Catholic Health, Ascension Health and Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center have agreed in principle to formalize a comprehensive agreement to have Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in Niagara County become a full member of the Catholic Health System.

New York state ended the 2013-14 fiscal year in the strongest fiscal position in years and was able to deposit $175 million in the Rainy Day Reserve Fund for the first time since 2008, according to a report on the recently enacted state budget released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Still, the $143 billion budget continues to rely, in part, on temporary funding streams to attain balance.

"After a tough few years, New York state is in better fiscal shape thanks to an improving economy and difficult fiscal choices made by the Governor and the Legislature," DiNapoli said. "

Assemblyman John Ceretto is initiating talks to seek support for two new economic development initiatives to boost the Niagara Falls tourist economy. First, Ceretto is exploring the possibility of building the new Buffalo Bills stadium in Niagara Falls. A recent report about the stadium task force named Niagara Falls as a possible site. In addition, he is looking to bring Nik Wallenda back to the area.

"Bringing the Bills to Niagara Falls would be a major victory for our community. It would give our local tourism economy a big shot in the arm and create jobs for Western New York families," Ceretto said.

The Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee approved more than $1.7 million in funding recently for five projects to improve the waterfront along the Niagara River Greenway.

The following entities proposed projects that were awarded funding: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, Buffalo Olmstead Parks Conservancy, Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association, Cazenovia Community Boating Center and the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Legacy Council. The funding is from the New York Power Authority and was made possible as a result of the federal relicensing of NYPA's Niagara Power Project in 2007.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the results of its fraudulent refund prevention program. In 2013, 255,000 fraudulent and erroneous refunds totaling more than $413 million were stopped, and the department has identified $287 million in questionable refunds already this year.

The department uses a combination of sophisticated technology and highly trained staff to review every tax return and stop suspicious refunds before they're issued. The program is a model for other states, and was recognized this year with an Outstanding Technology Award by the Washington, D.C.-based Federation of Tax Administrators.

The New York Power Authority on Monday issued its 2013 annual report, combining a summary of the past year's accomplishments with updates on its sustainability activities in one comprehensive publication.

At the same time as the issuance of its annual report, NYPA also released an overview of its financial performance during the past three years, which can be viewed at http://www.nypa.gov/AR13/ar13-Financials.pdf. Both documents demonstrate how prudent management practices place NYPA in a strong financial position to implement its 2014-19 strategic vision, announced last month, and available at www.nypa.gov/PDFs/StraVis2014/.

The First Niagara Foundation is sponsoring the fifth annual New York Business Plan Competition. The event is hosted by The SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany's School of Business, and Syracuse University, in partnership with SEFCU, SUNY, and collegiate partner institutions across the state.

The 2014 New York Business Plan Competition features regional competitions in New York's 10 Regional Economic Development Council zones that will lead up to a statewide final competition at CNSE's Albany Nanotech Complex on April 25.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors has approved an application for assistance for Wurlitzer Industrial Park Inc. The park is a multi-tenant facility on the site of the former Wurlitzer organ factory at 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda.

"It is just as important to keep existing infrastructure and office space as up to date as possible as it is to provide incentives for new builds," said NCIDA Chairman Henry M. Sloma. "In this instance, these upgrades and improvements will not only help retain existing companies at the industrial park who employ almost 300 residents in the local community, but also immediately creates new jobs and the potential for even more new jobs once the renovations have been made."

The New York Power Authority board of trustees has approved the award of competitively bid contracts, valued at more than $20 million, to two Buffalo-based businesses: Ferguson Electric Construction Co. Inc., and Quality Inspection Services Inc.

"The New York Power Authority remains committed to further strengthening its core generation assets," said Harry Francois, regional manager for Western New York, NYPA. "The auxiliary equipment installations and ongoing operations monitoring covered by these contracts are but two of recent examples. We seek qualified, cost-effective contractors who do excellent work on-time and on-budget."

Explore & More was awarded the 21st Century Fund's $100,000 grant to be used in the exhibit designs for the new children's museum set to open in the South Aud Block of Canalside on Buffalo's waterfront in 2016.

