COMING UP TONIGHT, WE'LL SEE HOW THE MOHAWK VALLEY IS AND IMPROVING SURGICAL HEALING TIMES AND FINALLY WE'LL TAKE A TRIP TO THE BEAK & SKIFF CAMPUS IN LAFAYETTE TO SEE HOW THE COMPANY IS EXPANDING INTO THE BURGEONING CANNABIS MARKET.

ON THE MONEY BEGINS RIGHT NOW.

♪ SEMINOLE.

♪ ♪ GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ON THE MONEY, WCNY'S NEW 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 DANIEL PLUFF.

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

LOCALLY.

OUR FIRST REPORT TAKES US TO UTICA.

THE THINCUBATOR AT MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROVIDES THE CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION WITH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS GETTING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ON THEIR FEET.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE PROGRAM'S DIRECTOR, RYAN MILLER, FOR AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE DOWNTOWN UTICA BASED BUSINESS HUB.

I TELL EVERYONE THAT MCC THINCUE LATER IS HELPING START-UPS.

WE HELP YOU TAKE THAT IDEA AND ACCELERATE IT OR TURN IT INTO A PRODUCT.

WE HAVE LOTS OF RESOURCES HERE ASIDE FROM THE FACILITY, MENTORSHIPS AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE INVESTIGATE IF THERE IS IF THEIR IDEA HAS LEGS.

>> THERE WAS NO BUSINESS ACCELERATOR HERE.

I WENT TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND SOME OTHER SUCCESSFUL MVCC ALUMS TO SEE IF THEY WOULD HELP FUND THIS AND THAT'S HOW THIS STARTED.

PREVIOUS TO COMING HERE, IN AN 800 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING IN BAG SQUARE IT WAS SO POPULAR IT TOOK OFF, THE STATE OF NEW YORK CAME TO US AND SUGGESTED THAT WE MAY WANT TO APPLY FOR A HOT SPOT GRANT THERE ARE 10 IN NEW YORK STATE.

ONE FOR EVERY AREA AND WE APPLIED EIGHT YEARS AGO AND WE WERE AWARDED THAT GRANT OF $250,000; WHICH GAVE US THE ABILITY TO MOVE HERE AND LEASE THIS SPACE, RENOVATE IT AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

>> SO THE MOHAWK VALLEY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER IS ONE OF 22 SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS AROUND NEW YORK STATE.

PART OF THE NETWORK.

WE HAVE BEEN AT THE THINCUE BAITER FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS NOW.

THEY THOUGHT THE SERVICERS WE PROVIDE IN CONJUNCTION WITH WHAT RYAN DOES IS A REAL ADVANTAGE TO THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF THESE ARE FOUNDED ON THE PREMISE OF ATTRACTING LARGE SCALABLE TECHNOLOGY WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE WELCOME.

I ALSO THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT A CITY LIKE UTICA OR UPSTATE CITIES THAT REALLY THE FABRIC AND THE IDENTITY OF THOSE CITIES ARE BUILT AND MAINTAINED THROUGH SMALL BUSINESSES SO WE REALLY WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS WHO BANT TO START A BUSINESS HERE OR THAT GREW UP HERE WANT TO STAY HERE, HAVE AS MANY RESOURCES AS THEY NEED TO MAKE THAT SUCCESSFUL.

TO RUN THIS WHICH INCLUDES THE REPRESENT, THE HEAT, THE FACILITIES, THE FAST EVERYTHING WE DO HERE COST APPROXIMATELY $460,000 TO $550,000 A YEAR.

WE GET A $250,000 A YEAR HOT SPOT GRANT IT'S CALLED FROM NEW YORK STATE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT AND THE REST OF THE MONEY COMES, ONEIDA COUNTY SUPPORTS US.

AND WE ALSO GO TO OUR ALUMS, WHO ARE SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY'RE WILLING TO SUPPORT US SO WHEN YOU PUT ALL THAT TOGETHER, WE ARE ABLE TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO PROVIDE FREE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANT TO START A BUSINESS.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESSES HERE, PEOPLE ARE PUTTING THE NAME UTICA IN THEIR BRAND, WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT I THINK 10, 20 YEARS AGO PEOPLE MIGHT LOOK AT THAT AS A NEGATIVE AND NOW IT'S LIKE, NO, NO, NO, THIS IS OUR IDENTITY AND WE ARE ESPECIALLY BRACING IT.

