Business First of Buffalo articles from May 2001

Business First of Buffalo archives from May 2001

Auto industry slump pinches engine plant.(General Motors Corp. plant layoffs, Tonawanda, New York)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Suddenly, just when it seemed that employment at the area's biggest automotive suppliers had stabilized, more temporary layoffs are in the offing at one major plant. Beginning May 7, 1,050 hourly workers will be furloughed for one week at...

Market standard.(Tops International supermarket chain)(Company Profile)
May 7, 2001... Tops remains supermarket industry trendsetter Karen Benden doesn't care about supermarket shopping trends. The Town of Tonawanda housewife is looking for convenience and one-stop shopping when she goes to the market. She has found...

Tech center sees growth generated by medical goods production.(Center for Advanced Technology)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... If the Center for Advanced Technology is a success this time, health care leaders say it's because Buffalo's medical products industry has grown up in the 10 years since the last center closed. Gov. George Pataki last week announced $1...

Marketing of 'Baby' Joe gains speed.(heavyweight boxer)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Undefeated heavyweight boxer "Baby" Joe Mesi's victory over Jorge Luis Gonzalez April 28 at the Niagara Falls Convention & Civic Center has the boxer and the fight promoter primed for an even bigger payday later this summer. Paid...

Fifth Coast 5th Coast.
May 7, 2001... Thumbs up to Beverly Gray for at least hinting she'll challenge entrenched Buffalo Mayor Tony Masiello. Let's be real here, she'll get trounced. But at least the process is providing a forum to ask questions about the mayor's seven years in...

On the Street.
May 7, 2001... On the Street Sabres edition Subject Word on the street Playoffs [Uparrow] By the time you read this we'll know if the Sabres are on the brink ...

Health insurers get 'fair' grades.(financial safety of Independent Health, Univera Healthcare)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Two of Western New York's health insurers have hung on to their "fair" grades for financial safety given by a national rating agency. Independent Health and Univera Healthcare continue to be rated C- and C+ respectively during the third...

Soaring gas prices not likely to go away.(in Western New York)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... Could this be the year the average pump price for regular gas in Western New York tops off at over $2 a gallon? Possibly, if prices keep rising as expected, says AAA of Western and Central New York. But Carolyn Harding, manager of...

CVB on verge of contract deal with Geiger.(Greater Buffalo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Richard Geiger)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau is close to extending the contract of president Richard Geiger for another three years. Jon Dandes, CVB chairman, and Geiger confirmed that contract talks are nearly finalized. "It's...

Medical campus supports development.(Buffalo Niagra Medical Campus)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The University at Buffalo, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Kaleida Health, Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute and the Buffalo Medical Group Foundation have formed the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, a partnership to develop a...

Forest Lawn to operate Williamsville cemetery.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery will resume control of the Williamsville Cemetery, according to Fred Whaley Jr., president of Forest Lawn, and Frederick Wood, president of Williamsville Cemetery Association. "After considering options over...

City of Tonawanda to get new post office.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The U.S. Postal Service is moving ahead with plans for a new post office in the City of Tonawanda. The postal service has bought for $267,000 almost one acre on Seymour Street, where it hopes to construct the post office later this year....

Lamar Advertising to open new offices.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Lamar Outdoor Advertising will officially open new, 18,000-square-foot offices and production center June 7. Several local dignitaries along with Kevin Reilly Jr., Lamar's chief executive officer, will be on hand for the grand opening. ...

Clarifications & amplifications.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
May 7, 2001... A photo of Molly Shea of Eric Mower and Associates was misidentified in the People on the Move section. of the April 30 issue. The announcement and photo appear correctly in this issue.

Legal saga continues for Main St. building.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The on-going legal saga concerning the fate of a major downtown Buffalo office building took a few more twists last week. In one courtroom, Erie County Judge Timothy Drury removed the court-appointed receiver for the Main Court Building,...

2-year colleges tackle student housing dilemma.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Western New York's community colleges are bucking the commuter student stereotype by offering housing services for students. Although a state law prohibits New York's community colleges from acquiring or operating student housing, Genesee...

Latest PSC standards could fuel competition.(Public Service Commission)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The New York State Public Service Commission has approved an initial set of standards governing the electronic exchange of routine business information and data among electricity and natural gas service providers.. Local utilities will...

