Business First of Buffalo articles from January 2001

Business First of Buffalo archives from January 2001

Budding philanthropists.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Fund strives for impact on community A group of more than 130 individuals have a significant task ahead of them: Selecting and funding a nonprofit project that will have a strategic impact on Western New York. But the job of a 21st...

Developers designated for Theater District office building.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Plans for a multi-tenant office building in Buffalo's Theater District have been revived. The four-story, 20,000-square-foot facility, planned for an empty parcel at Chippewa and Main streets was expected to receive a major boost from the...

5th Coast.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Beating Nostradamus Our first issue of the year used to be a forecast of what would happen in the coming months. Your humble servant's predictions tended to be... well, wrong is too strong a word. Let's just say they were corrupted by...

November blizzard buries sales of homes.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Nov. 20 snowstorm that dumped 25 inches of snow on significant portions of Western New York, also buried home sales for the month. Not that it comes as surprise, but according to monthly statistics from the Buffalo Niagara Association...

Customs brokers.
January 1, 2001... Customs brokers Ranked by WNY employees Rank Prior rank 1 1 Tower Group International Inc. 128 Dearborn St. Buffalo, Ny 14207 2 2 PBB...

Empire viewers tune in to a decade of TV hits.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... It all started with Buffalo Sabres hockey game back on Dec. 31, 1989 and it's evolved into a sports network available in more than five million households via cable television and satellite technology. The Empire Sports Network, owned by...

Congress adds 2 more years to Medical Savings Accounts provision.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Medical Savings Accounts will be available to small businesses and the self-employed for two more years because of a provision included in the final federal budget approved by Congress this month. MSA were rolled out to a limited number of...

Prescription for change.
January 1, 2001... At a time when many of us are making New Year's resolutions like "I will lose weight," or "I will spend more time with my kids," consider a pledge that perhaps thousands of area residents have made for 2001: Often, that vow comes after,...

State Business Council wants tax reductions.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The state Business Council has kicked off its campaign for further tax reduction in a letter to Gov. Pataki outlining the Council's tax-cut agenda for 2001. "The giant steps that you have taken over the past six years to make New York's...

Income, expense records are critical when IRS audits tax returns.
January 1, 2001... Now is the time to ask yourself the following questions as to how well your individual and business tax returns are positioned if the Internal Revenue Service should audit them: * What is the possibility that your tax return will get...

Resolve to bring finances up to new standards.
January 1, 2001... For many people, making resolutions for the New Year is impractical. There is hardly time to keep up with a wish list when so many daily issues must be addressed and financial management decisions must be made: It's not too late to...

Buffalo lawyer climbed a mountain of goals.(Interview)
January 1, 2001... Mary Comeau Raymorid, 50, has had many goals in her life. At one time she considered attending medical school, getting a doctorate in education, and law school. In a way she has achieved them all. Raymond has links to the medical and...

Tax credits proposed to lure biotech firms.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has proposed an investment of $500 million in public and private funds to attract life-sciences industries to New York and to make the state a leader in job creation in biotechnology. He unveiled a...

Lack of tax breaks may extend fiscal hangover.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... With the New Year's revelry comes a sigh of relief for many local companies sizing up their year-end tax situation. For others, however, Jan. 1, 2001, effectively means no more opportunities for tax write-offs that could significantly affect...

The 'Net can be a start, but not the final answer.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Need a quick answer to a pressing legal problem? Many people have opted to log on to their computers rather than pick up their phones when seeking legal counsel. There are locations that offer databases cataloging libraries with legal....

Judges open literacy drive.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The YWCA Children's Centers at Erie County Family Court and Buffalo City Court kicked off a new focus on literacy programs Dec. 18,2000, as part of a statewide initiative. The effort was led by the state's chief judge, Judith Kaye, who...

New SEC rules cut into consulting.(Securities & Exchange Commission)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... As a result of new regulations by the Securities & Exchange Commission, accounting firms that provide consulting as well as traditional audit services to their clients are facing changes that could hurt them in the pocketbook. The Big Five...

'Blacklisting' rule hits before Bush.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... The Clinton administration is playing beat the clock with a new regulation that empowers federal contracting officers to block contracts to companies that, in their judgment, do not have a satisfactory record of compliance with federal laws....

