Business

This is the first in our series on the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce award winners. Today, we feature Robert Bennett, winner of Wolcott “Jay” Humphrey III Excellence in Community Leadership Award. The awards will be presented at a dinner Saturday at the Clarion Hotel.

It takes a truly selfless man to find ways to go above and beyond to volunteer in his community for more than 20 years but Robert Bennett swears that his countless hours of community service have rewarded him just as much in return.

He has served on a number of boards and organizations in Le Roy and Genesee County just because he likes the feeling of being productive and doing good things for good people.

“I’ve made some great friendships and relationships,” Bennett said.

“The kind where if they need something, they call you and if you need something, you call them.”

When he heard he was to receive the Jay Humphrey III Excellence in Leadership Award at the annual Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet, Bennett said he certainly felt humbled.

“What a great award. I was close friends with Jay – he and I worked on many different boards together. We’re old friends.”

Bennett used to work with Humphrey’s family at Wyoming County Bank. Although he’s remained in the banking industry, Bennett now manages the Le Roy Bank of Castile.

“My job at the Bank of Castile encourages everyone to get involved with the community,” he shrugged.

“Banking promotes getting involved…and there’s a lot of things that need your help but it’s not always the money. Anyone can write a check but sometimes it’s expertise, it’s running the projects or helping to guide these organizations.”

Bennett dedicates his time to the Genesee Community College Foundation and the college’s housing board. He’s been involved with United Way, the American Red Cross and he even helped develop the Le Roy Business Council. He is an active Le Roy Rotarian and a past president. He has coached sports teams, helped with Easter egg hunts, appliance raffles and various fundraisers for a number of different causes.

He plans to continue to make service to his community a priority and is currently looking forward to the annual Easter celebration in Le Roy, helping to choose which deserving graduating seniors will be awarded scholarships through the Le Roy Rotary, and working with the GCC foundation.

“If I get involved, I’m usually trying to just do something,” Bennett said.

“It’s not to be a member or a board director…I’m a people person. I just try to make a difference.”

Photos by Howard Owens

When it’s time to spend money on upgrades to your home -- new windows, roofing, siding or renovations inside -- arguably the biggest decision to make is choosing who is right for the job. Here are a few tips to steer you in the right direction:

Choose a Local Business

Yes, it’s nice to help out business in your hometown or county. But let’s face it, finding a knowledgeable, reliable contractor that you can trust to make changes to your nest shouldn’t be based on doing the local economy a favor, right?

Well, think of it this way – the local guy is the one that drives past your house regularly. Hiring a company from out of the immediate area could be giving them the “out of sight, out of mind” feeling for your house, making it just another job for them.

A local contractor doesn’t want to have to avoid dissatisfied patrons while they’re grocery shopping or going for a walk. He wants you to tell your neighbors (and his neighbors) that he did a job that exceeded your expectations.

References

When it comes to project work like home renovations, it’s important to ask your potential contractor for references. A reputable contractor will be more than willing to provide you with many references for you to check out.

If the contractor has only a few, it's almost like admitting he only has a few satisfied customers, and what does that tell you? Of course, the references he has elected to give you will tell you exactly what you want to hear. In some cases, the one or two references could be just a friend, family member or even a bar buddy.

An established contractor will offer a list of projects they’ve done in the past and encourage you to call any name or number on the list.

Deposits and Supplies

As a general rule of thumb, contractors shouldn’t ask for more than 10 percent of the overall project cost as an initial deposit. If someone has to ask for 50 or even 30 percent down, it indicates that he is paying for supplies as the project progresses – not receiving them from a supplier on credit. A typical contract asks for the project balance upon completion.

Unfortunately, many “handyman” contractors get a large portion of project costs up front and then fail to complete the job. From there, it's up to the homeowner to find recourse against the individual.

Also, if a contractor has to buy his supplies as he goes, it is likely that he may be trying to save money by purchasing the cheapest supplies. Another method of skimping is to use just scraps of materials instead of using larger, seamless pieces.

But established, reputable contracting companies turn in their scrap materials for credit with their suppliers – meaning they always use the best pieces for your home.

