Glens Falls Business Journal

W.J. Grande Industrial Park Is Site Of Several Projects Underway By Munter Enterprises, Inc.

August 21, 2025

Rendering shows the approved 35,000-square-foot Ambrave facility at Saratoga Springs’ W.J. Grande Industrial Park; Munter Enterprises plans to start work in weeks and finish in spring 2026.
Courtesy Munter Enterprises

By Rod Bacon

Munter Enterprises, Inc. is in various stages of adding three new buildings to the W.J. Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs.

According to Vice President Mike Munter, they have two projects underway on Skyward Drive.

They recently received approval from the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) for a 35,000-square-foot facility for Ambrave Corp., a company that designs and manufactures advanced tactical gear for military special operations forces and law enforcement under the brand Direct Action and for outdoor enthusiasts under the brand Helikon-Tex.

Headquartered in Poland, the company has manufacturing plants in Nowa Ruda, Swiebodzice and Nysa. Some products are manufactured in Vietnam, Taiwan, and China.

The company distributes its products worldwide, with their current facility in Malta being responsible for marketing in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Under the name Direct Action LLC it has been in Malta since 2018. Ambrave was established as an umbrella company last year.

Proactive Engagement Key To Advancing Renewable Energy And Boosting Economies

August 21, 2025

Tony Defazio emphasizes early community engagement to advance renewable energy projects.
Courtesy Tony Defazio

By Anthony Defazio
Sustainable PR

In just the first half of 2025, the U.S. canceled or downsized a staggering $22 billion in clean energy projects. New York alone saw more than two-thirds of its onshore renewable power contracts canceled last year, setting the state back in its goal to reach 70% clean energy generation by 2030. These setbacks ripple far beyond industry losses as communities miss out on millions in potential tax revenue and thousands of jobs, while higher energy bills and continued pollution hit residents’ wallets and health.

In New York, where municipalities have significant control over land use, the path from a project proposal to a finished solar farm is often fraught with challenges. Misinformation, mistrust, and unanswered questions can fuel local opposition, leading to project delays or even cancellation. When this happens, both communities and developers lose. Developers see projects stall while communities forfeit millions of dollars in potential tax revenue and long-term economic gains. However, strategic and proactive community engagement can address concerns early, and establish trust between developers and the communities they serve and pave the way for approvals.

Communities that lack experience with renewable energy projects often contend with opposition from residents when a project is announced. Residents’ concerns fester when unfamiliarity with technology meets widespread misinformation —often amplified online by fossil fuel-funded actors —and a lack of communication from developers, leading to growing community dissent. Opposition groups swell and place pressure on local boards to slow or halt development. Their efforts to influence municipal boards often succeed not by outright rejection, but through moratoriums that can delay projects up to a year or two, forcing developers to rescind their applications. Furthermore, when revised solar ordinances impose such stringent regulations on development, they can render projects no longer viable.

Aging Boomers Redefine Senior Living Across The Glens Falls Region And The Capital District

August 21, 2025

Andrea Hebert is the executive director, at The Glen at Hiland Meadows.

By Susan Elise Campbell

Aging baby boomers continue to represent a growing population in the Capital District and up the Northway, especially in the Glens Falls region. But seniors moving from their homes to an independent living situation have not changed as much demographically over the past five or 10 years as one may have thought.

“If anything, they are entering senior living later and later in life because they are active longer, due to medication and the wellness impact on the community,” said Andrea Hebert, executive director of The Glen at Hiland Meadows in Queensbury, an Eddy Senior Living Community.

On the other hand, for those anxious to shed the responsibilities and costs of maintaining a house and yard, age is less of a factor.

“We do see residents seeking us out at a younger age than they may have 20 years ago, partly because this type of independent living situation didn’t exist a generation ago,” said Kellie Postlethwaite, general manager at Prestwick Chase in Saratoga Springs.

Nursing homes were the common option then, and Postlethwaite said many people still do not understand the difference between what is now called enhanced assisted living and independent senior living, such as The Glen and Prestwick Chase provide.

Adult living communities encourage residents to pursue their interests and to come and go as they please. Staying active is the opposite of a stereotypical rocking-chair, sedentary lifestyle, the latter an image of seniors that continues to linger, Postlethwaite said.

“Independence means more than maintenance-free living,” said Hebert. “It can also mean not climbing stairs and having transportation needs met and meals prepared, if that is what residents seek.”

