Rush FunDay at A Horse's Friend
Sunday, September 3rd 11:00-1:00
Come and meet our horses and staff at this FUN outdoor FAMILY event!
You will be able to ride a pony, lasso a steer, take a tour on foot or in our tractor wagon, paint at the art station, and take a picture in our horse "gallery".
All are welcome to this FREE event!
6565 East River Road
585-749-9885
RG&E Conducting State and Federal Mandatory Inspections on Gas Meters Inspections are ongoing throughout the year to support safe delivery of natural gas into homes and businesses Part of State Public Service Commission requirement ROCHESTER, N.Y. — August 24, 2023 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) will be in neighborhoods across the region inspecting natural gas meters that are located inside homes and businesses. This is a federal and state requirement that supports safe delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses. There are approximately 125,000 indoor meters in RG&E’s service territory. Of those, 33,000 are due to be inspected this year. Inspectors will use a device to detect any gas leakage and complete a visual inspection for corrosion on all exposed piping up to the natural gas meter inside homes and businesses. “Any number of issues can go unnoticed if our gas infrastructure isn’t inspected,” said Chris Hepler, manager of RG&E Gas Operations Technical Services. “Excessive corrosion, abnormal operating conditions, and leaks are just a few of the items that could pose a problem for customers and property if a meter is not inspected on schedule.” RG&E employees and qualified contractors will perform these meter inspections. They will identify themselves and show green or yellow company identification badges before entering a home or business. RG&E encourages customers to always ask to see the ID of any employee and contractor. You can expect to see inspectors in your neighborhood Mondays through Saturdays. The inspection will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. If you are not available or we are unable to access the meter, we will leave an informational card to schedule a second visit. If we are unable to gain access to a meter, gas service could be shut off until it is deemed safe, and customers may be charged a $100 fee. You can learn more about the inspections here Gas Safety Inspections - RGE # # # About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com. About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, Avangrid ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.
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The Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB) is now available at: |
DEC Job Postings |
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The Listing of Job Vacancies on DEC's public website has been updated. The current vacancy list can be found online at: |
Find Your Adventure - August 2023 |
Annual 16-Day Open House for WMAs in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties
Wildlife Management Areas, or WMAs, are areas of state land managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife to help bolster habitats while providing for wildlife-centered activities like wildlife watching, fishing, hunting, and trapping. Between August 16 - 31, DEC will open three otherwise restricted areas WMAs in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties to the public for an annual open house. All three locations are featured on the Adirondack-North Country Region of the NYS Birding Trail and provide excellent birding opportunities for all skill levels.
During the open house, DEC may be conducting habitat and wildlife management projects on these WMAs, so visitors are advised to avoid any operating machinery and pay attention to temporary signage. For additional information about WMA annual openings, rules and regulations, as well as bird lists and maps, contact the DEC's Regional Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263, or visit the Region 6 WMA page. Photo Credit: Osprey at Wilson Hill WMA by Ben Dixon, St. Lawrence County Trails Visit DEC at The Great New York State Fair
The Great New York State Fair will take place Wednesday, August 23 – Monday, September 4 in Syracuse. Stop by the DEC Aquarium Building to see the gamefish in DEC’s large tanks and conveniently purchase your hunting and fishing licenses. At our Conservationist booth in the Aquarium Building, you can receive a special rate on subscriptions to the New York State Conservationist Magazine and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Lifetime Fishing License or Sporting Goods gift card. Free seedlings provided by the Saratoga Nursery will also be given away daily. On Saturday, August 27 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. join DEC staff for a free family fishing clinic. You can participate even if you don't have a New York State fishing license. Rods and bait will be provided, and DEC staff will be on hand to assist. Recreating Safely During Air Quality Alerts
Earlier this summer, smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires created hazy, orange skies, the smell of smoke, and poor Air Quality Index levels throughout the State. Throughout this summer, NYS issued Air Quality Health Advisories due to the smoke. Wildfire smoke contains several pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide, which can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, wheezing, coughing, and trouble breathing. Exposure to high concentrations of smoke can aggravate pre-existing health problems, including triggering asthma attacks and exacerbating the effects of many other lung and heart conditions. Young children’s lungs are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of inhaling smoke because they are still growing. While planning time for outdoor fun this season, make sure to reduce smoke exposure for yourself and those you care about by following these tips from DEC’s Division of Air Resources:
Photo Caption: Smoke-filled skies obscure the view of Taughannock Falls in Trumansburg, NY, on June 7, 2023. Take a Ride to Your Favorite Public Lands
As summer winds down, take advantage of several free public transportation services across the state to get you to your favorite DEC and State Parks lands. To visit some of Western New York’s most popular parks, take a ride on the free Saturday bus service, the Parks Adventure Bus. Just announced, the bus will be offering transportation to both upcoming Fall Festivals at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve on September 23 and Como Park on September 30. This service departs from the bus station in downtown Buffalo (181 Ellicott Street). The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) and the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) have also partnered together again to offer free Saturday CDTA bus service to connect City of Albany residents to parks and outdoor spaces around Albany. Ride the Nature Bus to places including DEC’s Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, MHLC’s Normans Kill West Preserve, or the Albany County Rail Trail. Services will run through Saturday, October 15. Nearby residents in Schenectady may also take advantage of MHLC and CDTA’s Nature Bus Trolley, which will offer its final service of the season to Collins Park and Sanders Preserve on Saturday, August 26, Fall For the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
With cooler temps and changing colors, fall is a great time to take the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge! To enter, visit all six Catskill Fire Towers within the 2023 calendar year and submit an online or paper (PDF) hike log along with a favorite photo from your adventure. All participants will receive a challenge patch, as well as a chance to win various outdoor prizes. Repeat finishers who have completed a past Catskill Fire Tower Challenge will also be awarded a commemorative mug. For a bonus entry, submit a photo practicing Leave No Trace™ while out on your hikes. Make sure to plan ahead and prepare for your journey by learning more about the challenge and hikes and deciding when the best time is for you, your family, friends, or hiking companions to hit the trails! Photo Credit: Joseph Smyczynski Upcoming Events:Tues. Aug. 15: Free Pop-Up Fishing Clinic at Riverside Park (New York County) |
Visitors to the New York Museum of Transportation on Sunday, August 27, will delight to barrel organ music played by several “organ grinders” and their unique instruments. Enthusiasts of this early form of musical entertainment will be cranking out tunes from a variety of vintage wind instruments, bringing back the sights and sounds from more than a century ago.
