Today's regional business news.
Retail and eCommerce
The planned Costco for the Albany region is back on hold as a judge agreed with locals who brought a suit, the Times-Union reported over the weekend. The story cites the judge who wrote that Costco and the Guilderland Planning Board did not follow proper procedures and even accused the Pyramid company, owner of the site, of hiding its plans. Among many reasons the plaintiffs cited to stop the construction: it will be built on the site of a historic African-American community.
This story ran last week in the Washington Post: the coronavirus surge in some other states has shoppers panic-buying toilet paper, wipes and wine. The stores, the story says, are ready. The strategy: limit purchases of key items immediately to fend off the hording.
Manufacturing, Agriculture and Forestry
Adirondack Winery will receive tax breaks from the Warren-Washington County Industrial Development Agency, the Post-Star is reporting this morning. The windery is planning an expansion to take care of retail and wholesale needs. A hearing on this plan will be held Dec. 4, the story says.
Travel, Tourism and Recreation
Flexibility, planning and the need for seasonal workers topped a discussion of the north country's response to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a story in the Albany Business Journal. The journal moderated a panel discussion with business leaders from Warren County who said flexibility was key to remaining viable, and that planning for something like this is helpful. The next year will be key. Seasonal employees: the region just does not have enough of them, and the leadership missed having the international workers, the story says.
Human Resources and Employees
Pioneer Bank has hired away Kelli Arnold from Key Bank, the Albany Business Journal reported over the weekend. She is one of a few executives hired away, the paper reports. Some of those were originally executives of First Niagara bank, which Key Bank had acquired.