ARCC Member to Present at International Disc Jockey Convention

Glens Falls, NY - Total Entertainment has announced that its President, Mark M. Brenneisen, will be an official seminar presenter this summer at the International Disc Jockey Convention. The convention is held at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ from Monday, August 16 – Thursday, August 19. Thousands of national and international disc jockeys, music industry personnel and entertainment-related businesses attend and learn each year. The event is put on by DJ Times magazine, which also recently featured Brenneisen in a full-page article on the subject being presented.

Total Entertainment has attended the convention each year for the past four years and presented a seminar last year as well. This year, Brenneisen will be speaking about the new business he created in 2008, The Adirondack Wedding Association. “The AWA is still in its infancy, but has recently gained national attention,” said Brenneisen. “We have grown over 50% in the past six months alone, have cornered 40% of the wedding and event business in our region, and continue to produce huge sales results for our membership. Our business is up across the board and we are looking at adding new positions and relocating our office in the near future.”

The AWA is a member-run group of wedding and event professionals, behind-the-scenes businesses and affiliate members who are all looking at the bottom line…increasing sales. The AWA has new, fresh and proven concepts that are taking the region by storm. Bridal shows and events produced by AWA have broken attendance records and continue to expose new trends, ideas and vendors to the public.

Brenneisen continues, “The AWA is very similar in structure to a chamber of commerce, or any other event association. We have a website and office and we help clients get what they need. The major difference is that we actually sell our membership. There are discounts available to AWA clients for using four or more members for their events. Our planners get better rates at our resorts and venues than a client could get without our assistance. Consider us the “price-line negotiator" for event planning. Our planning service is also completely free. Anyone who is getting married, planning a prom or private party that does not seek assistance through us is simply paying too much. Our vendors are the finest available, insured where applicable and meet the high membership criteria of the AWA.”

The seminar this summer will focus on how other national DJ operators can create a similar system in their markets. There will also be a new program being implemented this fall, where the AWA model will be set up in select areas of the country, and supported by the main office in Glens Falls.

Brenneisen finished with, “We’re all about helping businesses grow. The AWA and its satellite operators around the country all will see increased sales and profits for years to come.”

The AWA can be contacted at 518.792.6092 or on-line at http://www.adkwc.com/.

Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary Event

The Boy Scouts of America Twin Rivers Council will be celebrating the 100th year of Scouting in America and 80 years of Scouting in Saratoga County with a special event to be held Wednesday, August 11th at the Saratoga Racecourse.

The Boy Scouts of America will recognize Raymond O'Conor, Chairman, President & CEO of Saratoga National Bank & Trust Company as the Centennial recipient of the Good Scout Award.

The event will be held in the "At the Rail Pavillion" at the Saratoga Racecourse with the opening ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the official program being held at noon. Guests will be able to enjoy an abundant lunch as well as an afternoon of racing. Sponsors will also be able to join Scouting officials in the on-track Winner's Circle, after a special BSA Centennial Race recognizing the 100 year history of scouting.

For more information, please contact the Boy Scouts of America, Twin Rivers Council at (518) 869-6436 or go to www.twinriverscouncilbsa.org.

National Grid's Small Business Services Program: Helping You Save Money on Energy Costs

As part of our commitment to put the power of action into all we do, National Grid's Small Business Services Program can help you save energy and reduce operating costs with a free lighting and refrigeration energy audit, targeted to your specific business needs.

Endorsed by the Mayor of Cohoes: Pleased with program results, the Mayor of Cohoes encourages all small business owners to take advantage of this energy-saving program. A National Grid representative helped him identify and implement $125,000 in energy-efficiency upgrades at five city-owned buildings, providing taxpayers with an annual savings of $40,000.

National Grid will pay up to 70% of the cost of the installation of energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration equipment for small businesses that qualify - those using 100 kilowatts or less per month - and offers several financing options to help customers with the remaining portion:

• Add to monthly electric bill


• Interest-free financing for up to 24 months


• 15% discount for a lump-sum payment

Equipment available through this program includes:

• Lighting upgrades


• Energy-efficient time clocks


• Photo cells for outdoor lighting


• Occupancy sensors


• Programmable thermostats


• Walk-in cooler measures

To learn more, visit:

https://www.powerofaction.com/smallbusiness/ or call 1-800-332-3333 for more information.