Work injuries decline again.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Job-related injuries and illnesses fell in 1999 for the seventh year in a row, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were 5.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses last year, a 4 percent drop from the previous year....

Want a date?("Discover Buffalo 2001" calendar )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Brothers show there's plenty to do and see around Buffalo and make a production out of it * SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE What's going on: Brothers Brian and John Gavigan took the notion of "a dollar and a dream" to a new level when they...

Crack the code to keep your e-mail private.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... It's hard to imagine what life was like before e-mail. It's fast, can cut down on idle chitchat, and keeps the phone bills way down. It's also not terribly secure. E-mails are vulnerable to being picked up by the most elementary backers....

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Michael Heftka received the All-Star Award for business advising at a national Small Business Development Center conference in October. He is a senior adviser in Buffalo State College's SBDC. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery was one of three...

BPO releases recording features holiday music.(Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Christmas arrived a little early for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. The first of five compact discs to be recorded and released by the orchestra has hit the streets just in time for the final Christmas shopping rush? "Holiday...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(brief industry personnel information)
January 1, 2001... Roger Kostecky was appointed manager of the Bank of Castile's Warsaw office. Previously indirect loan officer for the bank, he is vice president of the Warsaw Kiwanis Club. Charles Edmondson was formally installed as the 13th president of...

MORTGAGE RATES.(Buffalo, New York)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... MORTGAGE RATES Conventional Fixed Adjustable Lender (phone) 30 yr. 15 yr. 1 yr. American Home Loans (N. Tona) (692-7006) 7.00 ...

GREAT LAKES METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (DECEMBER).
January 1, 2001... GREAT LAKES METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (DECEMBER) Buffalo-Niagara Falls ** Chicago-Gary-Kenosha: Illinois, *** Indiana and Wisconsin Cleveland-Akron, Ohio...

MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS.(Buffalo, New York)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 1, 2001... MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS MM 6 mos. 12 mos. 24 mos. 48 mos. Chase Manhattan Bank 2.86-2.90 4.78-4.90 4.78-4.90 4.55-4.65 4.55-4.65 Edward Jones 5.71-5.87...

Verizon Foundation.(local charitable grant information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Verizon Foundation has presented a $20000 grant to Young Audiences of Western New York and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo Inc. Verizon Foundation is a major contributor for after-school and summer residencies at both organizations.

The 2000 experience was a crashing bore.
January 1, 2001... Let's put it this way: 2000 was the fastest year on record. Just as the man predicted, the years definitely do go by faster as you get older. My longest and slowest year occurred when I was in third grade. The months dragged. Even the...

An investment in the community.(Local fund investment information)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... For the more than 130 members of the 21st Century Fund, the often-overused phrase" investing in the community," has literal meaning. Each fund member donated up to $2,100 for the privilege of presiding over the selection of a project or program...

Investing in tomorrow's technology.(New York investment strategy)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2001... Suppose you knew, in 1950, how computers and information technology would evolve in the next 50 years. Would it have made economic sense to invest in institutions that did research and development in computing-related fields? Of course....

Sales dip slows parts makers.(car and truck sales slow down)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... Slowing U.S. sales of cars and light trucks are casting an air of uncertainty over the Western New York economy in early 2001. The area's major original equipment manufacturers -- Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems, General Motors Corp.'s...

Cyber stars.(new service uses Internet to beam pictures of newborns to realtives worldwide)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Online service spotlights newborns Little Alexandria and Gabrielle McElligott of Williamsville appeared unimpressed by having their tiny toes counted simultaneously in Oslo and Oregon. In fact, the 2 1/2-week-old twins slept through...

Pizza empire sees rise in dough.(profile of La Nova Pizzaria in Buffalo, New York)(Company Profile)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... When it comes to pizza, La Nova Pizzeria has a slice of the action. A big slice. Just in pizza, the West Side family-run business does about $5 million in annual sales. Now, add wings, an operation run by an affiliated company, La Nova...

Incentives take shape for $164 million HSBC projects.(HSBC Bank USA plans improvements in Buffalo area)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... HSBC Bank USA is going ahead with plans for a $164.2 million upgrade of several of its local facilities, a move that secures the bank's long-term Western New York future and may translate into the creation of several hundred new jobs. ...