Organ grinders were itinerant showmen who traveled through cities and towns, often with a pet monkey or other animal. On street corners and aboard trains and trolleys, they played their tunes for the coins donated by enthralled listeners, captivated by the unique sound of the barrel organs.
The New York Museum of Transportation will echo with these sounds while visitors get an up close experience, listening, watching and trying their hands at making the music themselves.
Trolley rides and the organ grinder gathering are included in the admission price of $10 for adults, $9 for seniors age 65 and up, and $6 youths age 3-12. Admission is free for youths under age three. No reservations are needed.
The New York Museum of Transportation is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays and is located at 6393 East River Road, just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester and easily reached from Exit 11 off I-390. For information, call 533-1113 or visit http://www.nymtmuseum.org
Since its foundation in 2004, A Horse’s Friend, Inc., has touched the lives of more than 5,000 such youth, disadvantaged, and otherwise underprivileged children. AHF is an outreach program designed to expose youth from the inner city and underserved populations to the world of horses. On August 12, enjoy special extended train rides with an optional walking tour of the AHF stables! This open house activity lasts about 45 minutes and includes horse interactions, games, photo opportunities, and other activities. Because a significant amount of walking is involved, the tour not suggested for those with mobility issues.
Your adventure starts just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester when you check in with the friendly ticket agent to pick up your tickets. Enjoy fun vintage train rides that depart every half hour from our historic 1909 Erie Railroad train station. During your visit, you will enjoy train rides that tour our museum grounds as you visit New York’s largest collection of historic trains. Enjoy a mile-and-a-half round trip train ride through our bucolic museum grounds. Tour our exhibits and take a peek behind the scenes in our Restoration Shop. Refreshments available for purchase. Our museum gift shop is stocked with souvenirs for train buffs of all ages. All aboard!
Please select “Open-Air Car” tickets for optional Farm Tour!
Adults (18+) $15.00
Youth (5-17) and Seniors (65+) $10.00
Age 4 and Under Ride Free!
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August Invasive Species News |
Have you heard about the Elm zigzag sawfly (EZS)?
What is it? The elm zigzag sawfly (Aproceros leucopoda) is an exotic insect pest native to East Asia that feeds exclusively on the leaves of elm trees. It was first detected in St. Lawrence County in August 2022 and has since been found in many locations across New York State.
EZS can most easily be identified by their unique zig-zag feeding pattern. Learn more about EZS and how to identify it. Where is it in New York? Just this summer, EZS has been found in Allegany, Ontario, Madison, Ulster, Schenectady, Albany, Saratoga, Warren, and Clinton counties, with new counties being confirmed weekly. How is it impacting our forests? As a newly introduced species, the impact of EZS on our forests is not yet clear. Most reported defoliation has been minor, with only 2 – 5% of leaves showing damage. However, one Niskayuna resident reported several Siberian elms in their yard that were severely defoliated. Potentially, urban forests could endure the worst of EZS damage, as various elm cultivars are widely planted in ornamental landscapes. Open-grown elms with large canopies provide abundant foliage to support multiple generations of EZS within a growing season. What is DEC doing about it? The DEC has partnered with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to conduct research on the phenology, damage severity, and associated insect community of EZS. This research will help us better understand how EZS interacts with our environment and what, if any, natural controls might be present. The DEC also participates with a working group of practitioners and researchers from all states with EZS present, in order to stay up-to-date on current research and best management practices. What can I do to help? Keep an eye out and report sightings to iMap Invasives! This pest is being detected in new counties weekly, so reports are incredibly valuable right now to help us understand the full range of this pest. If you are in or near the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario region, you can help with early detection efforts! The SLELO PRISM has developed an invasive species Volunteer Surveillance Network with partners and community members. To join this effort, please visit the SLELO Elm Zigzag Sawfly webpage and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Photo credit (2nd photo): Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org Participate in the Asian Longhorned Beetle Pool Survey!
