their area, worried that the housing project will attract more students than professionals and families. With plenty of pros and cons to weigh, the housing project must go before the Vestal Planning Board, the town board and the county Planning Department, in addition to any other key agencies yet to be involved.
March 3 "Next step in reviving the Oakdale Mall becoming more of a reality" WBNG Anne Sparaco
The former Sears store within the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City is now home to some new tennants bringing life and development back to the vacant building. The Broome County Career and Community Services Center relocated to their new space this week, bringing with them more than 100 of their current employees to the more conducive workspace. Beer Tree Brew Company, based in Port Crane, will also be expanding their operations into the Sears building, opening a two story restaurant and taproom with elements featuring their brewing and canning process.
March 5 "1,700 students come to Binghamton University for career expo" WBNG Staff
The Broome and Tioga BOCES Counselors Association held their annual Career Expo at Binghamton University this week. Over 1,500 tenth-grade students from school districts across the two counties had the opportunity to learn about forty career options through presentations lead by local professionals. The career expo has been happening since 1993 and helps better prepare students for life after graduation.
March 5 "Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce hosts webinar about illness in the workplace" Binghamton Homepage Staff
Due to growing concerns about the coronavirus and a rampant flu season in New York State, the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce hosted a webinar about healthy practices in the workplace. The Business Council of New York State stresses the importance of good hygiene, effective office communication, and supportive workplaces that allow the option to work from home. Chamber COO Amy Shaw says businesses should be prepared for a potential outbreak within our community and the best way to do so is through pro-active education and communication.
March 6 "Broome County Hotel Occupancy Rate Edges up in January" CNYBJ Journal Staff
Based on a report by STR, a Tennessee based data analytics firm, the hotel occupancy rates in Broome County has increased to 40.6 percent in January compared to last year's numbers. The revenue per available room increased to $32.90, and the average daily rate to rent a room went up to $81.04. Hotels in Broome County hope to continue welcoming an increase of guests in the future.
March 6 "Canopy Growth, planning to open Kirkwood hemp plant, scales back production in Canada" Press & Sun Jeff Platsky
As work continues rennovating Canopy's Kirkwood industrial hemp manufacturing plant, the company has began cutting back on its production in some of its Canadian facilities. CEO David Klein hopes this will allow for a shift of focus in the production of hemp to the new facility, their first plant in the United States, which will allow them to maintain their leadership in the market for industrial hemp and hemp-based products. Canopy plas to employ seventy five people at the site within the first three years and is investing $100 million into the rennovation of the site.
March 6 "USDA Report on Farms Finds Slight Growth in New York's Smallest Farms" CNYBJ Journal Staff
As of 2019 New York State, according to a report from the USDA, is home to 33,400 farms totalling 6.9 million acres. The smallest farms, averaging at 71 acres, witnessed an increase in sales revenue as the number of farms generating between $1,000 and $9,999 increased from 15,400 to 15,500 in the last year. These small farms account for 1.1 million acres of New York State farmland. Increases were seen in other farm classifications as well, such as in mid-range farms averaging at 157 acres, in addition to a total of 920 farms averaging at 1,848 acres which generated sales exceeding $1 million.
March 8 "Number 5 development decision could come at Binghamton planning meeting" Press & Sun Jeff Platsky
On Monday night at the Binghamton City Planning meeting, those involved in the Number 5 redevelopment project are hoping to hear a decision regarding whether developers will be permitted to build a gas station and convenience store at the parcel between South Washington Street and Mary Street. Due to the Broome County Planning Department's concerns, the City's commission will require a five-person "super-majority" to approve the plan. If approved, the project will convert Number 5 along with the former La Taz coffee shop into a retail space, in addition to the construction of a Mirabito gasoline station and a People's Secuirty Bank & Trust on the parcel.
March 9 "UHS names Borschuk CFO" CNYBJ Eric Reinhardt
United Health Services announced this week the appointment of their new Senior VP and CFO, Rick Borschuk. Rick Borschuk has held the position in an interim capacity since 2019 and was lauded by UHS for having a "demeanor and [set of] leadership skills" inline with their core principles at the time of his official appointment. Borschuk has extensive experience in financial leadership roles within healthcare systems, including but not limited to roles such as Executive VP of Finance and Business Development of the Greater Baltimore Medical Center and CFO of West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. UHS is a locally owned healthcare system that prides itself on its ability to provide quality healthcare to Binghamton and its surrounding communities.