Economic and Business

(05/24/12) New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the state's pension fund has "successfully weathered" another economic storm. He reports returns are the highest since global market meltdown of 2008. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details. more

(05/24/12) The question of increasing the state's minimum wage remains controversial in the legislature. While the Assembly Speaker is persevering, Governor Cuomo and Senate Republicans are staying negative about the bill's chance of success. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has more. more

(05/24/12) The impact colleges and universities have on North Country communities goes beyond dollars and cents.

That was the message from three higher education leaders who led a panel discussion last week at the Adirondack Research Consortium's 19th annual Conference on the Adirondacks.

The two-day conference included presentations on forest products and the future of the Adirondack Park, as well as discussions on climate change, sustainable communities and land use in the Adirondacks.

Chris Morris sat in for the discussion on the economic impact of higher education. more

(05/24/12) Over the last week, tightrope walker Nik Wallenda's been in Niagara Falls, practicing for his June 15th walk over the famous Falls.
The Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison joined hundreds of people at the scene and found Wallenda's presence inspired an eclectic, carnival atmosphere in the hard scrabble city of 50,000. more

(05/23/12) Gov. Cuomo's proposal to expand gambling in New York gave one rural St. Lawrence County leader an idea.

"I was thinking when I read the governor's proposal to put seven casinos in New York State, I thought, why not put one in the northern tier? Maybe we could get one up here." Brasher Town Supervisor James Dawson told town board members last week a casino would be a great way to attract visitors to the region...and to pump up St. Lawrence County's flagging economy.

The 900 acres Dawson has in mind has already been considered for a racetrack and entertainment complex. That development failed, and the land ended up in bankruptcy court. Dawson told Nora Flaherty a casino there could anchor a host of spin-off development. more

(05/23/12) A new ruling by a state Supreme Court could force five counties in the North Country and the Hudson Valley to pay millions of dollars a year to help fund dam operations in the southern Adirondacks. The decision found that it is reasonable for counties to be charged for the benefits they receive in the form of flood protection from dams located on Great Sacandaga and Indian Lake.

As Brian Mann reports, county leaders in the North Country say footing the bill for dam operations would add new pressure on taxpayers at a time when budgets are already tight. more

(05/23/12) Governor Cuomo has taken the reins of the troubled New York Racing Association Board. As Karen DeWitt reports, the governor is saying he needs to "restore the public trust" in a rapidly changing, and expanding, gaming industry. more

(05/23/12) The Canton Farmer's Market opened last week. While most of the vendors rely on their table display to catch the customer's eye, one tent calls on the customer's olfactory system.

(05/23/12) The Adirondack Carousel holds a Grand Opening in Saranac Lake this Saturday. The $1.3 million project is the culmination of years of work. Todd Moe talks with Karen Loffler, who first proposed the idea to the village board in 2001, and Marge Glowa, the project's capital campaign director.

(05/22/12) A troubled parcel of more than 900 acres of land in Brasher and Norfolk may one day be a casino. At least, that's what Brasher Town Supervisor James Dawson is proposing. Dawson told town board members last week a casino would be a great way to attract visitors to the region...and to pump up St. Lawrence County's flagging economy.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed a constitutional amendment to create seven commercial casinos across the state. Brasher is only a few miles from the Akwesasne Mohawk casino near Massena, and Dawson says two casinos in the area could make it a destination for Canadian tourists. more