Warranty

Warranties vary when it comes to what type of changes are being made to your home, but a good contractor will offer guarantees for his work in the form of some kind of warranty.

For example, American Home Remodeling in Batavia offers a lifetime warranty on parts and labor for new windows.

“Once we put a window in your home, we aren’t going to nickel and dime you. If something happens, we’ll come out and fix it for free because we handle top quality products,” said owner Tim Stoddard.

Quality contractors are knowledgeable about manufacturers' warranties as well, and will consider the best value for each customer -- such as siding that is guaranteed not to fade or change color.

American Home Remodeling also touts lifetime warranties on roofing shingles through their manufacturer and they also offer a 15-year installation guarantee "no questions asked."

“If our customers have any issues with their roof in the next 15 years, we’ll come back and fix it no charge,” Stoddard said.

You really do get what you pay for

Although it’s important to find ways to cut costs in a difficult economy, everyone knows the saw "you get what you pay for."

It is possible to find a happy medium. With a solid, trustworthy contractor, an open line of communication can make the budget a priority without having to make unreasonable sacrifices with regard to quality, timeliness of the project, and/or supplies used to upgrade your home.

A farm supply company on Route 98 in Batavia will receive nearly $60,000 in tax abatements to help fund expansion and create four new jobs within the next four years, the Genesee County Economic Development Center has announced.

Monroe Tractor, 7941 Oak Orchard Road (the corner of Route 98 and West Saile Drive), plans to add 6,000 square feet to its existing 16,800-square-foot facility.

The total project cost is $514,000.

GCEDC said the tax abatements will not only create four new jobs, they will help retain 20 jobs.

For this project, according to GCEDC, for every $1 of tax abatement, $313 will be returned to the local economy over 10 years.

The Henrietta-based company, which has 11 locations in western and central New York, will receive a $39,287 property tax exemption and an estimated $20,000 sales tax exemption on materials used in the construction project.

The property tax exemption is designed to offset the increase in assessed value the project will generate.

Walk into Kati’s Place on Main Street in Le Roy and chances are, you’ll see Kati Mancuso ready to seat you or take your order or maybe just shoot the breeze for a while.

The 27-year-old leased the building and fixed up what was formerly Tyler’s Restaurant (closed in 2006) without having to take out any loans or rely on anyone else.

“Nothing worked when I got here,” she shrugged. “The lights didn’t even work when I agreed to take it, but I said yes anyway.”

Mancuso said that although her broker told her the former restaurant was “turnkey ready,” it ended up needing a lot of elbow grease but she was determined.

“Let me tell you about ‘turnkey’ anything,” she joked. “If one more pipe exploded in my face or gas line blew up or anything else had gone wrong, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Odds are, even if she had encountered another disaster, she would have managed to get the restaurant open for business on the designated date – March 14.

“I don’t know why but I set that date...I said, ‘You have one month. Now go.’”

Remarkably, Mancuso and all her supporters did just that. Once she leased the building, she and her family and friends managed to get everything ready so the doors could open for business in four weeks.

“Everybody rallied behind me,” she said. “They got together and, I don’t know, it all fell into place. It was just like people were coming in all the time asking what I needed. I went so long without sleeping and eating to clean this place and get it ready by March 14.”

But at one point, Mancuso had some health issues which put her in the hospital for awhile. When she recovered, she “began making phone calls,” calling up vacant places in Le Roy with her vision in mind. She wanted a place of her own where her regular customers could come to eat and enjoy themselves.

“Truthfully, I did it for them,” she said, gesturing toward a few tables of diners. “These people are family and it’s like I’ve been waiting on them all forever.”

Kati’s Place is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

“Every day we’re open, things just get better and better around here,” Mancuso said. “We’re doing just fine.”

(This story originally contained information referring to another individual of a personal nature that upon reflection should have been removed prior to publication. The information and comments referring to it have been removed.)

A little bit of snow -- and it was a very little bit -- hasn't kept Steve Hawley (pictured above) from opening Hawley Hots outside of Glass Roots on Center Street today. Steve said he'll be open daily from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

An effort to boost membership in the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is being launched and will culminate in a drive in May to sign 100 new members.