TO ME, THAT FLIP OF THE NARRATIVE IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF US AS A COMMUNITY AND THE REGION DEFINING WHERE WE WANT TO GO AND DRIVING RATHER THAN WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME THAN WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME AND MAKE THAT DECISION FOR US.

>> IT'S BEEN SHALL WE SAY AN INTERESTING YEAR FOR INVESTORS THIS YEAR.

A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS, EXTRA VOLATILITY AS WE HAVE GOP THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR.

IT CAN MAKE YOU NERVOUS, CAN CREATE ANXIETY AND WE WANTED TO KNOW,000 COPE WITH ALL OF THAT, TO HELP US WITH IS THAT COLETTE POWERS JOINED US.

FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

DIFFICULT BECAUSE A LOT OF UPS AND DOWNS THIS YEAR.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE?

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH ALL THIS?

>> WELL, DANNY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THE SHOW, AND WHEN THERE ARE UNCERTAIN TIMES LIKE THIS,WHAT I ALWAYS SAY IS LET'S GO TO THE PLAN.

GO AND REVIEW YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS.

BUT FERS LET ME JUST QUICKLY REVIEW WHAT A FINANCIAL PLAN IS TO ME.

AND IT IS A PLAN, A ROAD MAP, IF YOU WILL, THAT HELPS YOU FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE LIFE YOU ENVISION, RIGHT?

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

WHAT DO YOU WISH TO DO.

>> HOW MUCH DOES THAT COST?

WHEN DO YOU WANT TO DO IT AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.

AND YOU CREATE THIS LIST, A LIFE MAP, IS WHAT I CALL IT AND THEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE TO HELP YOU SUPPORT THAT VISION.

WHEN YOU ARE WORKING, IT'S YOUR INCOME.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORK THANKING, SOCIAL SECURITY, PER PERHAPS A PENSION, PERHAPS REAL ESTATE, PERHAPS THE SALE OF A BUSINESS AND WE LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND WE DESIGN THEM TO HELP YOU SUPPORT THAT VISION.

WELL WHY I SAY TODAY IS A GOOD TIME FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THEIR FINANCIAL PLAN, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, DANNY, BUT HAVE I MANY CLIENTS AND FRIENDS POST-COVID, THEIR VISION HAS CHANGED.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY THINKING WHAT IT IS THEY WANT TO DO AND WHAT THEY VALUE AND ONE OF GOALS THAT I SEE CHANGING A LOT AND QUESTIONS BEING ASKED IS PERHAPS I CAN RETIRE EARLIER THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

>> SURE.

>> WELL, I HAVE FOUND ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO BE ABLE TO SEE IF YOU CAN DO THAT AND ACHIEVE THAT GOAL IS PULL UP THE PLAN AND MODEL IT IN.

PUT IN THESE NEW COSTS.

PUT IN THESE NEW TIMELINES AND SEE IF YOU CAN FINANCIALLY FEASIBLY ACCOMPLISH THAT.

>> JUST TO OVERSUMMARIZE IT, MAYBE STICK WITH THE PLAN IF YOU'VE GOT IT BUT IF NOT, THIS IS THE TIME.

THIS IS THE TIME TO START FORMULATING A PLAN, YES?

>> DANNY, THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW.

I MEAN THAT IS ONE OF MY BIGGEST PET PEEVES.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL PLAN, YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT, NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW.

>> I SO APPRECIATE IT.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

I APPRECIATE THE ADVICE.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT BUT COLETTE POWERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

POWERS WEALTH MANAGEMENT OUT OF UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES IN SYRACUSE.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK NEXT SEASON.

>> THANKS SO MUCH DANNY.

HOPE I WAS ABLE TO ADD SOME VALUE TO FOLKS.

>> SOME GOOD POINTS TO CONSIDER, ESPECIALLY DURING SOME MORE TURBULENT TIMES AND THANKS AGAIN TO COLETTE POWERS - HOPE TO SEE HER AGAIN SOON.

UP NEXT, OUR SEGMENT WE CALL TECH BYTES WHERE WE FEATURE NEW TECH BYTES WHERE WE FEATURE NEW TECHNOLOGIES BEING DEVELOPED OR USED HERE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

EVERYONE LIKES THE IDEA OF A PAIN-FREE POST-OPERATIVE RECOVERY.

