The Inn at Cooperstown and Krazy Tom's Floor Store and Sleep Shop joined forces to help Otsego County's homeless population.
The Inn donated 10 twin mattresses and 15 pillows to Opportunities for Otsego's emergency shelter in Oneonta, and Krazy Tom's provided free delivery of the bedding, according to a media release.
"We always look for ways to give back, and we're especially pleased to support Opportunities for Otsego," Marc Kingsley, owner of The Inn at Cooperstown, said in a prepared statement. "The fact that these mattresses will meet the needs of a local organization is a win for the community and the environment."
The bedding donation was initiated in a conversation between Kingsley and Liane Hirabayashi, OFO's housing and employment manager. Kingsley is an alumnus of Leadership Otsego, and Hirabayashi is a current participant.
Leadership Otsego is a training program offered by the State University College at Oneonta's Center for Economic and Community Development that helps future leaders address challenges and opportunities in Otsego County.
Kingsley, who owns The Inn, a bed and breakfast at 16 Chestnut St., with his wife, Sherrie, contacted Charlie Contro, the owner of Krazy Tom's at 4316 County Highway 11 in Cooperstown, who agreed to deliver the donated goods.
"We greatly appreciate this collaboration,'' Hirabayashi said.
In 2009, OFO housed 471 homeless individuals and prevented eviction for 79 households through its rental-assistance program, according to the release.
Webinar offered on Marcellus shale-related opportunities
Commerce Chenango will present "Your Business & Marcellus Shale: Voices of Experience," an educational program at The Eaton Center, 19 Eaton Ave., Norwich.
The four 90-minute sessions will be Wednesdays at 8 a.m. today, Feb. 3, 10 and 17.
The program is to help entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized businesses understand and respond to Marcellus shale-related business opportunities, a media release said. Locally, the series is co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County and Commerce Chenango.
Presenters and panelists will include local businesses, natural-gas industry representatives and experts from Penn State. The series is a follow-up to the business development webinar program last fall, when more than 500 businesses participated at 19 local sites within Pennsylvania and New York.
For more information, or to register for the series, contact Jennifer Tavares at 334-5532 or by e-mail at jtavares@chenangony.org or by visiting www.economicdevelopment.psu.edu/marcellusbiz.
NBT Bancorp ranked ninth in nation
NBT Bancorp was ranked the ninth-best bank in the nation by Forbes.com in a Dec. 30 article titled "America's Best and Worst Banks.''
Forbes ranked the 100 largest banks, thrifts and holding companies on "eight financial measures that gauge asset quality, capital adequacy and profitability," according to a media release from NBT. The ranked financial institutions each have $5 billion or more in assets.
Forbes noted that NBT Bancorp's reserves as a percentage of non-performing loans was 165 percent, the "fifth-highest among big banks."
NBT Bancorp was one of only two institutions from the East Coast to make the top 10.
More information on the rankings can be found at www.forbes.com/bank-ratings.
"This recognition helps validate our efforts to be a high-performing financial company while remaining safe, sound and secure," NBT Bancorp President and Chief Executive Officer Martin Dietrich said in a prepared statement. "The U.S. economy and banking industry face continuing challenges, but we will keep our focus on taking care of our customers and delivering long-term value to our shareholders."
NBT Bancorp Inc., a financial holding company with headquarters in Norwich, had assets of $5.5 billion as of Dec. 31.
Forbes is a leading provider of business information.
NBDC receives 82nd five-star rating
Patrick Galloway, president of National Bank of Delaware County based in Walton, has accepted the bank's 82nd consecutive five-star rating from BauerFinancial, a media release said.
Karen Dorway, president of Bauer, an independent bank-rating firm in Coral Gables, Fla., said: "Not all community banks are created equal. NBDC has passed our stress test with flying colors. NBDC is a prime example of what all community banks should strive for.''
The five-star rating is the highest rank awarded by the firm.
To suggest a business story, announce a new business or changes to an existing one, e-mail drichardson@thedailystar.com or call Denise Richardson at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.