5th Coast.(editorial comments on Buffalo School District and Bill and Hillary Clinton's new home)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 8, 2001... Thumbs up ... to state, city and Buffalo School District leaders for a plan to build or renovate city schools. The entire $970 million project may mean six new schools and enough "fixing up" of others to perhaps bring the beleaguered...

On the Street.(editorial comment on Buffalo Bills players)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 8, 2001... On the Street Job security edition Subject Word on the street Wade For some reason, the Bills, coach has owner Ralph Wilson hoodwinked and fans flummoxed....

Sure things.(comments on things about 2001 in New York State)(Brief Article)(Column)
January 8, 2001... Last week's column was about things that could happen -- like international bridges and convention centers getting built -- the sort of dreamlike things we think we'll get if there were a Santa Claus. This week's column takes a different...

Cornell program to help HR specialists.(Cornell University to offer certificate program in human resource professional studies)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations will offer a certificate program in human resource professional studies. The new 11-week program will assist human resource specialists and manager in preparing for national...

Medaille opens center for children's literacy.(Medaille College to train teachers, aid schools)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... Medaille College has established the WNY Center for Children's Literacy to develop and implement teacher training models and programs. The center will assist children with reading problems and offer a children's literature collection as an...

Foundation to aid Niagara County grants.(Niagara Area Foundation looks for members)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The Niagara Area Foundation has begun a Founder's Fund to provide a unique approach to old challenges. The fund will allow participants to network with other leaders. Participants are required to pledge a minimum of $400 per year for three...

Clarifications & amplifications.
January 8, 2001... Dr. Edward Marine retired as medical director at Univera Healthcare in 1998. A listing in the Dec. 25, 2000 "Million Dollar Nonprofits" should have indicated that Marine is no longer at Univera.

Clinton opening Buffalo office.(Hillary Rodham Clinton)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... First Lady and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, following a long senatorial tradition, will maintain a Buffalo office. Clinton, the freshman lawmaker, has agreed to lease a 600-square-foot office in downtown's Guaranty Building. The lease is...

Craig's death leaves void at Evans National.(Evans National Bank chairman and CEO, Richard Craig)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
January 8, 2001... Directors of Evans National Bank and its holding company, Evans Bancorp, were expected to choose a successor-Jan. 5 to President, CEO and Chairman Richard Craig, who died Dec. 29. Craig, who built the bank from a three-branch, $56.5 million...

Weather helps rink draw record crowds.(Rotary Rink in Buffalo's Fountain Plaza)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Thanks to a combination of skating-friendly weather and word-of-mouth, usage of Rotary Rink in downtown Buffalo's Fountain Plaza appears to be on a record pace. The decade-old rink is managed by Buffalo Place Inc. which is happy with the...

Urologic surgery center to open.(Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery to open extension site)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery plans to pen an extension site in Amherst for procedures limited to urology. The site at 55 Spindrift Drive was operated as a part-time clinic by Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital until last fall and is in...

Grants target growth for Buffalo's IT corridor.(Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp. wants to increase Internet connectivity in downtown buildings, and is putting its money where its mouth is to get there. The new Buffalo Byte Belt Connectivity Initiative will provide grants to...

Expansion at Rich claims restaurant.(Rich Products Corp. converts restaurant to conference center)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Rapid growth at Rich Products Corp. headquarters has prompted the frozen food manufacturer to close a popular Niagara Street restaurant to make way for a new conference facility. Rich Product, on Jan. 2, closed the Broderick Park Inn. The...

Bank of Holland eyes acquisition opportunities.(forms new holding company, Holland Bancorp Inc.,)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The Bank of Holland, a one-office, $42 million-asset bank, has formed a bank holding company that will make it easier for the bank to take advantage of acquisition opportunities. "We don't have anything definite right now but sometime in...

Wells leaves Mower to form public relations firm.(Earl Wells leaves Eric Mower & Associates)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
January 8, 2001... A former Eric Mower & Associates executive has left the agency to form a public relations firm. Earl Wells, Eric Mower's former director of public relations and public affairs, formed E-3 Communications Inc. to specialize in Public...

Environmental lessons get virtual treatment.(Center for Great Lakes Environmental Education plans to offer schools access to Great Lakes research)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Imagine being able to wade through the Florida Everglades and learn about its water quality from the comfort of a classroom. This scenario may soon become a reality if efforts by the Center for Great Lakes Environmental Education are...

First Niagara Financial Group expects lower earnings.(First Niagara Financial Group Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... First Niagara Financial Group Inc., the parent of First Niagara Bank and two banks in central NewYork, said fourth quarter earnings will fall below its previous expectations. The lower net income is attributed to two acquisitions that the...

More capital available from SBA 7(a) loans.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... Changes to the Small Business Administration's popular 7(a) loan program are expected to make it easier and less costly for businesses to access capital. The changes were part of the budget and reauthorization legislation approved by...

Creditors Interchange signs deal that will expand WNY operations.
January 8, 2001... A fast-growing business environment has prompted a local company to expand fivefold, taking new office space and potentially nearly doubling its workforce. Creditors interchange Inc., a Buffalo collection agency has signed a lease to...

WNY has stake in trade initiative.(Western New York )(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The Free Trade Area of the Americas will open the door to more global commerce. If Western New York businesses are going to benefit, they've got to be ready. "People locally do not think globally," said Robert Boryszewski, president of...

Warren-Hoffman acquires insurance adjuster.(Warren-Hoffman and Associates Inc. acquires Allied Claim Services Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... Warren-Hoffman & Associates Inc., a subsidiary of First Niagara Bank, said it has agreed to acquire Allied Claim Services Inc., an independent insurance adjuster and third-party administrator. The acquisition, which is scheduled for...

Adesa acquires assets of automobile importer.(Adesa Importation Services Inc. acquires International Vehicle Importers Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Adesa Importation Services Inc. has acquired all assets of International Vehicle Importers Inc., a registered U.S. importer. Adesa can now provide importation services across the U.S. and Canada and has a registered importer's license from...

Study: downtown is coming back.(Buffalo, New York)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... For Western NewYorkers, the notion that there's a renewed interest in people living in the downtown urban core shouldn't come as a major surprise. There have been enough recent examples of projects and developments to support that notion,...

Leaner and meaner.(Construction industry outlook for 2001)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... With the calendar pages just turning over to a new year, it looks like the construction industry is approaching some leaner and meaner times. That's the early word from Robert Murray, vice president of economic affairs for the Construction...

Bewlow Real Estate.(Berlow Real Estate Inc. selling two parcels)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... * Two highly visible vacant parcels, located about one mile apart, have just come on the real estate market. A 1-acre parcel, located on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst in front of the Home Depot and Wal-Mart stores, is being marketed by...

M&T Bank.(closes loan for Manhattan office building)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... * M&T Bank's New York City commercial office recently closed an $6.85 million loan package for a 125,800-square-foot Madison Avenue building in midtown Manhattan.

Construction Economists of American Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... * The Lewiston-based Construction Economists of American Inc. has been awarded construction monitoring contracts for the $30 million Westchester Meadows life care community project in Valhalla and the $66 million Peconic Landing, another life...

Wheatfield tool maker expands, adding jobs.(Myles Tool Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Myles Tool Co. Inc. is planning a 30,000-square-foot addition. The specialty tool and die shop has 15,000 square feet of manufacturing space with 30 employees in the Vantage International Point commerce park in Wheatfield. The company...

Wealthiest ZIP codes.(New York)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... Wealthiest ZIP codes Ranked by median household income 2000 Median [*] Average Rank ZIP code Location household household county ...

Cost of playoff tickets keeps NFL fans at bay.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... It is no stretch to say that as a sports market Miami is quite fickle and, like its climate, fair weather in support of its teams. After last week's football playoff episode, however, even a Bills' fan could sympathize or even empathize...

Environmental group proposes showcase.(Green Gold Development Corp.)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The strength of Buffalo's environmental business community may provide a springboard for economic prosperity if the Green Gold Development Corp. has its way. The group hopes to build an eco-industrial park at the old Buffalo Forge Plant, a...

Nursing home launches renovation.(Genesee County Nursing Home)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Genesee County Nursing Home has received the state's approval to begin a $10 million construction and renovation project that would update the 23-year-old facility. The project is the second of a two-phase plan that includes the addition...

American Cancer Society.(golf pass available)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The American Cancer Society is selling its 2001 golf pass to support cancer research and patient services. Available for $35, the book offers free or discounted golfing from 185 facilities across the state.

Reciprocal Inc.(agreement with Digital Goods)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Reciprocal Inc. signed an agreement with Digital Goods (formerly Softlock) of Maynard, Mass., to together offer an integrated product for publishing and marketing secure digital content. Reciprocal provides digital rights management and...

Rare Earth Interactive Design.(new contracts)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Rare Earth Interactive Design added five new clients to its portfolio. The company will redesign Mono Systems Inc.'s Web site, provide hosting and develop a new corporate tagline; redesign Recreatives Industries Inc.'s Web site and provide...

Collignon/Jarosz Photography.(occupies shared office space)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Collignon/Jarosz Photography now shares office space with JuJuLizard Digital Imaging. The companies have formed a close business relationship, together offering full digital and traditional commercial photography, digital imaging, creative and...

Creative Concepts of WNY Ltd.(contract with Association for Manufacturing Technology)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... The Association for Manufacturing Technology, of McLean, Va., retained Creative Concepts of WNY Ltd. to produce video and Internet presentations for its International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago. The advertising and multimedia...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(appointments and selections in Buffalo area business)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Carol Grieco, Dr. John Cudmore and Dr. Robert Scheig were newly elected to the Episcopal Church Home & Affiliates board of directors. Re-elected to two-year terms were Oscar Acer, Dr. John Edwards, Frederic Houston, Steven McGanka, Ernest...

It's the law.(continuing legal education in New York)
January 8, 2001... Keeping up with educational requirements is required Some attorneys may feel as though they never left law school. And for all intents and purposes, they are right. That's because continuing legal education, or CLE, has been mandatory...

Precision must translate well in training material.(communicating to employees of differing cultures)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... A training manual for an American energy company reads, "If there is an oil spill, who should you call?" As a joke, one of the multiple choice answers is "Gilligan." While this is humorous in the United States, the joke wouldn't make sense...

Web could help interns find real work in region.(Buffalo, New York area)
January 8, 2001... Student internships and cooperative job opportunities, long underutilized as an educational and workplace tool in Western New York, may soon get a boost, thanks to a new service being developed by an arm of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. ...

Execs hit the books in UB program.(executives teach courses at University of Buffalo)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... Prominent CEOs and senior executives from Western New York business sectors, including banking and information technology, are going back to college. The veterans have signed on to teach a one-week intensive graduate-level business course...

UB program offers students a life and a degree.(University of Buffalo)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... For years, Cathy LePage Campbell has had a goal of going back to school for her MBA. She's finally doing it, though not necessarily in the way she might have imagined. Campbell, 39, is participating in the Executive MBA program at the...

Business schools start playing the name game.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... Attention, philanthropists: there just might be a business school or college building waiting to get your name on it. The renaming of schools and college buildings remains a hot national trend, especially with business schools. A robust...

Web training keeps spinning.(International Data Corp. predictions)(Brief Article)
January 8, 2001... When corporate managers, employees or entrepreneurs feel they need to update their business know-how, they now can point and click their way. International Data Corp. predicts the Web-based training market in the United States will reach...

MORTGAGE RATES.(conventioanl, fixed, adjustable statistics)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... MORTGAGE RATES Conventional Fixed Adjustable Lender (phone) 30 yr. 15 yr. 1 yr. American Home Loans (N. Tona) (692-7006) 7.00 ...

NEW YORK METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (DECEMBER).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... NEW YORK METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (DECEMBER) Albany-Schenectady-Troy *** Binghamton **** Buffalo-Niagara Falls ** Elmira ...

MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS.(for various banks)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
January 8, 2001... MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS MM 6 mos. 12 mos. 24 mos. 48 mos. Cattaraugus County Bank 2.45-2.48 4.95-5.07 5.45-5.60 5.45-5.60 5.50-5.65 Charter One Bank 1.49-1.50...

News stacks up best on most weighty issues.(The Buffalo News)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
January 8, 2001... I'm starting the year with a news analysis. I went all through last year without writing a news analysis, and I apologize for that oversight. So let's get started. First of all, that is News with a capital "N" as in The Buffalo News. Their...