Do you own a pool? You can help protect NY’s trees from the invasive Asian longhorned beetle (ALB)! Check your pool filter for insects that resemble ALB and email photos of suspects to Visit our website for ID tips and common look-alikes. No pool? No problem! You can still help. Watch for signs of ALB in trees including round, dime-sized exit holes and sawdust collecting on trunks or branches. |
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For Immediate Release: 8/7/2023 |
GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL |
GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES MICROLOANS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE $55.5 SMALL BUSINESS REVOLVING LOAN FUND 2
Expanded Program Awarded Through the Federal State Small Business Credit Initiative to Provide Shorter Term Loans and Address Inequitable Capital Access
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the expanded $55.5 million Small Business Revolving Loan Fund 2 is available to provide shorter-term microloans and regular loans to address inequitable capital access by bridging the financing gaps facing new companies, under-banked communities and small businesses. Part of New York’s broader State Small Business Credit Initiative efforts led by Empire State Development, this expanded program will leverage financial loan capital to drive economic activity by expanding access to short-term loan capital for small, micro and socially and economically disadvantaged individual-owned businesses that have faced historical barriers to obtaining credit or adequate loan terms. This builds on the success of the first round of the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund that launched in 2010 with $25 million in funding that achieved nearly $280 million in loans issued to small businesses.
“Ninety-eight percent of New York’s businesses have fewer than 100 employees and are a key driver of our economic growth,” Governor Hochul said. “The Small Business Revolving Loan Fund 2 will bolster these small businesses, especially our minority and women entrepreneurs, and help build the economy of the future.”
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “When our small businesses succeed, our communities succeed. The Small Business Revolving Loan Fund 2 will support our small businesses by providing capital to help businesses thrive, create jobs and grow New York’s economy, now and for the future."
Small businesses may apply for lending through a participating Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Program lenders use the capital from the program along with matching capital from other resources to further enhance available funding for small businesses. Typical uses of funds are working capital, acquisition and/or improvement of real property, acquisition of machinery and equipment, and in some cases refinancing of debt obligations.
Microloans (loans between $500 and $25,000); and regular loans (typically as large as $250,000 or more depending upon the lender) are available with terms based upon each lender’s individual offerings.
Program lenders are the primary point of contact for borrowers, and each have their own loan application process and loan products. Competitive interest rates, terms and fees are determined by the individual program lenders. Lenders are responsible for applications and credit decisions.
Participating lenders for this program are:
Adirondack Economic Development Corporation: $1,000,000
Service Area: Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Fulton, Herkimer, Oneida, Oswego, Saratoga, Warren, Washington counties
BOC Capital Corp.: $2,000,000
Service Area: Queens, Kings, Richmond, New York, Bronx, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau counties
Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund: $1,500,000
Service Area: Queens, Kings, New York and Bronx counties
NYBDC (dba Pursuit Lending): $3,000,000
Service Area: Statewide – all counties
NYBDC Local Development Corporation (dba Pursuit Lending): $3,000,000
Service Area: Statewide – all counties
Renaissance Economic Development Corporation: $4,000,000
Service Area: Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk
Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties
Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union: $500,000
Service Area: Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties
TruFund Financial Services: $3,000,000
Service Area: Queens, Kings, Richmond, New York, Bronx, Westchester, Suffolk, Nassau counties
Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corporation: $100,000
Service Area: Northern Manhattan which includes Washington Heights, Inwood, and Western Bronx in New York and Bronx counties
Additional lenders are expected to enroll throughout the Fall of 2023.
State Senator Sean M. Ryan said, "Homegrown businesses are essential to the success of New York's economy, so it is important that we maintain a constant focus on creating and funding programs that produce a friendlier climate for those who do business here. Inequitable access to loans can often make it difficult for would-be entrepreneurs to establish and maintain small businesses. By bridging that gap, this fund will remove a major barrier for prospective small business owners, create new jobs, and accelerate economic growth throughout the state."
Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Accessing funding for upgrades, to hire and retain employees, and grow has often been a struggle. The Small Business Revolving Loan Fund is changing this by offering flexible funding to our expanding pool of small entrepreneurs. This will help New York State develop a more equitable, diverse and stable economy where small businesses of all kinds can thrive on their own terms.”
About State Small Business Credit InitiativeMore than $500 million in federal funding has been allocated to support the resurgence of small businesses across New York State through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), a program through the American Rescue Plan Act. Managed by the U.S. Department of Treasury, SSBCI provides funds to support programs for small businesses, including socially and economically disadvantaged individual (SEDI) owned businesses and very small businesses (VSB), to recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 and allow them opportunity to succeed in the post-pandemic economy. With this funding, Empire State Development (ESD) has developed a suite of capital access and equity programs to help New York State small businesses grow and succeed. Learn about the following SSBCI programs that Empire State Development has established at esd.ny.gov/ssbci.
Additional news available at www.governor.ny.govNew York State | Executive Chamber |
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