AND WHILE THAT MIGHT STILL BE A DREAM, THE AREA OF ROBOTIC SURGERY IS PAVING THE WAY TOWARDS LESS SCARRING, SHORTER HOSPITAL STAYS AND A FASTER RECOVERY.

THE ROBOTIC SURGERY TEAM AT COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS HELPING PATIENTS GET THROUGH NECESSARY OPERATIONS WITH MUCH LESS TRAUMA TO THE BODY THANKS TO THE HELP OF ROBOTS.

COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IS A SMALL RURAL HOSPITAL IN HAMILTON, NEW YORK.

WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY FOUR COUNTIES WITH 47,000 PEOPLE.

A TRADITIONAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, WE WOULD BASICALLY DIAL IN THE SAME MECHANICAL ALIGNMENT IN EVERY PATIENT.

SO IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A ONE-SIZE FITS ALL FOR EVERYBODY.

BUT THERE ARE PATIENTS THAT ARE OUTSIDE THIS BELL CURVE, SO WHAT THE ROBOT DOES IS TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.

IT PROVIDES A MORE PERSONALIZED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, SPECIFIC FOR THE PATIENT.

SO THIS IS MY ROBOT.

WE NICKNAMED HER DORY AFTER MY FIRST PATIENT.

WE FIRST STARTED DOING ROBOTIC SURGERY IN MARCH AND SO FAR WE HAVE PUT IN APPROXIMATELY 40 KNEES.

THIS IS A SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR MANY YEARS.

THE ROBOT JUST ALLOWS US TO PUT IT IN IN A MORE PRECISE, MORE ACCURATE WAY.

I TAKE THE KNEE THROUGH A RANGE OF MOTION AND THE COMPUTER THEN GENERATES A 3D MODEL OF WHAT THE PATIENT'S KNEE WOULD LOOK LIKE WITH A KNEE ARTHROPLASTY IMPLANTS IN THERE.

THE ROBOT WAS UPWARDS I WANT TO SAY $325,000.

OUR HOSPITAL PARTNERED WITH US.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THE ROBOT HERE AND PAY FOR IT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CASES WE WERE ABLE TO DO.

WE BROUGHT A BIG GROUP OF STAFF TO FLORIDA TO HAVE THEM TRAIN, INCLUDING NURSES AND SCRUB TECHS AND PHYSICIANS ASSISTANTS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE ROBOTICS.

AS FAR AS NEW JOBS, I THINK ONCE ROBOTICS SORT OF EXPANDS INTO OTHER HOSPITALS IN THE AREA, ABSOLUTELY, THEY WILL NEED MORE SPECIALIZED TRAINED STAFF.

SO I THINK IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TO RECRUIT A GOOD HEALTHCARE PROVIDER TO RURAL AMERICA.

MY HEART HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN RURAL MEDICINE.

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK OUT IN THE COUNTRY SOMEWHERE AND BRING SORT OF THE HEALTHCARE THAT PATIENTS HAVE IN THE CITIES TO SOME PLACE RURAL.

OFFERING THE LATEST AND GREATEST TECHNOLOGY, PARTICULARLY IN JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY, PATIENTS SEEK THAT OUT.

SO THERE ARE PATIENTS THAT ARE ON, YOU KNOW, GOOGLE EVERY DAY TRYING TO SHOP FOR A DOCTOR, SHOP FOR WHICH TOTAL KNEE IMPLANT THEY WANT.

SHOP FOR THE TECHNOLOGY THEY WANT AND THIS IS NOT GOING AWAY.

SO I THINK IT'S A PATIENT DRIVEN ECONOMY, PATIENTS WANT THIS.

PATIENTS WANT SOMETHING THAT IS MORE PERSONALIZED TO THEM.

THEY WANT THE LATEST AND GREATEST TECHNOLOGY AND SO THEY'RE GOING TO SEEK THAT OUT.

THEY'RE GOING TO SEEK THAT OUT.

>> SOME INTERESTING NUMBERS TO TAKE A LOOK AT TONIGHT EVERYBODY KNOWS GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN GOING UP AND UP.

AND A LOT OF TALK LATELY ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

SO IT GOT US THINKING WHAT IS THE CHEAPER VEHICLE TO RUN?

A REGULAR COMBUSTION ENGINE CAR OR ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

HERE ARE NUMBERS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU WITH THAT.

