The New York State Builders Association 2013 fall board meetings will be held Thursday, Sept. 19, and Friday, Sept. 20, at the Conference & Events Center Niagara Falls. The Niagara County Builders Association looks forward to hosting the event and its participants.

A highlight of the event is a speech Thursday by Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D., a nationally acclaimed economist and public speaker. He will address the group during an 11:45 a.m. luncheon.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced this week that his office reached a settlement with Sears, Roebuck and Co. over a refund policy the retailer applied to consumers who participated in its "Come Back Cash" promotion. In the promotion, a consumer who purchased merchandise above a "qualifying threshold" amount was given a $10 or $20 promotional award card. However, if the consumer later returned some of the merchandise, Sears reduced the refund by a pro-rated amount of the value of the award card, even if the cost of the unreturned merchandise remained above the qualifying threshold and/or if the customer did not cash in the award.

On Thursday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo presented his plan for a dramatic transformation of Buffalo's waterfront. The first component of the plan calls for the transfer of up to 400 acres of land on the Outer Harbor from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to the state, bringing the community's goal of increasing future recreational opportunities and fostering redevelopment on Buffalo's waterfront closer to reality.

Under the proposal, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. will acquire the land from NFTA to plan for future development and use, and New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will operate half of the property, encompassing the small boat harbor and Gallagher Beach, as a new state park.

"Each year nearly 10,000 pens 'walk-out the doors' of our Auto Bureaus, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars," said Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs. "I found it frustrating to spend so much taxpayer money for pens, so we looked for a creative solution to offset the cost."

Jacobs' creative solution is to partner with local businesses who frequently advertise through having pens with their logos on them. "These businesses actually want folks to take their pens so we thought it was a perfect marriage," he said.

Anthony L. Picone, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, cardiothoracic surgeon in the department of thoracic surgery, has been named medical director of Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Picone has been employed at Roswell Park since April of 2009, and for the past six months has served as RPCI's interim medical director.

State Sen. Maziarz has announced that, starting today, residents of Niagara Falls will be able to track how the city is spending the casino revenue funds online. Expenditure information will be available on the senator's website.

"One of the main concerns I heard about the casino revenue from constituents was that they had no idea how it was being spent," Maziarz said.

For the first time in six years, national job growth rates have exceeded those in New York state, according to a new report on economic trends released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"The good news is that New York's job count has increased above its pre-recession levels," DiNapoli said. "The bad news is that, over the past year, we have fallen short of the national growth rate in several major employment sectors. New York, like much of the nation, is still struggling to generate the well-paying, secure jobs that workers at various skill levels and experience need and deserve."

An Island mon's frustration with her third-grader's math homework was the inspiration for a new product.

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council met Tuesday and was presented with a shortlist of pre-qualified developers for the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the remaining 200,000 square feet in the former Rainbow Centre Mall in downtown Niagara Falls.

Intertrust Development Inc., one of the largest hospitality business owners and developers in Western New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Uniland Development Co., a leading builder, developer and manager of commercial real estate in Western New York, will now be invited to respond to a detailed request for proposals.

The Western New York Regional Economic Development Council today announced three new members will join the council: Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Inc. President and CEO Matthew K. Enstice, Buffalo Niagara Partnership President and CEO Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, and Blackstone Business Enterprises Inc. President Michael Metzger.

The new members fill vacant seats due to resignations on the council.

Members of the public have received their first look at the proposed Ellicott Development project eyed for Center Street. At Monday's Village of Lewiston Planning Board meeting, David M. Hall, planning and development coordinator for the Buffalo-based property management firm, informed attendees - including four members of the Village Board of Trustees - of his company's intention to build the village's first north-side plaza.

The development would begin on Center Street and lead down to Onondaga Street. Potential tenants include a fast food restaurant, a bank and a drugstore.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today approved applications for assistance received at its June meeting from Niagara Jet Adventures LLC for a new tourism jetboat tour company in Youngstown, and from 452 Third Street LLC for a conversion of an abandoned building in Niagara Falls into an 11-room hotel.

Congressman Chris Collins, NY-27, has introduced legislation in Congress to help scientists commercialize their ideas. The idea has the backing of local research universities.

As a member of the science, space and technology committee, Collins is the sponsor of the TRANSFER Act of 2013 (H.R. 2981). This bill builds upon a current program and specifically awards grants to innovative technology transfer programs at universities, research institutes and national laboratories.

The First Niagara Foundation and Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. are partnering to provide educational support for first-time homebuyers in Niagara Falls.

A longtime business expansion plan has finally come to fruition in the Village of Lewiston. Angel to Apple has opened its own shoe department within its current location at 451 Center St.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was joined Wednesday by Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. to present a check for $89 million to the City of Niagara Falls, delivering the first payment as part of the landmark agreement reached in June that resolved a multi-year dispute between the state and the nation.

"By working together and both sides coming to the table in the spirit of collaboration and respect, the state and Seneca Nation of Indians were able to end years of dispute and reach an agreement that is a major victory for all parties involved," Cuomo said.

Over the past decade, tourism has experienced continued growth to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in Niagara County, turning tourism into a key driver for progress.

HARBORcenter Development has announced an agreement was reached with Marriott International and Shaner Hotels to develop and operate the hotel facility at HARBORcenter in downtown Buffalo. The hotel property, which has been awarded a full-service Marriott franchise to be operated by Shaner Hotels, will be part of a $170 million multi-use hockey and entertainment complex in the Canalside District.

