Business First of Buffalo articles from September 2000

Business First of Buffalo archives from September 2000

Ciminelli to buy Lafayette Court.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Lafayette Court, a downtown building that was once headed for a foreclosure sale, has been sold to the area development team that has been managing the Main Street property for the past four years. Ciminelli Development Co. Inc. is in the...

Area banks may be looking east.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Four banks in the Capital District are competing to see which ones, if any, can merge or buy one or more of the others. Confusing enough, but now comes speculation that M&T Bank and First Niagara Bank may be preparing to join the fray at...

UB students find themselves puzzled.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... A Buffalo firm is to blame for puzzling hundreds of students and faculty at the University at Buffalo. Both the company and the university couldn't be happier about it. REN Design Inc., commonly known as Render created a giant...

State set to offer health plan.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Small businesses without health insurance coverage for employees will have a scaled-back, low-cost managed care plan to offer their work forces come Jan. 1, 2001. The Healthy New York plan, part of the state's Health Care Reform Act passed...

5th Coast.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Thumbs up ... to the Burchfield-Penney Art Center for working to make artist Charles Burchfield's journals available to scholars and the public. Kudos must also go to the Charles E. Burchfield Foundation for donating 62 of the late artist's...

Leading in the polls.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The results are in and once again St. Bonaventure University and the University at Buffalo are among the nation's leaders. In a completely unscientific and somewhat suspicious survey of college students, Bona finished first in political...

Museum of Science receives botany grant.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Buffalo Museum of Science has received a $175,183 grant to support its botany division from the Biotic Surveys and Inventories section of the National Science Foundation. The funds will support the museum's Flora of North America...

Pavilion bank gets OK to add more services.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Pavilion State Bank, one of four banks run by Warsaw-based Financial Institutions Inc., has been granted a trust charter by state and federal regulators. The charter permits the Pavilion bank to immediately begin offering a full line...

Pain rehab center moved to hospital.(DeGraff Memorial Hospital)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Kaleida Health has moved the Pain Rehab of Western New York office from Amherst to the DeGraff Memorial Hospital in North Tonawanda. The rehab center provides evaluation and treatment of chronic pain, defined as pain that lasts more than...

Riverfront Medical adds a new clinic.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Riverfront Medical Services P.C. has added a Sullivan County clinic, bringing the number of locations in the state to 33. It specializes in occupational health services, independent medical evaluations and functional capacity evaluations....

IT firms band together for funds.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Area information technology companies are working together to bring federal training funds to the area through a special program. Members of Info Tech Niagara are working with the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board to apply...

CVB going for the gold.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... While Buffalo is saddled with what planners say is an obsolete convention center, the region's athletic venues are helping the area get some of the top amateur events. The latest example is the U.S. Track & Field Junior Olympics, which...

Thursday concert series feeds economic success.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Even though their musical line-up this summer included the likes of Robert Cray and George Thorogood, Buffalo Place Inc. was not singing the blues when it comes to "Thursday at the Square" concert series. Through the end of July, Buffalo...

Top nonprofit execs getting less money.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Salaries for top officials at nonprofit organizations in Western New York dropped slightly in the last two years, according to a new survey by the accounting firm of Lumsden & McCormick LLP. The firm, which serves many area agencies through...

Lacrosse league boss is stepping down to own team.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... More change is coming to the Buffalo-headquartered National Lacrosse League and nowhere is that more evident than at the top. After three years as commissioner of the indoor lacrosse circuit, John Livsey is stepping down to become...

Western credit union pursues growth strategy.(Western Division Credit Union)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Western Division Credit Union, one of Western New York's largest credit unions, has for six years also been one the fastest growing. The Williamsville state-chartered credit union stopped actively soliciting new members one year ago, says...

New director joins Niagara Hospice.(John Lomeo)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The new executive director of Niagara Hospice comes to the organization with 15 years of experience in long-term and end-of-life care. John Lomeo began his new job Aug. 28 with more than a passing familiarity of the Niagara County agency....

