GLENS FALLS — A Senior Expo will be held on Sept. 21 at Heritage Hall inside Cool Insuring Arena, providing relevant resources and information to the senior community. The event is being run by the Glens Falls Senior Center.
The Expo is scheduled to run from 1 to 7 p.m. Kim Bren, Executive Director of the Glens Falls Senior Center, said the goal is for the Expo to be a “one-stop shop” for seniors.
“I wanted to cover the whole gamut as people go through the aging process, and know what information is out there and services that are available to you,” said Bren.
Bren mentioned home repairs/services, home healthcare, assisted living, nursing homes, end-of-life planning, healthcare proxies, insurance, realtors, bankers, and nonprofit organizations as some of the services that will be available. She also said that a senior service specialist from the Senior Center will be on hand at the event.
“We’ll have the insurance companies, since open enrollment is coming up in October. Most of the insurance companies have picked a table that will be there for the plans,” Bren said. “We have some assisted living facilities, we have some nursing home facilities. … We have Glens Falls Housing, they’ll be there. The Cedars (Senior Living Community Apartments). We’re just trying to cover the whole range. We have attorneys that will be there too.”
This is the first Senior Expo to be held by the Senior Center, with Bren saying she hopes “we’ll do really well.”
“We’re going to run it from 1-7, so if you’re still working, there’s time to come after work to check things out,” said Bren, who emphasized that the event is not solely for seniors.
“We have people that call here that are looking for services for mom and dad, so it’s not just for seniors. It’s for the community. If you have an aging person that you take care of, or a neighbor, or you know of someone who might need these services, it’s good to know this information.”
Bren, who has worked for the Senior Center for eight years, said the idea came from a similar event held near her hometown.
“I’m not from the area, and my grandmother and her friends used to go to a senior expo at Massena Arena, where I’m from,” Bren said. “I just thought, well this is something that would be fabulous down here to get the information out to the community of everything that can be available.”
There are currently 64 vendors signed up for the Expo, according to Bren.
“I was very surprised at the number of vendors we have received, and I’m so grateful for all of them,” she said. “It’s going to be a great show. It’s going to run just like a business show. They’ll have their table, you can stop and talk to them and request information.”
While this is the first Expo to be held by the Senior Center, Bren said the goal is to make the event an annual occurrence and the main fundraiser for the organization.
“I would love to make it an annual thing. What we want to do is have it be our signature fundraiser for the year,” said Bren. “That way, we are doing a fundraiser, but yet we’re also helping the community.”
The Senior Center will also put together a resource guide following the Expo, “so if someone has a question, we can give them that information,” said Bren.
Romeo Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Expo, while CDPHP and Hudson Headwaters Health Network are silver sponsors.
“Just hopefully everybody comes out, and we get some really good attendance,” Bren said. “I just think it’s going to be super.”
QUEENSBURY — Warren County celebrated hospitality and retail workers at the Six Flags Great Escape on Monday, September 12, offering prizes, food, and rides.
Over 200 local workers attended the event, according to a press release from the County. The Warren County Employment and Training Administration held the event in collaboration with the Great Escape to “reward the often unsung heroes of our tourism and retail industries,” states the release.
“It was our pleasure to host the inaugural seasonal employee appreciation event last night,” said Great Escape Resort President Rebecca Wood in the release. “It was amazing to see the business participation and to support our collective workforce. We look forward to making this an annual celebration. Our teams deserve the best.”
Gift cards to restaurants and stores, as well as free tickets to “local attractions” were given out to employees during the event. Attendees were informed of winter employment opportunities at Gore Mountain and Ice Castles, and offerings from the Warren County Employment and Training Administration.
“While the workforce shortage continues across all sectors, it is important that we celebrate and retain our workforce to keep our economy going,” said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County Director of Employment and Training in the release. “This event was a team effort that included the enthusiastic partnership of Six Flags Great Escape, the generous donations of prizes from many local businesses and the time the hospitality businesses took to nominate their employees for the various awards categories. Warren County is now a 365-day tourism economy and we have plenty of work for everyone year-round.”
Proceeds from ticket sales went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, the release states, with guests of employees costing $5. Workers were admitted for free.
“We have seen a multitude of benefits when our returning seasonal workers work elsewhere in the winter,” said Patrick Welton, Resort Manager of Lake George Escape Campground, in the release. “They have additional skills, experience, and they can cross-promote our area’s offerings. I intend on giving two additional paid days off to my returning seasonal workers who obtained a winter job somewhere else.”