On March 27, members of the 21st Century Fund gathered to hear presentations from the final four contenders for the grant, including Explore & More, the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo, Habitat For Humanity and the YWCA of Niagara. Members voted that evening to select Explore & More as the recipient of the $100,000 award, out of an original field of 19 applicants.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced more than $245,000 in funding awards to two Western New York companies for projects that will create 35 new jobs in the region, and expand manufacturing capability, increase productivity, provide job training, and grow market share for their businesses.

The New York Power Authority trustees approved funding to Eden Valley Growers Inc., and Living Green Insulation Products and Services LLC.

This represents the fifth round of funding awards approved by the trustees from recommendations made by the Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, voted to pass a budget that includes major tax relief initiatives, the remainder of the "Buffalo Billion," increased aid to local school districts, and reforms to the Common Core mandates. Ceretto called this budget, which is the fourth consecutive on-time budget for the state, another step in the right direction for Western New York families.

Other parts of the budget Ceretto helped pass include increased funding for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, property tax relief for victims of last year's floods, and cost of living adjustments for human services workers.

As a business leader and involved citizen in the Lewiston area, Allstate exclusive agency owner Phillip Mastantuono has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2014.

This designation is being presented to Mastantuono for his outstanding business performance and commitment to putting customers at the center of his agency's work.

"The Premier Agency designation is not just about Phillip's successful business results. The honor also demonstrates Phillip's commitment in being accessible to customers and using knowledge to help ensure customers have the insurance products they need to protect themselves and their family," said Eva McIntee, Allstate New York's field vice president.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved an allocation of low-cost hydropower to Trinity Packaging Corp. of Cheektowaga for a planned $6.5 million expansion of its manufacturing plant, and a commitment to retain 129 jobs and create 21 new, good-paying jobs.

"One of Western New York's top resources - clean, low-cost hydropower - is a key element in reinvigorating the region's economy," Cuomo said.

Empire State Development has announced Praxair Inc. is expanding its business and building a steam methane reformer to increase the supply of hydrogen for its liquid hydrogen plant in Niagara Falls. This investment will not only retain 78 jobs, but also serve growing customer needs for hydrogen in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S., and southeastern Canada. Empire State Development, the state's economic development agency, will provide a $1 million capital grant to assist the company with its facility and equipment investment.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the New York Power Authority board of trustees approved another round of low-cost power allocations under the statewide ReCharge NY program. Approximately 5.8 megawatts of low-cost power will be distributed among 14 businesses in Western New York, the Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson area, New York City and Long Island, and are expected to leverage in excess of $207 million in capital investment commitments. Of the more than 2,400 jobs supported by this round of allocations, about 670 jobs are being newly created.

Refunds totaling nearly $51 million may be waiting for an estimated 57,400 New York taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2010, the Internal Revenue Service announced. However, to collect the money, a return for 2010 must be filed with the IRS no later than Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

The IRS estimates that half the potential refunds due New York taxpayers for 2010 are more than $623.

Nationally, refunds totaling almost $760 million may be waiting for an estimated 918,600 taxpayers who did not file a federal income tax return for 2010. The IRS estimates that half the potential refunds for 2009 are more than $571.

The Wheatfield Business Association inducted its 2014 officers and board members on Feb. 17 at the Meeting Place in Bergholz. Wheatfield Supervisor Bob Cliffe welcomed the WBA members in attendance and proceeded to swear in the following slate of officers:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today presented Congressman Chris Collins, R-NY-27, with its annual Spirit of Enterprise Award in recognition of his support of pro-growth, pro-jobs policies during the first session of the 113th Congress.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for my support of pro-business policies during my first year in Congress," Collins said. "As a member of the House Committee on Small Business, and having been a businessman and entrepreneur myself, I recognize how important it is to support legislation that encourages business creation and growth."

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council recently held a roundtable summit in Niagara Falls to discuss strategies and programs to assist Niagara County with regional economic development priorities. Participants were joined by members of the WNYREDC, elected officials, industry leaders, economic development partners and other invited members of the county communities for participatory roundtable discussions.