On May 11, 12 and 13, chamber volunteers will call on local businesses that are not members and ask them to join.

Above, Lori Stupp, Kelly Bermingham and Chad Zambito, who are heading up the effort.

There are 800 businesses in Genesee County that are eligible for membership.

Photo submitted by the chamber.

Full press release after the jump:

Committee organizers are preparing for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Membership Dive which will be held May 11th, 12th and 13th. Community volunteers will be contacting local businesses that are not currently Chamber Members and encouraging them to join the already 800 local businesses that are members to become a Chamber Member.

The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce has seen a steady decline in membership over the last several years and getting the community behind this event will allow the Chamber the manpower it needs to significantly increase the number of Chamber Members and has set a goal of 100 new members during this 3 day event.

The Chamber of Commerce has a lot to offer our local businesses such as Promoting your Business, Employee Discounts, Consulting, Networking, Advocacy and Health Insurance just to name a few of the many benefits. Becoming a member of the Chamber is one of the best investments your business can make.

For more information on the Membership Drive or becoming a Chamber Member please contact Kelly Bermingham, Director of Membership at 585-343-7440 or email her at kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

Lori Stupp – Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Chad Zambito – Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Kelly Bermingham – Chamber of Commerce Director of Membership

UPDATED 12:44 p.m.

Genesee County gained 300 non-farm jobs in February over January, according to NYS Department of Labor statistics.

For February 2011, there were 22,200 non-farm jobs reported in Genesee County compared to 21,900 in January.

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dropped month-over-month from 9 percent to 8.7. That is down from February 2010 when it was 9.5 percent.

That's still higher than the 12-month low of 6.4 percent in August 2010.

The 12-month high in jobs is 24,400 in June 2010.

Month-over-month, manufacturing jobs held steady at 2,800, and up from 2,700 in February 2010.

Private-sector service jobs also held steady at 12,300 -- up from 12,100 in February 2010.

Government jobs grew from 6,000 to 6,300.

There are 33,300 people -- up 100 from January -- in Genesee County's labor force. The total number of people employed is 29,500. That's up 200 from January.

Here's a news release sent Monday from the NY Farm Bureau.

Lawmakers have restored funding for agricultural programs in the state budget, and Dean Norton, president of the NY Farm Bureau, had this to say about the overall budget agreement.

"Just as we're about to roll our tractors into the fields for a new growing season, our allies in the senate and assembly have come through with a budget that will help ensure a brighter future for our farm families.

"Farmers are full of gratitude this morning for Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Skelos, Senate Ag Chair Patty Ritchie and Assembly Ag Chair Bill Magee. Our leaders in Albany have made an investment in rural New York by restoring funding to dozens of vital agricultural programs that will help grow our industry and create jobs.

"Not only were agricultural programs restored, but the overall budget did make a significant start at tackling our state’s larger fiscal problems, caused mainly by mandatory, nondiscretionary spending levels for labor, education and health care.

“I would particularly like to commend our Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committee chairs -- Senator Ritchie and Assemblyman Magee. Both the Senate and Assembly Majority budget proposals contained substantial investments in agriculture infrastructure programs, and Senator Ritchie and Assemblyman Magee worked very hard with members of their respective conferences to make sure that the budget was a fair one for the farm community.

"Programs such as the Integrated Pest Management, Pro-Dairy, New York FarmNet, and the New York Farm Viability Institute, as well as several promotion and agricultural education programs and others are crucial to the future success of our farm families throughout Upstate New York and the farm towns of Long Island.

"Other programs like Re-Charge NY will expand low-cost power to businesses, including farms. Re-Charge NY was one of New York Farm Bureau members' priority issues this year and we are very pleased with its accomplishment for our farmers and the food processing industry.

"We are equally excited about regional economic development councils that we expect to include stakeholders in agriculture and food processing.

Farm Bureau members lobbied hard for restoration of our agricultural programs with a message to the governor and legislature that if you want to revive the state economy, a great place to start is with agriculture. Our leaders listened.