Real estate brokers hail demise of transfer tax.(Erie County, NY, Real Estate Transfer Tax)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Erie County Real Estate Transfer Tax the decade-old bane of the real estate and home building industries, is on the verge of seeing its final days. Led by pushes from the Greater Buffalo Association of Realtors, the Niagara Frontier...

St. Paul's buys neighboring building.(St. Paul's Cathedral of Buffalo)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... St. Paul's Cathedral faced with a long-term office space shortage, has bought a neighboring downtown building. The church, a Buffalo and national historic landmark, has acquired a five-story 11,000-square-foot building from Myron Hunt Inc....

BryLin suitor has links to mental health group.(Arbor Group)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... A partnership of mental health services providers with links to psychiatric hospitals across New York and in Washington D.C. has shown interest in Buffalo's Hospitals. The partnership, the Arbor Group, is a joint venture of individuals...

China attracts WNY manufacturers.(Western New York)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The cities of Buffalo and Liaocheng, China have a lot in common. Both are on the rebound, trying to spur economic development. Liaocheng's factories are being revitalized along with its waterfront and an area manufacturer hopes to cash...

Sabres hitting the road for 2000 training camp.(Buffalo Sabres plan to train in Ontario and in South Carolina)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Sabres are taking their upcoming training camp outside the Buffalo area, but it's not being done in quite the same marketing fashion as the Bills. The Bills moved their summer training quarters to St. John Fisher College in Rochester,...

State academic agency debuts its new Web site.(New York Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The New York state Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR) has opened its Web site at www.nystar.state.ny.us The site provides key information about NYSTAR's programs and high-tech assets and opportunities in New York....

Cancer support group seeks residential site.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... More than 30 sites around Buffalo have been considered as home for a support dub for people with cancer and their families. Board members of Gilda's Club WNY have been searching for a piece of real estate between 4,000 and 7,000 square feet...

Falls CVB bids for bowlers.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Niagara Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau is making a pitch for what could be one of the largest conventions ever hosted in the city. The Niagara Falls CVB is one of several cities vying for the 2006 American Bowling Congress event....

Wolf Group continues search for office space.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Some six months after it first started looking for new office space, The Wolf Group is still out knocking an doors. The search, however, is coming to some form of closure. Tom Bolling, president of the Buffalo advertising agency, said...

Osaka Sushi Bar and Grille.(said to be planning second Buffalo, NY, location)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Want more proof about the viability of the Chippewa Street area? How about this, look for Osaka Sushi Bar and Grille to open a second location there. Osaka has a strong following at its Main Street store and is negotiating to lease the...

Mobil/Exxon.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Speaking of pending deals, the buzz is that a new Mobil/Exxon gas station-convenience store-car wash is in the works for the corner of Transit and County roads in Clarence. Mobil is close to buying a three-acre parcel that currently houses...

BJ's Wholesale Club.(rumored to be looking for new store site around Transit Road, Buffalo, NY)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Another bit of street buzz has BJ's Wholesale Club sniffing around the Transit Road area near Eastern Hills Mall and Transitown Plaza for another Western New York site. No deals have been set, but the deep discount retailer has been...

Buffalo Wild Wings.(opens second restaurant in Western New York)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Buffalo Wild Wings, the chain that has entered the birthplace of the Chicken Wing, has just opened its second Western New York site. The restaurant chain opened in the Delaware Consumer Square plaza last week.

Microtel Inn & Suites.(begins construction on new hotel in Springville, NY)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Construction began last week on a Microtel Inn & Suites in Springville. The 60-room hotel is being developed by Indus Hospitality LLC. The hotel is expected to open later this winter. It will be the 12th Microtel in upstate New York.

Jamestown foundations find smooth skating.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... When $15 million worth of bonds hit Wall Street last week covering the costs of a new Jamestown ice rink, it capped a complex financing deal that was anything but an empty-net goal. The transaction brought together one of the nation's top...