Staff from Glens Falls Hospital also sold raffle tickets, with the winner receiving a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid from Romeo Toyota. The drawing will take place in February 2023, according to the release.
“The goal is that this event will become a fixture on the Monday evening following Adirondack Nationals Car Show, so hospitality businesses can mark their calendars in advance and come celebrate together,” says the release.
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Brookfield hosted a ribbon cutting at 407 Big Bay Road. Joining their leadership and operators were representatives of the Warren-Washington IDA, Warren County Economic Development Corporation, the Adirondack Chamber of Commerce, as well as state and local officials.
QUEENSBURY — Building upon their investment in New York State, Brookfield Renewable has expanded their footprint in Warren County by relocating their national control center to Queensbury from Marlborough, Massachusetts.
In addition to more than doubling the size of its workforce, Brookfield has made a multimillion-dollar investment in a new facility adjacent to the current office. Brookfield, which employs a staff of 35 people at an office at 399 Big Bay Road, has built a new office to house 50 new jobs in operations, project management, information technology and regulatory compliance
Operators will monitor 140 hydroelectric dams situated across the United States, as well as wind, solar and battery storage sites. Activity at the control center requires staffing 24 hours a day and seven days a week to ensure that power generation remains consistent.
“Expanding our operations here in Queensbury was certainly the best decision for Brookfield. Having the control center in the same location as staff working at our original office on Big Bay Road will enable us to integrate the national system control center employees into a regional office with other personnel and duties,” said National System Control Center Senior Director Tony Zarrella.
Zarrella also noted that the new location will foster a synergy with his operators and field operations, will enhance recruitment and advancement opportunities, and promote a better work-life balance within the workforce.
Zarrella continued, “This community provides quality of life benefits that are second to none.”
To assist with the relocation, the Warren-Washington Industrial Development Agency approved a $513,000 incentive package including $210,000 in sales tax exemptions and a $303,000 property tax savings over 10 years.
Job listings will be posted on Indeed.com, said Stakeholder Relations Manager Mark Luciano. Anyone interested in learning more about the positions or the company can visit brookfieldrenewableus.com.
ImmunoTek Bio Centers have their sights set on Queensbury for a possible expansion.
The Texas-based health care company has been seeking to expand across the country, with new plasma donation facilities currently under construction in over a dozen states. These facilities are operated under two different brand names: ImmunoTek Plasma and Freedom Plasma.
Their expansion into New York has already begun, with plans for two new Freedom Plasma sites in Syracuse and Johnson City–a village in the Binghamton metropolitan area.
ImmunoTek is also seeking approval for a facility in Queensbury. They have filed documents with the town to take over the former Aldi market location at 176 Quaker Road.
This 2.3 acre property is home to a 15,500 square foot building which has been vacant for nearly three years. In October 2019, Aldi relocated to a building more than twice the size: the former Toys R Us location on Upper Glen Street. ImmunoTek hopes to renovate this property into a new plasma donation facility.
Plasma is a pale yellow liquid component of blood containing valuable proteins that help the body stop bleeding, and aid the immune system in fighting off infection. ImmunoTek uses this plasma to develop new vaccines and treatments for individuals suffering from blood disorders, immunodeficiency disorders, and other various illnesses.
Plasma cannot be synthetically produced, which is why ImmunoTek relies on willing donations from regular citizens, even providing compensation for the time spent in their collection facilities. Since its foundation in 2012, the company has collected over six million plasma donations.
ImmunoTek estimates an investment of $2.2 million will be put toward renovations of the property. They plan to utilize the space to accommodate three dozen beds for plasma donors. The company also estimates an availability for 30 job positions will be created by the facility.
A representative of the Queensbury Planning Department confirmed that further action would be discussed at the September 20 planning board meeting.
Glens Falls Hospital has a new President and CEO, Paul Scimeca. Scimeca, 59, has spent 33 years working for the hospital and has held the interim role of President and CEO since January 1st. He began his career with Glens Falls Hospital in the communications department in 1989. In 1989, gas prices were 97 cents a gallon and George H. W. Bush was sworn in as president.
