PLATTSBURGH — SUNY Plattsburgh recently received national recognition as a Workplace Quality College, named to the list of the top 30 institutions in the country. It was cited as part of The Chronicle of Higher Education's 2009 Great Colleges to Work For program.
The program recognizes small groups of colleges (based on enrollment size) for specific best practices and policies, such as compensation and benefits, faculty-administration relations, and confidence in senior leadership. The results of the second annual survey were announced on July 6 in a special supplement of The Chronicle, http://chronicle.com/indepth/academicworkplace, and have been published in the July 10 print edition of the publication.
SUNY Plattsburgh was one of 30 four-year colleges named to an honor roll, a new feature in this year's program. The honor roll highlights the top 10 colleges in each size category (or the top three in the case of community colleges) based on the number of times they were recognized in the individual recognition categories. SUNY Plattsburgh was cited as a top institution for schools with a student population of 3,000 to 9,999.
"It is an honor to receive special recognition through this survey," said Lawrence Mills, executive director for human resource services at SUNY Plattsburgh. "The competition is steep for high-quality faculty and something like this can only help in our efforts to attract the best and the brightest."
There are 26 recognition categories for four-year institutions, and 15 categories for community colleges. Among four-year colleges, 122 institutions were recognized in at least one category.
"Through this program, The Chronicle is able to provide more information to job seekers about the colleges that are the leading innovators when it comes to providing a rewarding work environment," said Jeffrey J. Selingo, the editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education.
More than 300 four- and two-year colleges signed up for this year's program, and 247 went through the entire survey process this spring. That's nearly triple last year's number of participants. The results are based on responses from almost 41,000 administrators, faculty and staff members at those institutions.
"The survey validates what many on our campus already know," said SUNY Plattsburgh President John Ettling. "We are proud of the work we have done to receive this recognition, but we also continue to look for ways to make our college even more attractive to prospective employees and to retain the great employees we already have."
Rotary officers
PLATTSBURGH — Bonnie-Leigh A. Black has become president of the Plattsburgh Rotary Club for the 2009-10 year. Black, director of employee assistance services at Behavioral Health Services North, had been acting as the first vice president of the service club organization, and replaced immediate past president Steven G. Frederick on July 1.
Black said she welcomes the leadership role for the club. "Rotary International's theme this year is 'The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.' As incoming president, I believe that our club of over 100 members can continue to work together toward that goal. Serving our local community — its students, families and workplaces — along with working toward finally eradicating polio worldwide will keep us focused on the future of our club and its role here in Plattsburgh as well as in the world."
The following individuals have also assumed duties as officers of the club:
Elected as directors-at-large to serve three-year terms are:
Formed in 1926, the Plattsburgh Rotary Club has a current membership of approximately 105 active members.
The club raises funds for various community and global causes. Funds have been used to support international projects such as North Country Mission of Hope and the Pit Privy Project in Nicaragua; academic scholarships for students attending SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College and CVPH Medical Center Radiology School; and assistance for community youth groups including the Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Plattsburgh Little League and the YMCA.
The Plattsburgh Rotary Club sponsors several events throughout the year to raise funds, including the annual Rotary International Fishing Classic, Rotary Radio Day and Roducky Derby to name a few.
The club meets every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Elk's Lodge, 56 Cumberland Ave. in Plattsburgh. Individuals interested in becoming members can contact any Rotarian or visit the club's Web site at www.plattsburghrotary.org.
Bank rating
PLATTSBURGH — Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Co. has received a 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability from Bauerfinancial Inc. of Coral Gables, Fla.
The 5-Star Superior rating is the highest rating attainable from Bauerfinancial, the nation's bank-rating firm for more than a quarter of a century, and is based on the overall financial picture of the institution.
Earning a 5-Star Superior rating indicates that Glens Falls National Bank & Trust is one of the strongest banks in the U.S. In fact, this is the ninth consecutive quarter that it has earned this highest honor.
Karen L. Dorway, president of Bauerfinancial, said, "Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. is an excellent example of how a community bank serves both its customers and shareholders. The Board of Directors, management and staff has been steadfast in adhering to sound banking principles and standards."