Financial Institutions acquires Bath National Corp.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Financial Institutions Inc. has completed its purchase of Bath National Corp. The acquisition gives the Warsaw-based banking company $175 million in deposits, making it the market leader in Steuben County, Peter Humphrey, president and...

UB management school focuses on 'high tech'.(University at Buffalo)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The University at Buffalo School of Management will offer a four-day, three-credit course on starting a high-tech business as part of its CEO-MBA series. The course, which will also be offered to business community members on a non-credit...

Wright-designed Graycliff gets boost from state.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The ongoing efforts to restore the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Graycliff estate in Derby received a major boost from New York state. Gov. George Pataki has allocated $82,138 in a matching grant that will help the Graycliff Conservancy...

Niagara U accredited by international agency.(International Association for Management Education)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Niagara University's business school has received accreditation by the International Association for Management Education, joining 400 institutions worldwide. The St. Louis-based association is considered the premier accrediting agency for...

Oishei Foundation awards 17 scholarships.(John R. Oshei Foundation)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... For the fourth year, 17 students received full four-year tuition scholarships to private schools in the Buffalo area from the John R. Oishei Foundation. The foundation commitment, estimated at $100,000 will allow the eighth-grade students...

Univera awarded grant for smoking programs.(Univera Healthcare )(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Univera Healthcare has been awarded a $25,000 grant to develop smoking cessation programs for its members with asthma, diabetes and coronary artery disease and other chronic illness effected by tobacco. The Alliance of Community Health...

Romoff sees WNY trade potential.(Western New York)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Mark Romoff is not afraid to tell you what he thinks. The consul general for the Canadian Consulate believes firmly in free trade and says business in Western New York "moves beyond borders" in a way that is effective and beneficial to...

Gus Macker tournament moves to City Hall location.
May 7, 2001... * SPORTS BUSINESS NOTES The annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament is relocating to a new spot in downtown Buffalo. The event, scheduled for the weekend of June 23-24, will be held in Niagara Square on Delaware Avenue near City...

Applications are ready for Porter Cup auditions.(Niagara Falls Country Club)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Applications are now being accepted for the Porter Cup Qualifying Tournament to be held July 9 at Niagara Falls Country Club, site of the annual amateur golf event. The qualifying tournament is open to the first 80 applicants with a...

Fort Erie Race Track gets Canadian TV slot.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Fort Erie Race Track, which opened its thoroughbred horse racing season April 29, will be seen coast-to-coast in Canada on weekends. Headline Media Group, which carried a number of races from Fort Erie last year, has agreed to broadcast races...

Golf Channel event to visit Niagara Falls.
May 7, 2001... The Adelphia Sports Complex and Hyde Park Golf Course will welcome The Golf Channel's "Drive, Chip & Putt Jr. Golf Skills Competition," from 4 to 7 p.m. May 31. Niagara Falls is one of 100 selected cities in the United States and Canada. ...

Lending partnership may help WNY homeowners.(CitiMortgage Inc. and Fannie Mae partnership)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... CitiMortgage Inc. and Fannie Mae have formed a partnership which they say will benefit hundreds of low- and moderate-income households in Erie and Niagara counties. The partnership will provide $200 million in affordable mortgage lending...

Free trade agreement opens global markets.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Companies don't become global overnight. The decision to enter a foreign market comes after years of development and patience. Such is the case for any Western New York business looking to take advantage of the Free Trade Area of the...

Western Division CU seeks new members.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Rapidly-growing Western Division Credit Union is applying to the state banking department for authorization to open membership to 10 more employee groups in Erie and Chautauqua counties. They are: Joseph Davis Inc., Kupphut & Neumann Co.,...

Amherst OKs package for ceramics producer.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Faced with the prospect of losing a ceramics industry manufacturer to an offshore location, the Amherst Industrial Development Agency approved an incentive package that will ensure the company's area presence. The Amherst IDA directors,...

Recra makes Chapter 11 filing.(Recra Environmental Inc. files for bankruptcy protection)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Recra Environmental Inc., which just four years ago was the region's fifth-largest environmental company, has filed for bankruptcy protection. According to bankruptcy court documents, Recra listed liabilities of $2.364 million and assets...

Bush would open jobs to private sector bids.(Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act)(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The Bush administration wants to allow businesses to compete for a variety of services now provided by more than 400,000 federal employees. "We're serious about it," says Mitch Daniels, director of the Office of Management and Budget. ...

