Information Technology and Computing
The National Science Foundation doubled down on the capital region, the Albany Business Journal is reporting. The NSF awarded $2.23 million in seed funding to four companies. That is twice the amount that they awarded the region last year. Lux Semiconductors of Albany, SMART Pad of Colonie, Sunthru of Scotia and Kaden Health of Cohoes were the biggest recipients.
Retail and eCommerce
eCommerce sales means more warehouse need, according to a story in the Albany Business Journal. In the Capital Region, the vacancy rate fell to 2.7% for warehouses and other industrial property, the story says. That’s 0.8% lower than the first half of last year, and it’s nearly 2% lower than the national average.
Government, Law and Legal Services
How will the areas around the Great Sacandaga Lake grow while maintaining their Adirondacks feel, a story in the Times-Unions pondered earlier this week. Anecdotal evidence in the region indicates that COVID has pushed people to stay longer and to use camps at times, such as winter, when they normally would not be used. Town supervisors in the area are wondering how the growth can be handled. Broadband internet access, access to food and other necessities and enough of a business infrastructure to handle growth, are some top concerns.
Education and Training
The flooded Whitehall High School will be ready for students in March, the Post-Star is reporting this morning. The high school in town closed to COVID and then was flooded in a storm that ravaged Whitehall last August. Tentative dates put 7th and 8th graders back in school on March 1, and high schoolers back on March 15, the school district told the Post-Star.
Foundations, Nonprofits and NGOs
Cheech Outreach is helping Saratoga Springs’ homeless population through kindness and listening, a story in the Saratogian says. Michael Cecchini, a former semi-pro hockey player, has helped people find permanent housing and plans to start a landscaping business that will offer homeless a chance at employment, the story says.