HUDSON RIVER COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION AWARDS $5,000 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Hudson River Community Credit Union, Corinth (HRCCU) is pleased to announce the winners of their 2010 College Scholarship contest and their Making Life Better Scholarship contest. Each of the following youth members will receive a $1,000 scholarship award: Eric Brenner, Shenendehowa High School; Christina Matriccino, Hudson Falls Senior High School; Arinne Stiller, Queensbury High School; and Laura Uhlig, Academy of the Holy Names. Robert Gendron, Whitehall High School, will receive $1,000 for the Making Life Better Scholarship Award.

Eligible candidates had to be high school seniors planning to attend an accredited college or university in Fall 2010 and be HRCCU members-in-good-standing. For the College Scholarship contest, applicants were judged on their academic performance, extracurricular and community activities, honors and awards, employment experience, length of HRCCU membership and essay question. For the Making Life Better Scholarship Award, members were judged on their community service involvement and essay question.

The HRCCU College Scholarship Program began in 1994 to promote and foster the educational endeavors of the credit union’s young members. To date, 54 area students have benefitted from HRCCUs College Scholarship Program with awards totaling $41,500.

Seminar Held on Health Care Changes

A breakfast seminar, sponsored by Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company and Capital Financial Group, was held Thursday morning at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. Maggie Moree, Director of Federal Affairs for the New York State Business Council, spoke to approximately 100 attendees about changes to the health care system and what those changes will mean for businesses and employers over the next few years.

Topics covered in the lively presentation included how the measures in the Federal Health Care Reform Act and current New York State regulations will interact, provisions for small businesses, how businesses may need to revise health benefit plans to avoid penalties, Federal Insurance Exchanges, the need for increased record keeping and reporting, why businesses will need to be more informed about employees' personal circumstances to stay in compliance, the time table for implementation of the various elements of the Health Care Reform Act, and what happens if an employee opts out of coverage.

For more information on these changes and their effects, please contact the experienced staff at Capital Financial Group (793-2885) or Maggie Moree at the New York State Business Council.

The Adirondack Trust Company Opens New Branch in Queensbury with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Photo (left to right): John Muse, Architect, Charles V. Wait, President & CEO, The Adirondack Trust Company, Todd Shimkus, Former President & CEO - Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kathie Duncan, President, North Country Region, The Adirondack Trust Company, Pat Hudson, Queensbury Branch Manager, The Adirondack Trust Company, Sonny Bonacio, President, Bonacio Construction

The Adirondack Trust Company has announced that it is has opened its eleventh branch in Queensbury, NY at 376 Bay Road, ¼ mile north of Bay Rd.'s intersection with Quaker Road. The new branch is approximately 2,600 square feet and has two drive-up lanes, a drive-up ATM, safe deposit boxes, teller and customer services areas and a conference room for mortgage closings and meetings. The office provides the full array of financial services including retail and commercial banking as well as trust and investment services. The bank also provides personal and business insurance through its affiliate, Adirondack Trust Insurance.

Commenting on the new branch, Kathie Duncan President of the North Country Region noted, “We are very excited to have opened our new branch and feel it is a unique and attractive design that is also functional. We look forward to expanding our customer relationships and strengthening our presence in the North Country Region. This expansion is further evidence of The Adirondack Trust Company’s long-term commitment and confidence in this region and complements our existing branch at 24 Maple Street, in the City of Glens Falls.”

The new Queensbury Branch is managed by Ms. Patricia Hudson, Assistant Treasurer who has extensive banking experience in the Glens Falls area and she is supported by four staff members. The new facility provides offices for Mrs. Duncan as well as Michael Murray, Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. The bank will celebrate with a grand opening from July 6th – July 24th giving away local merchant gift certificates, three iPads® and a free lunch that the public is invited to enjoy on July 16th from 12 - 2 p.m.

