COMING UP TONIGHT: LEARN ALL ABOUT THE FIRST ALL-MINORITY LED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SYRACUSE • THAT'S WELL UNDERWAY.

SEE HOW FIRST RESPONDERS ARE TAKING THEIR OPERATIONS TO THE SKY.

AND OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES BRINGS US BACK TO A SYRACUSE AIRPORT WHERE AN ONGOING EXPANSION IS TAKING PLACE.

ON THE MONEY BEGINS RIGHT NOW • 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 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 IS RIGHT HERE IN SYRACUSE.

SALINA 1ST, SYRACUSE'S FIRST-ALL-MINORITY LED COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, 10 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT, ENCOMPASSES TWO ADJACENT BUILDINGS OVER NEARLY TWO ACRES.

THE SPACE WILL FEATURE RETAIL SPACES, AN INCUBATOR AREA FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING, ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT, AND MIXED-INCOME RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS, OFFERING DOWNTOWN LIVING AFFORDABILITY.

EXPECTED TO CONCLUDE IN 2024, THIS PROJECT EXEMPLIFIES A GREAT NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY SYRACUSE'S INAUGURAL ALL-MINORITY LED COMMERCIAL VENTURE.

>> OUR BUSINESS STARTED IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE IN 1981.

WE HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT COULD WE DO TO PRODUCE AND MANUFACTURE THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY GROW.

IN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WASN'T A DREAM OF MINE.

IT WAS MY FATHER'S DREAM.

ALWAYS THOUGHT WE COULD DEVELOP THINGS IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE AND BE SELF SUFFICIENT.

>> BEFORE EMMANUEL AND ELI CAME FORWARD WITH THIS VISION, NOBODY WAS INVESTING ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF SYRACUSE.

AND IT REALLY WAS JUST SITTING THERE WITH NOTHING HAPPENING.

SO IT'S SO EXCITING.

AND THE MAYOR ALWAYS SAYS, SALINA 1st IS THE FIRST COMPANY TO COME AND PLANT THEIR FLAG ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

>> ABOUT $16 MILLION THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO BE.

THE THREE PARTNERS HAVE ONLY PUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN OF OUR OWN MONEY.

THAT'S SIGNIFICANT IN ITSELF.

BUT TO HAVE A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE COME TO ONE OF THE POOREST SIDES OF TOWN IN THE SYRACUSE COMMUNITY, OUR SOUTH SIDE, IS HUGE.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT OVER 10 YEARS, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A $39 MILLION PLUS COMMUNITY BENEFITS PACKAGE IN ADDITION TO THE $16 MILLION INVESTMENT THAT WE WILL BE MAKING TO START.

>> TO ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT DREAMING.

IF PEOPLE CAN DREAM THAT THEY CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THEN THEY CAN IMAGINE THAT THEY CAN DO IT, YOU KNOW, IF TWO GUYS LIKE ME AND ELI CAN DO THIS, ANYBODY CAN DO THIS.

TRUST ME.

BELIEVE IT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE CAN REINVEST OUR OWN DOLLARS BACK IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY TO SEE IT FLOURISH.

>> WHAT SALINA 1st REPRESENTS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL BUSINESSES TO GROW FROM THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE AND EVEN AFTER THAT, ONCE THE BUILDING IS BUILT, WE ARE GOING TO CREATE NUMEROUS FULL-TIME JOBS BY THE BUSINESSES THAT WILL OCCUPY THAT SPACE?

>> AND THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE OF WHERE WE ARE, WE ALSO KNOW ABOUT THE RACIAL INEQUALITY IN THAT FOOTPRINT.

SO US COMING INTO THAT COMMUNITY, BEING BUY BIPOC DEVELOPER, PEOPLE ARE MORE INCLINED TO COME AND UTILIZE THAT SPACE, RENT THAT SPACE, RENT THOSE APARTMENTS, BECAUSE THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING IN HISTORY.