The Village of Lewiston complex once known as Fairchild Manor has been sold and is slated to become a 24-unit condominium complex. Brooklyn-based Goldin Management purchased the former nursing home.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced financial information giant Thomson Reuters agreed to immediately discontinue the practice of providing high-frequency traders with certain market-moving consumer survey results prior to the release of that information to its other subscribers, a move prompted by a current investigation by the attorney general's office into this matter.

Dunkin' Donuts today announced that Buffalo franchisee Tim Cloe has signed agreements to build four new Dunkin' Donuts locations this year with Amherst-based Bevilacqua Development.

The new locations are slated to open in 2013 in Lockport, Hanover and Amherst (near UB North and on Transit Road) and will all feature the new modern Dunkin' Donuts look introduced this year.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce and The Village Goldsmith celebrated a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday with master jeweler and owner Rob Young. His operation is located at 744 Center St., in the Village of Lewiston.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors has approved applications for assistance received at its May meeting from AMDOR Inc. LLC for the proposed construction of a new manufacturing facility in Sanborn and from Bridgewater Estates LLC for a new senior housing complex in Lewiston. In addition, the board approved a revised application for assistance from KI PO Automotive for a $1.54 million expansion project to its operations in Ransomville.

Joseph P. Lojacono, president of Valmark Associates, has been elected president of Buffalo Niagara Sales & Marketing Executives. He succeeds Patricia L. Herberger of LegalShield/ID Theft Shield, who remains on the board of directors as immediate past president. Tim Kwiatkowski of Five Star Bank, executive vice president, will again chair the group's Executive of the Year Awards Gala.

The New York State Destination Marketing Organizations (formerly the New York State Association of Conventions and Visitors Bureaus), recently announced the appointment of John Percy as president. Percy serves as president and CEO of the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp.

Maid of the Mist has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award in honor of hospitality excellence. The award is given only to attractions that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

More than 2 million families have positively changed their financial future through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Updated in summer 2012, the now nine-week course provides families and individuals with practical tools to gain control of their finances and set themselves up for long-term financial success. The course meets once a week where a different lesson is taught by Ramsey on DVD followed by a small-group discussion. Lessons include budgeting, relationships and money, getting out of debt, saving for emergencies and investing.

The First Niagara Foundation is providing financial support for Community Missions of Niagara Frontier Inc. and its community soup kitchen as staff work to provide food for local families in need. Representatives made a $1,000 donation on Thursday.

The Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS Inc. presented a special award from the National Association of Realtors to 19 members for 40 years of service to the real estate industry as well as the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lovely Nails, located at 769 Cayuga St., in the Village of Lewiston, recently held a ribbon-cutting to celebrate new ownership and a new look.

Coldwell Banker Talarico Real Estate recently changed to Coldwell Banker Integrity, and held a ribbon-cutting with agents, brokers and staff, the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, and elected leaders from the village, town and county.

The Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners has announced its 2013-14 officers and board of directors will be inducted on Wednesday, June 12, at the chapter's annual meeting.

They include Marilyn Coté-Miller, president; Donna Scalfaro, president-elect; Nancy Eckerson, secretary; Celeste DiStefano, immediate past president; directors will be Kristine Buchband, Amy Christieson, Jennifer Cooper, Mary Eicher, Dolores McCarley, Suzanne Novelli, Leanne Oldenbrook and Sabina Ramsey.

Destin Radder, Licensed Acupuncturist, a new member of the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 29. Owner Destin Radder recently opened his new clinic at 779 Cayuga St., Suite 4.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced a new recreation space on Buffalo's Outer Harbor is now open to the public. Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy, local officials and students from City Honors cut the ribbon and unveiled the site's new name, "Wilkeson Pointe."

The state invited middle school classrooms from Buffalo Public Schools to name the site, which was formerly called "Parcel OH." The winning submission came from the eighth grade classroom of Michael A. Serotte, a U.S. history teacher at City Honors.

Wilkeson Pointe is now open to the public from dawn to dusk seven days a week.

The State Department of Labor's failure to maintain records on building boilers and asbestos remediation projects needing inspection may jeopardize public health and safety, according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Grand Island Tops Friendly Market recently celebrated the completion of a $1.4 million renovation project.

A 4-year-old business in the Town of Niagara has become a new business by framing up some money-saving eyeglasses for local residents.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York State Senate Majority Coalition Leader Jeff Klein today highlighted the "Certificate of Merit" bill (A. 5582) and the Foreclosure Fraud Prevention Act (A.7395), two pieces of legislation to protect New York homeowners facing foreclosure.

With Memorial Day here, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has released a guide listing some of the most common summer frauds targeting the state, and offered tips to protect New Yorkers from abuse.

A growing problem during warm-weather months, unscrupulous scam artists prey on New Yorkers as they embark on home improvement projects and plan family vacations. Schneiderman urged New Yorkers to notify his office of any summer scams designed to dupe unsuspecting consumers.

Buffalo Cabinetry, a new member of the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, celebrated a ribbon-cutting at its showroom located inside Payne's Carpet Outlet. Members of the chamber, as well as elected leaders and representatives from the Town of Niagara Business and Professional Association, were on hand to welcome Buffalo Cabinetry into the business community.