Scimeca has taken over the leadership position from Dianne Shugrue who held the position for 14 years. She held this top position during challenging times. During her tenure the hospital faced a fiscal crisis brought on by erroneous billing and the CoronaVirus Pandemic. It was also during her tenure that Glens Falls hospital became affiliated with Albany Med. Shugrue was praised by her colleague Dr. Chris Mason, the President of Glens Falls Medical staff, in an article posted on the hospital website, “It is said that smooth seas do not make skilled sailors. Diane Shugrue is a skilled sailor.” Shugrue retired December 31, 2021.
Scimeca, who has a calming and friendly demeanor, explains why he spent his career at the hospital. “The culture here is incredible. It is a reflection of the community’s deep concern for doing the best for the patients.” He said, during an interview on September first. Scimeca has found the work to be fulfilling and career opportunities were available. “It has been a tremendous place to make my career. It’s an organization that is evolving and developing.”
Scimeca balances the weight of the responsibility of his office. “Regardless of the job that you have at the hospital, at the end of everything there is a patient. It is a privilege to take care of that patient and take care of the community.”
He remains conscious of the needs of the community. “The industry is evolving and significant changes are happening every day.” Two and a half years into the pandemic, Scimeca sees the need for some fine tuning. “The Emergency Department is our front door. We need to provide the right environment for both caregivers and patients. Mental health is a big part of that for both the staff and the patients.” He said. The 43 bed Emergency Department takes care of more than 46,000 patients annually.
Scimeca was an unanimous choice of the Glens Falls Hospital Board of Governors.
Looking for that perfect extracurricular opportunity for your little one? Have you been dancing for years and are looking for a new perspective? Lead instructor and owner Alexis Williams of Turning Pointe Dance Studio has the perfect place for you!
Located in Granville, New York, Turning Pointe Dance Studio offers a variety of classes for ages 2-18. Focusing on tap and ballet for youngsters (two to five years old), adding in Jazz for those in first grade and up, and finally offering pointe, hip hop, and Irish step for those further into their dancing journey, TPDS has a little bit for everyone. The studio even offers a parent and toddler class for those wishing to introduce their little ones to the magical world of dance!
Alexis Williams, a lifelong dancer, has been cultivating her love of the arts since the young age of 3 years old. Training in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and Irish dance throughout her career, it is safe to say that she is someone who has tried it all and has absolutely loved it. Williams, knowing for a long time that opening her own studio was a dream of hers, finally took the plunge and she couldn’t be happier with the results!
“What I learned from this experience above all else is to just take the leap! If I didn’t take the chance to follow this dream and open my own studio, I would never have realized the need in my own community for offerings like this,” said Williams.
Alexis (owner) with the float from the 4th of July parade.
Outside of the studio, Williams is a proud mother of an active 15-month-old. Williams said that she “hopes to instill the love of dance in her early on. Maybe one day even pass this place down to her. Time shall tell soon enough though, as I enroll her in the parent-toddler class this fall!”
For all of those wishing to connect with Williams and TPDS, Registration can be completed for 2022-2023 on their website at https://turningpointe10.wixsite.com/website via Facebook or by calling 518-796-1631!
Top: Charlotte Williams (Alexis Williams’ (owner) daughter). Right: Avery Roberts.
Left: Greg supporting their award at the parade.
Middle: From 4th of July parade in Poultney, VT. They won Business Who Best Depicts the Organization.
Right: Stella Kazakis, one of their 5 year old dancers from Fair Haven, VT.
Where do you look when you try to find family-friendly events in your area? Google? Yelp? How about Macaroni Kid Adirondacks?
Started this past April 2022, Macaroni Kid Adirondacks is a one-stop spot for family-friendly fun in the Greater Glens Falls area and beyond. On online publication, the Macaroni Kid Adirondacks website is host to not only an events calendar (updated daily) but to articles about the community, guides on local todos, and family-friendly local businesses. The site also features ongoing tips on parenting advice, crafts, recipes, and so much more!
Started by Andrea Kelley, this local publication of Macaroni Kid was inspired by Kelley’s own past experiences, both as a local of the area and as a mom herself. Kelley, originally hailing from Ticonderoga, NY, and now residing in Hampton, NY, understands whole heartily the many awesome perks that upstate NY communities have to offer. On top of that, Kelley stated “as a Recreation Director at a long-term care facility, I already had a good understanding of the importance of leisure and recreation, and time spent with family. I like that Macaroni Kid understands and promotes work-life balance, but on top of that, I have a true passion for it! I love finding things to do in our community with my own family, and I wanted to help local families just like mine, be able to easily plan their family fun, and have all of the info they need to do that, in just one place!”