WE RECENTLY FOUND OUT THE AFTERCARE KW AVERAGE OF TECH TRIFT IS 14.5% AND THE AVERAGE ELECTRIC CAR WITH RUN THREE TO FOUR MILES PER KW.

AVERAGE AMERICAN DRIVES 1183 MILES PER MONTH.

IF WE DO THE MATH, ON A MONTHLY BASIS YOU ARE SPENDING ABOUT $57 ON ENERGY OR ELECTRIC COST.

HOW DOES THAT COMPARE?

AS OF A MONTH OR TWO AGO, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS WAS $4.58 PER GALLON AND THEY TELL US THIS IS FROM EDMUNDS BY THE WAY THE AVERAGE MILES PER GALLON IN VEHICLES IS AVERAGING AROUND 3 HAD.

WITH THOSE PRICES-- 34.

IT COST ABOUT $$156 IN GAS JUST TO RUN YOUR CAR.

I MEAN CLEARLY ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE A LOT CHEAPER TO RUN.

BUT THERE IS A CATCH.

AND YOU KNEW IT WAS COMING.

BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO ARE TOLD THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A NEW CAR NOT ELECTRIC IS AROUND 46,400.

THE AVERAGE NEW ELECTRIC CAR, 74,520.

THAT TELLS ME YOU'VE GOT TO DRIVE A LOT OF MILES TO MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENCE.

SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT AND THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS.

WE CLOSE OUT OUR SERIES AND EACH WE CLOSE OUT OUR SERIES AND EACH SHOW WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT.

AND TONIGHT, THE BEAK & SKIFF APPLE ORCHARDS IN LAFAYETTE HAVE COME A LONG WAY FROM THEIR HUMBLE BEGINNINGS OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

WITH CONCERTS AND NOW CANNABIS MOVING INTO THE APPLE FIELDS, THIS 5TH GENERATION FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESS KEEPS IT'S SIGHTS SET ON A DIVERSE AND EVER-GROWING PRODUCT PORTFOLIO.

I SPOKE WITH EDDIE BRENNAN, PRESIDENT OF BEAK & SKIFF APPLE ORCHARDS ABOUT HOW THE BRAND HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH SYRACUSE FAMILY TRADITION AND WHERE HE SEES FUTURE GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION FROM THE APPLE.

BEAK & SKIFF, 100 YEARS.

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

THAT'S A BIT OF AN OUTLIER, AN ACCOMPLISHMENT ALL IN ITS OWN.

>> FIVE GENERATIONS.

MOST BUSINESSES DON'T MAKE IT PAST THREE GENERAL RAITIONS.

TO MAKE IT THAT FAR IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT NOT JUST FOR THE FAMILY BUT THE ENTIRE TEAM AND WHAT HAS LED TO THAT IS THE INNOVATION CHANGE THAT WE FOSTER HERE AT BEAK & SKIFF.

>> I'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF REPORTS WHERE BEAK & SKIFF IS NAMED BEST ORCHARD IN AMERICA.

I WAS THINKING, I DIDN'T CATCH THAT THE FIRST TIME AROUND.

>> THERE IS ALWAYS STIFF COMPETITION.

WASHINGTON STATE, ILLINOIS.

>> WASHINGTON IS STILL A BIGGER APPLE PRODUCER THAN NEW YORK, CORRECT?

>> THEY'RE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY AND I BELIEVE NEW YORK IS NUMBER 2.

>> IS HONEY CRISP THE MOST POPULAR THAT YOU SNELL.

>> BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR.

SWEETEST, BIGGEST, THE ONES PEOPLE SEE IN THE GROCERY STORES.

>> AS A PERCENTAGE MAYBE, HOW BIG A BUSINESS IS THE APPLE PRODUCTION IN SALES?

AS WE HAVE GROWN, FARMING IS A SMALLER PIECE OF THE BUSINESS BUT IT HAS SUSTAINED US AND IS THE DNA OF THE COMPANY.

ALCOHOL HAS TAKEN ON 60 TO 70% OF THE BUSINESS.

AND IT HAS ALLOWED US ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM FOR OUR APPLE ORCHARD.

>> YOU THINK OF THIS PLACE AS A FALL EVENT, COMING UP, BUT YOU ARE GROWING YEAR ROUND.