Estate Planning Key As $85 Trillion Transfers From Boomers To Younger Heirs

August 21, 2025

Dave Kopyc is President at Retirement Planning Group, LLC

By Dave Kopyc

Over the next two to three decades, the world will witness one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history. An estimated $85 trillion is expected to pass from Baby Boomers to their Gen X and Millennial heirs in the United States alone. This unprecedented financial shift is reshaping how individuals approach retirement planning, inheritance, tax strategies, and financial legacy.

As people live longer and families become more financially interconnected, preparing for this massive wealth transition is essential—not just for those passing on assets, but also for those who will inherit them. Effective retirement planning now means more than just ensuring you don’t outlive your savings. It also means positioning your wealth in a way that aligns with your values, minimizes tax liabilities, and ensures smooth succession.

Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, collectively hold more than half of all U.S. household wealth. Much of this is tied up in real estate, investment portfolios, family businesses, and retirement accounts. As this generation enters advanced retirement or passes away, these assets will gradually transfer to younger generations.

Estimates from Cerulli Associates indicate that roughly $84-85 trillion will transfer through inheritances and estate planning by 2045, with $72.6 trillion going directly to heirs and another $11.9 trillion to charities. For both givers and recipients, planning is essential to preserve this wealth.

For retirees with significant assets, estate planning must be an integral part of retirement strategy. A comprehensive estate plan includes wills, trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives, ensuring that assets are distributed as intended and legal hurdles are minimized.

Camp Hudson Pines Offers New Ways To Stay And Disconnect In The Southern Adirondacks

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025

Camp Hudson Pines offers comfort, connection, and outdoor escape near Corinth, New York.

By Paul Post

Ryan and Camille Parker had a dream and made it come true with the purchase of 40 pristine, riverfront acres just north of Corinth village.

When they bought it in February 2022, Camp Hudson Pines was a more than 50-year-old operation that had seen better days.

Recently, the Parkers hosted a public reception to celebrate the growth and expansion of their business, which now features a full range of camping options from traditional tent, RV sites and cabins to new glamping experiences in addition to a warm, cozy tiny house and a remodeled Airstream outfitted with every modern convenience.

“We have so many different ways to stay here,” Ryan Parker said. “We want to welcome people who have all different comfort levels with the outdoors, at different price points. One of the most rewarding things for us is to have people come who have never camped before and have them experience the Adirondacks and outdoors.”

The property, off Route 9N on the west bank of the Hudson River, is about equidistant to Lake George and Saratoga Springs, and all of their many attractions.

Glens Falls Hospital’s Emergency Department Expansion Will Ensure Increased Level Of Care

July 21, 2025

A rendering of the upcoming Sheridan Emergency Department expansion at Glens Falls Hospital, that will enhance emergency care capacity and services for the region.

By Rod Bacon

On June 19, approximately 100 hospital staff and community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the Glens Falls Hospital’s Sheridan Emergency Department.

The new structure, being built by the CG Construction Group of Saratoga Springs, will add 7,500 square feet to the existing 25,000-square-foot department. The addition will occupy the former space of the ambulance entrance, which was adjacent to the helicopter landing pad. It will push everything approximately 50 feet to the north.

“Glens Falls Hospital touches people in many ways,” said President and CEO Paul Scimeca. “In fact, it hard to find somebody who’s life hasn’t been touched by an experience at the hospital, much of which happens in the Emergency Department. A family member — a parent or a child — has needed to come to us at a time in need. When they’re vulnerable, when they’re scared, when they need help to figure out what goes on next and how that care really gets provided. All of that happens every day, every minute in the Sheridan Emergency Department, and this project will help us do that in a better way than we do it today.”

One of the most significant changes will be the installation of a dedicated CT scanner, which is a high resolution diagnostic tool. The hospital has several CT scanners but they are not near the Emergency Department and it takes 10-15 minutes for the department’s physicians to get results. With the dedicated scanner results will be available in minutes.

State’s $10 Million Investment Will Fund Lake George Improvements; Spur Economy

July 21, 2025

A rendering shows the planned Shepard Park bandshell and amphitheater. Construction is scheduled to begin in mid-September, with completion targeted for May or June 2026.

By Paul Post

The state’s $10 million investment in Lake George is expected to reinvigorate its local economy for decades to come.

A new Shepard Park bandshell and amphitheater, slated to open next summer, is one of 13 projects scheduled for completion over the next five years.

An adjacent Lake Walk and observation deck, winterizing Village Mall and Lagoon Restaurant for year-round use, a National Heritage site and new public arts installations are other highlights approved under the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

“When it’s all done it’s going to be a big thing economic development-wise, it’s going to bring new business and new investment, but I also think it’s going to bring new people, visitors and groups to Lake George,” said Dan Barusch, town and village planning and zoning director. “In the past, we haven’t focused on public art, culture and heritage tourism as much. It’s going to be huge for us.”

The state awarded DRI funding to Lake George just days before Christmas 2023. A committee co-chaired by Mayor Raymond Perry, town Supervisor Vincent Crucitto Jr., and Fort William Henry Corporation CEO Kathy Muncil, spent last year obtaining public input and fleshing out plans for proposed projects.

Revolution Rail Expands In Warren County, With Scenic Rail Bike Adventures

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025

Revolution Rail Company recently launched rail bike rides at Riverside Station in Riparius. Pictured from left: EVP Ed Lescala, CEO Robert Harte, Chamber Director Gina Mintzer, and Supervisor Kevin Bean.

By Paul Post

Revolution Rail Company has begun offering adventuresome rail bike rides at historic Riverside Station in Riparius, its fourth Warren County location in addition to North Creek, Thurman and Hadley.

The company also has a challenging 20-mile round trip out of North River, on the old Tahawus line that it purchased three years ago, out of bankruptcy.

“This is an example of a business that takes the attributes, which make this place special and then turns it into enterprise,” said Jim Siplon, Warren County Economic Development Corporation president, during recent ribbon cutting ceremonies. “It doesn’t compromise the values of the (Adirondack) Park, but enhances them. It’s a role model for how we’re going to grow going forward in a way that’s aligned with the place, but doesn’t threaten it.”

Farther south, Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway had its best year ever last year, with 37,000 passengers, and continues to grow with a variety of year-round, special themed trips such as Moonlight Moonshine Express, a Sunday Funday Sundae Train, Autumn Explorer, Pumpkin Picker and Candy Cane Express, its most popular ride, at Christmas time.

New York Consumer Confidence Rises Slightly, Remains Below Break-Even Mark

July 21, 2025

The New York State Index of Consumer Sentiment now stands at 71.9 up 2.8 points from the last measurement in the first quarter of 2025 according to the latest poll by the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI). New York’s overall Index of Consumer Sentiment is 11.2 points above the national* index of 60.7 following a 3.7 point national increase. New York’s current index increased 4.9 points to 71.6 and the future index increased 1.4 points resulting in New York’s measure of future expectations moving from 70.6 last quarter to 72.0 today. Overall consumer sentiment remains higher in New York than across the nation. For the second consecutive quarter, the overall index is below the breakeven point of balanced optimism and pessimism.

“After a whirlwind of on-again, off-again tariff news, confidence of NY’s consumers is gradually recovering following a sharp nine-point decline in the first quarter of 2025. In both New York and nationally, sentiment is improving—but it still remains below the threshold where optimism outweighs pessimism. While current confidence in New York rose by nearly five points, the national figure increased by just one. Conversely, New York’s future outlook rose 1.4 points, while the national future score jumped more than five and a half points since last quarter,” according to Travis Brodbeck, SCRI’s Associate Director of Data Management.

“For the third consecutive quarter, Republicans in New York continue to be more optimistic compared to New York Democrats. Historically, consumers are more optimistic about the future economy than the present, with future expectations averaging 8 points higher since 2020. This quarter, the gap closed to a five-year low of 0.4 points, meaning future optimism is now barely higher than present positivity.”

Chambers Partner To Strengthen Business Community And Expand Member Benefits

July 21, 2025

The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) and the Greater Greenwich Chamber of Commerce have announced a Partnership Agreement which will build a strong, collaborative relationship that supports local businesses and drives economic growth across both communities.

“As a regional Chamber, the ARCC understands the value in working together with our neighboring Chambers. This partnership will open up opportunities for members of both Chambers and will encourage collaboration and growth. We are truly better when we work together,” said ARCC President & CEO Tricia Rogers.

At over 850 members, and serving multiple counties, the ARCC is able to provide support to Greenwich Chamber members in the form of group insurance plans, commercial energy savings, small business resources and more. The Chambers will also work together to share announcements and events among their memberships.

“This partnership reinforces what we’ve always known—that we are stronger when we work together. It’s a meaningful step forward in deepening our commitment to collaboration and laying a stronger foundation for regional growth, opportunity and shared success across our business community,” said ARCC Immediate Past Board Chair Marc Yrsha, SEVP, Chief Banking Officer of Arrow Bank.