Macaroni Kid is not only the source for finding events but also hosts their own events by collaborating with local businesses. You can find them at the old T-shirt Factory building in Glens Falls for the Thursday Market & Food Corral, as well as other partnering events in the future.
Macaroni Kid Adirondacks NY’s primary focus is to help parents who are looking for resources in the community for their children. Macaroni Kid Adirondacks is a contract publication with Macaroni Kid, a national publisher owned by CertifiKID, a company dedicated to providing parents with the best deals on family and kid experiences.
Outside of running Macaroni Kid Adirondacks, Kelley is a proud mother of her own ‘macaroni kid’, an 8-year-old boy named Liam. When not writing for the publication or working at the nursing home, Kelley can be found enjoying the outdoors with her son, husband, and 2 precious doggos, Keelo and Remi.
Want to get/stay connected with Kelley and Macaroni Kid Adirondacks? No problem! You can Subscribe for free on their Website at https://adirondacks.macaronikid.com/ and receive weekly e-newsletters containing the week’s latest events & articles. They are also active on social media like Facebook under the name Macaroni Kid Adirondacks NY and Instagram @mackidadirondacks, they not only post their content, and local events, but they also frequently have fun giveaways for their subscribers! Be sure to connect with them today, to stay updated!
Many SMBs (small & mid-sized businesses), and local employers, are looking to the big multi-national corporations to answer the question – “is hybrid work the new normal?”
We regularly see articles pointing toward the evolving decisions Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Google or Tesla are taking. Perhaps they are calling their employees back to the office, maybe they have gone fully remote, or perhaps they have seemingly split things down the middle with a hybrid approach. Either way, it may be misguided to take your SMB/local business direction from the popular tech giants.
Let’s consider the decision instead from the perspective of your team/employees and the scope, costs and risks of all three approaches.
Your Team (Employees)
In 2019 the lion’s share of local businesses believed their teams needed to be in the office and most of their teammates/employees likely agreed. However, after the last two years of trial, error, observation and learning, many employees, most notably knowledge workers, have come to a new decision. Love it or hate it, many knowledge workers now require the flexibility of working from home.
As we look at both retention of great talent, and the attraction of new talent, one thing is crystal clear – a flexible work environment is nearly a requirement to attract and retain top talent.
This newly felt requirement is driven by a number of “at home” considerations such as individual productivity, rising gas prices associated with the ‘ol commute, and child care or home school concerns. These concerns seem to have been highlighted by every business magazine for the past nearly two years.
A driving factor often not spoken about is the big multi-national organizations are now more virtual than ever and attracting small town, local business, top talent. They are allowing your, now former, top employee to work from the comfort of home while commanding a salary and benefits historically only available in big city, big corporations, all while the pool of available employees in most sectors has shrunk creating a classic supply v. demand problem to boot (another article, for another day).
It’s now 100% critical for the regional SMB to consider the risk of not embracing a flexible work environment and the cost to replace employees lost to new, virtual, “big business” opportunity if slow to respond!
Your Business Structure & Systems
No sooner do we acknowledge the employee risk, and make the decision to pivot our regional SMB to a more flexible virtual environment, we are quickly faced with a very contemporary second order problem.
Business structure and systems, and I don’t mean IT structure & systems, that’s an entirely different article as well. I’m referring to the people structure and systems that allow both the virtual, and on-site teams, to have an undeniably clear view of “what success looks like” and access to the tools required to succeed? Following is a partial list of both.
What success looks like in a hybrid environment:
Ability to build competence in role(s) virtually and in-house
Clear Functional Accountabilities for each role in the business
Clear Behavioral Accountabilities for each role in the business
Key Process Indicators (KPIs) or an alternative accountability system
A system to maintain, and further, company culture
Non-virtual team members incentivized to ensure success of the hybrid environment
Tools required to succeed in a hybrid environment:
A conscious Organization (people) Design
Electronic onboarding of virtual workforce
Boundaries of virtual workforce & work environment clearly identified and managed
Budget allocation for virtual workforce needs (technical & social)
Complaint decision-making, consistency and documentation of virtual role go/no go
Leadership & business system(s)
Leadership coaching/mentoring and/or training
Your Challenges (risks)
Pivoting to a virtual or hybrid work environment comes with a host of challenges or problems, the first of which is usually the emotional decision to make the switch. The second is most often the IT considerations to make it thrive. The third is most commonly, and I’m not advocating it should be, changes in policy to combat new employee “problems” popping up.
