Fuccillo Automotive Group presented the Salvation Army with $200,000 Dec. 23 at Fuccillo Chevrolet of Grand Island as part of this year's campaign in which Fuccillo matched red kettle proceeds throughout Upstate New York.

National Fuel Gas Co. has announced David F. Smith, executive chairman of the board, indicated his intention to retire, effective April 1, 2014. Smith will continue to serve as chairman of the board of directors.

"National Fuel is today a better company for its employees, its investors, and the customers we serve because of Dave's leadership and dedication," said Ronald J. Tanski, president and CEO. "During his five years as CEO, Dave established the current course of the company, focusing attention and significant resources on development in the Marcellus Shale as Seneca Resources Corporation's total production nearly tripled and the company's pipeline business commenced an historic, transformational realignment. Under his direction, the company continued to prioritize and invest in pipeline safety, system reliability and all levels of customer service."

The law firm of Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP recently announced Diane M. Perri Roberts was named to Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal's Legal Elite of Western New York 2013.

Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal annually ask attorneys and businesses across Western New York to nominate "stellar" attorneys in various legal practice areas. Based on nominations submitted, they develop a list of attorneys to be named to Legal Elite of WNY.

Perri Roberts is special counsel at Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria.

Jim Toellner, president and general manager of WGRZ-TV, has been named Broadcasting & Cable Magazine's GM of the Year in markets 51-100.

Broadcasting & Cable Magazine, the pre-eminent trade magazine in the television industry, states, "An investment in reporting and a watchdog mentality are catalysts for Jim's success in turning WGRZ into the market leader in Buffalo."

"Television is a team sport, and our great team here at Channel 2 is responsible for this award," Toellner said.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the New York Power Authority board of trustees approved allocations of low-cost hydropower to three manufacturers in Erie and Orleans counties that will lead to the creation of 643 new jobs and capital investments of approximately $206 million.

"Today's low-cost hydropower allocations are a major win for Western New York, helping to create more than 600 new jobs, while reducing business costs to support the manufacturing industry," he said. "As we grow the manufacturing sector in Western New York, the state will continue to leverage these kinds of investments to strengthen the local economy."

The New York Power Authority board of trustees approved NYPA's 2014 operating plan (budget) that continues to invest in its 16 power plants and transmission facilities - critical New York state energy infrastructure - and in its cost-effective energy efficiency projects at local and state government facilities statewide.

The 2014 operating plan includes an operations and maintenance budget of $379.3 million; a capital budget of $279.3 million, an increase of $87 million over the budgeted amount for 2013; and an energy services budget of $222.3 million, an increase of $22 million over the 2013 budgeted amount.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the New York Power Authority board of trustees approved another round of low-cost power allocations under his statewide ReCharge NY program. The nearly 33 megawatts of low-cost power will be distributed among 47 enterprises at 53 facilities and are expected to leverage an estimated $1 billion in capital investments. This round of allocations is supporting nearly 17,000 jobs.

"ReCharge NY has been creating and retaining thousands of jobs for New Yorkers since power began flowing under the program in July 2012," Cuomo said.

In comments submitted Monday to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and a coalition of attorneys general from 11 other states and the District of Columbia argue that, in order to substantially reduce dangerous climate-change pollution from existing fossil-fuel power plants, the agency must both set strong emission limits and give states flexibility on how they choose to meet those limits.

The comments lay out the legal requirements for the EPA to take action against climate-change pollution under the federal Clean Air Act.

As part of round III of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's Regional Council initiative, the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council was awarded $60.8 million for 81 projects last week in Albany. The priority capital projects awarded funding include projects that support the region's 2011 strategic plan, "A Strategy for Prosperity." These projects focus on strategies that promote smart growth, workforce development and entrepreneurship. In total, $715.9 million was awarded throughout the state through round III of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

It is time for the second annual Holiday LASIK Giveaway at Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare. "Like" the doctors' Facebook page, get the official rules, then submit a brief essay telling them why you or someone else you know should win free eye surgery.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman praised Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Benjamin M. Lawsky, superintendent of the department of financial services, this week for issuing new regulations permitting "shared appreciation" mortgage modifications in New York. Under a shared appreciation modification, a bank or mortgage servicer agrees to reduce the outstanding principal balance on a borrower's mortgage in exchange for a share of any future increase in the value of the home. For borrowers who are underwater on their mortgage, owing more than their home is worth, shared appreciation modifications can significantly improve their chances of avoiding foreclosure.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman sent letters to the CEOs of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, United States Cellular Corp. and Sprint seeking information regarding their decision to prohibit Samsung from pre-loading an opt-out "kill switch" application on approved smartphones. This default feature would enable legitimate smartphone users to "brick" their stolen phones remotely and render them permanently inoperable when they fall into the wrong hands.