Brownfields reform bill sails through Senate.(National Association of Home Builders )(Government Activity)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The Senate approved brownfields reform legislation by a 99-0 vote; pleasing everyone from the real estate industry to the nation's mayors. The bill provides local governments with $150 million a year for the next five years to help clean...

FTC endorses legislation to restrict junk e-mail.(Federal Trade Commission)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The Federal Trade Commission endorsed legislation to allow consumers to opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial e-mail and impose penalties on businesses that ignore their wishes. Under a bill introduced by Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont.,...

Chamber biggest spender among lobbying groups.(U.S. Chamber of Commerce)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent $9.66 million lobbying the federal government during the first six months of 2000, beating out the American Medical Association for the No.1 ranking on Political Money Line's list of big-spending lobbying...

Architects push Albany agenda.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Mr. Meier went to Albany. In what has become an annual ritual, statewide representatives from the American Institute of Architects were to go to Albany in early May to meet with various lawmakers on a wide array of issues impacting their...

A change of address.(Dana Lews and Deb Ceglia move to Hunt Real Estate Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Two prominent residential real estate brokers, Deb Ceglia and Dana Lewis, have jumped from Stavroff Realty, to Hunt Real Estate Corp. Ceglia and Lewis, both of whom focused on the Clarence and Amherst markets, worked out of Stovroff's Maple...

Ouch!!!!(property taxes)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... Just in case the average Western NewYorker hasn't already figured it out, Runzheimer International has released a study that shows that Buffalo homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation. Like we didn't already know...

No. 3.(Tops Markets Inc opens new Taps Xpress)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... As promised, Tops Markets Inc. has opened its third Taps Xpress location. The newest Tops Xpress, a combination gas station and convenience store, opened on Route 60 in Fredonia on April 25. This follows others Tops Xpress that have opened...

ABC Companies venture offers cash outsourcing.(launches Amega Group)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... ABC Companies has launched a venture called Amega Group. Amega will provide credit to cash outsourcing and technology driven management support for credit interchange groups. Founded in Buffalo as the American Bureau of Collections in...

Williams sets a new tone for Bills players.(Buffalo Bills)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Change is good," noted a Bills' official as players went through their scripted and closely-monitored routines during the recent mini-camp at the Orchard Park fieldhouse. For more than a decade we've been indoctrinated on the laid-back...

Used office furniture finds a market niche.(in Buffalo, New York)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Old, used office furniture is finding a new life through the secondary sales market, providing some Buffalo area furniture dealers with a steady source of income. With few exceptions, most of the region's office furniture companies look to...

Corporate sponsors rounded up for Thursday in the Square series.
May 7, 2001... It's a given that Buffalo Place's "Thursday at the Square" concert series is a popular summertime event. After all, statistics show the 15-week, free concert series routinely attracts more than 200,000 people to Lafayette Square and the...

Olean Medical Group ends PhyCor contract.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Stressing that patients will not be affected in any way, Olean Medical Group officials said they have closed on a deal that allows them to buy out a management service contract with PhyCor of Olean Inc. As part of the deal, Olean Medical...

Sabre defender going to the dogs.(Richard Smehlik to open Amherst Boarding Kennel with others)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Richard Smehlik is going to the dogs -- literally. Smehlik is part of a team that wants to open a kennel and boarding center on Millersport Highway in Amherst. The kennel will be available for both dogs and cats....

Office furniture companies.(in New York)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... Office furniture companies Ranked by square footage of office furniture sales space. Phone ...

Wireless carriers extend access.(Sprint PCS)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Sprint PCS is the first wireless carrier to use technology that will accommodate huge amounts of data, streaming video and high-speed Internet access. Eventually, this new technology, known as 3G, will enable businesses to wirelessly...

The game of life.(ee-plan, insurance concern)
May 7, 2001... Former football coach turned to insurance to augment paycheck From football coach to founder of a Web-based company that manages employee benefits plans probably isn't your typical career path. But today, what is typical? Marc...

Insurance companies thinking over policies.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... In today's tech-centered marketplace, businesses need to protect their intangible holdings -- their intellectual property -- carefully as they do their computers, machinery, buildings and real estate. "I think that intellectual property...

