Dear eNews Reader,
As we enter Autumn, we’re getting a late blast of summer. It’s been a busy time for me attending numerous community events like LUMA, Apple Fest, Blues on the Bridge, the Haudenosaunee Festival, CCE Farm Days, the Rumble Ponies playoffs, and more. I’m also preparing for the upcoming legislative session and working on numerous local issues and concerns that affect all of us. As always, feel free to contact my office with your ideas and concerns.
Donna
1. Chamber Hosts Legislative Breakfast
Attended the Binghamton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Legislative Breakfast earlier this month, with Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joining as the keynote speaker. It’s a good opportunity for elected officials to interact with the local business community and to hear what’s on their minds. Their concerns reflect the general anxiety people are feeling about the economy post-COVID. We discussed the potential for the new battery industry to create many jobs, but without adequate housing and training, we could lose out on valuable opportunities. They also expressed frustration over the unemployment tax surcharge, something I have spoken out on numerous times, and will continue to.
2. Clean Energy Careers Summit Held
With 1,000 job openings in the region, I helped kick off the Greater Binghamton Clean Energy Careers Summit and Job Fair last week. The Summit brought together leaders in the clean energy industry and provided a unique opportunity for networking and career exploration. We also discussed the many challenges we’re facing to take advantage of the clean energy resources available from the federal government. Again, workforce development, as well as the availability of housing and child care, are the prominent concerns. What we need now more than ever is a coordinated strategy. Thank you to the Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow (NEST) and to companies like Raymond and BAE for your participation.
For more information about the event: https://greaterbinghamtongreenjobs.org
3. You may have unclaimed funds!
4. Annual “Fresh Food Face Off” Features Best Local Chefs
I was a celebrity judge at Cooperative Extension’s Fresh Food Face Off! This event is always a great opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes prepared by the area’s top chefs, using ingredients fresh from the Regional Farmers Market. Julia Laude from WBNG and I judged the vegetarian group. Congratulations to Flaming Bag Catering, Sweetay’s LLC, and Fat Cowboys Hitching Post for taking home wins!
For more information about CCE programming, visit ccebroomecounty.com/
5. First Cidery Opens in Broome County
New Leaf Cider Co. in Port Crane opened its doors to the public during the first weekend of September. I joined in on the festivities during their grand opening weekend and they were very busy. Since we created the Farm Cidery license in 2016, cideries have been very popular in other parts of the state. If you’d like to stop by, they’re hosting an “Acoustic Brew” as part of New York Cider Week on Friday, October 6th from 4-9pm, with music starting at 6pm. You can also keep up with them on Facebook for updates!
For more about NY Cider Week: https://ciderweeknewyork.com/