In the past year, Better Business Bureau has shut down more than 100 fraudulent websites that illegally stole the famous BBB logo and implied they are legitimate sites. A noticeable trend recently is websites that include the word "overstock" in the domain name, hoping to fool consumers into thinking they are shopping with overstock.com.

Overstock.com is a highly visible online retailer, and major retailers have had their names used for similar scams. BBB is warning consumers to be careful and look for the real domain when it comes to major retail sites.

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, announced today the previously announced acquisition of Tops Holding II by a group of senior managers led by Tops president and CEO Frank Curci, closed Dec. 1.

During the past six years under Curci's leadership, Tops has more than doubled its number of stores, added new jobs and expanded is geographic reach into eastern and northern New York, Vermont and northern Pennsylvania.

Gov. Cuomo has announced that, as part of his Buffalo Billion initiative, New York will build a state-of-the-art anchor hub facility for high tech and green energy businesses at RiverBend in the City of Buffalo.

Two companies at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, Soraa and Silevo, will collectively invest $1.5 billion into the project and relocate major parts of their operations to Buffalo, creating 850 permanent jobs and at least 500 construction jobs and attracting additional manufacturing companies to the site.

RiverBend, formerly Republic Steel, is a 90-acre site that is ready for development.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced Ford Motor Co. will invest $150 million to make significant upgrades to its Hamburg facility, just outside Buffalo. The new machinery and state-of-the-art equipment will allow the Ford stamping plant to remain competitive, secure its long-term presence in the region, retain 640 full-time, permanent jobs, and create 350 new jobs in Western New York.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman joined the members of a state and federal working group he co-chairs in announcing a $13 billion settlement with JPMorgan Chase. The agreement - the largest settlement with a single entity in American history - resolve federal and state civil claims arising out of the packaging, marketing, sale and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities by JPMorgan, Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual prior to Jan. 1, 2009.

HARBORCENTER President John R. Koelmel announced today that Dominic Verni has been named general manager of its restaurant and sports bar.

"Dom brings tremendous experience and notable success in the food and beverage industry to HARBORCENTER," Koelmel said. "We are very excited to have him leading the team that will make our restaurant and sports bar one of downtown Buffalo's most enjoyable and notable entertainment venues."

The yet-to-be-named establishment will be owned and operated by HARBORCENTER.

New York State Sen. George Maziarz will present a free Niagara County business fair Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 7-9 p.m. at the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, 28 Old Falls St. Attendance is free and check-in begins at 6:45 p.m.

The event, co-sponsored by Maziarz, the Niagara County Community College Small Business Development Center and the Niagara USA Chamber, brings together numerous business resources, including local business associations, economic development partners and other local business owners.

In recognition of Veteran's Day, National Grid is highlighting its programs to attract and retain veteran employees. Troops To Energy Jobs is an initiative in which National Grid has partnered with five other energy companies across the country, and the Center for Energy Workforce Development, to develop an accelerated process for bringing military veterans into the energy industry workforce nationwide and locally across New York state.

A public forum on the Affordable Care Act will be held at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, 101 Old Falls St., on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from noon to 2 p.m. The public forum will be presented by members of the Bene-Care Agency and hosted by the Niagara Falls New York Chamber of Commerce. All individuals and businesses with questions about upcoming changes to health care are encouraged to attend this free forum to have their questions answered.

Empire State Development has announced Empire Specialty Cheese Co. LLC will invest $6.37 million to expand its business in New York state. The company will purchase and upgrade an idle manufacturing facility in Chautauqua County to accommodate new and existing cheese production processes, resulting in the creation of 204 new jobs.

Empire State Development, the state's economic development agency, assisted Empire Specialty Cheese Co. with its expansion project by providing $650,000 in Excelsior Job Program tax credits.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced more than $12.4 million in grant funding for land banks in Erie County/Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Chautauqua County, Newburgh and Suffolk County. The grants represent the first round of competitive funding awards under the attorney general's land bank community revitalization initiative. This two-year, $20 million program provides funds from last year's national mortgage settlement with the nation's largest banks to help communities rebuild and restore neighborhoods hit hard by the housing crisis.

Both the Village of Lewiston Planning Board and Board of Trustees have given approval to the DiMino family to expand the Colonial Valley Plaza on Center and South Eighth streets. An 11,056-square-foot addition will be built on the CVS lot's west side, and will house between one and three tenants.

HARBORcenter President John Koelmel made several announcements regarding hockey programming at HARBORcenter, including the hiring of Kevyn Adams as vice president and director of the HARBORcenter Academy of Hockey, a premier hockey training and development program at the complex.

Empire State Development Regional President Sam Hoyt, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown have announced the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and the Buffalo Urban Development Corp. have centralized their offices at the vacant space at 95 Perry St., in Buffalo, where Empire State Development's Western New York regional office is currently located. The move allows the state, county and city to have all their economic development entities located in one building, achieving long-term savings for New York taxpayers and the "one-stop shopping" goal the economic development community has supported for years.

New York state spending declined for the second straight year in fiscal year 2012-13 while debt reached an all-time high of $63.5 billion, according to the annual report on the financial condition of New York state released by Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"State policy decisions in the past three years have helped New York better align state spending with revenue, but difficulties remain," DiNapoli said.

In downtown Buffalo Tuesday, the University at Buffalo broke ground on a milestone project in the university's history and in the city's efforts to reinvent itself as a destination for world-class health care.

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont, has announced the company's produce director, Steven Wright has won 2013 Retailer of the Year from Produce Retailer magazine. The award celebrates Wright as well as Tops' entire produce team as leaders in the produce field and within the grocery industry.

Nominations for this distinction are submitted largely by the produce vendor community and are based on criteria such as: innovative programs, creative merchandising, environmental stewardship, supplier relationship, leadership effectiveness, and divisional culture.

"This truly is a historic day at Niagara University, one that will forever change the scientific research and teaching that happens on our campus."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thursday the state and the City of Niagara Falls will partner to launch the Downtown Niagara Falls Development Challenge, a major competition to select a team of world-class designers, developers and operators to envision and develop signature projects in the downtown area that will attract significant private sector investment and accelerate the revitalization of Niagara Falls. The goal of the competition is to transform downtown Niagara Falls into the ultimate tourist destination to attract and retain visitors from around the world, by building and enhancing the amenities and attractions available in the area.

During the first half of 2013, New York credit unions continued to outpace national averages in asset growth, share growth, membership growth and loan growth. These trends are highlighted in the second quarter 2013 New York Credit Union Performance & Trends Report, which was recently published by the Credit Union Association of New York in partnership with Callahan & Associates Inc.

The Town of Niagara Town Board on Tuesday jubilantly gave final approval for the expansion of Fashion Outlets of Niagara.

New York State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-I-Buffalo, and State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, D-WF-Buffalo, announced legislation they sponsored in the Senate and Assembly to improve Erie County's land bank has been signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The legislation (S5167, A7245) makes corrections to the statewide land bank legislation that was passed in 2011.

To combat the continuing problem of vacant homes, New York state passed the land bank legislation, which empowered counties and municipalities to create land banks to purchase vacant and abandoned properties.

State Sen. George Maziarz, R-C-Newfane, has announced the introduction of bills S5935 and S5936, which aim to help control the cost of the state pension system. Under current law, officers and employees of private organizations such as the state Association of Counties, the state School Boards Association and the Association of Towns are all eligible to participate in New York's retirement system.

The New York Power Authority board of trustees on Tuesday awarded a low-cost hydropower allocation of four megawatts to Alita USA Holdings, a steel manufacturer planning to build a 340,000-square-foot pipe mill in Buffalo. The $102 million project would create 157 jobs at the company's Western New York facility and another 15 jobs at a new corporate administrative office to be based in New York.

"Alita USA Holdings would be a welcome addition to Buffalo," said John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman and an East Amherst resident.

Tax revenues for the first five months of the state fiscal year were $69.8 million more than updated budget projections, according to the August cash report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Year-to-date tax collections are up 10.3 percent from the same period last year, largely due to strong personal income tax collections in April. August state tax collections fell 5.1 percent from 2012, primarily because of fewer collection days than last August.

In an effort to increase partnerships between women, veteran, minority and local businesses within Western New York, Catholic Health and Roswell Park Cancer Institute will host a vendor fair on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Millennium Hotel, located at 2040 Walden Ave., Cheektowaga.

Empire State Development's board of directors met this week in New York City and approved $16.6 million in funding for projects that will create more than 75 new jobs and retain nearly 700 jobs throughout the Empire State. This funding will leverage more than $180 million in additional investments to support business growth and lay the groundwork for future economic growth and job creation.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo visited Niagara Falls Thursday to announce an agreement on the $25.3 million, mixed-use project proposed by Hamister Development Inc., and to thank the City Council for its support. The City Council recently voted in favor of the project, which is located at a city-owned site at 310 Rainbow Blvd., in downtown Niagara Falls.

"With the approval of the Hamister project, the City of Niagara Falls is taking a major step forward in our ongoing work to revive the local tourism industry and economy," Cuomo said.