"We have nearly 36,000 farms in New York, which means there are 36,000 small businesses employing New Yorkers, stimulating the economy and most importantly, producing food, fuel and fiber for our neighbors."

This information comes from Assemblyman Steve Hawley's office.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley recently applauded the return of the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear.

In 2010, Assemblyman Hawley voted against a measure to enforce a 4 percent sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110.

As of April 1, clothing and footwear under $55 will be tax free until the exemption is extended in 2012 to include items under $110.

“I voted against this regressive tax last year because it served only to push consumers across state lines when they could have otherwise supported small businesses right here in our own community,” Hawley said. “Increasing taxes on clothing hurt those who could least afford it, like working families who are trying to feed and clothe their children.

"I encourage all Western New Yorkers to take advantage of this fee’s sunset by frequenting the locally owned and operated clothing stores that help build the regional economy.”

One of Batavia's most historic landmarks, the Pontillo's sign on the pizzeria at the corner of East Main Street and Harvester Avenue, was removed this morning and replaced by a "Batavia's Original Pizzeria" sign.

Three investors from Rochester bought the former Pontillo's location and opened it as Pontillo's in early 2010, but they were served with a trademark infringement suit in September.

In early December, the name of the business was changed to Batavia's Original Pizzeria.

The new sign says Batavia's Original was established in 1947.

The original Pontillo's closed in the fall of 2008 and the property was eventually sold at a foreclosure auction. The Rochester investors purchased the property from the bank that bought it at auction. (Financial history covered in this story.)

Sam Pontillo, son of Salvatore and Elizabeth Pontillo, is manager of Batavia's Original.

The Le Roy Pontillo's location was closed a couple of months ago and Sam Pontillo reportedly removed all of the equipment. His brother, John Pontillo, may be planning to open another pizzeria at that location. John currently operates a pizzeria in Geneseo.

UPDATE: The woman's last name has now been provided.

This is a news release from Batavia Downs Casino.

Marilyn Brightman from Rochester doesn’t drive -- but she may learn now that she’s the owner of a 2011 Cadillac CTS.

She and her husband were among the thousands of Player’s Club members who crowded into Batavia Downs Casino Saturday night for the chance to win the shiny new Caddy or $25,000 in cash.

“I was thrilled when I learned I won,” Brightman said.

She and her husband are still deciding on whether to take the car or the cash.

The big drawing at 10 p.m. topped off the Genesee County casino’s second-busiest day for coin-in since opening in May 2005.

Ken Barrett Chevrolet-Cadillac of Batavia partnered with Batavia Downs Casino on the grand prize.

Batavia Downs Casino is licensed by the New York State Lottery to conduct casino operations, including slots. Batavia Downs Casino is owned and operated by Western Regional Off-Track Betting, a public benefit corporation.

Earlier this week, people told me Matty's Pizzeria was closed. I tried contacting owner Brad Fairbanks for confirmation, but could not reach him.

There is now an ad in this week's PennySaver for an auction of all Matty's equipment and fixtures at 2 p.m., March 31.

If you purchased a Matty's gift card in The Batavian's Deal of the Day on Feb. 18 or later, we will refund your money. You must return the unused gift card to us. Our address is 200 E. Main St., #5, Batavia, NY 14020. Refunds will be issued through PayPal.

So tonight I drove out to the Wortendyke Road to the Bontrager Auction house -- not to take pictures (but you know, I always have my camera with me) but to bid on a set of 10 Don Carmichael prints.

If you've ever been in a local business and seen a pen-and-ink drawing of a local historic building, chances are, it's a Don Carmichael print. (Lorie Longhany has also done some wonderful drawings of local buildings).

I had my heart set on winning these at auction tonight, but it turns out it wasn't meant to be.

Still, the auction was great fun and I always enjoy taking pictures.

More pictures after the jump:

For the 38th time, the Batavia Jaycees are hosting its annual Home Show. This year, it is once again at Batavia Downs. 

The show is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A couple dozen vendors are on hand to help owners explore options for home improvement.

If we're going to keep businesses in New York, they need ways to save money, and that's the chief reason the Genesee County Legislature should get behind creating a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) in the county, according to Charles Giunta, port director for U.S. Customs in Rochester.