Insurance 101: Students still need coverage.
May 7, 2001... Even before they pick a major, buy a textbook or find a roommate, college students should be considering how they'll be covered by health insurance while in the hallowed halls. Most college students -- 83 percent -- have health insurance,...

Stock options work at dot-coms.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... In the 1990s, company stock options were frequently viewed as a great way to attract and/or retain talented people without paying huge salaries and to let employees make substantial amounts of money at low tax rates. "Options have been a...

Insurance company ratings guide consumers.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... How can we know if the insurance company is able to keep its promises? After all, we buy insurance for security. Insurance is not a tool to make you rich; it is a tool to keep you from going broke. We rely on the financial stability of the...

You can make the IRS work for your firm.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... If you are an entrepreneur, someone with an interest in a company, or an executive involved with the financial management of a small company, you may think you are home free until next year now that you've filed 2000 taxes. But awareness of new...

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS.(of Buffalo residents)
May 7, 2001... St. Bonaventure University honored several employees for long-term service. Honored for 25 years' service were: Diana Calhoun of Olean, campus security officer in the office of security services; Arthur Clemons of Olean, a groundskeeper and...

MORTGAGE RATES.(in the Buffalo, NY, area)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... MORTGAGE RATES Conventional Fixed Adjustable Lender 30 yr. 15 yr. 1 yr. (phone) Alexis Funding 7.13 ...

GREAT LAKES METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (APRIL).(US Great Lakes' metropolitan areas rated on economic factors)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... GREAT LAKES METROS ECONOMIC RATINGS (APRIL) Buffalo-Niagara Falls ** Chicago-Gary-Kenosha: Illinois, *** Indiana and Wisconsin Cleveland-Akron, Ohio ***...

MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS.(from banks in the Buffalo, NY, area)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... MONEY MARKET AND CD RATES-YIELDS MM 6 mos. 12 mos. 24 mos. Cattaraugus County Bank 2.45-2.48 3.75-3.82 3.95-4.03 4.10-4.19 Charter One Bank 1.49-1.50 3.93-4.00...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.
May 7, 2001... People Inc. announced several recent appointments: Jeffery Bridenbaker of Grand Island, previously director of community support services at Heritage Centers, was named director of the individualized residential alternative and apartment...

American Steamship Company.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... American Steamship Company through its community partnership program, recently awarded Junior Achievement of WNY Inc. a grant of $11,200 to provide the JA Success Skills program to over 400 students in 16 classrooms at Buffalo Alternative,...

Niagara Catholic Junior/Senior High School.
May 7, 2001... Niagara Catholic Junior/Senior High School has been awarded a $13,000 grant from the Koch Foundation Inc. to support a campus ministry program at the school. The Koch Foundation is located in Gainesville, Fla.

J-FIRE (Juvenile Fire Intervention Response & Education) of WHY Inc.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... J-FIRE (Juvenile Fire Intervention Response & Education) of WHY Inc. has received a $1,500 "Quality of Life" grant from Erie County Legislator Raymond Dusza.

Hilbert College.(receives grant from Teagle Foundation)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
May 7, 2001... Hilbert College has received a $335,000 three-year grant from Teagle Foundation to bolster the college's institutional advancement efforts. It is the largest funding source ever specifically marked for that core area.

Big fish face rising tide of regional government.(Erie County, New York)(Brief Article)(Column)
May 7, 2001... One of the remarkable yet unheralded aspects of life in the Buffalo area is the abundance of big fish. Yes, really big fish, and they've all been swimming in various small ponds for at least half a century; and that's the basis for many of the...

Small business due for tax breaks.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Kent Hoover, who covers Washington for Business First and the 39 other papers owned by American City Business Journals, quotes President Bush as saying: "For small businesses, tax relief means more customers and improved cash flow, more...

Don't wait to live for the moment.(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... He showed up at the door of the charitable foundation on a Monday morning, not knowing quite what to offer but knowing what he needed. After more than 20 years working 12-hour days for Intel, he was financially set. But at the age of 52,...

Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council.
May 7, 2001... Thank-you Pathfinder Recipients! On behalf of the Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council (NFIEC), we want to extend our appreciation for the work, effort and dedication which you have shown to the youth of Western New York. It has...

