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.

For the first time ever, the Buffalo Niagara region is one of the top 20 U.S. destinations for overseas visitors.

This month, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Travel and Tourism Industries released its "Overseas Visitation Estimates for U.S. States, Cities, and Census Regions" report for 2011. The report estimates that the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro statistical area received 335,000 visitors from outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2011, making it the 20th ranked metro area in the U.S.

"We are pleased to receive confirmation that our worldwide sales efforts have paid off. From Niagara Falls State Park, to the historic Erie Canal and Old Fort Niagara, all of our attractions are impacted by this in-bound audience," said NTCC President and CEO John Percy.

Top county leaders have made fighting the effects of the weak national economy a top priority locally, with events scheduled for this week focusing on aiding small businesses.

State Sen. George D. Maziarz has announced that he will sponsor a free small business development seminar on Thursday, May 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Niagara County Community College.

Catholic Health and Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center in Lewiston have signed a collaborative services agreement that will create a stronger working relationship between the two organizations and enhance health care services for residents throughout Niagara County.

At the request of various taxing jurisdictions, including the Town of Somerset, the Barker School District and Niagara County, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors has voted to accept an application for assistance from the bondholders of AES Somerset for a modification of a payment in lieu of taxes for the power plant.

Christopher Connelly has left Kinetic Kitchen and Bath to start a brand-new company - and he's partnered with his former business and marketing guru, Anne Daggett. The two have formed Buffalo Cabinetry of Western New York. BCI, and the duo's Bath Creations, will operate out of Payne's Carpet Outlet.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas is excited to announce that its Women's Expo & Boutique will return to the Tonawanda Castle, 69 Delaware St., City of Tonawanda, on Saturday, April 28. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon-cutting Thursday for new business Rellim Hair and Make-Up Design Studio.

With the national economy continuing to show multiple signs of weakness and a large number of Americans having left the job market entirely, county leaders are taking steps to help local job seekers find employment by hosting a job fair Wednesday.

Buffalo Niagara Association of REALTORS presented a special award from the National Association of REALTORS to 6 members for 40 years of service.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today hosted its annual meeting to vote on its election of officers, reaffirmation of policies and guidelines, and selection of committee members. The agency also accepted applications for assistance for consideration from Modern Tec Manufacturing in the Town of Cambria, and SOPS LLC (Sun Orchard Fruit Company) in Burt.

Wheatfield Pediatrics, located at 2890 Niagara Falls Blvd., in Wheatfield, recently broke ground to mark the start of the construction of an additional 4,000-square-feet of space to its existing building.

With gas prices continuing to soar, Assemblyman John Ceretto today helped pass legislation to prevent price gouging at the pump. The legislation, Assembly bill 1970, prohibits gas stations from changing the price of a gallon of gasoline more than once in a 24-hour period.

"While the state Legislature has little control over the wholesale price of gas, we do have the ability to protect consumers from being illegally gouged at the pump," Ceretto said. "Gasoline is the lifeblood of our economy, and it is incumbent upon us as lawmakers to prevent retailers in the Empire State from unfairly hiking their prices on hard-working New Yorkers."

Rivershore Inc. received the second place silver award this week in Buffalo First's 2012 Best Places to Work list.