Glens Falls National Bank & Trust, founded in 1851, is headquartered in Glens Falls and has 27 offices serving a five-county area including Warren, Washington, Clinton, Essex and Saratoga. It can be found on the internet at www.gfnational.com.
Racing sponsored
PLATTSBURGH — Rent-A-Wreck of Plattsburgh has announced its sponsorship of a night of racing at Airborne Speedway for the seventh consecutive year. The company is also the primary sponsor of two Flying Tiger Series cars, the No. 61 Flying Tiger series car piloted by Robin Wood, currently first in the Airborne Sportsman point standings heading into last Saturday's event, and the No. 59 car, currently 10th in the Airborne Sportsman points, driven by Skip Liberty. Both drivers are set to compete with former Daytona 500 champion driver Geoff Bodine at this Saturday's Flying Tiger race.
The race is a homecoming for Rent-A-Wreck of Plattsburgh owner John Walker, who moonlights as a tour official on the American Canadian Tour, which takes him to tracks all over Canada and New England. Walker said that sponsoring the two cars and the night of racing is a natural fit for Rent-A-Wreck because of the great crowds and high level of interest in the community. "Everyone comes out to the track on Saturday night, it's a great family atmosphere and a wonderful way to connect with our community," Walker said.
"Mike Perotte and Steve Fuller have done a great job of creating one of the best tracks in the Northeast here at Airborne. They've invested a lot of money, time and energy into Airborne, making it a fun, family-friendly track. As an ACT tour official I get to see a lot of tracks, and Airborne is a notch above the rest. The investment in track infrastructure is obvious, and it pays off in the form of multi-groove racing that the drivers and fans love."
Next up for John Walker's Rent-A-Wreck is a sponsorship of the Demolition Derby at the Clinton County Fair. Customers may contact Rent-A-Wreck of Plattsburgh and Lake Placid at 800-698-1777 for further information or reservations.
Money raised
SARANAC LAKE — Saranac Lake Community Store has announced that it has raised more than $356,000 in capital towards the goal of $500,000 that will allow it to commence operations.
"We are delighted with our progress to date that is indicative of the strong sense of community of Saranac Lakers and other supporters who appreciate the unique qualities of our village," said Interim Board President Melinda Little. "We will be ramping up our efforts over the summer to reach the finish line so that we can begin the real work of establishing a vibrant retail store in Saranac Lake."
To this end, the Community Store will be present at the Saranac Lake Farmers' Market in Riverside Park on July 25; Aug. 1, 15 and 29; Sept. 12 and 26; and Oct. 10, where board members will be available to answer questions and provide information about investing in the store.
The prospectus will be available and share sales can be completed on the day or later. "This is just an outline of our presence. We do plan to attend other events during the summer," said Vice-President Gail Brill. "Check the community calendars and our Web site, www.community-store.org, for updates."
The drawing for the Spring 50/50 cash raffle was recently held and the winner, Jack Drury of Saranac Lake, showed his confidence in the venture by immediately re-investing his winnings in Community Store shares.
Share subscriptions are held in an interest-bearing escrow account and are not available for ongoing expenses, hence the need for separate fund-raising activities such as this raffle to cover such expenses.
The Saranac Lake Community Store is raising capital to open a community-owned retail department store that will enhance the sustainability and self-sufficiency of the retail economy in the Tri-Lakes by providing a range of reasonably priced goods not readily available in the community.
Business seminar
MALONE — The North Country Small Business Development Center is offering a seminar for individuals who want to start their own business but do not know where to begin. The seminar will provide information about what to do before hanging up an "open for business" sign.
In cooperation with ComLinks Women's Entrepreneurial Business Center, OneWorkSource Malone and the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency, the North Country SBDC will present this Business Basics seminar at ComLinks, 343 West Main St., Malone, on Tuesday, July 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Presented by Rick Leibowitz, North Country SBDC regional director, and Andy Allison, North Country SBDC business advisor, this seminar will discuss the steps needed to start a business and will answer such questions as "When should I register my company?" and "Do I need a federal ID number?"