UB seeks participants for study of memory.(University of Buffalo)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The University at Buffalo is looking for participants between the ages of 45 and 80 to take part in a study designed to assess memory and other cognitive functions. Participants will be required to complete a number of written tests. Pay...

Consumer Price Index reduces inflation fears.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2000... The inflation report released by the government in August should calm fears kindled by last month's report. The Consumer Price Index edged up 0.2 percent in July, according to figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It...

WNY job prospects look favorable, according to employment experts.(Western New York)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Better job prospects are in line for the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area this fall according to an employment outlook survey by Manpower Inc. The global provider of workforce management services' report says hiring seems most likely in...

Amherst adult services moves, expands hours.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Amherst Adult Day Services has moved to the Amherst Center of Senior Citizens and expanded hours of operation. The service of kaleida Health Home Care and the Town of Amherst Senior Services provides chronically ill and impaired adults...

Revamped Bills look for winning combination.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Here we go again. The end of summer (at least as we know it) translates to the start of football season. With preseason finally expired it's time to get down to business, and for us that means another go round of forecasting how the Buffalo...

Kaleida unions say they'll keep talking.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Kaleida Health and its unions have agreed to extend contract talks by a month as they negotiate the first joint contract that combines 7,000 members in 17 bargaining units. Both sides said progress has been made on noneconomic issues but...

Merger adds to Noco's presence in Niagara.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Noco Energy Corp. continued to strengthen its market share in Niagara County by merging with Eckler Fuels of Wilson. The move is the second Noco investment in Niagara County in the last five months. Noco acquired Schrack Oil in April,...

Online utility shoppers find new power sources.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Finding the best value for electricity in the state is a click of the mouse away. PowerGasSmart.com is the first Internet site dedicated to helping companies in New York state find the best price for electricity. While most online...

Study: Ergonomics rule to cost $91 billion a year.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... A new study by the Employment Policy Foundation estimates OSHA's proposed ergonomics standard will cost American businesses $91 billion a year over the next 10 years, not the $42 billion that the agency predicts. The foundation based its...

Ads escalate battle over HMO reform.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The battle over managed care reform was waged in the heartland during Congress August recess. During the week before Labor Day, the American Medical Association stepped up its grass roots "National House Call" public relations and...

Patent office fees going up Oct. 1.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2000... The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will raise patent fees Oct. 1 by 2.68 percent, the current rate of inflation. The increase is the first for the patent office since 1997. It reduced fees in 1998 and 1999 to better reflect the cost of...

OSHA is finalist for Ford award.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is one of 25 finalists fort the Innovations in American Government Award, a program sponsored by the Ford Foundation and administered by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. ...

When Information is everything.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... West Seneca company provides a smorgasbord of business services Promptpay, Inc. What's up: Promptpay, Inc. is a full service information processing firm located in West Seneca. The company provides service in areas such as payroll.,...

Options grow for linking networks.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... It may be that e-business is the wave of the future, hut using the old-fashioned U phone is still smack-dab in the present. Trouble is, with so much Internet dependency, most businesses must support and maintain both a phone network and an...

Occupational Safety & Environmental Assoc. Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Occupational Safety & Environmental Assoc. Inc. updated its Web site. The site now includes a regulatory compliance question-and-answer feature, a page enabling customers to register online for safety training courses and a listing of Small...

Key Video Productions.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Key Video Productions completed production of three television commercials for the Erie County Fair and Exposition, featuring the Buffalo Sabres Rob Ray. The company, which also does wedding videos, has done recent work for Kayak Pools, Laidlaw...

U.S. Rep. Amo Houghton.(Southern Tier organizations will receive funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... U.S. Rep. Amo Houghton announced that two Southern Tier organizations will receive, funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The Private industry Council of Chautauqua County Inc. will get $94,860 from the ARC and $100,741 in local...