THERE HAS TO BE STUFF GOING OUT IN THE FIELDS A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THIS TIME OF YEAR, IT MUST BE NICE, YOU CAN SLOW DOWN.

WE'VE HAD FOUR CONCERTS AND OVER 10,000 PEOPLE AT THE FARM.

WE RUN A WHOLESALE OPERATION.

IN 25 STATES WITH OUR HARD CIDER BRAND.

WE SELL OVER 300,000 CASES OF THAT PRODUCT.

WE ARE BUSY YEAR ROUND WITH THAT.

>> YOU'VE GOT WEATHER CHALLENGES HERE.

>> FROST, DROUGHT.

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING, THE WEATHER IS CHANGING.

MY COUSIN PETE WHO RUNS THE ORCHARD, WE ARE SEEING CHANGES.

>> CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> TRYING TO ADJUST.

FOR 100 YEARS, YOU MUST HAVE DATA.

YOU ARE SEEING CHANGES IN THE CLIMATE HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY SEEING CHANGES.

EARLIER FROSTS OR DRYER SUMMERS.

BIG FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TEMPERATURE.

APPLES ARE A HEARTY CROP WHICH IS GREAT BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES.

>> IS IT TOUGH GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK THE FARM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NEVER BEEN HARDER TO FIND PEOPLE WHO CONSISTENTLY WANT TO WORK IN A FAMILY BUSINESS.

REMOTE WORK HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF.

WE ARE A BUSINESS TO WORK FOR BUT YOU HAVE TO BE HERE WHETHER YOU ARE AT THE BOTTLING LINE OR IN THE ORCHARD OR SERVING A DRINK.

IT IS A CHALLENGE.

>> SOME OF THE NEW VENTURES.

THE 1911 PRODUCT.

I'M WALKING THROUGH THE ROOM YOU ARE NOT LACKING ANYTHING OUT THERE.

THAT HAS BECOME A BIG ENTERPRISE.

>> OUR INNOVATION ROOM WHEN WE COME UP WITH NEW FLAVORS.

>> DO YOU NEED A SAMPLER FOR THAT?

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF THOSE.

WE ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH NEW FUN PRODUCTS AND WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE CRAFT BEER MODEL OF BOLD BEER PACKAGING AND HAVE THE PRODUCT JUMP OFF THE SHELF.

WE HAVE A UNIQUE STORY HERE.

100 YEARS, BUT YOU TALK ABOUT A BUSINESS AND A FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR OVER 100 YEARS IN THE LAND, OR GROWING ALLED INGREDIENTS AND I THINK PEOPLE LOVE THE STORY BEHIND THE BRANDS AND THEY CONNECT WITH THAT.

WE RECENTLY DID A COLLABORATION WITH WEGMANS ON THE HARD CIDER SIDE WHICH WE ACTUALLY REPLICATED AND TRIED TO CREATE AN ALCOHOL VERSION OF THAT.

THAT'S THE PARTNERSHIPS WE ARE DOING.

>> THAT'S A HUGE CONNECTION FOR YOU.

>> WEGMANS HELPED BUILD OUR BRAND, TO BUILD A BRAND IN NEW YORK STATE, HAVE YOU TO BE WORKING WITH WEGMANS AND THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER.

>> QUITE THE VENUE.

YOU ARE BOOKING QUITE A VARIETY OF GUESTS.

>> IT WAS A DREAM, SIX, SEVEN YEARS AGO WHEN WE STARTED PLAYING AROUND WITH IT I WAS BOOKING THE BANDS MYSELF.

WE WOULD SEE 500 PEOPLE SHOW UP.

>> I ASSUME THERE ARE BOOKING AGENCIES.

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR FOOT IN THAT DOOR.

>> WE PARTNERED WITH DAN SMALLS PRODUCTION AND PARTNERED THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO AND SAID WE WANT TO CREATE A WORLD CLASS MUSIC VENUE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WITH 18 SHOWS WE HAVE CURATED SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

YOU KNOW, IF BEE DIDN'T MAKE A DOLLAR OFF IT, YOU ARE GETTING 3 OR 4,000 PEOPLE EXPOSED TO YOUR BRAND AND SO MANY PEOPLE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN WALK THROUGH THE DOORS BEFORE WHO YOU KNOW ARE GOING TO GO INTO A GROCERY STORE AND MAYBE CONNECT WITH YOUR BRAND DIFFERENTLY AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN HERE.