Giunta (pictured above) was brought to the Ways and Means Committee meeting Wednesday afternoon by staff of the Genesee County Economic Development Center.

"I’m a different kind of port director," Giunta said. "I go out four or five times a month and make presentations to companies on foreign trade zones. Why? Because foreign trade zones mean we're going to keep the business here. They're not going to go overseas. If I can save these companies money, then it’s a no-brainer."

A foreign trade zone allows a business to import products and materials duty-free that will be used to manufacture items. It's as if the FTZ is outside the United States. There is only a duty if the item is "imported" (sold) into the U.S.

For example -- as used in the meeting -- if you built motorcycles and bought some of the parts overseas, you would pay duty, say $20 each, on the handlebars, headlamp, starter and seat. But the duty on a completed motorcycle is only $10.  So the company saves money on buying all the parts and pays duty on only the finished product when it becomes a consumed item in the United States.

GCEDC is putting together an application for an FTZ and needs the support of the legislature. A resolution will be presented to the Ways and Means Committee at its next meeting. The GCEDC is also gathering data and support material to sway the FTZ board in Washington, D.C., that there is a need and desire for an FTZ in Genesee County.

If a general FTZ is granted to Genesee County, companies that want to take advantage of the FTZ would need to apply for a subzone. A subzone must be fenced off or otherwise segregated from non-FTZ factory operations.

There is a $5,000 annual fee companies must pay.

The fee would be paid, in this case, to GCEDC, and Mark Masse, senior VP of operations, said the fee would be reinvested in GCEDC's parks and programs.

The idea of applying for an FTZ came up when a local manufacturer made a request for an FTZ. The Genesee County-based company has a plant in Georgia and an FTZ locally would save the company more than $15,000 a month.

"So there is an urgency because every month that goes by, we’re missing out and they’re out that money," said Chris Suozzi, vice president of business development for GCEDC.

Roberta Jordans, with the law firm Harris-Beach, said that with the importance President Barack Obama is putting on increasing American exports, the FTZ board in Washington is trying to expedite applications. The normal 18-month process has been shorted, she said.

Legislators pumped Giunta and Jordans with questions.

Edward DeJaneiro wanted to know that if FTZs aren't technically part of the United States, what happens if a crime is committed.

It turns out, if a person steals from within an FTZ, it's a federal crime.

Inventory control is one of the most closely watched aspects of an FTZ by U.S. Customs, Giunta. While small thefts are usually handled internally, and require notification to customs, Giunta said, big thefts will trigger a customs investigation.

After the meeting, Jordans said that companies within a FTZ must still comply with all state and federal environmental regulations, for example, as well as local zoning ordinances.

Mary Pat Hancock wondered if a FTZ would create local companies that stop buying locally grown crops.

Giunta said there just isn't as much money to be saved on importing food to make it financially worthwhile for a food processor to be part of an FTZ. The duty even on sugar has come down substantially, said Giunta, and many food items have almost no duty.

Jay Grasso wanted to know why, with it being such a seemingly great thing, there aren't more counties setting up free trade zones (the program is 76 years old).

Giunta said there simply aren't many officials with U.S. Customs out marketing the program. A lot of companies don't understand it or think it's too difficult of a process.

Masse (pictured below) said it hasn't necessarily been easy so far to convince local manufacturers to apply for subzones. Many times, businesses haven't sent decision makers to attend FTZ presentations, so something may be lost in translation when it gets back to the decision makers.

"Once somebody gets in and becomes successful, then it will become easier to sell to everybody else," Masse said.

Suozzi said the FTZ will help support other GCEDC projects, such at the STAMP project in Alabama.

"This is a tool to retain business here and it's a tool to attract business," Suozzi said. "This is a huge opportunity."

As the snow melts, months worth of trash is being revealed in some of the flower beds on Main Street.

Don Burkel, executive director of the Business Improvement District sent out a timely reminder to downtown business owners to do a little clean up in front of their establishments.

Burkel said that if everyone would pick up trash, debris and cigarette butts in front of their stores or offices, it would have a big impact on the impression customers get when visiting downtown.