>> WHERE THE LOCATION OF SALINA 1st IS IS REALLY CONVENIENT FOR WALK-IN TRAFFIC FOR THE BUSINESSES AND DRIVE UP AS WELL.

>> THIS AREA USED TO BE 10 VACANT LOTS AND THEY WERE VACANT LOTS FOR DECADES AND DECADES.

IT'S ALSO A BROWN FIELD.

WE ARE DOING BROWN FIELD REMEDIATION, WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

WE ARE ALSO MAKING IT A NET ZERO PROJECT.

SO WE ARE LOOKING AT ALSO FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE, WHERE WE CAN HELP BRING MORE ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY ALSO TO THE SOUTH SIDE.

NEXT MILESTONE IS TO COMPLETE OUR REMEDIATION.

WE HAVE DONE PROBABLY 50 TO 60% OF THE SITE WORK AND THE SITE REMEDIATION.

WE HAVE TO COMPLETE THAT NOW AND THAT'S TAKING SOILS THAT HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED OFF SITE OR COVERING THEM SO THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT ACTUALLY COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THEM ANY LONGER.

SO THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY THEN TO MOVE FORWARD TO OUR VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION WHERE YOU WILL START TO SEE BUILDINGS GOING UP.

THAT'S GOING TO BE AN EXCITING MOMENT WHEN WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE BUILDINGS COMING OUT OF THE GROUND, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVE IN, IS WHEN THEY SEE A BUILDING GOING UP.

THEY FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE GETTING >> SOME GREAT THINGS HAPPENING DOWN ON SALINA STREET -- WE WISH THE TEAM CONTINUED SUCCESS!

NEXT UP, OUR COMMON CENTS PIECE AND HERE TO JOIN US TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE LATEST IN HOME BUYING IS CHIP HODGKINS.

CHIP IS WITH THE HODGKINS HOMES TEAM OUT OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

WELCOME, CHIP!

>> THANK YOU, GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> AWESOME.

SO, I WANT TO ASK YOU THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

SHOULD I BUY NOW OR SHOULD I WAIT FOR INTEREST RATES TO GO DOWN?

>> SO, EVERYBODY IS ASKING THAT QUESTION AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO BUY WHEN INTEREST RATES COME DOWN.

>> TELL ME WHY THAT IS NOT GOOD.

>> IF EVERYBODY WAITS UNTIL THAT MOMENT WHEN INTEREST RATES START TO COME DOWN, THAT MEANS MORE HOME BUYERS ARE GOING TO COME IN.

WHEN MORE BUYERS ARE THERE, DO PRICES GO UP OR DO THEY GO DOWN?

SO IF YOU WANT TO WAIT UNTIL MORTGAGE RATES COME DOWN, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS I WANT TO WAIT UNTIL PRICES GO SKY HIGH BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

MORE BUYERS ARE GOING TO COME IN AS SOON AS THE MORTGAGE RATES COME DOWN, LENDING RATES COME DOWN.

SO MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME IN AND MICRON IS BRINGING IN MORE PEOPLE, SO YOU ARE GOING TO GET A DOUBLE WHAMMY.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE HARDER TO FIND A HOUSE.

IT'S EASIER TO FIND A HOUSE NOW BUT THERE IS ONE BIG THING.

>> WHAT IS IT?

>> THIS IS THE LOWEST PRICING WE WILL EVER SEE OF HOUSES IN SYRACUSE.

THIS IS THE LOWEST.

AND AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE NEVER SEEN HOUSING PRICES BE THIS HIGH AT THE SAME TIME.

SO IT'S THE HIGHEST WE'VE EVER SEEN BUT IT'S THE LOWEST WE ARE EVER GOING TO SEE.

>> SO IF I BUY NOW, INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND WE DO?

>> AS SOON AS INTEREST RATES COME DOWN, YOU REFINANCE.

SO WHAT WE SAY, DATE THE RATE.

MARRY THE HOUSE.