I THINK WE HAVE DEVELOPED ONE OF THE BETTER BRANDS IN NEW YORK STATE AND SYRACUSE GETS BEHIND ITS BRANDS I'VE NOTICED OVER THE YEARS.

THEY REALLY LOVE THEIR BRANDS AND WE HAVE DONE A LOT FOR THE ECONOMY WE PROVIDE AT OUR PEAK FALL, OVER 300 PEOPLE ARE WORKING HERE 100 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT WHERE WE BRING WORKERS IN FROM JAMAICA AND THEY WORK HERE AND HELP US BRING IN THE CROPS.

>> COME FALL, WHAT IF WE CAN'T FIND THE ADDITIONAL 200 TO 300 PEOPLE THAT YOU NODE?

>> I GUESS I WILL BE SERVING A LOT OF DRINKS AND PICKING A LOT OF APPLES.

I TELL MY TEAM, WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND WE DON'T WANT TO MESS THAT UP.

>> LET'S MOVE INTO THE FINAL THING.

CANNABIS, CBD.

WHAT IS GOING ON THERE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT CANNABIS, THE STIGMATIZATION, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE TO JAIL FOR IT, IT BLOWS MY MIND AND WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON DOING HERE IS BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS AND SAYING THIS IS A CROP THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE.

WE SEE IT IN THATTENCE BUT ALSO ANOTHER WAY TO DIVERSIFY OUR BUSINESS HERE.

WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE CBD BUSINESS.

>> SMALL BUSINESS RIGHT NOW.

>> SMALLER BUSINESS BUT THE WAY NEW YORK STATE IS LOOKING AT IT, IF YOU HAVE GROWN HEMP FOR THREE OUT OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS, YOU CAN QUALIFY FOR A RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA GROW LICENSE.

WE CREATED A SEPARATE COMPANY HERE WHICH SOME OF OUR OWNERS ARE PARTICIPATING IN.

IT IS GOING TO BE CALLED GEN-5 LABS AND WE REALLY SEE IT AS A WAY TO DIVERSIFY THE BUSINESS, ADD ANOTHER REVENUE STREAM TO THE OVERALL LAND HERE.

THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IN NEW YORK STATE IS PROJECTED TO BE BETWEEN 4 TO $6 BILLION IN A THREE TO FOUR YEAR WINDOW.

UNBELIEVABLE NUMBERS.

WHAT AN AMAZING CHANCE FOR A BUSINESS LIKE US TO JUMP INTO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHO IS GOING TO GET THE FIRST LICENSES AND WHO IS GOING TO, YOU KNOW, REALLY HAVE THE CONVICTION TO SEE IT THROUGH.

>> DOES THAT MESS UP YOUR ABILITY TO BANK, TO UTILIZE THE BANKING SYSTEM.

>> ENORMOUS CHALLENGES.

WHETHER YOU ARE DEALING IN CASH OR HAVING TO FIND A BAKE THAT WILL WORK WITH YOU.

CAN YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS?

NOT BEING FUNNY?

>> NO CREDIT CARDS I MEAN WE ARE NOT IN THE DISPENSARY BUSINESS, CUSTOMER FACING.

WE ARE ALL ABOUT CREATING YOU KNOW, B-TO-B PRODUCTS SELLING INTO DISPENSARIES.

AND WE ARE HOPING NEXT YEAR THEY WILL BE OPEN AGO CROSS THE STATE.

>> YOU ARE FAR BETTER OFF KNOWING WHERE THE PRODUCT COMES FROM KNOWING HOW THE PRODUCT WAS MADE OPPOSED TO PURCHASING IT ON THE STREET SOMEWHERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU SEE WHAT IS BEING-- IT'S BEING SOLD SOMEWHERE.

ALL THE PRODUCTS IN THE LEGAL MARKET WILL BE TESTED AND CERTIFIED AND THAT'S IMPORTANT WHEN PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO GET INTO IT.

AND OUR WORKING THEORY IS OVER TIME, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WANT TO CONSUME CANNABIS BY BEVERAGES.

WE THINK THERE IS A LOT OF NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS FROM SMOKING.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PULL OUT A JOINT AND START SMOKING IF YOU ARE 40 PLUS.

MAYBE SOME PEOPLE BUT... >> IN CONSUMING IT IN SOME FORM OF A LIQUID, THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CBD PRODUCT?

