VIP Structures of Syracuse is overseeing the project in a design-build capacity and work should wrap up next spring. VIP announced the initiative in a news release today.

The state added 29,000 private-sector jobs in July, but the unemployment rate was unchanged from the previous month at 8.2 percent, according to a Labor Department news release. That's down from 8.7 percent in July 2009.

First Niagara and New Haven, Conn.-based NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:NAL) announced that they will combine in a cash and stock transaction worth $1.5 billion. NewAlliance shareholders will receive 1.10 shares of First Niagara stock for each NewAlliance share they own.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. The initiative will also receive $250,000 in funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Adam Weitsman, president of Upstate Shredding, LLC and Ben Weitsman & Son of Owego, has confirmed "a signed contract" to purchase The Krebs, a 111-year old seasonal eatery that operates at 53 W. Genesee Street Road (Route 20) in the village of Skaneateles.