Business First of Buffalo articles from March 2001

Business First of Buffalo archives from March 2001

Giambra: Abandon status quo.(Joel Giambra)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... In his first ever State of the County address, County Executive Joel Giambra continued to challenge the region to improve itself through more consolidated and cooperative efforts. And, in a post-speech analysis, Giambra issued an...

Manufacturing slips here, everywhere.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... Buffalo isn't alone in suffering a decline in its manufacturing base. The same thing is happening all across the nation -- except Sacramento. The manufacturing sector's share of all jobs in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area...

Economist predicts good things for those who wait.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Taking the short-term view is making many investors unnecessarily jittery over the fear of recession, a nationally-known economist says. Better that they look at the big picture and relax, says Robert Goodman. "What we are seeing is a...

FM radio wars heat up as stations woo listeners.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... Howard Stern's return to Western New York is setting up a potential FM radio battle between him and such longtime and popular local morning drive hosts such as Larry Norton and the Shredd & Ragan show. The battle is more for advertiser...

5th Coast.
March 5, 2001... Thumbs up ... to local election years, in which constituents finally see their needs discussed at very public gatherings. Let's take a hypothetical example: Pretend a city neighborhood is, oh, I don't know, a cesspool. The people who...

On the Street.
March 5, 2001... On the Street 'Should I stay or should I go' edition Subject Word on the street QB Flutie or Johnson: Frankly, we didn't care who won. We're just disappointed the Bills'...

Building a signature city.
March 5, 2001... The Swiss, who haven't fought a war since time was invented, are trying to play peacemaker in Buffalo. Some hotshot Swiss bridge builder was in town last week to try and bring the warring Peace Bridge factions together on a fancy-schmancy...

Amherst chamber to organize forum.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is putting together a regionalism forum in mid-May that will be facilitated by the Alliance for Regional Stewardship, a joint public and private sector steering committee co-chaired by County Executive Joel...

Volunteers needed for Back to School Day.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The Buffalo Alliance for Education is in need of volunteers to be a teacher or principal for the day at Back to School Day, where more than 70 schools work with business people. The event will be held March 27 with a reception at the Buffalo...

Erie County sees more sales tax receipts.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples reported that total sales tax receipts for 2000 amounted to $448.4 million, $2l million higher than last year. The county retained more than $230 million and distributed more than $217 million to...

January home sales go up slightly.
March 5, 2001... The Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors reported that January housing transactions increased by about 2 percent compared to last year but the average price was down by the same percentage. The realtor group reported 639 single-family...

Concrete manufacturer expands.
March 5, 2001... A Buffalo precast concrete manufacturer is expanding into larger facilities in Lackawanna at the site of the original Bethlehem Steel carpenter pattern shop. Southside Precast Products will move to the 17,000-square-foot site in the...

Reciprocal consolidates offices.
March 5, 2001... Reciprocal, one of downtown's high tech darlings, is consolidating its two Buffalo operations into a single building and placing prime Main Street office space on the market. Officials from Reciprocal, an Internet support services company,...

Tech company unveils Web site update system.
March 5, 2001... An area technology company has introduced a development platform to give companies more control over online business. The introduction of the SiteSage system coincides with the opening March 8 of a downtown office for Advanced Internet...

Buffalo CVB brings in 15 new conventions.
March 5, 2001... The Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau has landed 15 new meetings or groups. Thanks to a January marketing blitz, the CVB landed the Kingdom Bound Ministries, U.S. Bowling Intercollegiate Championships and a regional meeting of...

BryLin cites savings in wake of service cuts.
March 5, 2001... BryLin Hospitals has cut two programs in Buffalo and Niagara County in a reorganization of its psychiatric and behavioral health services. Eliminated recently were the outpatient clinic for addiction services in North Tonawanda and the...

Citadel drops waterfront project.
March 5, 2001... Citadel Communications Group is back in the real estate market. The radio group, whose local stations include WGRF-FM, WEDG-FM and WHTT-FM, has dropped its plans for a 20,000-square-foot new building on Buffalo's waterfront. The building...

CVB steps up drive for new convention center.
March 5, 2001... The Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau is using its 2001 legislative agenda as another pulpit to push for a new downtown convention center. The CVB unveiled its legislative agenda at a March 1 briefing before local and state...

Region's auto dealers raise money for charity.
March 5, 2001... A record $30,000 was raised for charity by the Niagara Frontier Automobile Dealers Association at its recently concluded Buffalo Auto Show. The money will benefit Kids Escaping Drugs. The figure is 63 percent higher than what was donated...

Layoffs continue at auto plants.
March 5, 2001... Layoffs linked to slack U.S. sales of cars and trucks continue at several Western New York auto parts suppliers. One hundred more hourly workers at Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems, the region's largest manufacturer, were placed on...

WNY Tech pros give boost to AIDS project.
March 5, 2001... High-tech professionals in Buffalo are hoping their technology skills will help provide education and aid to South African children left as orphans by the AIDS epidemic. Full Circle Studios has sent Tom McDade, its creative director, to...

Acquisition avoids taxing situation.
March 5, 2001... When the Erie County Industrial Development Agency moved from its longtime Liberty Building headquarters to Buffalo's Elm-Oak Corridor two years ago, it did so with the proviso that the agency had the option to buy its new offices. So was...

Daemen part of study on student learning.
March 5, 2001... Daemen College has joined two dozen colleges and universities across the state, and more than 330 nationwide, participating in a national student survey. The National Survey of Student Engagement will measure the extent to which...

Advertising agencies.
March 5, 2001... Advertising agencies Ranked by 2000 gross income [*] Phone Prior Web Site...

Yankees broadcasts find home on Channel 23.
March 5, 2001... SPORTS BUSINESS NOTES It wasn't exactly a bidding war but WNLO-TV has lured a large chunk of New York Yankees baseball broadcasts away from WNYO-TV for the 2001 season. WNLO (Channel 23) will broadcast 50 games during the upcoming...

NASCAR a hit on WUTV as local ratings soar.
March 5, 2001... Don Moran, station manager for WNYO (Channel 49), and WUTV (Channel 29), admits that in just two short weeks he's been "blown away" by the popularity of NASCAR on WUTV via Fox. Ratings in the Buffalo market for the first two Winston Cup races...

Olympic track trials decide to bypass UB.
March 5, 2001... Buffalo's bid to host the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials in 2004 came up short recently as Sacramento was selected for a repeat performance. The California capital hosted the event last summer. The event drew record crowds although...

Olympic torch run coming through WNY.
March 5, 2001... In the "Of little consolation category"... the Olympic torch will be running through Buffalo on New Year's Eve as part of a cross-country promotional tour of former U.S. host sites leading up the 2002 Winter games in Salt Lake City. The torch...

Guidelines set for office surgery.
March 5, 2001... The state Department of Health has issued guidelines that set quality standards for surgery done in doctors' offices. The protocols and policies address invasive procedures that require sedation, and include: * Provision of anesthesia...

China trade mission opens new markets.
March 5, 2001... PBB Global Logistics, an international trade and corporate travel firm based in Buffalo, is hosting a trade mission to China in April. The trip provides area companies with entry into the Chinese market through a customized itinerary....

Reciprocal signs deal with e-book publisher.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Reciprocal Inc. has signed a partnership deal with RosettaBooks that will enable the electronic publisher to provide e-book through its Web site and other major e-book retailers. Buffalo-based Reciprocal, a leader in digital rights...

Alfred State takes part in veterinary project.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Alfred State College has been named as an accrediting body for a continuing education program of a veterinary industry magazine. The Veterinary Technician magazine has named Melvin Chambliss as head of its editorial board. Chambliss, an...

Bills uniform options won't make fans blue.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Ralph Wilson Jr. has been characterized as the "conscience of the NFL" and the "voice of reason." A throwback and a mainstay for holding on to what has made the National Football League the most powerful sports entity, while other latecomers...

Market fuels demand for temporary workers.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... A tight job market has created an increased need for temporary, manual laborers. More and more blue-collar businesses are turning to temporary agencies to solve their labor needs, something those in the industry say may be a reflection of...

Forever Elmwood chosen for program.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Forever Elmwood has been selected to participate in a national community development program that will give it access to technical assistance and financing. The community development group was chosen by the Buffalo branch of the Local...

Moog receives contract from Swedish company.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Moog Inc. of East Aurora said it has been awarded two long-term contracts with a value of about $12 million to supply dual axis gun-aiming systems to a Swedish company, Hagglunds Vehicle AB.

Brimms sells division to White Plains firm.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The owners of Brimms Inc. will shift focus to its niche products following the sale of the oral care products. business to Combe Inc., a White Plains-based competitor. The sale of Brimms involves the company's denture care, travel...

Patient privacy issues facing more scrutiny by state officials.(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Local health-care IT experts are ignoring a delay in federal deadlines governing the industry's compliance with rules to protect privacy of patient medical records. Any payer or provider who conducts business electronically has until...

WNY sports festival features local teams.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Buffalo's professional teams will be featured at the first Western New York Sports Festival, planned for March 10 and 11 at the Western New York Event Centre on Route 5 in Newstead. The Bills, Sabres, Bisons, Bandits and Destroyers, area...

Strippit/LVD.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Strippit/LVD equipped Minneapolis Cormmunity & Technical College with a CNC turret punch press and CNC hydraulic press brake for use in the college's manufacturing and applied technology programs in precision metalforming. In the next two...

Travers/Collins/Partners.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Travers/Collins/Partners was named agency of record for International Fiber Corporation. The North Tonawanda company produces fibers, powders, fillers and blended products for use in paper products, coating materials, food and pharmaceuticals....

New York State Senate.(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... State Sen. Bill Stachowski announced that the New York State Senate minority is seeking summer interns for its Albany offices. Selected college juniors can gain hands-on work experience in the Senate and broaden their understanding of the...

AdvanteXCEL Communications Corporation's.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... AdvanteXCEL Communications Corporation's FaxVertising division is handling fax marketing for Adelphia Security and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The service simultaneously distributes documents to predetermined lists of privately owned businesses...

Saperston & Day P.C.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Saperston & Day P.C. is affiliated with www.legalsurvival.com. The site includes the feature "Ask the Legal Expert," a newsletter, bookstore, legal forms, helpful links and a service to help users find lawyers in their community. It has been...

National Black MBA Association.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The Western New York chapter of the National Black MBA Association is accepting applications for three scholarships. Applicants for the National Undergraduate Scholarship, which has an April 30 deadline, must be minority students enrolled...

Gary Holland Sales Inc.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Gary Holland Sales Inc. of Lancaster was appointed representative for New York and western Pennsylvania for Hydroseal Valve Co., a manufacturer of industrial pressure relief valves and Snow Technologies, a manufacturer of ground 'snow melting...

Perfect Order Inc.(award)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Perfect Order Inc. was named the No. 1 value-added reseller for 2000 by the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal. The company, based in Mechanicsburg, Pa, and with offices in Buffalo, was recognized for reaching $51 million in revenues for...

Simpull Solutions.(launched)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Simpull Solutions officially launched the firm at the Internet World Canada Trade Show in Toronto, Ont. The firm, an. Internet business services provider, provides next generation Web-based applications and partner services. Its key. product is...

Louis P. Ciminelli Construction Co. Inc.(contract)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Louis P. Ciminelli Construction Co. Inc. was awarded the generation construction portion of the new $5.5 million state Department of Transportation Region 5 maintenance headquarters in Lockport. The project was scheduled to begin in...

Dean & Associates.(changes name)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Dean & Associates will change its name to Dean & Krull CPAs P.C. to reflect the new equity interest in the firm taken by Gary Krull. He was formerly corporate tax manager at Fisher-Price. The accounting firm is located in Amherst.

Denton Cottier & Daniels.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Denton Cottier & Daniels hosted a $175,000 Steinway Rhapsody piano in February. The nine-foot piano, which features hundreds of mother-of-pearl stars inlaid in a midnight blue cabinet, celebrates George Gershwin's first classical, symphonic...

Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The Greater Olean Chamber of Commerce is soliciting exhibitors for its Home and Garden Show,' March 10 through April 1, at the William O. Smith Recreation Center. More than 80 exhibitors have already signed on for the event, themed "Come see...

Hatch-Leonard/Markin-Shaw Inc. and the Joseph J. Naples Cos.(Hatch Leonard Naples Inc.)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Hatch-Leonard/Markin-Shaw Inc. and the Joseph J. Naples Cos. are now known as Hatch Leonard Naples Inc. The name follows a merger between the two companies, which employ more 115 insurance professionals at offices in Buffalo, Rochester,...

Paragon Advertising.(contract)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Paragon Advertising was retained by the Ambassador Niagara Signature Bridge Project as part of the effort by Detroit and Windsor, Ont.-based Ambassador Bridge Group to build a signature bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie, Ont. The firm will...

Hiscock & Barclay LLP.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Hiscock & Barclay LLP was retained as legal counsel by the Ambassador Niagara Signature Bridge Project as part of the effort by Detroit and Windsor, Ont.-based Ambassador Bridge Group to build a signature bridge between Buffalo and Fort Erie,...

Lake Shore Hospital.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Lake Shore Hospital earned accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. Accreditation demonstrates that a health care facility has met the standards set forth by the association to provide...

Balzers Inc.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Balzers Inc. has released an updated tooling application folder, including the latest coating selection guide for cutting tools. The company is a global leader in thin film coat-. ing services and technology. The folder also includes a complete...

NFIB relaunches site as small business portal.(National Federation of Independent Business)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... * WASHINGTON BRIEFS The nation's leading small business advocacy group is beefing up its Web site in hopes of becoming one of the Internet's leading small business portals. The National Federation of Independent Business launched its...

New Markets capital rules delayed, but not deadline.(SBA Administrator Fred Hochberg)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Acting SBA Administrator Fred Hochberg says the Bush administration's moratorium on new regulations should not have "any material effect" on the New Markets Venture Capital program, even though the program's rules now will not go into effect...

Plugging in the power.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Jamestown lures businesses by cutting down on utility bills Access to cheap power can be a boon for businesses and municipalities alike. Lower utility bills for big users helps contribute to a competitive market while serving as an...

Energy keeps lawyer's career on front burner.(Dennis Holbrook)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... * SPECIAL REPORT FIRST PERSON Energy has always been a motivational factor in Dennis Holbrook's life. For instance, he has more than 20 years' experience specializing in energy and administrative law. He was vice president of National...

Brownfield redevelopment grows with regionalism.(The University at Buffalo's Brownfield Action Project)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Brownfield redevelopment in Western New York involves a lot more than just a "cap and fence" approach. The issue of revitalizing contaminated sites takes a collaborative effort. The University at Buffalo's Brownfield Action Project is one...

Environmental audits now common in deals.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Over the years, business people and developers have become more and more sensitized to the need to perform environmental assessments in the context of both corporate and real estate transactions. Environmental assessments have, particularly in...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.
March 5, 2001... 40 Under Forty winners on the move Business First annually honors 40 Western New Yorkers younger than 40 for their records of professional success and community involvement. This former 40 Under Forty honoree is in the news this week: ...

MORTGAGE RATES.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... * MORTGAGE RATES Conventional Fixed Adjustable Lender (phone) 30 yr. 15 yr. 1 yr. American Home Loans Orch. Pk. (667-3733) 7.00 ...

NEW YORK METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (FEBRUARY).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... * NEW YORK METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (FEBRUARY) Albany-Schenectady-Troy ** Binghamton *** Buffalo-Niagara Falls * Elmira ...

MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... * MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS MM 6 mos. 12 mos. 24 mos. 48 mos. Cattaraugus County Bank 2.45-2.48 4.40-4.50 4.65-4.76 4.70-4.81 4.75-4.86 Charter One Bank ...

John R. Oishei Foundation.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... The John R. Oishei Foundation has granted Buffalo Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) $200,000 toward general programming. The funding wilt provide direct benefits to local community development corporations in the form of training,...

Gateway Longview Foundation.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... The Gateway Longview Foundation has received seven grants to help fund renovations at the agency's Niagara Day Care Center. The combined financial donation is $179,500.

'NSYNC.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... The band 'NSYNC has donated $25,000 to the children of Camp Good Days and Special Times Inc. During a tour last summer the group met with 13 campers between the ages of 7 and 14.

Buffalo Museum of Science.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 5, 2001... The Buffalo Museum of Science has received a $2,500 grant from Bethlehem Steel's Burns Harbor Lackawanna Galvanized Products Division through the Bethlehem Steel Foundation.

Why rice pudding? It's all Greek to writer.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... I'm still looking for the answer to a question that has been perplexing me for years. It's not a very profound matter, true, but it has remained on my list of unanswered questions for much too long. The issue is this: Why does every Greek...

NBA is not Buffalo's game.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball championships dribble into town this weekend. And while the event doesn't rival the biggest conventions the city will draw this year, the MAAC event provides some good exposure for Buffalo. ...

Legislator registers a 'thumbs down'.
March 5, 2001... While respectful criticism is welcome and accepted, your recent "Thumbs down" article was inappropriate, inaccurate and unprofessional. Erie County as a contributing sponsor to Erie Community College monitors the school through the...

Custom Built in Western New York.(homes by Forbes)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Forbes Homes: Capturing Distinguished Elegance For more than 20 years, Forbes has been building quality homes in many communities throughout Western New York. Forbes builds homes in all price ranges, with homes starting at approximately...

Building trends reflect Internet and energy.(home offices, standard in many new homes)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Soaring energy costs, the burgeoning popularity of the Internet and the Increase In telecommuting have combined to change the amenities and Infrastructure built into new homes today. With about 100 million American workers - well over half...

Buying a home can create a better tax situation.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Buying a new home is one of the smartest purchases you can ever make. One reason is that homeownership has many positive tax implications. Because of changes to the tax code passed in 1997, these tax implications are much more favorable...

Try some finishing touches to a new bath.(tips on bathroom decoration)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... When it comes to bathrooms, home-owners are far more interested in expressing their individually and sense of style than they are in following current design or decorating trends, according to a study released earlier this year by Architectual...

Add an entertainment prep area to the kitchen.(kitchens of new homes)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... As Americans rediscover the art of entertaining, they are opting for not only larger, open kitchens with Integrated dining areas but also for spaces specifically designed for party and entertainment preparation. Make way for the butler's...

Terms you should know when buying a home.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Adjustable rate mortgage (ARM): A mortgage that allows the interest rate to be changed periodically. Amortization: The gradual repayment of mortgage by periodic installments. Annual percentage rate (APR): The total finance charge...

Choose a dream home and start a new process.(process of buying a home)(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... On the seemingly endless, frequently winding road to buying or selling a house, the ultimate destination is settlement day. Settlement, or closing, is the act of transferring ownership of a property from seller to buyer In accordance with a...

When landscaping, keep design simple.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICE It's spring and you're all pumped up to get outdoors and start digging that new garden you dreamed about all winter. Hopefully you spent earlier days indoors doing more than just dreaming about your garden's new...

Now that you have the house, think decorating.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... Evie and Hank Laugenberg's hopes and dreams came true last year when they built a house near McHenry, Ill. The 2,700-square foot, two-story, three-bedroom home had everything they always wanted. Almost. The Laugenbergs moved into their...

Shutters add detail to window treatments.(Brief Article)
March 5, 2001... The mini-blind is so over. Ditto for verticals. Forget puddled drapes and reams of swags and jabots. The window covering that seems to be on everyone's wish list these days Is the old-fashioned plantation shutter. Blame it on plenty of...