UTICA — Despite a still sluggish economy and widespread flooding, some businesses across the Mohawk Valley reported significant successes.

After tough years in 2009 and 2010, several area banks bounced back strongly in 2011, and some small businesses expanded.

Other businesses suffered the damaging effects of flooding in late summer, while those in the health-care industry faced belt tightening to handle decreased reimbursement rates for care.

Manufacturers in New York state reported improved business conditions in December as orders picked up, hiring edged higher, and manufacturers expressed more optimism about the future. That’s according to a survey released Dec. 15 by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Maybe you will see this differently. To me it looks like fraud.

Upstate New York could save up to $1 billion by filling more prescriptions with generic drugs, according to a new report from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Many advisors see business opportunity despite volatility and seek growth in 2012.

Many financial advisors are telling their clients to expect continued market volatility in 2012.