Prospective business owners will learn about writing a business plan, which is a guide for the start-up phase and a list of goals as the business grows. Leibowitz and Allison will also explain how to research potential markets for a new product or service and how to evaluate the chance of business success before investing money.
Entrepreneurs will also receive an overview of financing options available to new businesses, including information on Small Business Administration loan guarantees, what a banker looks for when evaluating a business loan application, alternative lenders and other financing options.
The seminar is free and open to the public. Pre-registration by July 20 is strongly encouraged as seating is limited. To register, contact the North Country SBDC by calling 564-2042 or register by e-mail to sbdc@plattsburgh.edu.
Cable lineup
SYRACUSE — Time Warner Cable's local cable system began offering its customers who receive its video service the ability to watch more than 100 high-definition (HD) channels starting last week, with the addition of two new HD channels on Tuesday, (MSNBC HD and Smithsonian HD On Demand), and two more HD channels on Thursday (TCM, Turner Classic Movies, HD and HLN, formerly Headline News, HD).
Advances in cable engineering, efficient use of cable's high-capacity fiber-optic network and implementation of digital processing tools have allowed Time Warner Cable to reach this 100-channel milestone. The company has accomplished this without needing to build an entirely new network.
Time Warner Cable is using a cable technology called "switched digital video" along with a state-of-the-art transport network that maximizes available bandwidth to increase its number of cable networks, while allowing the company to offer its Road Runner high-speed data service and its digital phone service — its popular "triple-play" package called "All the Best."
"Our customers with digital cable can get HD for free," said John Keib, president, residential services for the Northeast/National Region. "With more of our customers owning HD sets, we knew we needed to provide them the programming content that takes full advantage of their TV sets and satisfies their growing demand for a better-quality viewing experience."
In addition to surpassing 100 HD channels, Time Warner will soon begin delivering its own locally produced, exclusive-to-cable programming in high definition — its 24-hour local news channel News 10 Now and its Time Warner Cable Sports network, slated to launch in HD later this summer.
Energy seminar
MALONE — Today's businesses face a myriad of issues adjusting to a completely new set of energy demands.
The North Country Small Business Development Center, Canton SBDC and ComLinks will host a workshop to outline the opportunities presented in adopting renewable energy and energy-efficiency models of business July 28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at ComLinks, 343 West Main St., Malone.
The New York SBDC, in partnership with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC), has formulated an energy-savings program, which will encourage business owners to implement energy efficiencies that will allow their firms to compete on a favorable basis in a global economy.
Seminar speakers Anthony Presti, program coordinator for the state SBDC Energy Savings Program, and NYSERDA representatives will detail measures that, when implemented, will produce maximum savings for the business owner. Business owners will learn how they can work with NYSERDA and SBDC advisers to implement energy-efficiency projects, secure the financing to achieve energy efficiency or even to build green buildings, evaluate other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, improve environmental performance, evaluate energy efficiency opportunities in all areas, and improve their bottom line.
Under the Energy Savings Program, an SBDC advisor reviews the NYSERDA-suggested efficiencies with the business owner to analyze the potential savings of implementing the changes.
Eligibility is open to small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as industrial and commercial facilities. Participants must have less than $75,000 in annual electric bills to be eligible.
The state SBDC will subsidize one half of the cost of the NYSERDA review for the first 100 statewide clients of the program. For businesses with less than $25,000 in annual electric bills, the review fee is $100 (client share: $50). For a business with annual electric bills between $25,000 and $75,000, the review fee is $400 (client share: $200). The NYSERDA review fee will be refunded in full to the business if the owner implements the recommended measures. For example, a business owner would pay $200 and could receive back $400.
Financing options for the suggested improvements will be determined by the business owner and SBDC adviser. The New York Business Development Corp. is ready to work with their lending partners to provide financing for qualified businesses through the program.
There is no charge for the program, which is open to the public. However, pre-registration is required. Contact the Canton Small Business Development Center at 315-386-7312 or e-mail sbdc@canton.edu to register and to obtain up-to-date information.