But the fourth challenge takes a little time to manifest! For those entering their 18-24 month timeline in a new hybrid or virtual environment, you are likely beginning to see weaknesses in both people & process leadership! A pivot to virtual is one of the fastest ways to shine a light on historically mediocre leadership, and culture, hidden by a co-located team. One more pro-tip: mediocre leadership equals lower then optimal productivity, which in turn equals higher operating expense and lower margins.
This 4th challenge may become visible in a number of ways not limited to: a frustrated employee base, frustrated leaders, a change in how it feels to be at work, resignations/turnover, increased errors, late delivery, increasingly dissatisfied internal and external customers and even the feeling of “always being stuck in a meeting.”
Your Success
Your success navigating this new playing field is largely based on your businesses systems and methods to lead successfully through reasonably complex change! If your business has not been faced with this level of “complex” change prior now might be the time to ask for help.
If your business has been faced with complex change prior and has not navigated it well, this is most commonly due to your leaderships strength being based in operating, not changing, your business. This may also be a good time to ask for help while keeping your leaders focused on the day-to-day “normal” challenges of winning in your marketplace.
For the last nearly 10-years HR Resolved, Inc. has been helping lead business just like yours through complex change with its remarkable ability to tailor decades of past startup and Fortune 200 successes into happier, more aligned employees, performing where and how they are needed, driving profit into your business! Visit www.HRresolved.com.
Did you know it is NEVER legal to pass a slow-moving farm tractor in a no-passing zone (i.e. on a double yellow line)? Yes, it can be annoying to be stuck behind one when we are rushing off to a meeting somewhere. It can also be confusing if the tractor eases over to the right as if they are letting you pass them. Perhaps the operator isn’t sure of the rules either. Or (more likely) they are so used to being passed by impatient, angry, ignorant motorists that they instinctively move as far to the right as possible out of concern for their own safety.
Such is the life of a local farmer these days. The reason they are on the roads in the first place is that very few of Saratoga County’s 591 remaining farms operate on contiguous plots of land. Farms have been broken up by various factors in recent decades, and so these tractors are moving between various sections, often interspersed among housing in residential areas. For many, especially those who are coming to this area from more urban surroundings, living amongst farms can be part of the charm and appeal of living here; for others, it’s perhaps a very unexpected nuisance.
Milton resident and Saratoga County Fair board member John Mancini makes an emphatic point before the Milton Town Board, this past February, in support of zoning revisions to bolster and encourage area farming. Photo provided.
Back in March, the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County was a partner alongside the Saratoga County Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Saratoga Sod Farm, to explain the ever-changing and complex regulations regarding trucks used for agricultural use, farm implements, and rules pertaining to farm tractors on roads. Education is key in any business, and the event helped area farmers understand which rules pertain to them. Now we need to educate the rest of society what rules they operate under as well.
Expanding communities grapple with the impact on legacy industries like manufacturing and farming. Agriculture is, after all, a form of industry in itself – raw materials like food, hay, straw, seeds, etc. become farm animals and vegetable plants, and then those are transformed into the steak, eggs, and veggies on our dinner tables. There is waste, there are processes and procedures, potential dangers, lots of training, employee shortages, and rules and regulations to deal with, just as any such business.
Large farm tractors like these are often seen on area roadways during the growing season. Please be patient and respect their right to share the road, after all, they may well be in the process of growing a meal for your table!
Encroachment of development on farmland is a continuing concern, especially in southern Saratoga County. Declining farmland is evident in the scores of new developments going up on what was previously fields for corn, hay, and other crops. Some town boards have enacted moratoria on new projects while formulating zoning regulations that suit the wishes of town residents and leaders.
Other communities have produced zoning rules designed to encourage the spread of farming including new farms. In late February the Town of Milton revised its R2 zoning to essentially allow unrestricted agricultural uses on properties of at least 2 acres, while smaller properties could apply for special use permits. Jamie Pettis, President of the Saratoga County Farm Bureau, noted at the meeting that half of the county’s farms gross less than $5000 in sales, and these small farms are the ones most encumbered by the cost of complying with onerous regulations. Ballston Town Councilman and accomplished area farmer Chuck Curtis noted, “In the general public there’s a huge disconnect between society and where their food comes from. Questions farmers get every day are astounding. We need to close this gap between the public at large and where their food comes from.”