Keystone Solutions US Inc.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 4, 2000... Keystone Solutions US Inc. launched an upgraded version of its Javelan practice management software for legal and professional firms. The version, Javelan. 3.10, includes more than 50 software enhancements, more than 20 new management analysis...

Niagara County Legislature.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Niagara County Legislature announced that Niagara County has been included in a presidential disaster declaration for damage caused by severe thunderstorms between May 3 and June 20. Other affected counties eligible for federal funding...

Ingram Micro Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Ingram Micro Inc.'s service network of resellers now provides IT service and support through cofix.com, an Internet marketplace designed to assist corporate technology buyers with purchase decisions. The network is comprised of more than 3,000...

Full Circle Studios.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Full Circle Studios completed the first segment of a multi-part DVD project for the City of Niagara Falls. The disk is designed to promote tourism, residency and economic development. The company also did a 30-second television commercial for...

Neuman Claim Administrators Inc.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2000... Members of Neuman Claim Administrators Inc.'s Contractors Self-Defense Trust Fund received average dividend payments of 32 percent. The trust fund, open to contractors and suppliers with premiums over $10,000 per year and proven safety records,...

Materials Reuse Project.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Materials Reuse Project received grants from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York, the Wendt Foundation and the Education Fund to distribute literacy kits to children who are educationally at-risk. The organization welcomes...

LaSalle Business and Professional Association.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The LaSalle Business and Professional Association, in conjunction with the Niagara County Department of Planning, Development and Tourism, presented a certificate to Sunshine Cafe owners Lisa and Steve Routhier as part of a program to assist...

Personal Cuisine.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Chef Maria Deckert started Personal Cuisine, a personal chef service enrolled in the United States Personal Chef Association. Deckert creates personalized menus, shops for groceries and prepares meals for clients in their own kitchens. The...

Customer service can make all the difference.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Note from last week's column -- it was about the great service I got at Borders bookstore that included sending me to Barnes & Noble to purchase an out of stock item. In last weeks article we also established the customer service axiom:...

Salary enticements target new teachers.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... This week's column reviews bills passed by lawmakers in the 2000 legislative session that have been signed into law by Gov. George Pataki. Teachers Bill A11005. Sponsor: Sanders Pataki approved the "Teachers of Tomorrow"...

UB courses are targeted at entrepreneurs.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The University at Buffalo has introduced a unique option for entrepreneurs. The UB School of Management will target a new Online Micro-MBA in Entrepreneur ial Studies at busy entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs who just don't have the...

Waterfront Village real estate is hot.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... When city planners envisioned downtown Buffalo's Waterfront Village, people like Paul Bauer were exactly what they had in mind. Bauer, formerly of Tops Markets Inc. and a local community leader, is in the process of moving from East Amherst...

People in glass houses.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Window of opportunity was all Infinity needed While it was a challenge for Infinity Architectural Window Systems to replicate the original look of the main dome of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens conservatory, business...

Stovroff Realty.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 4, 2000... Stovroff Realty's Hamburg Office celebrated its best month in the company's history for units sold during the month of May. Broker/manager Nan Malysza and her team of agents sold over 147 units representing $11.5 million in total sales. The...

RE/MAX of New York Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... RE/MAX of New York Inc. and its 1,100 agents donated over $112,000 to the Children's Miracle Network, an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to generate funds and awareness programs to benefit children and 170 children's...

Account Solutions Group.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Account Solutions Group, a locally based collection agency, held a grand opening at its new corporate headquarters in Amherst. The 25,000-square-foot building was designed by the architectural firm of Garmina Silvestri Architects P.C. and...

Building Controls & Services Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Building Controls & Services Inc. of Tonawanda was selected by D'Youville College to implement an energy plant upgrade at its Porter Avenue campus. BCS specializes in the design and installation of direct digital control systems, mechanical...

Atto Technology Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Atto Technology Inc. has opened its new 40,000-square-foot headquarters in Amherst. The facility is located in the Uniland CrossPoint Business Park. The facility houses both corporate offices and production capability.

