western New York

Event showcases student innovation and creativity

Ashley Hassett — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:36:00 +0000

More than 100 kids showcased their ideas at the 11th annual Western New York Invention Convention, held recently at Medaille College in Buffalo. It was created to promote creative thinking and encourage scientific problem solving.

Farm run-off is polluting Lake Erie, says new report

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:19:00 +0000

A new report called Taken By Storm released by the National Wildlife Foundation is highlighting the issue of excessive fertilizer runoff into Lake Erie. The resulting algal blooms can seriously impact the health of those who rely on its water.

Finger Lakes tops the class for business friendliness in New York

Kate O'Connell — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:44:40 +0000

The grades are in and the Finger Lakes region is top-of-the-class for business friendliness in New York state. That’s the conclusion of a new small businesses survey conducted by Thumbtack.com. But the survey also shows that the state still lags in a national comparison.

Training program aims to fill jobs in food processing sector

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:01:12 +0000

New food processing facilities are popping up across western New York, and they're generating demand for skilled workers to operate them.

EPA provides advice on sustainable growth to WNY communites

Ashley Hassett — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:02:00 +0000

The Environmental Protection Agency announced this month it will be providing technical assistance to three western New York communities. They were chosen out of 121 applicants and are three of 43 communities to be assisted across the country. The EPA will provide the aid by delivering workshops on developing sustainable growth strategies.

Cuomo reacts to IDA backlash on sales tax proposal

Ashley Hassett — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:38:14 +0000

During his visit to western New York on Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reacted to the backlash by Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) against his executive budget proposal that would remove their powers to grant state sales tax exemptions.

Collaboration in western New York brings innovative product

Kate O'Connell — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:32:48 +0000

SensGard LLC. makes hearing protection, but not the kind that you might be used to. Instead of large, wooly earmuffs they are producing small, foldable hearing protectors that look like ear plugs on the end of a headband.

Controversy still simmers over SUNY Buffalo Shale Institute

Daniel Robison — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:02:14 +0000

Shortly after opening its doors at this spring, the Shale Resources and Society Institute (SRSI) ignited a controversy that persists several months later.

The newly-founded SUNY Buffalo institute issued a study which found a decline in accidents and environmental damage caused by hydrofracking – a drilling technique using high volumes of water, sand and chemicals to extract natural gas from shale far below the Earth’s surface.

Opponents call the study flawed and biased in favor of the oil and gas industry.

Buffalo's roster of incubators grows by one

Daniel Robison — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:04:00 +0000

Buffalo’s latest business incubator is on the hunt for small tech companies who are long on ideas, but perhaps short on cash, office space and personnel.

Calling itself Buffalo’s first Internet-focused incubator, Z80 Labs launched Monday with a well-orchestrated launch party featuring the region’s tech elite, as well as Forbes CEO Mike Perlis, and prominent venture capitalist Fred Wilson.

Z80 is the brainchild of some of Buffalo’s richest entrepreneurs who are promising to use their business connections and access to capital to nurture hand-selected startups.

Voyage studying plastic in Great Lakes sets sail

Daniel Robison — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:30:10 +0000

Until now, scientists could only guess at the amount of plastic waste in the Great Lakes.

This week, a team of researchers sets sail to conduct the first-ever survey of plastic pollution in the world’s largest fresh water system.

Cow manure helps keep the lights on in western New York

Daniel Robison — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:00:08 +0000

New York State is home to more than 600,000 dairy cows, which generate millions of pounds of manure.

Now, a new energy project in rural Wyoming County aims to be a model for using cow waste and by-products from food processing to generate electricity.

New $300 million medical building opens in Buffalo

Daniel Robison — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:15:03 +0000

The newest addition to Buffalo’s skyline has opened its doors.

The 10-story, $300 million Gates Vascular Institute/Clinical and Translational Research Center houses a state-of-the-art surgery center, research labs and a business incubator.

IDA reform bill stuck in neutral

Daniel Robison — Sat, 26 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000

In recent years, donut shops, car dealerships, and doctor's offices have received tax breaks from industrial development agencies in western New York.

Now, a first-term state legislator from Buffalo has crafted a bill to halt such deals.

How odd weather is hurting New York fruit growers

Matt Richmond — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:37:12 +0000

The apple crop in New York is the second-largest in the country, behind only Washington State. Cherries, peaches, apricots and grapes are also big business in New York.