>> NO, THC, 5 MILLIGRAMS PER PRODUCT THROUGH OUR NEW BRAND THAT WE ARE CREATING AND WE THINK WE WILL BE ROLLING THAT OUT NEXT YEAR.

IT'S EXCITING AND WE ARE TAKING OUR EXPERTISE FROM OUR OTHER BUSINESSES AND ROLLING IT INTO THAT.

>> TOO EARLY TO PROJECT, YOU KNOW, REVENUE EXPECTATIONS ON THAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IN THE THREE PLUS YEAR WINDOW, IT COULD BE BIGGER THAN EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE TO DATE.

THAT'S EXCITING AND I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF PASSION BEHIND IT.

BUT YOU KNOW, SEPARATE COMPANY, ADJACENT TO BEAK & SKIFF.

JUST AN EXCITING PRODUCT AND WE HAVE DONE WITH IT 1911.

WHY NOT ANOTHER PRODUCT.

>> I LOVE IT AND I HEARD YOU USE THIS PHRASE WHICH I THINK IS NEAT, YOU WANT TO CONTROL IT FROM SEED TO SALE.

>> YEAH, RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE APPLE BUSINESS AND IT ENSURES QUALITY, CONSISTENCY AND SUPPLY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE STRUGGLE IN THE APPLE BUSINESS AND THE HARD CIDER BUSINESS PROCURING SUPPLY YEAR ROUND AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO HERE.

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY, THERE IS NO OUT OF STATE, NOTHING FLOWING OVER STATE LINES WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ALCOHOL INDUSTRY.

IT ALL HAS TO LITERALLY OPERATE IN THE NEW YORK STATE ECOSYSTEM.

THERE IS NO OTHER CATEGORY WHERE THAT HAPPENS.

THAT IS THE REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW YORK STATE BUSINESSES.

>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET RID OF THE APPLE BUSINESS?

>> NO, THE APPLE BUSINESS IS LITERALLY THE CORE WHAT HAVE WE DO AND IT'S WHY PEOPLE COME HERE, WHY 300,000 PEOPLE WALK THROUGH OUR GATES YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT.

THAT'S WHY THEY COME HERE, TO HAVE A 50 PLUS ACRES OF APPLE TREES ACROSS 25 VARIETIES.

NOWHERE ELSE YOU CAN DO THAT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ALL ABOUT IS A FAMILY FARM FIRST AND FOREMOST.

>> I LOVE IT AND I WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS.

IT'S VERY EXCITING.

MAYBE WE'LL COME BACK AND VISIT YOU AGAIN.

YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE TIME.

>> PROASH YOU COMING UP.

>> OUR THANKS TO EDDIE BRENNAN AND BEAK AND SKIFF AND WISH THEM CONTINUED GROWTH AND SUCCESS -- AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS SEASON AS WE HAVE TAKEN A LOOK AT THE PEOPLE AND PLACES SHAPING THE CENTRAL NEW YORK ECONOMY.

NEXT SEASON PICKS UP RIGHT WHERE WE LEFT OFF, WITH IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF THE AREA'S MOST RECOGNIZABLE NAMES AND FACES - WE'LL MEET WITH SOME WHO ARE ON THEIR WAY UP, AND SOME ON THEIR WAY OUT.

WE'LL EXPLORE HOW CENTRAL NEW YORK FITS INTO THE NEW POST-COVID ECONOMY AND GET AN UPDATE ON HOW INTERSTATE 81 WILL PUSH ITS WAY THROUGH THE SYRACUSE STREETS AND SUBURBS, WE'LL SEE WHY AN NFL STAR WORKS TO BRING A RECREATION CENTER FOR THE YOUTH IN OUR AREA.

BUT WE'LL ALSO LEARN HOW POOR NUTRITION AND FOOD INSECURITY GO HAND IN HAND WITH SOME OF THE WORST CHILDHOOD POVERTY RATES IN THE NATION.

SO MUCH MORE COMING NEXT SEASON AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE HEAR FROM YOU.

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A BUSINESS, PERSON OR JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING IN CENTRAL NEW YORK, LET US KNOW.

CONTACT US BY EMAILING NEWS AT WCNY.ORG.

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

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FROM ALL OF US BRING YOU ON THE MONEY,I'M DANIEL PLUFF, THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING