COMING UP TONIGHT: ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE GIVES US A TOUR OF THEIR NEW CLEAN ROOM SIMULATED LAB.

THEN, WE TALK ABOUT HOW ONE LOCAL LENDING INSTITUTION IS HELPING INDIVIDUALS BECOME FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS.

AND FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES WE EXPLORE THE CNY REGIONAL MARKET, AS THEY RECOVER FROM THEIR FINANCIAL TROUBLES AND STAY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR FUTURE GROWTH.

GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ON THE MONEY, WCNY'S FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - THINK OF IT AS YOUR LOCAL FINANCIAL NEWS PROGRAM FEATURING SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE, BUSINESSES AND HAPPENINGS FROM EVERY CORNER OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

I'M YOUR HOST, LAIZA SEMIDEY.

DURING OUR SEASON WE'LL SEE WHERE MONEY IS BEING MADE, SPENT AND SOMETIMES LOST AND FOCUS ON PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES AFFECTING US LOCALLY.

OUR FIRST REPORT KEEPS US RIGHT HERE IN SYRACUSE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD YET, THE MICROCHIP MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS GROWING IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

TO MEET TALENT DEMAND, ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS BUILDING A $15-MILLION DOLLAR SIMULATED CLEAN ROOM LABORATORY, DESIGNED TO PROVIDE HANDS-ON TRAINING FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE FIELD.

THE 5000 SQUARE FOOT CLEAN ROOM WILL BE USED TO TRAIN PEOPLE FOR JOBS IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY FOR EMPLOYERS LIKE MICRON.

TAKE A LOOK.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE FABRICATION.

IT COULD BE FOR A LOT OF PURPOSES, BUT IT'S KEPT EXTREMELY CLEAN, THE AIR IS FILTERED TO A LEVEL WHERE THERE IS NO PARTICLES THAT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE PROCESS THAT'S AT A NANO SCALE.

SO SOMETHING LIKE SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING.

THE CLEAN ROOM SIMULATION LAB WILL FACILITATE TRAINING FOR THE WORKFORCE BY MIMICKING THE REAL ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WILL DO AS AN EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN.

WE WILL HAVE WHAT THEY CALL TOOLS HERE.

THESE ARE BIG PIECES OF MACHINERY THAT HAVE MULTIPLE SENSORS AND DEVICES ON THEM RELATED TO SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING.

THEY'RE USEFUL THOUGH FOR BEING ABLE TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO WORK, RUN THOSE MACHINES, TO BE SAFE WITH THEM, TO BE CLEAN WITH THEM AND TO MAKE SURE THEY WORK PROPERLY.

SO WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF MORE THAN $15 MILLION RENOVATION OF WHITNEY APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CENTER.

THE WHOLE VISION FOR THIS PLACE IS TO CREATE A MORE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN BRING IN TOURS OF YOUNGER STUDENTS SO THEY CAN SEE FIRSTHAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE AT COLLEGE AND TO LEARN A TECHNOLOGY.

WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE OUR PROGRAM AND TO HAVE THESE NEW FACILITIES.

SO THE NICE PART IS THAT ONONDAGA COUNTY PUT UP $5 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION.

NEW YORK STATE PUT IN $5 MILLION AND MICRON ALSO WITH IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS AND EQUIPMENT AND MONEY, IS AN ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION.

IT'S A BIG RENOVATION, A LOT OF NEW LABS, BESIDE THE CLEAN ROOM SIMULATION LAB ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE RENOVATION AND WILL JUMP START A LARGE NUMBER OF PROGRAMS IN THE TECHNOLOGY FIELD.

THE CLEAN ROOM SIMULATION LAB WAS DESIGNED WITH THE COMMUNITY'S USE WITH ACCESSIBILITY IN MIND.

BY HAVING THE GLASS ENCLOSURES, BEING ABLE TO SEE FROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU CAN BRING IN TOURS, IT WILL BE OPEN, A LOT OF WINDOWS, ABILITY TO LOOK IN AND SEE PEOPLE USING THE EQUIPMENT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE IN A CLEAN ROOM WITHOUT HAVING TO GO IN.

AND ONCE THE CLEAN ROOM SIMULATION LAB IS OPEN, WE WILL BRING THEM HERE TO SHOW THEM WHAT THAT IS LIKE.