>> NEVER HEARD THAT.

>> SO YOU ARE MARRYING THE HOUSE.

YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE THERE FOR A LONG TIME AND YOU CAN MOVE IN AND OUT OF THE RATE AS SOON AS THE RATES COME DOWN.

I DON'T EVEN CARE IF THEY'RE A10%, BUY NOW BECAUSE THE PRICES ARE LOWER NOW THAN THEY WILL BE IN A MONTH.

WE JUST LISTED A HOUSE FOR 165 AND THAT HOUSE SOLD AT 175.

THE DEAL FELL APART.

TODAY, WE JUST GOT A NEW DEAL AT 185.

$10,000 OVER AND IT WAS FOUR WEEKS AGO THAT THE HOUSE SOLD AT 175.

PRICES ARE GOING UP THAT FAST.

BUY NOW.

>> CHIP, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TODAY AND GIVING US THIS VALUABLE INFORMATION.

I HEARD YOU.

I'M LOOKING AND I WANT TO BUY NOW.

I'LL REFINANCE LATER.

>> WE'LL DO IT.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

CHIP HODGKINS WITH THE HODGKIN'S HOME TEAM OUT OF CENTRAL NEW YORK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT IS OUR TECH BYTES SEGMENT WHERE WE BRING YOU SOME NEW AND INTERESTING TECHNOLOGIES FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK.

FOR ITS FIFTH YEAR, NUAIR AND THE STATE'S DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES HOST THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SAFETY UAS SUMMIT, UNITING EVOLVING UAS REGULATIONS WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES.

THROUGH LIVE DEMOS AND INTERACTIONS, PARTICIPANTS ACCESS CUTTING-EDGE UAS INNOVATIONS, FOSTERING COLLABORATION, EMPOWERMENT, AND HEIGHTENED SAFETY IN NEW YORK'S SKIES.

HAVE A LOOK.

>> WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES IN THIS SPACE, AND NOT ONLY OUR WORK THAT WE DO HERE AS NUAIR BUT WE SIT ON THE BOARD OF THE COMMERCIAL DRONE LINES.

WE GO THROUGH THE BEST OF THE BEST AND BRING THEM HERE SO THAT THE STATE IS GOING TO LOOK, AND WHEN THEY START PROCURING, THEY KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

NUAIR PROVIDES THE SERVICES PROVIDING CERTIFICATES OF AUTHORIZATION TO FLY, WE DO ALL THIS FOR THE STATE AT NO COST.

THE FUNDING WE GET FROM THE STATE TRANSLATES THEM BEING ABLE TO GO AND BUILD THESE THINGS WITHOUT EVERY DEPARTMENT HAVING TO TALK TO CONSULTANTS TO HIRE THEM TO DO THIS WORK FOR THEM.

WE HELP THEM IN ALL PHASES OF THEIR OPERATION NOT JUST IN THE DRONE AND UNDERSTANDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS BUT ALSO UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE ROI IS, WHY ARE THEY MAKING THIS INVESTMENT AND WHAT IS THE VALUE BACK TO THE STATE?

THE TAXPAYERS FUND A LOT OF THIS AND WE WANT THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO RECOOP THE FUNDS.

>> OUR PRIMARY CUSTOMER BASE OR CONSTITUENCY IS FIRST RESPONDERS, RIGHT?

SO THIS IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO THEM SO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE THESE TICKETS TO FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES IN NEW YORK STATE CAN UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE THIS TECHNOLOGY SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY AND MAKE THEIR JOBS HOPEFULLY EASIER AND SAFER.

>> WHAT WE REALLY FOCUS ON IS WHAT IS THE DELTA OF DOING THINGS THE TRADITIONAL MANUAL WAY OF DOING IT AND DIGITALLY WITH A DRONE.

THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT IS A BRIDGE.

EVERY TIME THERE IS A BRIDGE INSPECTION, THEY HAVE TO CLOSE TRAFFIC.