The bank offers trust, insurance and investment services and originates real estate mortgages, both residential and commercial, and commercial business loans throughout its market area. The bank's website is http://www.adirondacktrust.com/.

Nominate a Young Business Leader Today!

Do you know a business leader under 40 who deserves to be recognized?

Nominate today for the annual 20 Under 40 Awards!

The Post Star, together with the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Organization, will be honoring 20 young area business leaders for the annual 20 Under 40 Awards. The award winners will be featured in a special section in the newspaper and also honored at a reception in October.

Nominees should be:

-dedicated and successful in their vocations

-role models in their careers

-leaders in their businesses and communities

-active participants in their communities as well as volunteer opportunities

20 Under 40 nominees must also live and work in Washington, Warren, or Saratoga Counties, and be between the ages of 21 and 39 on or before September 30, 2010.

All entries are due to The Post Star by Friday, July 23, 2010. Nominations can be made online at poststar.com/20under40 or by mailing the nomination form to 20 Under 40, The Post-Star, 76 Lawrence Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.

Help honor the young business leaders who will take our community into the future-nominate today!

Glens Falls National Bank proposes to purchase Madden Hotel

In the first step toward a sweeping redevelopment of Glens Falls’ South Street, the Greater Glens Falls Local Development Corp. (LDC) adopted an initial resolution Friday to authorize a contract for the purchase of the Madden Hotel, which is then expected to lead to its sale to Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co.

Pending final approval of the agreements by all of the parties, the hotel property would be transferred from its current owner, Chad Nims of C and J Holdings, to one of the city’s economic development agencies and then to Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. for future expansion of its downtown headquarters where more than 270 of Glens Falls National’s and Arrow Financial Corp’s. approximately 480 employees work.

“This plan sets the stage for the transformation of South Street into a thriving commercial, entertainment and office hub that generates new employment opportunities and economic growth for the people of Glens Falls and the entire region,” said Mayor Jack Diamond.

“Glens Falls National Bank has shown vision and leadership in proposing to purchase the Madden to support the future growth of its corporate headquarters, an anchor in Downtown Glens Falls for more than 150 years,” Mayor Diamond said. “The investment Glens Falls National intends to make in the redevelopment of this property and in the future of Downtown Glens Falls is significant and is the basis upon which the LDC has been asked to consider providing additional funding in support of an historic public-private partnership to transform South Street.”

Mayor Diamond added: “With the assistance of the LDC, the Glens Falls Common Council, Glens Falls National and other public and private groups, the City is putting in place a comprehensive plan to address two complex, inter-related, long-term challenges confronting our community: The need for additional economic development, creation of jobs, and expansion of our property tax base, along with the creation of appropriate housing and meal facilities for Madden Hotel tenants and individuals who rely on the Open Door Soup Kitchen.”

The resolution authorizes the LDC to enter into a contract for the purchase of the property from C and J Holdings for $650,000, based on an independent appraisal conducted by Sterling Appraisal Co. of Albany. Proceeds of the proposed sale would be paid to C and J Holdings subject to the satisfaction of outstanding expenses. The hotel’s condition has deteriorated over many years and the property has been the subject of numerous code enforcement proceedings.

The LDC resolution also authorizes its chairman to accept Glens Falls National Bank’s offer of $500,000 to purchase the building. To finalize the agreement, the resolution authorizes the LDC to invest $150,000 as part of the first step in an overall $1.6 million revitalization program for South Street that includes redevelopment of infrastructure and streetscaping. A study by economic development consultants Camoin Associates of Saratoga Springs, commissioned by the LDC, identified the Madden Hotel and other buildings as pivotal to a successful redevelopment of South Street.

The transaction is expected to close in about 90 days.

During this period, the Glens Falls Housing Authority will ensure that appropriate alternative housing is located for the approximately 30 tenants of the Madden. Glens Falls Housing Authority Executive Director Robert Landry will lead a coordinated effort to help tenants identify alternatives and relocate. Informational meetings with tenants will begin over the next several days.

City officials also are coordinating closely with Rev. Bruce Hersey, founder of The Open Door Soup Kitchen, to establish a new, permanent location for The Open Door. Glens Falls officials have applied for a $500,000 federal grant through Congressman Scott Murphy’s office, to assist in the acquisition and development of a meals facility.