The summits focused on learning more about the role of the WNYREDC, the New York State Consolidated Funding Application process, the components of a successful funding application, and ultimately how to cultivate an increase in Niagara County projects that successfully receive state resources and support through the next round of the CFA funding process.

David Karwick of Key Investment Services has received the Citizen of the Year Award from the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, honoring him for his dedication to volunteer service.

"There's nothing more satisfying than giving back to the community, making it a better place and helping those in need," said Karwick, accepting the award and crediting KeyBank for encouraging community commitment and volunteerism in its employees.

"We take pride in the many contributions our dedicated employees make in volunteering their time, energies and expertise to improving the communities we serve," said Gary Quenneville, president, Western New York Region, KeyBank.

The SUNY Construction Fund has awarded LP Ciminelli the bid for the first phase of construction for the University at Buffalo's new School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences building at Main and High streets on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The eight-story, 540,000-square-foot building is the first project to have received NYSUNY Challenge Grant funding provided by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo when he signed the NYSUNY 2020 bill into law in 2011. Construction of the $375 million medical school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2016, will be funded by private philanthropy and state support.

The New York Power Authority announced Tuesday the issuance of an energy efficiency progress report that shows the energy performance of New York state government buildings improved by nearly 5 percent in the first year of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's BuildSmart NY Initiative.

The initiative, which is being administered by NYPA, is intended to reduce energy consumption at state facilities by 20 percent by 2020.

The BuildSmart NY progress report, which was released today, reveals the agencies that operate the state's universities, prisons, hospitals, offices and other facilities are well on their way to meeting the governor's statewide mandate.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has released his annual "Pennies for Charity" fundraising report showing that for-profit telemarketers operating in New York in 2012 retained the lion's share of donations they raised on behalf of charities - more than $154 million that was intended to help those in need.

Telemarketers registered in New York reported raising more than $249 million in contributions in 2012, the most ever in the history of "Pennies for Charity." The 2013 "Pennies for Charity, Where Your Money Goes: Telemarketing by Professional Fundraisers" report found telemarketers kept an average of 62 cents of every charitable dollar they raised as their fees and expenses, with just 38 percent of the funds actually going to charitable organizations.

Local sales tax collections of $14.9 billion grew by $739 million in 2013, an increase of 5.2 percent from 2012, according to a report issued by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The increase outpaced annual growth rates of 3.3 percent in 2012 and 5 percent in 2011, as well as the 15-year annual average growth of 4.5 percent.

"This is welcome news for our municipalities, and comes at a time when local revenues have been experiencing little to no growth," DiNapoli said. "The majority of the increase appears to stem from storm clean up, which gives these communities a short-term boost. As the economy continues its tenuous recovery, sales tax collections could vary either way for local governments, and is generally a more volatile source of revenue."

On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo launched the "No Excuses" push, designed to help pass proposed property tax cuts for millions of New Yorkers. The initiative includes a new website, www.CutPropertyTaxes.ny.gov, featuring information on the governor's plan to cut property taxes, statements of support from elected officials and advocacy groups across the state, and resources for visitors to contact their state legislators to make their voices heard.

In January, at both the State of the State Address and executive budget presentation, the governor outlined his plan to freeze property taxes for two years and create a "circuit breaker" that will provide tax relief based on an individual's or family's ability to pay.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, The Walt Disney Company, Marvel and Netflix Inc. have announced Marvel's landmark live-action television series, which will bring Marvel's "flawed heroes of Hell's Kitchen" characters to Netflix, the world's leading Internet TV network, will principally film in New York state.

Filming is set to begin this summer and will create at least 3,000 jobs in New York, including up to 400 full-time jobs.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Monday that IBM will bring 500 new information technology jobs to Buffalo, a commitment leveraged by a $55 million "Buffalo Billion" investment by the state in the Buffalo Information Technologies Innovation and Commercialization Hub. IBM will be the first anchor tenant in the hub, which, in partnership with the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, State Data Center, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering and University at Buffalo, will train IT professionals, educate new IT staff through State University of New York partnerships, and develop next generation IT software needed to drive state-of-the-art discoveries in the areas of molecular research, genomics, energy efficiency development and defense.

Cumulus Radio (Buffalo's 97 Rock, 103.3 The Edge, Classic Hits 104.1 and Sports Radio 1270) will host a career expo with 44 local businesses at the Millennium Hotel Buffalo, 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 10. From WABC in New York City, Geraldo Rivera will be a special guest speaker and conduct a live broadcast.

From WABC in New York City, Geraldo Rivera will be a special guest speaker and conduct a live broadcast. In addition, all four Cumulus Buffalo stations will be broadcasting from the Millennium Hotel Buffalo. All on-air personalities will be on hand.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive budget continues efforts to control costs while tackling tough issues, according to a report released Monday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The report also points out details are lacking on spending changes required for balance in the coming years.

"New York state is in its strongest fiscal position in years, and Gov. Cuomo and the Legislature deserve credit for putting us on the right path. The executive budget holds the promise that New York can achieve ongoing balance after decades of structural gaps," DiNapoli said.

Niagara University's College of Business Administration presented awards to four area business leaders and alumni during its 24th annual Business Appreciation and Accounting Banquet, held Feb. 19 at the Conference Center Niagara Falls.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday Empire State Development has approved more than $9 million in New York state broadband grants to support five projects that will expand access to broadband services for approximately 33,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 55 community anchor institutions across upstate New York, including in the Capital Region, Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country and Mohawk Valley regions.

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, announced today the company is boosting its support for Roswell Park Cancer Institute in a big way this year by signing on as a "Big Wheel" sponsor for The Ride For Roswell 2014, which will be held Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28.

The new sponsorship significantly extends Tops' existing support for RCPI, best known through its annual Run/Walk for Roswell. The Tops Run/Walk is a family-friendly event held each August in Williamsville to raise funds through Roswell Park's Team Cure Challenge program. Over the past six years, the event has raised more than $625,000 with the support of Roswell Park, the local community, vendor partners and Tops associates.

Every time I get a few dollars ahead and think I will have a vacation someplace other than Veranda Beach, a silent alarm must go off at my house.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has released new data showing post-production business is booming in New York state as the industry continues to experience significant growth one-and-a-half years after the strengthened and expanded post-production tax credit program was signed into law.

The data, compiled by the Post New York Alliance, shows a major increase in new, permanent post-production jobs since July 2012, resulting in the creation of more than 240 new jobs - with more than 70 jobs created in the past six months alone. This new post-production business is expected to lead to nearly $100 million in new spending in the state.

The National Association of Home Builders recently presented its prestigious "Project of the Year Award for Green Site Development - Single-family Detached" to Natale Builders for the company's construction of the ultra-efficient, environmentally friendly Rivera Greens subdivision. Located in Clarence, the 35 sustainable green homes in the community were all built to meet certification requirements for the National Green Building Standard.

The Energy Efficiency Innovation Collaborative (EE-INC), a public-private partnership of energy industry leaders spearheaded by the New York Power Authority, is looking to improve energy efficiency in New York state buildings, and spur economic growth in emerging technologies, bringing new and expanding businesses to the state.

"The goal of this collaborative is to spur the growth of the most promising energy-saving innovations, with a focus on those that match the energy needs of public buildings," said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. "Encouraging highly promising and expanding energy efficiency companies will also offer increased economic development benefits for New York state. In short, it means jobs."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the launch of the largest business competition in the U.S. Details for the Buffalo competition, as well as its new brand, 43North (www.43North.org), were revealed at a press conference at One Canalside, a newly rehabbed building overlooking the transformative new construction along Buffalo's waterfront.

CVS Caremark announced today it will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores across the U.S. by Oct. 1, making CVS/pharmacy the first national pharmacy chain to take this step in support of the health and well-being of its patients and customers.

"Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health," said Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark. "Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."

The Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board announced Monday it has recommended $245,570 in funding to two Western New York enterprises: Living Green Insulation on Buffalo's east side, and Eden Valley Growers in Eden. In total, the latest projects recommended for funding awards are expected to create 35 jobs and result in investments by project applicants of $1.29 million.

The recommendations will be considered by the New York Power Authority board of trustees at its Feb. 25 board meeting.