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.

Gov. David Paterson signed a bill into law on Aug. 15 allowing restaurants and vendors to sell glasses of wine, according to a news release from the fair.

The company released its 2010 Closing Costs Survey on Monday. The survey found that New York led the nation with average origination and closing costs of more than $5,600. Arkansas was the least expensive area with average fees of more than $3,000.