2025

May 8, 2025

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Albany Business Review: Partners behind $18M Saratoga Springs apartment and condo project aim to grow portfolio even more

The $18 million investment is the first ground-up development project for their company, Green Springs Capital Group. They were able to finance the project with a $13 million loan from Pioneer.

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May 2, 2025

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The Daily Star: In Our Opinion: RSS plan best, and only, for 27 Market St. site

Opponents of the RSS plan were given the opportunity to present an alternative plan. They didn’t have one. This opportunity with RSS may not come again. We urge the council to vote in favor of the sale. It’s the best, and only, plan.

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May 2, 2025

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Albany Times Union: New Upstate Capital CEO looks to connect investment with innovations, new ideas

Upstate Capital, a nonprofit designed to grow the private equity, venture capital and investment banking ecosystem in upstate New York while helping to nurture entrepreneurs and startup companies, may have found the perfect new leader in Shelby Schneider.

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May 1, 2025

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Albany Business Review: The pandemic already added $4.5M in costs to this construction project — now tariffs could tack on more

Site work started a few weeks ago with the demolition of a former suburban-style bank branch on Fifth Avenue between Broadway and Fulton Street to clear the land for what will be a four-story, 71-unit market-rate apartment complex called 1818 Passive House. The lender is Pioneer. 

April 30, 2025

All Otsego: The time is now! Why the RSS proposal for 27 Market Street is the right move for Oneonta

The options for 27 Market Street are clear: a $25 million investment in downtown, creation of affordable housing for local residents, and an economic catalyst for the city, or—as shared in a recent meeting to consider alternative proposals—a parking lot.

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April 21, 2025

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Albany Times Union: SEEN: Pioneer and Special Olympics New York Unified Bocce Tournament 2025

Were you Seen at Pioneer and Special Olympics New York Unified Bocce Tournament on April 17, 2025, at Pioneer headquarters in Albany? Thirty-two players – 16 from Pioneer and 16 from Special Olympics – competed on unified teams for gold, silver, and bronze medals.

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April 18, 2025

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Daily Gazette: Photos: Special Olympics New York Unified Bocce Tournament in Colonie

Pioneer teamed up with Special Olympics New York and hosted a first-ever Unified Bocce Tournament at their Albany-Shaker Road headquarters in Colonie on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

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April 16, 2025

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Spotlight News: Siena College poll shows quality of life rated high, yet affordability concerns persist

Pioneer President and CEO Tom Amell said the report serves as both a reflection of current conditions and a roadmap for improvement. “This report highlights the many strengths of our region, from quality of life and health care to cultural assets and a sense of community, while also noting areas we can improve, such as affordability." 

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April 13, 2025

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Albany Business Review: Saratoga mansion apartments near Skidmore College sold

The purchase was financed with a $3.415 million loan from Pioneer, according to mortgage documents.

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April 12, 2025

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Albany Times Union: With Erie Canal turning 200, WMHT brings New York's economic engine back to life

As the Erie Canal celebrates its 200th anniversary this year,  WMHT Public Media is launching a 10-part, short-form video series on the waterway called “Reflections on the Erie Canal.” A one-hour feature documentary film will also air in October around the official anniversary of the completion of the canal.

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April 11, 2025

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Albany Times Union: Survey: Affordable housing, upward mobility big concerns for Capital Region

“What intrigued Pioneer about it is it really fits perfectly within our charitable foundation because we are really focused on helping kids be kids in our community,” said Tom Amell, Pioneer's CEO. “What this survey does is shine a spotlight on areas in our community that need more attention.”

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April 10, 2025

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All Otsego: RSS presents its vision for $25 million development

What RSS is proposing, Nealon said, is “not a shelter; not a half-way house, and not a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.” What RSS is proposing, according to the presentation and handout provided, is “affordable, high-quality housing for individuals and families earning 30-70 percent of the Area Median Income.”

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April 8, 2025

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Daily Gazette: New WMHT documentary series reflects on Erie Canal's history and relevance today

Titled “Reflections on the Erie Canal,” the series commemorates the canal’s bicentennial, delving into the canal’s history, spotlighting some of the under-told stories and highlighting the waterway’s relevance today.

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April 1, 2025

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Albany Times Union: Upstate Capital announces new CEO

Shelby Schneider, previously deputy director of the New York State Economic Development Council, has been hired as CEO of Upstate Capital.

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April 1, 2025

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The Daily Star: RSS revives its pitch to develop prime downtown Oneonta property

RSS has been a presence in Oneonta for decades, offering its programs and running the Oneonta Bagel Co. on Main Street. Its proposal aims to boost Oneonta's revitalization, attracting young professionals and supporting local businesses.

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March 31, 2025

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Albany Business Review: Upstate Capital Association names new CEO

The Upstate Capital Association of New York has named Shelby Schneider as its new CEO. Schneider succeeds Noa Conger Simons. Her hire is effective as of March 31.

