PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
GBJ 9 Broad Street Glens Falls, NY 12801
VOL. 35 NO. 01
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GLENS FALLS, NY 12801 PERMIT #600
HH The Business Newspaper of Warren and Washington Counties HH
www.glensfallsbusinessjournal.com
MARCH 2023
Inflation, Better Broadband Service Voiced As State Basketball Tournament Hosted By Concerns Of Legislators At ARCC Luncheon Glens Falls Continues To Be Economic Boon
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner addresses the crowd at the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Lunch With Legislators gathering on Feb. 25 at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls . BY PAUL POST Government and employer-driven workforce development programs are critical to overcoming a nationwide labor shortage problem that’s reaching crisis proportions locally as well. That’s what elected officials told more than 200 people at the recent Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Lunch With Legislators gathering on Feb. 25 at the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls . “There’s not a single employer I’ve visited in my district who’s said this isn’t an issue for them,” said
Paul Post
state Sen. Dan Stec. U.S. Rep. Elisa Stefanik said, “Every small business I go to, every manufacturer, every hospital, they tell me one of their top concerns is attracting labor.” They discussed a variety of business-related issues with state Sen. Jake Ashby and Assembly members Carrie Woerner and Matt Simpson. Woerner and Simpson’s districts encompass northern Saratoga County. During the pandemic, many people discovered Continued On Page 13
BY PAUL POST It wasn’t terribly long ago that some people called for closure and redevelopment of the Glens Falls Civic Center, which had become a financial albatross to its owner, the City of Glens Falls. There was no hockey team and few other events were held throughout the year. Now with a new name, Cool Insuring Arena, and under new management, the facility brings an estimated 250,000 people downtown annually, generating welcome revenue for a variety of local business. In no small way, it’s a major contributor to the city’s economic revitalization. The community has embraced the Adirondack Thunder hockey team, which is averaging nearly 3,500 fans per game, the most in its history, and almost 10,000 people turned out for two of the most recent home games on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24. But the center’s most anticipated annual event is this month’s three-day (March 17-19) New York state public high school boys basketball tournament, featuring top teams and players from throughout the Empire State. “It’s a great event for the arena, but certainly Warren County as well,” said Jeff Mead, the center’s general manager. “Between 10,000 and 15,000 people will come for the weekend. It’s especially important because March is a little bit slower time of year. For three days the tourney fills hotels, restaurants, bars and retail stores.” Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, citing a Destinations International event impact calculator, says the hoop tourney contributes $5.7 million to the local economy.
Jeff Mead, general manager of Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. Paul Post
This includes immediate returns for lodging, food and beverage, and related travel spending, plus the long-term benefit of people making repeat visits to the area for events, recreation and vacation ideas they learn about during the tourney. To help fans experience the area, the Chamber offers a mobile “show your badge” pass that helps familiarize them with places and things to do nearby. “Some businesses also offer discounts to pass holders,” said Amanda Metzger, Chamber marketing director. “We also use news about Continued On Page 15
Dr. Rugge Presented Juckett Award At ARCC Lake George Mayor, Key Tourism Official In Event At Sagamore, Attended By Almost 300 Region, Leaving Public Office After 52 Years The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with almost 300 regional business leaders and guests, celebrated the accomplishments of Hudson Headwaters Health Network founder Dr. John Rugge on March 10 at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing. At the dinner, Rugge was presented with the J. Walter Juckett Award. ARCC has honored a community member with the award at its annual dinner event for the past 34 years. Juckett was an active participant in many community organizations, including the Mohican Council of the Boy Scouts, the Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization, the Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center, First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls, the Salvation Army, and ARCC. After his passing in 1988, the Chamber’s board of directors created the prestigious J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award. Each year, the award is bestowed upon a deserving honoree, who demonstrates a fierce commitment and hands-on dedication to the betterment of our community. “Dr. Rugge had a vision to bring accessible health care to all parts of our region, and with much hard work and determination, he made that a reality,” said ARCC President and CEO Tricia Rogers. “He is an inspiration to us all and we were thrilled to honor him with the J. Walter Juckett Award.” Rugge was a family physician who came to the Adirondacks to finish writing a canoe book in 1974. He accepted a position with the Glens Falls Hospital to serve as supervising physician at a brand-new health center in Chestertown with the intention
ARCC President Tricia Rogers poses with Dr. John Rugge, Juckett award winner. Amanda Blanton
of practicing for six months before returning to Albany Medical Center. As it turned out, all the surrounding communities were losing their general practitioners to retirement, and Rugge found it impossible to depart with no one to take his place. Instead, he combined medical practice with community engagement and grant writing to establish the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, which has grown to include 21 health centers between Saratoga County to the Continued On Page 3
BY PAUL POST When Bob Blais took the office of village of Lake George mayor decades ago, there was only one special event in Lake George, a weekly Tuesday night band concert. Now there’s an endless variety of year-round attractions such as Americade motorcycle rally, Adirondack Nationals car show, Ice Castles and a full lineup of events at Charles R. Wood Park’s Festival Commons like the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival and numerous concerts. Together they draw tens of thousands of visitors to Lake George each year, which drives the local tourism economy. But without Blais’ leadership, it may not have been possible. “People say, ‘How come you’ve been mayor for 52 years?’ It just takes me longer,” he said. “But I like to think when we get it done, we do it right.” Blais’ career as America’s longest-tenured mayor is scheduled to end March 31 when his retirement takes effect. But his contributions to the area’s economic development will be felt for many years to come. “His greatest attribute is his clear passion for the area,” state Sen. Dan Stec said. “It comes through in everything he says and does. Any time you talk to Bob Blais you can see this true love of Lake George. He’s been so long-tenured there, he’s synonymous with Lake George. He’s an icon.” “I’m astounded at his longevity, continued energy and health,” Stec said. “I always tell him, ‘Bob, you need to find a way to bottle and sell it.’ He should because he’s got the Fountain of Youth secret somewhere.” Blais, 86, plans to keep promoting Lake George
Bob Blais has been Lake George mayor since April, 1971. Paul Post
after he leaves office in a new $35,000 director of special events position funded by the village, town and Warren County. A 2022 study conducted for a proposal to dissolve the village (it was voted down) found that the mayor spent more than half his time working on tourism and special events. “We ran 82 special events out of this office last year,” Blais said. Plans call for him to continue in this capacity, Continued On Page 7