THERE IS ALSO GOING TO BE A GOWNING ROOM.

SO YOU PUT ON WHAT IS CALLED A BUNNY SUIT TO KEEP YOU CLEAN WHEN YOU ARE WORKING IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

BE ABLE TO BRING STUDENTS UP, POTENTIAL PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS FIELD AND LET THEM EXPERIENCE THAT FIRSTHAND.

GOWN UP AND GO IN THE CLEAN ROOM AND SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE WORKING WITH THIS TYPE OF PPP ON.

WITH A COMPANY LIKE MICRON COMING IN, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A TEACHING FACILITY LIKE THIS TO REALLY SHOW THEM.

MICRON IS SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURERS.

WE ARE NOT REALLY THAT FAMILIAR WITH THAT PROCESS.

SO BEING ABLE TO EXPOSE PEOPLE TO THAT TECHNOLOGY AND LET THEM SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, WILL BE CRITICAL FOR THEM TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE GOING TO EXIST WITH MICRON.

>> OUR THANKS AGAIN TO PROFESSOR MICHAEL GRIEB AT ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE UP NEXT FOR OUR COMMON CENTS AND JOINING US TONIGHT IS VICKI BRACKENS PRESIDENT & FINANCIAL PLANNER FOR BRACKENS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS NETWORK, LLC OUR THANKS AGAIN TO VICKI BRACKENS PRESIDENT & FINANCIAL PLANNER FOR BRACKENS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS NETWORK, LLC WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK.

>> I HAVE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY.

BUT WHAT I WANT TO ASK YOU TODAY IS WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR BUDGETING?

WHY IS THAT SO IMPORTANT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE NOTICED OVER THE YEARS AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT BUDGETING FOR YEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE MAY HAVE NEGLECTED TO SAY IS THAT YOU SHOULD TAKE TIME TO DIG INTO WHAT YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE IN RELATION TO BUDGETING BEFORE YOU START THE MECHANICAL PROCESS BECAUSE IF YOU HAVEN'T DETERMINED WHAT YOUR REAL GOALS ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, YOU CAN SET A PAPERWORK FRAMEWORK.

YOU CAN DO THE MECHANICS.

YOU CAN DO THE MATHEMATICS, AND END UP FAILING TIME AFTER TIME AFTER TIME.

SO BUDGETING IS REALLY A PROCESS OF NOT ONLY MECHANICS BUT BEHAVIOR.

WHAT THINGS AM I TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> SO WHAT ARE SOME STRATEGIES THAT YOU RECOMMEND ON BUDGETING FIRST THING IS TO TAKE THE TIME TO TALK TO YOURSELF I UNDERSTAND WHAT MY INCOME IS.

I DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THE INCOME, WHAT YOU SEE ON THE PAYCHECK WHAT IS YOU HAVE.

GO TO THE BOTTOM LINE WHERE THE NET NUMBER IS BEFORE YOU START AND I WOULD SAY THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST MISTAKES THAT HAPPENS RIGHT OFF THE BAT IS THAT WE DON'T GAUGE PROPERLY WHAT THE INCOME IS.

BUT THEN TAKE THE TIME TO REALLY ASSESS WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND PRIORITIZE THOSE THINGS BEFORE YOU ACTUALLY PUT PEN TO PAPER.

>> SO WHAT ARE SOME KEY TAKEAWAYS THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGETING?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE KEY TAKEAWAYS IS TO BE TRUTHFUL.

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING, DEPENDING ON WHAT STAGE YOU ARE IN THE BUDGETING, IF YOU ARE LOOKING BACK AT EXPENSES AND USING THAT AS A GAUGE FOR FUTURE BUDGETING, THEN BE TRUTHFUL AS TO WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AND WHAT YOU REALLY ARE SPENDING.

DON'T GUESS.

WE ARE SO LUCKY THESE DAYS BECAUSE WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY AND THINGS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US WHERE WE CAN GET THE REAL NUMBERS.

SO WE CAN'T HIDE LIKE WE USED TO SOME YEARS AGO BUT LOOK AT THOSE REAL NUMBERS, PRIORITIZE AND THEN SET OUT TO SET A STRATEGY FOR WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, WHETHER THE THINGS THAT I HAVE TO HAVE, WHAT ARE THE THINGS I WANT TO HAVE, OF COURSE THE WANTS CAN BE TRIMMED.