THAT IMPEDES TRAFFIC AND COMMERCE AND TAKES CREWS TO HIVE PERFORM THIS.

THE BOOM TRUCKS ARE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS.

THEY CAN NOW DO THESE INSPECTIONS WITH A 10 OR $12,000 DRONE.

>> THE COST OF A DRONE HAS COME DOWN A LOT.

SO IT'S NOT EVEN A FINANCIAL BURDEN, IF YOU WILL.

CERTAINLY THE HIGHER END STUFF COSTS MORE MONEY BUT YOU CAN GET A PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING FOR RELATIVELY CHEAP.

BUT THAT'S THE EASY FART-- THAT'S THE EASY PART.

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT GIVEN FREE REIGN TO THE AIR SPACE.

THEY NEED TO PROVE TO THE F.A.A.

THAT WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS SAFE.

>> A LOT OF WHAT WE DO ON THE UNMANNED SIDE MIRRORS THE MANNED SIDE OF AVIATION.

I WORK EVERY DAY WITH THE PILOTS ON MANNED AIRCRAFT AND WE WORK VERY WELL TOGETHER.

WE HAVE DONE SEARCHES TOGETHER WHERE AS LONG AS WE ARE DECONFLICTING AIR SPACE, THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

AND AGAIN, KNOWING THAT SOMETIMES CERTAIN AIRCRAFT, ESPECIALLY FOR SEARCHES, THEY'RE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THERE MAY BE A TIME WHERE THE AIRCRAFT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO GET TO THE LOCATION YOU WANT IT AT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HAVING A DRONE ON SCENE QUICKER THAN A HELICOPTER AND COST EFFICIENCY OF IT, ONE IS NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE OTHER BUT WE FOUND A WAY TO WORK THEM BOTH TOGETHER.

>> TWO YEARS AGO WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TALKING ABOUT MICRON COMING TO THE REGION, WE HAD TO DEVELOP 50,000 JOBS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR SOMETHING FROM MICRON.

IT MADE US TAKE A STEP BACK AND SAY WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE DRONE INDUSTRY.

IT'S AN EMERGING INDUSTRY.

WE DON'T HAVE THE TALENT HERE AND WE STARTED WORKING WITH SYRACUSE EDUCATIONAL DISTRICT, LeMOYNE COLLEGE.

WE HAVE TO GET THE NEXT GENERATION OF PEOPLE TO GET THEM IN THE WORKFORCE AND GET THEM TRAINED.

>> THE NAME OF THE GAME IS COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP.

WE BRING THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TOGETHER AND WOULD I SAY IN THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT USING DRONE AS A FIRST RESPONDER WHERE THEY AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOY DRONES BEFORE FIRST RESPONDERS ARRIVE ON SCENE.

THEY WILL DEPLOY A DRONE GET IMMEDIATE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SO THE OFFICERS KNOW WHAT THEY'RE WALK INTO AND CAN SEE IT BEFORE THEY GET THERE.

THAT'S THE TECHNOLOGY YOU ARE GOING TO SEE COME ONLINE THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS.

>> AND FOR TONIGHT'S BY THE NUMBERS WE ARE TALKING HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE.

AND YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE WHAT IS COVERED.

IT'S USUALLY YOUR HOME AND EVERYTHING IN IT.

BUT WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THERE IS MORE.

IF YOUR HOME GETS DAMAGED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT LEAVES YOUR HOME UNSAFE TO STAY IN, YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE YOUR POLICY.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE $200,000 INSURED, YOU CAN USE UP TO 20% OF THAT SO THAT'S ABOUT $40,000 THAT YOU CAN USE FOR A HOTEL AN AIRBNB OR SHORT-TERM RENTAL.

ANOTHER FINDING IS IF YOU ARE TRAVELING AND YOUR BELONGINGS ARE STOLEN, YOU CAN TAP INTO YOUR POLICY.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU ARE ON A TRIP, YOUR BELONGINGS ARE STOLEN, YOUR BAGS, AND IF YOU ARE INSURED $100,000, YOU CAN USE UP TO 10% OF THAT SO AROUND $10,000.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE TWO OTHER COVERAGES THAT INCLUDES LAWSUITS AND LIABILITY.

IF SOMEBODY SUES YOU BECAUSE YOUR DOG BIT THE NEIGHBOR, AS WELL AS UNUSUAL LOSSES.

CHECK OUT YOUR POLICY, YOU MAY HAVE MORE SURPRISES IN THERE.

BUT MAKE SURE WHAT YOU HAVE COVERAGE IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU.

THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS FOR TONIGHT WE FINISH UP TONIGHT WITH OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES WHERE WE MEET WITH SOME INTERESTING PEOPLE OR HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING SPECIAL - IN AN EARLIER SPOTLIGHT OUR SERIES RETURNS TO THE AIRPORT TO SEE HOW THEY'RE HANDLING MAJOR SWELL IN AIR TRAVEL, WHAT NEW AMENITIES WILL ADDRESS TRAVELERS NEEDS AND WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO WITH A 20 MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT.

BUT ALSO, WE WANTED TO KNOW HOW THE FACILITY PLANS TO HANDLE THE PROJECTED NEEDS COMING FROM MICRON - FROM ADDED FLIGHT SCHEDULES TO PARKING.

OUR J DANIEL PLUFF GOT SOME ANSWERS FROM JASON TERRERI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SYRACUSE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

>> JASON, THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK.

THIS IS ROUND TWO OF OUR VISIT TO SYRACUSE INTERNATIONAL HANCOCK AIRPORT.

WHEN WE WERE HERE BEFORE, WE WERE MASKED UP IF YOU REMEMBER.

SO JUST COMING OUT OF COVID BUT AT THE TIME THINGS WERE STARTING TO PICK UP A LITTLE BIT, UPSWING IN TRAFFIC.

PEOPLE STARTING TO MOVE AROUND A LITTLE BIT BUT THE BIG NEWS AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT WAS THAT SOUTHWEST WAS COMING TO SYRACUSE.

THEY'RE HERE NOW.

ANY BIG CHANGES YOU'VE NOTICED, ANYTHING POSITIVE?

>> THEY'RE DOING VERY WELL.

SO THEY HAVE STARTED THE SERVICE AND INCREMENTALLY ADDED FLEETS INTO THE MARKET.

SO WE HAVE ADDED TAMPA FLIGHT AND STARTING IN OCTOBER THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOING DAILY INTO ORLANDO.

THEY CONTINUE TO SEE SUCCESS IN THE MARKET AND EXPECT TO SEE THEM GROW EVEN FURTHER.

>> DO WE NEED ANY OTHER CARRIERS HERE?

DO YOU HAVE CAPACITY ON THE TARMAC?

DO WE NEED MORE NAMES COMING IN.

>> WE HAVE PLENTY OF CAPACITY FOR OTHER FLIGHTS.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND NEW CARRIERS THAT COULD COME IN HERE BUT IT'S HELPING THE CARRIERS THAT ARE HERE RIGHT NOW EXPAND WHETHER THAT'S NEW DESTINATIONS, ADDITIONAL FREQUENCY BUT WE HAVE MORE ROOM FOR NEW CARRIERS TO COME IN.

>> CHECK MY NUMBERS BUT PRE-COVID 2.5 MILLION PASSENGERS IN 2019.

I HATE TO KEEP BRINGING UP COVID AND THE PANDEMIC BUT IT REALLY HIT YOU HARD HERE AND OTHER BUSINESSES.

NOW, AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, MIDDAY, I MEAN I CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THE BACKGROUND NOISE, THE PEOPLE COMING THROUGH THE TSA, THERE IS A LINE.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT TRAVEL IS BACK.

>> YES.

IT'S BACK AND IT'S BACK EVEN MORE THAN IT WAS IN 2019.

SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE TRENDING ABOVE OUR 2019 NUMBERS; WHICH WAS A THREE DECADE RECORD.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO BREAK THAT 2.5 MILLION PASSENGER RECORD THAT WE SET IN 2019.

AND FORECASTING INTO THE FUTURE, WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE CONTINUED GROWTH.

SO THE BIG NEWS OR PART OF THE BIG NEWS IS NEW YORK STATE APPARENTLY HAS ISSUED THIS GRANT $230 MILLION DESIGNATED FOR UPSTATE AIRPORTS.

>> YES.

>> WHAT DO THE AIRPORTS NEED THE MONEY FOR?

>> INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE, CAPACITY AND TO HELP MAKE SURE THE AIRPORTS ARE POSITIONED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES AS THEY GROW.

>> THIS FACILITY GETS AROUND SO% OF THAT, 20 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS.

>> WE GOT SAY $20 MILLION GRANT.

>> $20 MILLION.

HAS THAT BEEN RECEIVED?

>> WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE GRANT.

THE WAY THAT IT WORKS IS WE DO THE PROJECT AND THEN WE GET PAYMENTS AS WE SUBMIT WORK COMPLETED.

>> DID HAVE YOU TO QUALIFY OR REQUEST THAT SOMEHOW?

THAT'S A GOOD CHUNK OF MONEY COMING IN.

HOW DID YOU GET THAT?

>> IT'S A COMPETITION AND YOU SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION.

AND THEN WE LIST THE PROJECTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO FUND AND THEN THE STATE GOES THROUGH AND EVALUATES WHICH ARE THE PRIORITIES AND WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING TWO OF OUR PROJECTS SELECTED.

>> SO ONE OF THE PROJECTS BEING I THINK THE NORTH CONCOURSE MAYBE?

>> YES.

>> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE?

ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOTAGE?

>> WE ARE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL 4700 SQUARE FEET.

>> ALMOST 5,000.

>> ALMOST 5,000 BETWEEN THE DELTA AND UNITED GATES AND A NEW JET BRIDGE OVER ON THE SIDE WHERE UNITED IS AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL BUMP OUT AT WHAT IS KNOWN AS GATE 27.

WE ARE ADDING TWO GATE AREAS AND TWO NEW JET BRIDGES TO THE NORTH CONCOURSE.

>> SO AS A PASSENGER, I'LL SEE THOSE CHANGES, MAYBE SOME ADDITIONAL SEATING AMENITIES, PLACES TO EAT, DRINK THAT WILL BE UPGRADED?

>> YES.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT.

>> IN THE EXPANSION WE ARE GOING HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS.

WE HAVEN'T DECIDED ON EXACTLY WHAT WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE YET.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPTIONS AS WELL AS RETAIL AND OTHER AMENITIES THEY WILL SEE IS SEATING, ADDITIONAL JET BRIDGES, MORE SPACE.

>> WE DID A PIECE, I WANT TO SAY IT WAS LAST SEASON ON HERITAGE HILL, PALLADINO FARMS, THEY'RE COMING HERE.

>> IT'S UP AND RUNNING.

WE KICKED IT OFF LAST WEEK WAS THE GRABBED OPENING.

>> PEOPLE LIKE THAT?

>> LOVE IT.

>> MAYBE A BETTER ATMOSPHERE, I DON'T WANT TO SAY BETTER QUALITY BUT UPGRADE TO WAS WE HAVE BEEN USED TO?

>> IT IS BETTER QUALITY AND WHAT IS DRIVING THAT IS PART OF THE RENOVATION THAT WE DID, WE PUT IN A FULL COMMERCIAL KITCHEN SO NOW YOU HAVE THE HOOD, GRILL, FRY BACT WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE.

SO THERE IS IMPROVEMENT IN THE FOOD.

THE OTHER THING THAT IT HAS DONE IS REALLY STARTED TO BRING IN THAT LOCAL SENSE, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH.