Anne Morgan (center), with daughter Samantha and son Michael, of Mill Creek Farm (1019 County Road 70, Stillwater, 518- 584-9457, millcreeksaratoga.com) are an example of the thriving multigenerational farm families here in Saratoga County. Their specialty is breeding horses, and they are very busy for months at a time. Photo provided.
Farms are adapting to changing times, but it is slow. A robotic milking machine is now available to dairy farms to provide an alternative to the conventional milking “parlor,” or building that cattle are led into by workers to be hooked up to machines and milked, one at a time. The robotic system is fully automatic and the cows essentially “milk themselves,” since they are quickly trained that walking over to the machine will ease the pressure on their udders. This makes farms less susceptible to labor shortages, and just as “regular” manufacturing made big changes years ago that required less general labor and more trained technicians, this type of system promises to reform agriculture along similar lines. The challenge, though, is to bring costs down enough so that the system produces the same profit that the current, labor-intensive operations do.
Horses are, of course, a huge part of Saratoga County agriculture. And thoroughbreds mean big business for area farms. Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, for example, breeds many horses on its 100 acres, offering a wide array of services including boarding, foaling, sales prep, breeding, layups and stallions. It is hard work, often with little rest for the weary.
2021-’22 Saratoga County Dairy Princess Caitlyn VanDeusen, pictured with her successor, 2022-‘23 Dairy Ambassador Lauren King promoted agriculture at events such as the Waterford Tugboat Roundup, Canal Festival, Saratoga County Fair & more. Photo provided.
“Foaling season takes a toll, as we are working 24 hours around the clock for 6 months of the year,” said Samantha Little, co-owner of Mill Creek Farm, which hosted the last in the annual Sundae on the Farm series aimed at introducing the general public to the farm community.
Sundae on the Farm ended because of the challenges associated with disrupting farm operations at a time when the older generations are no longer able to facilitate such events, and their children aren’t always sure they want to continue in the business. However, many young farmers such as the Saratoga County Dairy Ambassadors are eager to show they have what it takes. At the Waterford Canal Festival, held in mid-May, a Saratoga County Dairy exhibit was sponsored by Stewart’s Shops and the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Also present was a farm tractor, and information reminding us non-farmers of the dangers associated with acting reckless around them while they are on the road. We are blessed to live in a very farm-friendly county and would do well to remember that coexistence is a two-way street.
Stanley Westervelt, 27, is attempting to enter what appears to be an increasingly multiplayer segment of the regional economy.
When he’s not working at a Clifton Park dental clinic or tending his family in New Lebanon, the developer is producing a role-playing video game with friends. His start-up, Midnight Game Studios, has only crowd-sourced $25 since launching a fundraising effort in April.
But Westervelt remains hopeful the now-self-funded four-man venture will eventually funnel enough cash flow to cover promotional, studio, and overhead expenses. Long-term, he dreams of Midnight Game Studios sustaining a presence in the Albany metro area.
“I gotta wait,” Westervelt said. “It’s a long journey ahead before that happens.”
Such dreams have been lived, especially in recent years as more and more firms — from independent ventures to patent-driving corporate operations — tap into the Capital Region’s digital gaming ecosystem.
Buoyed by co-working spaces and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Downtown Troy is one of the so-called cluster’s densest hubs. It’s an inconspicuous scene, too. Many of the larger studios lack visibility. A number of the small indies operate exclusively from home.
“It’s just all online,” said Claire Thomas, co-founder of Pine Drake Games. “It’s just all hidden behind the curtain.”
Velan StudioGame Fest, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Guha BalaKarthik Bala
Here’s what you should know about the Capital Region digital gaming cluster:
THE INDUSTRY ISN’T NEW
Coleco Industries, Inc. began producing video games out of the Mohawk Valley in 1982, briefly adding 1,500 jobs in less than a year. So optimistic was a Coleco spokesperson, he told United Press International that the area could eventually rival Silicon Valley.
It didn’t. The toy manufacturer overestimated the market, took a hit, and then redirected resources towards its signature line of Cabbage Patch Dolls before filing for bankruptcy.
Having far outlived Coleco’s stint in the video game business is Colonie-based Blizzard Albany. Called Vicarious Visions until an April merger, the studio is known for developing franchise hits such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Skylander, and Guitar Hero.
Activision acquired Vicarious Visions in 2005 after 14 years in business. Co-founding brothers Karthik and Guha Bala left to start Velan Studios in 2016.
In its early years, Vicarious Visions advanced from the Bala’s Rochester home basement to RPI’s former Business Incubator program as undergraduates. Computer science alumni were often before gaming-related degree offerings in the mid-2000s.
“There were folks making games and coming through the Incubators that were starting companies well before there was a formal academic program,” said Ben Chang, director of RPI’s Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences program. “And one of the humbling things I’ve learned as a teacher is that oftentimes students are doing it first.”
Later launched were RPI start-ups Agora Games in 2003 and 1st Playable Productions in 2005. With the addition of nine other studios, the so-called digital gaming cluster formed some point between 2016 and 2018, according to the Center for Economic Growth.
THE CLUSTER HAS A ‘COMMON DENOMINATOR’
While still focused on serving a wide net of customers, Jahnel Group’s 40 recent openings cater mostly to a growing list of digital gaming partners. The Schenectady enterprise-level software firm has been building up that roster since Madglory, acquired by South Korean publisher Bluehole in 2018, handed off some clients.
Jahnel Group’s then-chief operating officer Jon Kellar was about a year removed from working at Madglory at the time. A spate of former workers from the Saratoga Springs firm went on to fill industry roles and build studios across the Capital Region.
Enter Brian Corrigan, founder of now-PUBG Madglory.
“I feel like he maybe has brought the game industry here through Madglory,” said Jessie Zweigenthal, director of employee engagement at Jahnel Group. “And just for everyone that I know who was involved in gaming, he seems to be like the common denominator.”
Corrigan worked in an executive post for the Saratoga County firm acquirer until March to take what his website described as “a short break from full-time employment.”
On the side, he still has his hands in the local game industry as a member of Wolfjaw Studios’ board and an advisor for Velan Studios. A venture capitalist, Corrigan has poured investments into local start-ups Powerspike and Rushdown Studios.
In discussion for years, former PUBG Madglory employees Kirk Becker, Andy Polidore, and Richard Hall launched Rushdown Studios last October. Between investment and growth opportunities, seizing on the industry’s momentum became increasingly difficult to pass up.
“It was tough, though because it was like, ‘Hey, I’m getting married this year so I could wait a year?’” Polidore said. “But it just felt like the right time.”
Now numbering around ten employees, Rushdown Studios hopes to bring 20 more onboard within the next year and move office functions out of Becker’s Ballston Spa house.
It’s not certain that Rushdown Studios will remain in Saratoga County.
Either way, Polidore wants the environment to recreate Madglory’s vibrant office culture.
“I think it helped both keep people happy, but also helps bring out new people,” Polidore said.
NOT ALL THE JOBS ARE LOCALLY-BASED
Salaried workers, interns, contractors, and volunteers combined, about 60 people are involved in the Capital Region’s indie gaming subsector. Development is often based out of co-working spaces such as the Tech Valley Center of Gravity, or remote.
Now remote, Queenship Games founder Muse en Lystrala has been based out of London near the home of her lead designer for two years. She hopes to eventually return to Troy.
DANG! has two formerly local employees now working from Portland, OR and Queens, respectively. The Boomerang X creator consists of five friends from RPI, three of which occasionally work at the company’s Troy office.
“When we meet in person, it isn’t someone we discovered online,” Caulkins of DANG! said. “But making the switch to doing some people full-time remotely and seeing that it’s very doable and very manageable definitely opens up the possibility of hiring people anywhere in the world.”
It’s unclear how many distant remote employees work for larger studios within the region.
“It’s our understanding many of the large studios continue to prioritize hiring talent that lives in, or will move to, [sic] the Capital Region,” CEG Spokesperson James Schlett said in an email.
Jahnel Group began offering remote opportunities as early as 2015, long before many white collar employers in the region did the same. While hoping to drive local growth, Kellar said that the company won’t rule out candidates interested in living elsewhere.
“So if somebody wants to move to the area, we would absolutely encourage that and help them do so,” said Kellar, president of Jahnel Group. “But if they want to stay put where they are – where they built their life and career where they stand – we’ll meet them there as well.”
WB Games New York, acquired Agora Studios in 2016, The studio’s website promotes Northeast Corridor living and also states it’s “open to hiring for remote work anywhere in the United States.” WB Games New York didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Large studios within the region collectively boasted 460 jobs as of early 2022, a 5.5% increase from last year, the CEG reported in March. The 2021 survey indicated 16% growth.
Guha believes that the aggregate slowdown in job growth may be fueled by turnover.
“At least when I talk to my peers about it, a lot of it has to do with does a company really have much of a culture?” Guha said. “Does it have a sense of belonging and are so many people added that are remote that don’t have any strong interpersonal links?”
MULTIPLAYER IS ‘WHERE WE LIVE’
Rushdown Studios is currently working on online battle arena games, role-playing games, and party games. All titles share at least one element in common.
“So obviously, they’re all multiplayer,” Polidore said. “Yeah, because that’s kind of where we live.”
He’s referring to the rise of multiplayer gaming resulting from World of Warcraft’s popularity in the mid-2000s. Notable is the massively multiplayer online subgenre, which includes Capital Region-assisted titles such as Skylanders, Vainglory, and League of Legends.
Polidore’s former employer has exclusively focused on providing backend services for multiplayer PUBG: Battlegrounds since acquired four years ago. It’s the fifth best-selling game and the fourth highest-grossing mobile game of all time at $12.65 billion.
Bluehole in January switched PUBG: Battlegrounds to free-to-play, an increasingly popular gaming style reliant on in-app purchases for revenue.
Also embracing free-to-play is Velan Studios, intent on splitting from multiplayer action hit Knockout City’s publisher, Electronic Arts, come June.
“We’re really building out publishing capability ourselves so we have the ability to go to market directly as well and that allowed us to take more creative experiments direct-to-consumer,” Guha said.
GAME DEVELOPMENT HAS A NUMBER OF USES
Chang of RPI believes the digital gaming boom could lead to opportunities for building so-called smart communities. The latter term, mocked by some as a buzzword, refers to the integration of sensory immersive, sustainable and wireless infrastructure to bolster area quality of life.
“The kinds of things that we do in games have to do with taking large amounts of data and then making them into something that the user can understand and interact with very quickly and very intuitively,” Chang said. “So I think there’s a lot of potential for a kind of crossover right there.”
A few start-ups already apply industry skills beyond traditional development. RPI-born Eco Resilience Games last fall released an aquatic habitat simulation game, which directs users to find solutions against harmful algae blooms. Schenectady-based Catapult Games plans to release a virtual reality police de-escalation training tool in under 10 months.
iPACES, a locally developed tablet game designed to treat cognitive ailments, is undergoing what’s hoped to be the last in a decade of clinical trials. Union College neurologist and project lead Cay Anderson-Hanley plans to bring it to market should results prove fruitful.
Pedaling through maps originally developed by contractual partner 1st Playable Productions, users are given tasks and challenged to retrace their steps. This process is designed to connect body and mind.
“We’re not promising that people are going to improve in their cognition,” Andersen-Hanley said. “But these studies focus on that slippery slope for a very slow drop off like an airplane pulling up the wheel so that we all live longer with the best [mental] capacity] we have.”
Andersen-Hanley doesn’t expect trouble attracting older audiences to embrace the technology. While thirty-somethings remain the industry’s most active demographic, an AARP study found 10 million new 50-plus gamers between 2016 to 2019.
“We have people who think it’s totally a novel experience to people who are really intense gamers are trying to jockey their position,” Anderson-Hanley said.
COLLEGES ARE BANKING ON ESPORTS, VIRTUAL REALITY
Nine regional colleges are involved in four esports conferences, respectively.
“The teamwork, the execution — it’s just like the huddle you see on the court in the NBA,” said Michael Leczinsky, founding director and head coach of UAlbany’s esports program. “It’s just like the huddle you see in traditional sports.”
Boasting the largest co-ed roster with more than 140 players, UAlbany is one of two schools with teams for all eight games offered by the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
More than 600 students applied to join the league when it started out of Draper Hall on the downtown campus in 2019. Now ranked nationally, UAlbany vies to upgrade into a 4,000-square-foot space within the ETEC building by 2023.
Game development classes have been facilitated out of the uptown campus building since the discipline in the study within the informatics program last August. A minor is also in the works.
Sharing ETEC with startup booster Innovate 518, Leczinsky hankers to widen the industry’s local pipeline — a pipeline long dominated by RPI. (SUNY Schenectady and Capital Region BOCES also offer digital gaming programs)
“Maybe we have this discussion a few years down the line and we can say, ‘Wow, look at these great startups coming from our area,’” said Leczinsky.