AND WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

>> GOT IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I KNOW I REMEMBER MY MOM USING HER CHECKBOOK BALANCE AND I USE A GOOGLE SHEET.

>> EXACTLY.

>> IT'S GROWN OVER TIME WITH TECHNOLOGY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AGAIN.

AND I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK OR SOMEONE FROM YOUR TEAM.

>> WONDERFUL.

HAPPY TO DO THAT.

>> FOR TONIGHT'S PROPERTY PULSE SEGMENT WE EXPLORE FIRST-TIME HOME BUYING.

FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERSHIP CAN BE A DIFFICULT PROCESS ESPECIALLY, FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO FACE FINANCIAL AND SOCIETAL OBSTACLES.

SYRACUSE'S COOPERATIVE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, BY MAKING HOMEOWNERSHIP ATTAINABLE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

OUR TEAM SAT DOWN WITH THOM DELLWO AT COOPERATIVE FEDERAL TO TALK MORE ABOUT THEIR INCLUSIVE EFFORTS FOCUSED ON EDUCATION & FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS.

>> COOPERATIVE FEDERAL DIFFERENTIATES ITSELF FROM OTHER CREDIT UNIONS.

ALL CREDIT UNIONS ARE COOPERATIVES OWNED BY THEIR MEMBERS.

WE ARE WHAT IS CALLED A LOW INCOME DESIGNATED FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AND ALSO A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION.

WE ARE DIFFERENT IN THAT WE HAVE A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON INVESTING IN AND BEING LED BY COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN LEFT OUT OF ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION THROUGH LACK OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

FIRST OF ALL, WE LOCATE OUR BRANCHES IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND WE STAY THERE.

WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A FOOTPRINT IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE IN FOUR STRATEGIC AREAS.

THOSE BRANCHES ARE SYRACUSE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

SO WE HAVE A BRANCH AT THE SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY CENTER.

WE HAVE A BRAWRCH ON THE NORTH SIDE ON NORTH SALINA STREET AND WE HAVE ONE HERE AT ERIE WHICH WE ACTUALLY MOVED FROM WESCOTT STREET HAD BECOME A HIGHER COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER SO WE HAVE MOVED TO A LOWER INCOME AREA OF THE EAST SIDE.

COOPERATIVE FEDERAL OFFERS A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND FIRST TIME HOME BUYING.

FIRST ONE IS FINANCIAL COUNSELING, ONE ON ONE FINANCIAL COUNCIL COUNSELING AROUND THE GOAL OF HOME OWNERSHIP.

WORKING TO IMPROVE CREDIT, REDUCE DEBT, INCREASE SAVINGS AND HELPING FOLKS CHOOSE AFFORDABLE, CHOOSE AND USE AFFORDABLE ACCOUNTS, CHECKING ACCOUNTS, SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, UNDERSTAND FEES.

THE HOME BUYER DREAM PROGRAM IS A GRANT THAT IS PROVIDED BY THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF NEW YORK AND THERE ARE MANY LENDERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THAT, COOPERATIVE FEDERAL IS ONE OF THEM.

THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME LENDERS COULD GIVE UP TO $20,000 IN GRANT FORMAT.

COOPERATIVE FEDERAL CHOSE TO DO $15,000 PER HOUSEHOLD SO WE COULD DO MORE OF THEM BECAUSE WE FELT $15,000 WAS A GOOD NUMBER FOR THE PRICE OF HOUSE THAT MANY OF OUR BORROWERS GOT.

ONCE YOU TAKE THE COURSE AND YOU GET THE CERTIFICATE AND YOU FIND A HOME AND PUT IN THE OFFER AND IT'S ACCEPTED, THEN WHEN YOU GO TO CLOSING, $15,000 CHECK COMES TO THE CLOSING AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT BACK AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN THE HOME FOR FIVE YEARS.

FOR HOME LOANS ALONE, IN 2023 WE DID 6.3 MILLION, 60% OF THE LOANS WERE TO PEOPLE OF COLOR AND 58 WERE FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS.

OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, IT IS ABOUT $34 MILLION IN TOTAL LOANS, OUR FIVE-YEAR TOTAL IS 74% OF OUR HOME LOANS WERE TO FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS THAT WE SERVE IN THE LOAN, THE LENDING DOLLARS WE PUT OUT THE DOLLAR ARE GOING INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

COOPERATIVE FEDERAL IS A LENDING INSTITUTION AND WE ARE A COUNSELING INSTITUTION.

WE ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE WORKING WITH FOLKS GETTING THEM READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN WHATEVER THE NEXT STEP IS IN LIFE.

BUT IF THAT NEXT STEP IS HOME OWNERSHIP, AND WE ARE NOT BUILDING ENOUGH HOMES OR EVEN JUST IN GENERAL BUILDING ENOUGH HOUSING, IF THERE IS NO HOMES FOR US TO LEND MONEY FOR PEOPLE TO BUY THAT THEY CAN AFFORD, THEN THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT A PROBLEM THAT COOPERATIVE FEDERAL ALONE CAN SOLVE >> TONIGHT FOR BY THE NUMBERS WE EXPLORE BUYING IN BULK IF YOU EVER WONDERED IF BUYING IN BULK SAVES YOU MONEY, THE ANSWER IS YES!

AAVERAGE PEOPLE SAVE 25%.

HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY IN BULK.

INDIVIDUAL ITEMS TEND TO HAVE A MARKUP BY THE STORE SO THAT THEY CAN COVER THEIR OVERHEAD COST.

SECONDLY LESS TRIPS TO THE STORE MEANS LESS GAS AND WE KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE GAS CAN BE.

AND THEN ONE THAT I'M GUILTY OF IS IMPULSIVE BUYING.

STORES PURPOSELY PUT PRODUCTS BY THE REGISTERS SO THAT YOU CAN PICK IT UP AND SPEND MORE MONEY.

AND WHILE IT MAY JUST BE A FEW DOLLARS, IT DOES ADD UP.

THERE MAY BE SOME REASONS YOU MAY NOT WANT TO BUY IN BULK.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE PRODUCT SHELF LIFE IS SHORTER THAN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT WOULD TAKE TO USE; FOR EXAMPLE, VEGETABLES.

IF YOU DON'T EAT THEM EVERY DAY, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO BUY THEM IN BULK.

THE SECOND IS LIMITED STORAGE SPACE.

AND THE THIRD, ALTHOUGH IT MAY SOUND CHEAPER, SOMETIMES IF YOU LOOK AT THE UNIT PRICE FOR THE BULK PRODUCTS, VERSUS THE REGULAR PRODUCTS, IT MAY BE MORE.

SO CALCULATE THIS.

TAKE THE TOTAL PRICE OF THE PRODUCT AND DIVIDE IT BY THE NUMBER OF UNITS AND YOU WILL GET YOUR TOTAL.

WHILE BUYING IN BULK MAY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SPENDING MORE MONEY, IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE IT'S UP FRONT BUT ON THE BACK END, YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY BE SAVING MONEY.

THESE ARE YOUR NUMBERS FOR TONIGHT!

WE CONTINUE WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES WITH J DANIEL PLUFF.

THE CENTRAL NEW YORK REGIONAL MARKET TRACES ITS ORIGINS TO THE 1930'S - THE FACILITY IS EASY TO TAKE FOR GRANTED BUT ITS LONG-JEVITY AND GROWTH CAN'T BE IGNORED.

AS A SOURCE FOR LOCAL, FRESH PRODUCE, ALONG WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS, THE MARKET REMAINS A BUSY GATHERING PLACE WITH LARGE WEEKEND CROWDS ALL YEAR LONG.

BUT RECENT CONCERNS REGARDING THE MARKET'S FINANCES AND FUND MANAGEMENT WERE BROUGHT TO LIGHT WITH A SCATHING REPORT FROM NEW YORK STATE'S COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.

NOW, THE MARKET LOOKS TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE WITH MORE VENDORS, AN IMPROVED LOOK AND ALL NEW IDEAS FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

ON THE MONEYS DANIEL PLUFF MET WITH BILL FISHER, THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WHO APPEARED BOTH UPBEAT AND READY FOR CHANGE!

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HISTORY, YOU KNOW,ER WITH WE ARE.

SO 1938, I MEAN THIS HAS BEEN-- F.D.R., THE NEW DEAL.

>> YOU CAN SEE PHOTOS AND THERE ARE SOME CHANGES BEHIND THE COMMISSION HOUSES WHERE WE HAVE OUR DISTRIBUTORS.

>> SAME LOCATION.

>> USED TO BE TRAINS COMING IN.

THE TRAINS DON'T COME IN.

EXACT SAME LOCATION.

>> DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THIS LOCATION BEEN HERE CLOSE TO 90 YEARS, THIS IS STILL THE BEST SPOT?

>> IT IS A GREAT LOCATION.

YOU HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM OVER THERE.

PEOPLE DRIVE BY THAT ALL THE TIME.

DESTINY IS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET.

WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE INNER HARBOR, WHICH IS ABOUT TO HAVE A HUGE INVESTMENT IN THE AQUARIUM.

WE ARE NOT FAR FROM THE LOOP THE LAKE TRAIL ON ONONDAGA LAKE.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A FANTASTIC PLACE FOR THIS MARKET.

>> LET'S GET SOME OF THE TROUBLES OUT OF THE WAY FIRST.

NEW YORK STATE COMPTROLLER OFFICE CITING POSSIBLY FUND MANAGEMENT ISSUES.

WAS IT A CASE OF MAYBE JUST WASN'T TRANSPARENT OR WAS THERE ANYTHING WRONG DOING THAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED?

>> SO THERE IS A BOOK BY EARNEST HEMINGWAY, THE SUN ALSO RISES, ONE CHARACTER ASKS THE OTHER CHARACTER, HOW DID YOU GO BANKRUPT?

AND HE ANSWERS I WENT BANKRUPT IN TWO WAYS.

FIRST GRADUALLY AND THEN SAUDI SUDDENLY.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED HERE THERE.

WAS ALWAYS PROPERTY HERE THAT WAS LEASED OUT TO FOLKS THAT EITHER BUILT THEIR OWN BUILDINGS OR PAID RENT ON THE BUILDINGS.

THERE WERE ALWAYS A LOT OF FARMERS DOING THINGS HERE AND PAYING TO USE THE STALLS SO THE GRADUAL PART OF THE UNWINDING WAS THEY WEREN'T PUTTING MONEY BACK INTO THE FARMER SHEDS AND THE PAVING AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT YOU SEE AROUND US.

THE MORE IMMEDIATE THING WAS THEY MADE SOME ILL-ADVISED ACQUISITIONS, INCLUDING A WAREHOUSE RIGHT OVER THERE.

IT'S A 50,000 SQUARE FOOTWEAR HOUSE.

THEY PAID $2.3 MILLION FOR IT.

AT THE TIME IT WAS A VARIABLE RATE, 2.75%.

AND THEY HAD A COUPLE TENANTS.

THE TENANTS HAVE SINCE MOVED OUT SO IT'S VACANT.

AND THE INTEREST RATES HAVE SINCE GONE FROM 2.75 TO 8.25.

SO YOU ARE CARRYING A LOT OF DEBT SERVICE ON A PROPERTY THAT IS VACANT.

SO THAT WAS THE SUDDEN PART.

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A GREAT ANALOGY BECAUSE NO ONE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, WE HADN'T HEARD OF ANY ISSUES.

ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS FRONT PAGE NEWS.

I WANT TO ASK YOU, WHAT WAS JOB ONE?

OBVIOUSLY YOU FOUND YOUR OFFICE, FOUND THE MEN'S ROOM.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU HAD TO TACKLE?

>> THE FIRST THING I HAD TO TACKLE WAS SIT DOWN WITH THE STAFF AND FIGURE OUT WHO WAS DOING WHAT?

THE GOOD NEWS IS THE STAFF IS EXCELLENT.

THEY'RE VERY WELL TRAINED, YOUNG, ENTHUSIASTIC.

THEY RUN A GREAT MARKET ON SATURDAYS FOR THE FARMERS, THERE IS A FLEA MARKET ON SUNDAY THAT IS THRIVING.

THURSDAY MARKET AND WE CAN BUILD FROM HERE.

THEY PERHAPS DIDN'T HAVE THE RIGHT COACHING OR THE RIGHT ENCOURAGEMENT.

MAYBE SOME OF THE IDEAS THEY HAD WERE OVERLOOKED.

LOOKING AT WHAT THEY HAD ALREADY THOUGHT OF AND MAYBE FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO WITH THE RESOURCES WE HAVE LEFT MIGHT HAVE BEEN JOB ONE.

JOB 2 WAS REALLY LOOKING AT THE FINANCES AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE TURN THIS AROUND.

HOW DO WE FILL SOME OF THE VACANT SPACES?

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT WAREHOUSE?

HOW DO WE GO AND FIND SOME MONIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPROPRIATED TO THE STATE BUDGET.

THE STATE COMPTROLLER MENTION THERE HAD WAS A $2 MILLION GRANT ASSEMBLYMAN MAGNARELLI HAD, FIRST THING WE DID WAS SIT DOWN WITH ASSEMBLYMAN MAGNARELLI AND HIS TAF.

WHERE THIS IS APPROPRIATION?

IS IT STILL THERE?

THE GOOD NEWS IT'S STILL THERE.

BAD NEWS IT COMES WITH STRINGS ATTACHED.

YOU HAVE TO PUT IT INTO CAPITAL INVESTMENTS WITH A USEFUL LIFE OF 10 YEARS OR MORE.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF THOSE THINGS WE CAN DO AND WHEN YOU HAVE AN INVESTMENT MADE, YOU START TO GENERATE INCOME.

>> IT'S A LOT.

BUT YOU ARE GETTING YOUR HANDS AROUND IT.

DID YOU SPEAK TO THE VENDORS.

>> THEY HAVE GIVEN US A LOT OF ADVICE AND THOUGHTS.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE FAMILY FARMS AND HAVE BEEN SELLING HERE AS PRODUCERS FOR 30 OR 40 YEARS.

THEY WANTED TO HEAR FROM ME AND THE STAFF THAT WE WEREN'T GOING ANYWHERE, THAT WE WERE GOING TO MAKE CHANGES AND FILL IN THE POT HOLES.

SO ON THURSDAY, ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS AND HER ASSISTANT WALKED AROUND AND IDENTIFIES THE POT HOLES THAT NEED TO BE FILLED AND ON FRIDAY, WE'VE GOT A CONTRACT CONTRACTOR COMING IN AND FILLS THE POT HOLES EVERY MORNING.

>> SOUNDS SILLY BUT IMPORTANT.

IF YOU ARE DOING SPECIAL PROJECTS LIKE FILLING POT HOLES, YOU NEED CAPITAL FOR THAT SOMEHOW.

>> WE HAVE TO GENERATE ENOUGH MONEY OFF OF THE RENTS THAT WE CHARGE TO PAY FOR THOSE POT HOLES TO BE FILLED, FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE REPLACED WHEN THEY NO LONGER WORK.

>> WHAT IS THE RUNNING COST HERE?

WHAT IS THE BUDGET?

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO KEEP THIS PLACE RUN RUNNING?

>> ARE 2 MILLION A YEAR GIVE OR TAKE.

TWO SOURCES OF OPERATING REVENUES.

THE FARMERS AND VENDORS SELLING AT OUR MARKETS THEY CAN TAKE OUT A LICENSE FOR THE ENTIRE GROWER SEASON OR THE ENTIRE YEAR AND THOSE LICENSE FEES ARE THE CORE REVENUE FROM THESE FARMER SHEDS.

>> TO OFFSET THE EXPENSES.

>> AND YOU ALSO HAVE DAILY FEES.

SO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO USE A STALL JUST THIS COMING SATURDAY, THAT MIGHT BE $80 FOR THE DAY.

THOSE FEES THAT WE GET FROM OUR SHEDS ARE PROBABLY HALF OF OUR REVENUE.

THE OTHER HALF IS FROM THE REAL ESTATE THAT WE HAVE.

SO WENDY'S IS A TENANT, BYRNE, RUSSO PRODUCE IS A TENANT.

ALL THESE TENANTS ARE LEASING LAND FROM US OR BUILDINGS FROM US.

>> IF WE LOOK AT A YEAR LIKE 23-2 4-RBGS PROJECTING 25, WHAT ARE THE SALES HERE?

HOW MUCH WOULD WE SALE?

>> WE DON'T KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THE FARMERS SELL.

THEY DON'T REPORT TO US.

CERTAINLY IN THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GETTING AT.

I SAW A REPORT SOMEWHERE IT WAS A LARGE NUMBER.

AND I THOUGHT GEE, THAT'S GOT TO BE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR.

THIS PLACE MAKES AN IMPACT ON THE CENTRAL NEW YORK ECONOMY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE CLOSE TO A THOUSAND PARKING SPACES AND BY 7:15, THEY'RE FULL ON SATURDAY.

THEY'RE HERE FOR AN HOUR, HOUR AND A HALF AND WHEN THEY LEAVE, ANOTHER CAR TAKES ITS PLACE.

>> THIS PLACE IS POPULAR TO SAY THE LEAST ON SATURDAY.

YOU HAVE COMPETITION.

THE GROCERY STORES IN YOUR AREA, WEGMAN'S WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.

QUITE A STORE.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING HERE FOR PRODUCE THEY CAN BUY AT THESE STORES?

>> FOR A COUPLE REASONS.

ONE IS THE VALUE IS FANTASTIC.

YOU'VE ALL SEEN IF YOU HAVE SHOPPED THAT YOUR PRICES AND WEGMANS AS GREAT AS THEY ARE, YOU ARE PLAYING 20 TO 30% MORE FOR THE SAME TOMATOES OR THE SAME PRODUCE, SO COMING HERE AND LOOKING FOR BARGAINS IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN DOING.

THERE IS A LOT OF PROCESSED FOOD AND WE ARE AWARE THAT'S NOT THE BEST THING FOR OUR HEALTH.

THIS IS NOT PROCESSED FOOD HERE.

THERE IS FRESH GROWN FOOD THAT YOU CAN TAKE BACK TO YOUR TABLE.

>> I LOVE IT.

I'M NOT SURE IT FALLS TO YOU BUT WILL ASK ANYWAY.

IS THERE A WAY THE REGIONAL MARKET CAN GET SOME OF THIS PRODUCT, SOME OF THIS PRODUCE TO PARTS OF THE CITY THAT MAYBE GO WITHOUT?

>> WHAT USED TO BE CALLED FOOD STAMPS ARE SNRAP BENEFITS AND THEY'RE ON PLASTIC CARDS.

NOT ALL THE FARMERS TAKE THE CARDS, SO WE RUN AWE CURRENCY SYSTEM.

YOU CAN COME DOWN HERE WITH YOUR EBT CARD AND COME OVER TO THE WELCOME CENTER ON SUNDAYS OR COME TO THE SHED ON SATURDAY AND YOU CAN CONVERT YOUR EBT BENEFITS INTO OUR DOLLAR TOKENS.

>> THAT'S BIG.

>> YOU CAN TAKE THE DOLLAR TOKENS AND SPEND THEM HERE.

WHAT IS BETTER THAN THAT, IS THAT THE STATE MATCHES THE FIRST $50 EVERY TIME YOU ARE EXCHANGING TOKENS SO THEY GIVE YOU COUPONS.

SO FOR $50 OF EBT BENEFITS, YOU CAN GET $100 OF BUYING POWER THANKS TO NEW YORK STATE MATCHING THE FEDERAL PROGRAM WHICH IS THE SNAP BENEFITS.

>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FUTURE THEN DOWN THE ROAD.

WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE COMING SO FAR SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE?

WHAT IS GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT HERE DOWN THE ROAD?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW IS OTHER MARKETS LIKE THE EAST MARKET IN DETROIT THAT HAS REALLY REVITALIZED THEMSELVES WITH THE UNIQUE MIX THAT WE HAVE.

SOME OF THESE MARKETS ARE STRICTLY RETAIL, WHICH IS WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT MAINLY.

OTHERS ARE MORE WHOLESALE IN NATURE.

WE ARE A HYBRID THAT HAS THE RETAIL AND WHOLESALE.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WHOLESALE FOOD BUSINESSES?

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN FOOD PRODUCTION?

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH COLD STORAGE?

THE COUNTY AND THE STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARM JUST AWARDED A CONTRACT TO A CONSULTING FIRM.