>> YOU ARE READING MY NOTES BECAUSE I DO-- I LIKE THAT IDEA THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A SYRACUSE AIRPORT.

SERVES CENTRAL NEW YORK BUT THESE ARE LOCAL BUSINESSES COMING IN TO HELP OUT WHICH IS KIND OF NICE.

>> YEP.

>> WHAT ABOUT PLACES TO REST, IF YOU WILL, WAIT FOR YOUR FLIGHT, THE LOUNGE AREAS.

THEY HAVE BEEN UPGRADED A BIT AS WELL.

>> WE OPENED OUR FIRST BUSINESS LOUNGE, COMMON USE LOUNGE AT THE AIRPORT.

THAT OPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO.

AND THAT IS OPENED TO ALL PASSENGERS.

IT TARGETS BUSINESS TRAVELERS BUT ANYBODY CAN GO IN.

>> AS FAR AS TALKING ABOUT MAYBE SOME MONEY ISSUES REVENUE AND WHAT NOT, WE KNOW THAT THE AIRLINES PAY A FEE FOR THE ABILITY TO LAND HERE AND STAY HERE.

YOU SURPRISED ME, ALTHOUGH IN SOME RESPECTS, YOU DIDN'T WHEN I TALKED TO YOU LAST TIME.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOURCES OF REVENUE IS PARKING.

>> YES.

>> WILL WE SEE UPGRADES TO THE PARKING FACILITIES HERE?

>> YES, SO WE ARE AT 15% DESIGN RIGHT NOW AND A COMPLETE REDESIGN OF THE LAND SIDE OF THE AIRPORT.

PART OF THAT IS A BRAND NEW PARKING DECK, RENTAL CAR FACILITY AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE ROADWAYS AND SURFACE PARKING LOTS.

>> CAN I COMPLAIN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WHEN YOU FLY OUT OF HERE, IF YOU ARE COMING IN IN THE MORNING, THERE IS LIKE 100 FLIGHTS THAT LEAVE RIGHT AROUND 6 A.M. WE ARE SITTING HERE TODAY MIDDAY, IT'S STILL CROWDED OUT THERE.

CAN'T WE SPREAD THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT.

>> SIGHTS NOT OUR DECISION.

THE WAY THAT FLIGHTS ARE TIMED IS KIND OF TO YOUR FIRST POINT ON NON-STOP DESTINATIONS.

THE FLIGHTS ARE TIMED SO THEY ARRIVE AT ONE OF THE HUBS TO GIVE YOU THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF CONNECTIONS SO I'LL USE DFW FLIGHT THAT TAKES OFF AT 6:05 AND IT LEAVES AND THEN YOU CAN CONNECT INTERNATIONAL, WEST COAST, EAST COAST, IT PROVIDES A LOT OF THE OPPORTUNITY.

THE TIMING FOR THOSE FLIGHTS HAPPEN TO BE ALL IN THE MORNING.

THAT'S WHY ALL THOSE FLIGHTS ARE CONNECTING TO DIFFERENT HUBS.

>> LISTEN, THE LOGISTICS BLOW MY MIND.

I DON'T GET HOW IT WORKS, YOU KNOW, ANYWAY, BUT IT'S WORKING PRETTY WELL, I GUESS.

WHEN WE WERE HERE BEFORE ALSO, YOU TALKED TO US ABOUT, I GUESS ESTABLISHING YOUR OWN POLICE FORCE, SECURITY FORCE.

>> YES.

>> SYRACUSE POLICE DEPARTMENT SORT OF OVERSAW THIS PLACE, I THINK SINCE DAY ONE.

>> YEP.

>> WE HAVE A NEW FORCE IN PLACE NOW?

>> YES, WE DO.

>> WHAT WAS THE THINKINGING AND ADVANTAGE OF THAT?

>> OUR NEW POLICE FORCE IS THE SYRACUSE REGIONAL POLICE TOOK OVER AND THE REASON WE DID THAT IS PART OF THE TRANSITION AND CREATION OF THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

THE AUTHORITY WAS FORMED IF 2014, THERE HAD TO BE A TRANSITION FROM THE CITY.

THIS MAKES LOGICAL SENSE TO HAVE IT.

IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN STAFFING AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTROL OVER OUR RESOURCES HERE.

>> HOW MUCH, YOU KNOW, CAN I GET THROUGH AN INTERVIEW WITHOUT TAKING ABOUT MICRON, I GO GUESS NOT.

HOW MUCH IS OF THIS IS BEING DONE IN CONSIDERATION OF THIS MAJOR EMPLOYER COMING TO TOWN?

>> THERE IS A PORTION OF IT THAT IS BUT WE HAVE JUST BEEN GROWING.

A LOT OF THE GROWTH YOU ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS NOT RELATED TO MICRON.

RIERN, WE ARE EXPECTING THOSE IMPACTS TO HIT AROUND LATE 2025, 2026.

SO WE ARE MAKING SURE WE HAVE CAPACITY SO WE ARE LOOKING AT EXPANSION TO THE CHECKPOINT, BAGGAGE CLAIM.

ON THE AIRFIELD WE ARE PRETTY SET.

GATES ARE SET.

THERE MAY BE CARGO IMPLICATIONS BUT WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH THAT WITH MEERN.

>> YOU ARE GROWING AND I CAN HEAR IT, BUT YOU HAVE TO ASSUME THAT EVEN MORE SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT IS COMING IN WITH THIS CHIP MANUFACTURER.

I MEAN YOU CAN'T OVERLOOK THAT.

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

BUT THAT'S WHERE YOU START UPGRADING THE SERVICES SO IT MAY NOT BE A BUNCH OF NEW NON-STOP DESTINATIONS BUT YOU MAY SEE THE LARGER AIRCRAFT GOING INTO THE MAJOR HUBS AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE A LOT OF WEST COAST CAPACITY.

BOISE IS AN IMPORTANT CITY AND SO IS THE WEST COAST.

ENSURING THAT CAPACITY.

>> IF WE VISIT YOU A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW, WHAT WILL I SEE?

>> YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE AN EXPANDED CHECKPOINT.

YOU WILL SEE CONSTRUCTION ON THE AIRFIELD AS WELL AS SOME OF THE GATES.

AND YOU WILL MOST LIKELY SEE IN IT'S IN A YEAR, YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE THE CONSTRUCTION STARTING ON THE LAND SIDE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WITH THE START FIRST PHASE OF THAT WILL BE THE NEW RENTAL CAR FACILITY.

>> WOULD I BE TOO OPTIMISTIC TO SAY IN A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW, A BETTER EXPERIENCE BEING HERE?

>> I HOPE SO.

THAT'S THE PLAN.

>> WE'LL COME BACK AND CHECK ON YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANKS FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US.

>> ANY TIME.

>> OUR THANKS TO JASON FOR HAVING US BACK AT THE AIRPORT.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

NEXT WEEK, DISCOVER HOW ONE SYRACUSE ORGANIZATION IS EXPANDING THEIR SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS.

CAN ESPORTS BE ELITE IN CENTRAL NEW YORK?

THERE'S ONE ORGANIZATION THAT THINKS SO.

AND FOR OUR SPOTLIGHT SERIES, WE EXAMINE THE SHUTDOWN OF CAZENOVIA COLLEGE AND ITS IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESS DYNAMICS, WHILE EXPLORING THE FUTURE PROSPECTS FOR THE VACATED CAMPUS.

WE STILL HAVE PLENTY AHEAD FOR THE SEASON -- IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A BUSINESS, PERSON OR JUST SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENING IN CENTRAL NEW YORK, CONTACT US BY EMAILING NEWS AT WCNY.ORG.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WCNY DOT ORG FORWARD SLASH ON THE MONEY.

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

I'M LAIZA SEMIDEY, THANKS AGAIN FOR WATCHING.