SBJ P.O. Box 766 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
SARATOGA BUSINESS JOURNAL
VOL. 29 NO. 3
★★ The Business Newspaper of Saratoga County ★★
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GLENS FALLS, NY 12801 PERMIT #600
MAY 2024
www.saratogabusinessjournal.com
Spa City Officials Have Planned An Exciting Belmont Stakes At Saratoga Race Course Will Slate Of Activities For Belmont On Broadway Have Multi-Million Dollar Impact On Region
This poster reflects the fun and excitement racing fans can expect from the multiple-day events planned prior to the upcoming Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Belmont on Broadway, a multifaceted celebration planned for the week of the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, was announced recently by leaders in the Spa City. Belmont on Broadway activities slated for June 4 through June 9 include a downtown window decorating contest, a pre-festival event called Embrace the Belmont, The Belmont Gala, HARDY at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Opera Saratoga’s Annual Gala and a free, outdoor concert with headlining act Blues Traveler to take place on Broadway
Courtesy of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
in Saratoga Springs. This is all in addition to the four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, which officials see as a historic opportunity to showcase Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County as a major event destination. Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Shimkus is certain that visitors in town for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be impressed. “Belmont on Broadway is designed to highlight all the Continued On Page 6
Artist Greg Montgomery has created this poster to commemorate the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga. It is available at Impressions of Saratoga, Soave Faire, and Crafter's Gallery, all on Broadway. BY PAUL POST Burlington, Vt. residents Jim Doyle and Christine Dunbar are fortunate to own a second home in downtown Saratoga Springs. Even so, they and weekend guests will likely spend $400 per night at local restaurants during the June 6-9 Belmont Stakes Festival. They’ll also buy souvenirs and make plenty of other related purchases. “Without a place here, I can’t imagine what it would cost for a hotel, breakfast and parking at the track,” Doyle said.
©2024 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Poster courtesy Greg Montgomery
Their Belmont Stakes budget is a drop in the bucket compared to what international horse people, who arrive early and stay long afterward, will likely spend -- explaining why the Festival is expected to have a more than $50 million economic impact on the surrounding area. “Beyond the excitement and energy around a Triple Crown event at the sport’s most beloved venue, the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course will generate important economic impact and drive tourism throughout the Capital Continued On Page 16
Cynthia Hollowood Is Honored With The Flexible Programs At Empire State Support Joseph Dalton Community Service Award The Needs Of Military-Affiliated Students The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has announced that Cynthia Hollowood is the 2024 Joseph Dalton Community Service Award recipient. This recognition, created by unanimous vote of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors in 2017, is a community service-focused award to honor an individual who has been faithful and loyal to the Saratoga County community for more than 25 years. Hollowood has served as the Executive Director of Saratoga Sponsor-A-Scholar since 2020. This organization is dedicated to the philosophy that every student showing academic motivation and potential should have the opportunity to finish high school and continue to college. Prior to this role, Hollowood was General Manager and Partner at the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs for a total of 38 years. Hollowood has volunteered countless hours Continued On Page 11
In recognition of service to Saratoga, Cynthia Hollowood received the Dalton Award. Courtesy of Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
Empire State University has more military-affiliated students than any other State University of New York institution. The university currently supports over 1,000 military-affiliated students throughout their academic journeys, according to data from the most recently completed academic year. Empire State University offers flexible programs to accommodate diverse needs, including students who may be active duty, guard, reserve, or veterans, along with their spouses and child dependents. The university recently launched the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC), a central component in supporting military-affiliated students, which dedicates staff, programming, and resources to students throughout their degree completion. “Our mission ideally fits the needs of our military-affiliated students and we have been able to enhance our resources through the VMRC and throughout the university to implement programming that maximizes their military transfer credits, reduces cost barriers, and creates a culture of understanding of their unique needs,” Desiree
Drindak, director of the VMRC, said. “While institutions across the country are seeing declines in enrollment, Empire State University is seeing an increase as we are increasing access, which is of particular importance for our militaryaffiliated students,” said Andrea Hennessy, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing. “We have expanded programming by opening the VMRC, increasing community engagement, launching a new Veteran and Military Student Club, collaborating with departments around the university to develop a Military and Veteran Opportunity Program (MVOP) and by hiring a Veteran Career Coordinator,” Drindak said. “We continually look for ways to enhance the student experience, remove barriers and build community among our students.” You can learn more about opportunities for military-affiliated students by visiting the Veteran and Military Resource Center website at sunyempire.edu.