THEY'VE GOT A TEAM OF EXPERTS THAT HAVE HELPED REVITALIZE THESE TYPES OF PUBLIC MARKETS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE GREEN SPACE.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE FLOWERS.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A MORE COMFORTABLE-- >> THAT, IF I MAY, THAT WOULD BE GOOD.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT MAKADAM.

THAT WOULD BE NIGHT JUST VISUALLY.

DID I READ THERE IS A PROPOSAL OUT THERE FOR A LARGE FOOD PAVILION, NOT A FOOD COURT BUT SOMETHING OF THAT.

>> YOU DID.

THE REGIONAL AUTHORITY AND STAFF WERE BRAINSTORMING AROUND WHAT THEY SAW.

THEY WERE DOING SOME SMART THINGS LIKE TRAVELING TO OTHER MARKETS.

A LOT OF THE THINGS YOU SEE AT THE ESSEX MARKET IN BALTIMORE OR PHILADELPHIA OR THOSE KINDS OF IDEAS ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN BRING HERE AND THE STAFF HAD ALREADY BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT.

THEY JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDING FOR IT SO IF WE CAN PULL TOGETHER A VERY COHESIVE PLAN, PRESENT IT TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, LATE THIS YEAR, EARLY NEXT YEAR, I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A READINESS OR WILLINGNESS TO FUND SOME OF THE IDEAS.

>> PHILADELPHIA HAS A BIG, YOU KNOW, IT'S A PLACE TO GO.

>> THE READING TERMINAL IS AMAZING.

>> THIS IS A PLACE TO GO.

IT COULD BE THAT.

IT COULD BE EVEN BETTER, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, YOUR ENTHUSIASM AND ALL THAT BUT AS YOU LOOK DOWN THE ROAD, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS HURDLES?

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT THESE ARE GOING TO BE PROBLEMS FOR US?

>> SO THE INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IS VERY DATED.

>> THAT'S NOT CHEAP TO FIX.

AND THINGS UNDER THE GROUND ARE NOT SEXY BUT YOU STILL NEED TO REPLACE THEM?

>> ANY OTHER EVENTS THAT WOULD BE MAYBE NON-PRODUCE ORIENTED OR SOMETHING DIFFERENT HAPPENING BILL?

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING FESTIVALS, PERHAPS ONCE A MONTH FROM MAY TO NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR, WE MAY BE ABLE TO PULL ONE OR TWO OFF THIS YEAR, PERHAPS AROUND HALLOWEEN.

SO THE IDEA WOULD BE, HAVE A THEME LIKE PUMPKINS, LET'S SAY AND BRING IN LIVE BANDS, MAYBE BRING IN SOME ARTISTS.

>> BRING IN SOME NEW PEOPLE.

>> YES, BRING IN SOME NEW PEOPLE.

LOOK FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS AROUND MONTHLY FESTIVALS, HOPEFULLY BEGINNING THIS FALL AND BEING A REGULAR FEATURE IN 2025.

>> BIG THANKS TO BILL FISHER CEO OF THE CNY REGIONAL MARKET IT IS THE END OF OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT BUT WE HAVE MORE FOR YOU• NEXT WEEK WE HIGHLIGHT THE BOYCE THOMPSON INSTITUTE AND THEIR NEW ONE POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLAR PLANT-PHENOTYPING FACILITY.

THEN WE LEARN HOW ONE ORGANIZATION IS HELPING HOMEOWNERS SAVE MONEY BY IMPROVING THEIR HOMES' ENERGY USE.

AND FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES J.DANIEL PLUFF SITS DOWN WITH THE NEW CEO OF THE CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, MELANIE LITTLEJOHN.

TO DISCUSS HERE AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR CONTINUING TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF CENTRAL NEW YORK, THROUGH FUNDING AND IMPACTFUL ACTIONS.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE COMING THIS SEASON SO IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A BUSINESS, PERSON OR JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING IN CENTRAL NEW YORK, CONTACT US BY E.D MAILING NEWS@WCNY.ORG.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WCNY.ORG/"ON THE MONEY."

YOU CAN ALSO VIEW OUR PREVIOUS EPISODES THERE TOO.. AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AS WELL.

I'M LAIZA SEMIDEY, THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING.