Niagara County Economic Development Alliance, in conjunction with the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency and the Niagara County Center for Economic Development, will host the third annual Niagara USA Business Familiarization Tour, designed to increase awareness among Western New York and Southern Ontario economic development site and business decision makers regarding the vast opportunities for business development in Niagara County. The tour will take place on Thursday, Sept. 22, from 3 until 5 p.m.

The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking event from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Black Willow Winery, 5565 W. Lake Road, Burt.

People with bags and boxes of returnable cans and bottles are happy customers at one of Wheatfield's newest businesses, Bottle Junction.

Assemblyman John Ceretto is pleased to announce that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has unveiled a new $3 million rebate program for the purchase of high-efficiency Energy Star refrigerators and washing machines. Ceretto noted the program will begin next Friday, Sept. 2.

The Visiting Nursing Association of Western New is ranked among the top home health care agencies in the nation, according to recently released data from Press Ganey.

Ingram Micro Inc., the world's largest technology distributor, showed its commitment to the local Buffalo community by raising more than $200,000 at its 16th annual East Coast Charity Golf Tournament. The event, which raised its largest-ever amount, was held on Saturday, Aug. 6, at The Links at Ivy Ridge in Akron.

George's Appliance chartered "The Black Pearl" sailing ship in the Village of Lewiston on Wednesday to shoot the store's next commercial, titled "The Pirates of the Lakes." The production, one of the store's largest to date, starred George's staff.

Rachel Novelli, owner of the Grand Island Dance Center, noticed that since she moved her business from the Sandy Beach area to the Grand Island Plaza people are walking in off the street to see what's going on.

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-I-Lewiston, and State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-60th District, today declared victory after the Empire State Development Corporation determined that USA Niagara and its board hold the authority to expand the footprint for where the USA Development Corporation can invest state economic development money.

Branches continue to offer full customer services during transition; HSBC to retain commercial banking operations in upstate New York market.

College tuition invoices are in the mail and will be due in the next several weeks, leaving some New York state students and families scrambling to fill the tuition gap between their available financial aid and the amount due.

The Niagara County Builders Association brought its own version of a parade to this year's Canal Fest parade in North Tonawanda. The builders' float highlighted their Parade of Homes show, which will open Sept. 17 and run for three weekends.

Two local credit unions, the Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union and North Tonawanda Community Federal Credit Union merged together on April 8 of this year.

CraigCat is taking the nation by storm. Water lovers are now invited to get their splash on in the Niagara River, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and nearby regions. CraigCat of Niagara is the area's newest sensation sure to accommodate riders on the water. The sport boat initiates a new level of excursion while traveling in style. A two-seater catamaran, it's ideal for fishing, relaxing, day cruising and enjoying the beautiful waters of the Niagara River.

The sale of Fashion Outlets of Niagara on Military Road will double the amount of money the Town of Niagara receives for construction at Veterans Memorial Park on Lockport Road.

Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation launched its new website www.ciminelli.com with 360 Professional Services Group.

One of the metal building industry's leading publications has named Tedesco Construction Services Inc. of Lewiston to its list of the nation's Top 100 metal builders of 2010.

A structure built by Tedesco Construction Services Inc. of Lewiston has been honored by Varco Pruden Buildings, one of the nation's largest providers of metal building systems.

Walmart Stores Inc. and local leaders will break ground for the new North Tonawanda Walmart at the site of the new store at the corner of Erie Avenue and Niagara Falls Boulevard on Monday, July 11. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m.

"The Early Show on Saturday" on July 9 will feature CBS News business and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis hosting a live job summit where unemployed workers can ask experts for specific help with navigating the job market in this difficult economy. The summit comes one day after the Department of Labor releases its highly anticipated monthly jobs report.

Area merchants, vendors and those in business are invited to show their wares at the Niagara County Fair, Aug. 3 to 7.

The Niagara County Community College Small Business Development Center, the Lockport Library and Lockport Main Street Inc. are sponsoring free business workshops on upcoming Wednesdays:

Empire State Development and United Biochemicals announced June 27 that the company, a primary supplier of life sciences research products in Niagara County, will upgrade its manufacturing capabilities in response to evolving customer demands.

High school students find themselves battling nationwide over spots at universities that years ago were not nearly as difficult to attend. And their weapon is their Scholastic Aptitude Test score. What's the best way for them to get their scores up? A recent Grand Island High School graduate and young entrepreneur hopes to provide students with an effective, cost-friendly answer. A current undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University, Tsembelis has been chosen by SAT/ACT program Ivy Insiders to start a Grand Island branch of the service company. Ivy Insiders, which was started by undergraduate students like Tsembelis back in 2003, has become a nationally renowned program known for achieving significant test score improvements. The course will allow students to prepare for their SAT and ACT tests by giving them 38 hours of preparation over three weeks in an intense, focused setting free of distraction and optimized for learning retention. Students will additionally receive two tutoring sessions with one other student, as well as a study plan once the course is completed that is 100 percent customized for a particular student's needs. What separates Tsembelis from other SAT/ACT tutors though? She's a young student who recently underwent the stressful college application processes herself.

On July 1, each CitiFinancial full-service network branch in the Buffalo community will change its name to OneMain Financial.

360 PSG was named the sixth fastest growing company in Western New York in 2011 at the "Fast Track 50" Awards, presented by Buffalo Business First. The award measures a company's growth in total sales and employee development over the three years prior to the event.

Niagara Frontier Publications and Metro Group are pleased to announce a joint advertising partnership that will benefit both companies and, most importantly, Western New York readers and advertisers.

The Wheatfield Business Association awarded scholarships at its May 16 meeting to Holly Zuch, Adam Donner and Jonathon C. Wilson. The WBA scholarships are opened to any graduating high school senior currently a resident in Wheatfield.

Calamar, a full service real estate organization headquartered in Wheatfield, has announced the appointment of Richard Gunn as vice president of business development for the construction division.

Stop by Lewis' Artique at 8505 Packard Road in Town of Niagara on Sunday, June 19, for its first "Meet the Artists" event and help Save A Pet at the same time.

Niagara Metals served more than 400 free breakfasts, raffled off $1,500 in cash, and awarded a grand prize of a 2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 Truck to Robert W. Federspiel of Niagara Falls during the grand finale of its "Customer and Community Appreciation Days" on Saturday, June 4.

DuBois Physical Therapy, 2111 Sawyer Drive, Wheatfield, held a customer appreciation day/open house for about 200 visitors on Saturday, June 4.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors on Wednesday accepted an application of assistance from Falls Hotel LLC, which plans to construct a new $6.2 million Hampton Inn in the City of Niagara Falls.

The Little Yellow Artisan House, a member of the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 3, with local elected officials, artisans and the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce.

As the home buying season kicks off, Realtors will host thousands of open houses in neighborhoods across the country this weekend during Realtor Nationwide Open House Weekend. On June 4 and 5, Realtors in the Western New York area invite buyers to visit some of the many open homes throughout the area where they can learn more about home ownership. In Western New York, there will be more than 900 open houses this weekend.

360 Professional Services Group was recently announced as a finalist for the 2011 Business First "Fast Track 50 Awards," honoring the 50 fastest-growing independent and privately held companies in Western New York.