Flynn & Friends Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Flynn & Friends Inc. was named agency of record by Stovroff Realty, the largest independent real estate company in New York state. The firm will provide consulting and creative services on a variety of marketing projects, including media, Web...

K.J. Electric.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... K.J. Electric has began construction on an expansion project at its Tonawanda facility. The $1.3 million project will include tripling the size of the facility at 170 Fire Tower Road to 20,313 square feet. The company distributes electric...

TCS Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... TCS Inc., a design- build general contractor and construction management firm, has been awarded contracts for several projects, including two 5,400-square-foot Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst and in the...

Appraisal.com.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Appraisal.com has recently finalized a strategic affiliation with Landlord.com that provides information, tools and resources to owners of rental properties. Other sites that have joined as affiliates include HomesThatClick.com and...

University at Buffalo.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The University at Buffalo broke ground this week for Gateway Village, the fourth residential project for university students to be built in recent years. The housing facility will be located on both sides of Flint Road near the old UB stadium...

Construction Data Services.com Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Construction Data Services.com Inc. has completed its new online service at www.cds-1.com, providing local construction-related companies the opportunity to reach 90 million consumers and businesses via the Internet. The company is located in...

O'Brien & Gere Cos.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The Buffalo office of O'Brien & Gere Cos. was awarded a $635,000 contract by the Buffalo Sewer Authority to develop a longterm control plan for the city's north side. The study will focus on sewer overflow abatement in North Buffalo. The...

Lovejoy District Neighborhood Revitalization Services Inc.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Following the success of its first infill new housing project, the Lovejoy District Neighborhood Revitalization Services Inc. has started work on a second home. The program, which is jointly run by the LDNRS and the City of Buffalo, allows...

WNY-based appraisers build national clientele.(U.S. Appraisal Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... In this age of home equity loans, community property re-evaluations and traditional mortgages, U.S. Appraisal Inc. is a busy company. Make that a very busy company. The company, with headquarters in Lancaster, handles more than 100,000...

Managing area's growth demands leadership.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... The American success story begins with growth. In just a few short centuries, Americans transformed a wilderness into the greatest economy on earth through expansion, settlement and development. Growth brings jobs, investment, better...

From glass blocks to a night on the town.(The Roxbury)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Entrepreneur Joe Breidenstein takes his business expertise to the dance floor What's going on: Looking for a fun, exciting night out to relieve the stress of the week? How about going to a trendy nightclub that boasts two bars, a retro...

REAL ESTATE PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Ciminelli Development Co. Inc. promoted Michelle Mazzone to director of leasing. Formerly the firm's senior leasing manager, she joined the company in 1996. Mazzone has more than a- decade of experience in commercial real estate and formerly...

Lockport auto dealer opens service center.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Gambino Ford Inc. in Lockport officially opened a new $2.8 million service center at its dealership at 6157 S. Transit Road on Aug. 30. The center, which is the first phase of a two-phase expansion and modernization project, houses a...

Children's Hospital workers join union.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... A group of 210 Children's Hospital of Buffalo employees have opted to join Service Employees International Union 1199 Upstate. More than 60 percent of the group signed cards Aug. 29 to join the union. The professional group includes...

Struggling to Keep up.(nonprofit institutions seek to update technology)(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Nonprofits seek ways to stay wired in the information age Last week, I witnessed firsthand the division between the corporate world's haves and have-nots. I had a telephone conversation with someone from the Muscular Dystrophy...

Law, high-tech help disabled get jobs.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... Just 10 years ago this summer, President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law as an anti-discrimination measure to give people with disabilities equal access to employment opportunities and to remove physical barriers to...

Technology helps blend disciplines.(Brief Article)
September 4, 2000... A four-member team of Buffalo State College faculty and students is nearing final development of computer software designed to do something an impossibly small number of people would ever want to do: remove varnish from an oil painting. ...