Should the new location not be available before the property transfer is finalized, the city and Rev. Hersey are working with area churches with kitchen facilities to secure a temporary location where Rev. Hersey and his team will prepare and serve meals while a permanent site is established.

The City will work with the Open Door and the people it serves to publicize the new meal locations and ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted access to meals during and immediately following the sale of the Madden.

The City also is coordinating with the Warren and Washington Counties Social Services Departments and other agencies, which place tenants at the Madden, and with a coalition of local housing advocates to develop a system for placement of individuals in need of temporary housing in locations other than the Madden.

Thomas L. Hoy, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Glens Falls National Bank, said: “We are pleased that the growth of our business throughout the North Country has created a need to expand our main office, and we look forward to working with the City on a project that will be a credit to Glens Falls.”

Mr. Hoy said the bank had not developed plans for the building but would evaluate options over the next 90 days in a collaborative process with city officials. Glens Falls National is working with architect Robert Joy of JMZ Architects and Planners PC of Glens Falls to explore options for the re-development of the property.

Redevelopment efforts along South Street are being coordinated by the City Common Council and its three economic development agencies — the LDC, IDA (Industrial Development Agency) and URA (Urban Renewal Agency). These efforts have been advanced by elected officials, including Sen. Charles Schumer, Congressman Murphy, Sen. Betty Little, and former Mayor Frank O’Keefe, the current county treasurer and a long-time promoter of South Street redevelopment efforts.

Last January, Sen. Schumer announced a $974,000 federal grant for infrastructure improvements, and Sen. Little has secured $100,000 in state aid for redevelopment efforts.

“I’m pleased to be able to assist Glens Falls in its redevelopment of South Street as it continues to move forward with its successful revitalization of this great city,” Sen. Schumer said.

Congressman Murphy said, “The City of Glens Falls is a wonderful example of small-city economic development working in Upstate New York. This public-private partnership is an investment in our community and will help continue to revitalize our local economy.”

Sen. Betty Little, a strong advocate of private-public partnerships, said, “This type of local coordination among agencies is the type of collaboration that leads to great achievements, and I look forward, along with so many others, to seeing the redevelopment of South Street.”

Mayor O’Keefe noted: “There is tremendous potential for South Street, and this important step will, I have no doubt, be a great catalyst for the city. I’m pleased to have been part of the effort to assist this project, and look forward to a successful conclusion.”

Other redevelopment projects along South Street include the transformation of the former Empire Theater building across from the Madden Hotel into luxury apartments and commercial and retail space by developer Michael Kaidas. Two blocks away, Architect Gary McCoola has purchased and is in the process of renovating the former Dolan building at the corner of South and Broad streets.

“We have seen impressive results from the redevelopment of Glen and Warren streets, and we anticipate the same dramatic results with the transformation of South Street,’” said Edward M. Bartholomew Jr., director of the City’s community and economic development office. “Glens Falls National is a major employer and institution in Downtown Glens Falls and this vote of confidence will send a clear signal to businesses and commercial developers throughout the Capital Region and beyond that Glens Falls is an ideal place to invest and grow.”

Len Fosbrook, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Warren County, agreed that the city’s efforts to redevelop South Street fit perfectly with the expansion and redevelopment of the Northway Exit 18 corridor leading into Downtown Glens Falls.

“With a new Exit 18 corridor serving as an impressive and inviting entryway into the city, Glens Falls’ plan for redevelopment of the Madden Hotel will become a catalyst for further economic investment, both public and private,” said Mr. Fosbrook. “EDC Warren County looks forward to assisting the city in making this project a reality.”

Glens Falls Common Council President Dan Hall said, “The recent public and private investments in the city make clear Glens Falls’ future will continue to grow brighter in the years ahead.”

Todd Feigenbaum, the Glens Falls Economic Development Director during Mayor Roy Akins tenure, and a current member of the City’s LDC and IDA, said: “Economic development and revitalization is often seen as a domino effect, where small steps lead to other improvements, leading to even greater change. This project is certainly a prime example of that.”