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March 27, 2025

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All Otsego: RSS purchase of 27 Market St.: 'We support your efforts’

Letter to RSS Executive Director William DeVita “reflects the collective views of a multitude of Oneonta residents and key downtown stakeholders. We are actively engaged in local government affairs and we have been closely following RSS’s activities in Oneonta. We would like to express our support for your organization’s efforts to purchase 27 Market Street.”

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March 26, 2025

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Daily Gazette: ‘Reflections on the Erie Canal’ to mark waterway’s 200th anniversary

The New York Power Authority, New York State Canal Corporation, and WMHT Public Media recently announced the launch of a robust multi-platform, multi-media initiative to commemorate the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial, which is taking place this year.

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March 20, 2025

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Ithaca Journal: $10.8M in state funds headed to Tompkins County housing developments. Where the money goes

The Meadow on Seneca is a 70-unit apartment building planned for construction at 116 North Meadow Street in Ithaca. Albany-based non-profit Rehabilitation Support Services will provide supportive services at the property.

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March 19, 2025

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Albany Times Union: Saluting an improved WMHT

It seems like WMHT (89.1 FM) is everywhere these days, hosting, sponsoring, producing concerts. That’s in addition to what’s on the air. About 10 years have passed since Rob Brown became the music director and plenty of good things are happening at the station.

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March 19, 2025

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Ithaca Voice: Local affordable housing projects to get $10.8M in state funds

The Meadow on Seneca, being developed by Rehabilitation Support Services, was awarded $7.1 million. The 80,754-square-foot, 70-unit building is approved for construction at 116 North Meadow Street on Ithaca’s West End.  

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March 18, 2025

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The Daily Star: Mayor sets timeline for 27 Market St. vote

Drnek told the council RSS representatives will attend the April 1 meeting to give a full presentation on their plan. He set May 6 as the date for a council vote on the sale to RSS.

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March 18, 2025

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Capital Region Living: The 2025 Bestie Awards: People & Places

Voters picked Pioneer among Best Banks, and they aren’t just selecting from a drop-down menu of preselected options. They’re actually writing their votes in—with no input from the CRL team given.

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March 13, 2025

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All Otsego: Mayor Faces Opposition, Shares Vision for ‘New’ Market Street

Rehabilitation Support Services Executive Director William DeVita said, “We appreciate and support Mayor Drnek’s comments and join him in refuting a letter that is not only filled with innuendo and inaccuracies, but is also divisive and counterproductive.”

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March 4, 2025

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The Daily Star: Oneonta mayor blasts letter urging RSS to drop property bid

Drnek urged residents to engage with factual information rather than rumors and insisted that Oneonta’s future should be shaped by informed decisions rather than reactionary opposition.

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February 8, 2025

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Albany Times Union: New WMHT documentary traces the migration of Mississippians 'North to New York'

The journey of the Rev. Jack Johnson — and many, many others — from Shubuta, Miss. to Albany is at the center of WMHT’s latest documentary “North to New York,” trailing the local stories of the Great Migration.

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February 7, 2025

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Spotlight News: Businesses, landmarks shine lights on heart disease in women for Wear Red Day 2025

48 buildings and landmarks across the Capital Region, including Pioneer Bank, will glow red to raise awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death among women in the United States.
 

February 7, 2025

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News 10 ABC Albany: Capital Region buildings glow red for women’s heart health

Pioneer Bank was among landmarks throughout the Capital Region lit red on Friday to shine light on heart disease, the number one killer of women.

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February 6, 2025

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The Daily Star: Council to vote on future of downtown parcel in May

Rehabilitation Support Services Inc. proposed redeveloping the slightly larger than a half-acre of property at the corner of Chestnut and Market streets into a $25 million mixed-use building with potentially 50-60 apartments, with most of them priced for the workforce and about 15 set aside for RSS clients.

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January 29, 2025

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The Daily Gazette: Safe Options Support program focuses on rise in Capital Region homelessness

Administered by Rehabilitation Support Services (RSS), it launched in the Capital Region in December 2023, serving Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties. Teams establish relationships with homeless individuals and enroll them in services to help them connect with supports designed to help maintain stable permanent housing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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January 24, 2025

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Albany Times Union: Loudonville businessman partners with private equity to grow utility services firm

Donohue moved on from funding the business with his credit card to working closely with Pioneer Bank to finance his dreams.

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January 14, 2025

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Albany Business Review: Pioneer sells office property off Western Avenue

Pioneer wants to channel the sale proceeds toward an ongoing revamp of its branches, President and CEO Tom Amell said. The bank recently finished renovating its Latham branch, and plans are in the works to overhaul locations in Delmar, Hudson and Clifton Park.

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January 13, 2025

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WSKG Public Radio: Meet the outreach workers driving through rural New York to help people who are homeless

Called Safe Options Support, or SOS, and run by Catholic Charities of Cortland County and Rehabilitation Support Services, the program provides food, warmth and stability, in the midst of what outreach workers say is an affordable housing crisis in the Southern Tier.

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January 2, 2025

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All Otsego: Resolution in the New Year

No one seems to be arguing that affordable housing is not needed—in fact, most folks agree that lack of affordable housing in Otsego County has reached crisis levels. So, let’s resolve that.