Independent Health.(congratulates Pathfinder Award recipients)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Someday, we will all look back on our lives and think about the people who made a difference for us by imparting some wisdom or ethic that helped form the principles that shaped who we are. Maybe it was a leader in a youth group in which we...

Business First.(Pathfinder Awards)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Self esteem. Role models. School-to-work transition. Business experience. Those are the phrases that appear continually throughout our Business First special publication. These phrases are used by the people who make a difference in the...

2001 RECIPIENTS.
May 7, 2001... Catherine Battaglia Principal City Honors High School Student impact: Developed Saturday College for Kids with Batavia City School District and Genesee Community College, charter member of WNY Holmes Partnership, an alliance...

Junior Achievement.(congratulates Pathfinder Award recipients)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... "There are two paths you can choose but in the long run, there's still time to change the road you're on." More than two decades later, those words still ring true. After all, Buffalo wasn't named the No. 1 city with heart in the entire...

Buffalo Alliance for Education.(congratulates Pathfinder Award recipients)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... The Buffalo Alliance for Education is happy to extend sincere congratulations to the 2001 Pathfinders award winners. This year's winners have made a significant difference in the lives of our community's students. The Buffalo Alliance for...

Six years OF PATH FINDERS.(Pathfinder Awards)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
May 7, 2001... * 1995 Pathfinders Andersen, Harold Anelli, Michael Balen, Mark Banks, Jerry Banner, Alicia Barrett, Lisa Bauda, Shari Bendes, Lea Benjamin, Catherine Benson, Mike Benz, Sharon Blundell,...

Staroba Plastic and Metal Products of New York Inc.(honored by James Savings Bank)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... James Savings Bank. honors Staroba Plastic and Metal Products of New York Inc 1951 Hamburg Turnpike, Lackawanna Miro Staroba president/general manager Miro Staroba moved his company from Canada to Buffalo two decades ago,...

Kohler Awning Inc.(honored by Key Bank)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Key Bank honors Kohler Awning Inc. Martin Kohler, president Somewhere in New York or Pennsylvania this summer, a homeowner will keep cool with Splash-Spun Coral, Chocolate Chip Fancy Hemlock TWeed or Burgundy Elite. ...

The Medical Connection.(honored by Greater Buffalo Savings Bank)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Greater Buffalo Savings Bank honors The Medical Connection Sandi Lee Butera, owner Western New York's flourishing health-care industry provided an opportunity for Sandi Lee Butera to fulfil a lifelong dream of starting a...

Cataract Steel Industries.(joint venture with German company Funke)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... M&T Bank honors Cataract Steel Industries Thomas Costanzo, president The big news this spring at Cataract Steel Industries is a joint venture with a German company that is expected to push up sales while enhancing the area...

D.V. Brown & Associates Inc.(Donald Brown Sr, Donald Brown Jr.)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... M&T Bank honors D.V. Brown & Associates Inc. Donald Brown Sr., chairman/CEO Donald Brown Jr., president In just nine years, D.V. Brown & Associates Inc. has become a power player in the Western New York economy, employing...

L.J. Hutchins Automotive Supply Co. Inc.(honored by Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce honors L.J. Hutchins Automotive Supply Co. Inc. John Hutchins, president A gung-ho work force and "raving-fan" customers are the goals as John Hutchins builds his auto parts business into...

Butterwood Desserts.(Carolyn and William Panzica)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... Evans National Bank honors Butterwood Desserts Carolyn and William Panzica, owners When Butterwood Desserts opened an 1800s-style retail outlet offering delectable upscale desserts and coffee in tiny West Falls last summer,...

Kang Inc.(Sukhwinder Kang opens new Super 8 Motel)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... CIT Small Business Lending honors Kang Inc. Sukhwinder Kang, president Niagara Falls has a brand-new Super 8 Motel opening this spring, thanks to local businessman Sukhwinder Kang. He demolished a small motel and...

James Spano.(honored for service by Small Business Administration)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... U.S. Small Business administration honors James Spano Buffalo Office Interiors Inc. James Spano, president of Buffalo Office Interiors Inc., will receive the U.S. Small Business Administration's district director's special...

Ideal Lanes.(David and Mary Grace Williamson)(Brief Article)
May 7, 2001... First Niagara bank honors Ideal Lanes David Williamson, president; Mary Grace Williamson, vice president It's all strikes for a local couple in their 15th season of operating a Buffalo bowling center that continues to be...